Classic Granny Square Blanket

Beginner • Worsted Weight • Throw

A traditional granny-square throw worked as individual squares, joined, then finished with an optional simple border. Clear cluster counts and two joining options make this ideal for a first blanket.

Finished Size

Approximately 36" × 48" (91.5 × 122 cm) before border
With optional border: approximately 38" × 50" (96.5 × 127 cm)

Layout: 6 squares wide × 8 squares long = 48 squares

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4), approx. 1,800–2,200 yd (1,650–2,010 m) total
  • Main color (MC) or multiple colors as desired
  • Optional contrasting color (CC) for join and/or border: 150–250 yd (137–230 m)
• Hook: US I/9 (5.5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional), blocking supplies

Gauge

One granny square after 4 rounds = 6" × 6" (15 × 15 cm), blocked
Adjust hook size if your square is larger or smaller so finished blanket matches the stated size.

Abbreviations (US)

• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• dc – double crochet
• sc – single crochet
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• MC – main color
• CC – contrasting color
• rep – repeat

Special stitch
Cluster: 3 dc in the same space or stitch.

Notes

• Squares are worked in joined rounds with RS always facing.
• Beginning ch-3 counts as first dc of the round.
• Change colors at the end of any round if desired: finish the joining sl st with the new color.
• Block squares to 6" before joining for neat seams and even edges.
• Weave in ends as you go when possible.
• Inline count checks appear as (… ✓).

Granny Square (make 48)

Foundation
Make a magic ring,
or ch 4, sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1
Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2,
[3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times,
sl st in top of beginning ch-3 to join.
Pull magic ring closed.
(4 clusters, 4 ch-2 corner sps ✓)

Rnd 2
Sl st in each of next 2 dc and into next ch-2 sp,
ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 sp (first corner made),
*ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * 2 more times,
ch 1, sl st in top of beginning ch-3 to join.
(8 clusters, 4 ch-2 corners, 4 ch-1 sps ✓)

Rnd 3
Sl st in each of next 2 dc and into next ch-2 sp,
ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 sp,
*ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * 2 more times,
ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sl st in top of beginning ch-3 to join.
(12 clusters: 2 per side + corners; 4 ch-2 corners ✓)

Rnd 4
Sl st in each of next 2 dc and into next ch-2 sp,
ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 sp,
*[ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] twice, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * 2 more times,
[ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] twice, ch 1, sl st in top of beginning ch-3 to join.
(16 clusters: 3 side clusters between corners on each side ✓)

Fasten off, leaving a 12–18" (30–45 cm) tail if you will whip-stitch with the square’s own yarn; otherwise weave in end.
Block square to 6" × 6" (15 × 15 cm).

Color tip (optional)
Work Rnds 1–2 in Color A, Rnd 3 in Color B, Rnd 4 in Color C — or solid squares in assorted colors.

Joining the Squares

Arrange squares in a grid 6 wide × 8 long, RS facing up, in your preferred color layout. Join with either method below.

Method A: Whip Stitch (recommended for beginners)

1. Hold two squares WS together (RS outward), aligning edges and corner ch-2 sps.
2. Thread yarn needle with matching yarn or CC.
3. Whip stitch through back loops only of corresponding stitches along the edge, working from corner ch-2 to corner ch-2. Keep stitches snug but not tight.
4. At corners, catch both corner ch-2 loops so the join sits flat.
5. Join squares into strips of 6 (width), then join the 8 strips along the long edges the same way.
6. Weave in all join tails securely on WS.

Method B: Join-As-You-Go (JAYG) — optional

Work first square completely through Rnd 4.
For each new square, work Rnds 1–3 as usual. On Rnd 4, when you reach a side that should join to a finished square:

• Work corner as (3 dc, ch 1, sl st into corresponding corner ch-2 of finished square, ch 1, 3 dc) in the working corner sp.
• Along the side, instead of ch 1 between clusters: ch 0 (or ch 1), sl st into the adjacent ch-1 sp (or between clusters) of the finished square, then work the next 3-dc cluster on the working square.
• Complete remaining sides of Rnd 4 normally (with ch-1 between clusters and full ch-2 corners) when not joining.
• When a square joins on two sides (interior of grid), join both shared sides the same way as you work Rnd 4.

Continue until all 48 squares are joined in the 6 × 8 layout.

Optional Border

With RS facing, join MC or CC with sl st in any corner ch-2 sp of the blanket.

Rnd 1 (sc)
Ch 1, *3 sc in corner sp, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp (and in each join) across to next corner; rep from * around, working 3 sc in each corner, sl st in first sc to join.
(Even edge; 3 sc per corner keeps border flat ✓)

Rnd 2 (dc)
Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each sc around, working (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the center sc of each 3-sc corner; sl st in top of beginning ch-3 to join.

Rnd 3 (optional, sc finish)
Ch 1, sc in each dc around, working 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp; sl st in first sc to join.

Fasten off.

Simpler border alternative
One rnd of sc only (Rnd 1 above), or reverse single crochet (crab stitch) around after Rnd 1 for a corded edge.

Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining ends on WS.
2. Block finished blanket lightly: dampen, pin to measurements (approx. 38" × 50" / 96.5 × 127 cm with border), dry flat.
3. Steam-block carefully if yarn allows (check fiber content); do not flatten textured clusters excessively.

Size / Yarn Notes

• Larger blanket: Add squares in multiples of the layout (e.g., 7 × 9) or work each square through Rnd 5 (adds ~1½" per square; recalculate yarn).
• Smaller baby blanket: 4 × 5 squares ≈ 24" × 30" before border.
• Yarn amounts are estimates for average worsted and 4-rnd squares; highly textured or dark yarns may need more.

Skill Checklist (Beginner)

• Magic ring or ch-4 ring
• Double crochet and chain spaces
• Joining rounds with sl st
• Counting clusters and corner spaces
• Whip stitch or basic JAYG
• Simple border in the round

Enjoy your granny square blanket!