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# Cosy Granny Square Stroller Blanket

A classic crocheted stroller blanket made from sixteen traditional granny squares joined together and finished with a simple two-round border. Perfect for beginners — each square is small, portable, and uses only chain stitch and treble crochet.

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## Finished Measurements
- **Approximately 44 cm x 44 cm (17½" x 17½")**
- Ideal size for a pram, car seat, or Moses basket.

## Skill Level
Easy

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## Materials

- **Yarn**: Worsted weight (Aran) yarn, 100% acrylic or cotton/acrylic blend recommended for washability
  - Colour A (main/cream): approx. 150 g
  - Colour B (accent 1): approx. 80 g
  - Colour C (accent 2): approx. 80 g
  - Colour D (border): approx. 80 g
  - *(Total approx. 390 g — adjust to taste; you may use as many colours as you like)*
- **Hook**: 5 mm (UK 6 / US H-8) crochet hook
- **Notions**: Tapestry/yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional)

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## Tension (Gauge)

One completed granny square (4 rounds) = **10 cm x 10 cm (4" x 4")** after light blocking, using a 5 mm hook.

*Tension is not critical for a blanket, but check your first square — if it is significantly larger or smaller, adjust hook size accordingly.*

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## Abbreviations (UK Terms)

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| dc | double crochet (US sc) |
| tr | treble crochet (US dc) |
| sp | space |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| RS | right side |
| rep | repeat |

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## Pattern Notes

- The starting ch-3 of each round counts as 1 tr.
- Each square has 4 rounds and uses up to 3 colours (the fourth round here uses Colour A to unify the blanket — see colour key below).
- Cut yarn at the end of each round if changing colour, leaving a 10 cm tail to weave in later.
- All rounds are worked with RS facing.

### Suggested Colour Key (per square)
- Round 1: Colour B **or** C (alternate at random)
- Round 2: Colour C **or** B
- Round 3: Colour D
- Round 4: Colour A (main) — this is what you will join with

You will make **16 squares** in total.

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## The Granny Square

**Make 16.**

**Foundation:** With first colour, ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring. *(Alternatively, begin with a magic ring.)*

### Round 1
Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr into ring, ch 2, *3 tr into ring, ch 2; rep from * twice more. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
- **Stitch check:** 4 groups of 3 tr + 4 ch-2 corner spaces = 12 tr total. ✓

### Round 2
Join next colour into any ch-2 corner space. Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), (2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same corner sp, ch 1, *(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next corner sp, ch 1; rep from * twice more. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
- **Stitch check:** 8 groups of 3 tr (2 per corner) + 4 ch-2 corners + 4 ch-1 side spaces = 24 tr total. ✓

### Round 3
Join next colour into any ch-2 corner sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), (2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same corner sp, ch 1, 3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next corner sp, ch 1, 3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * twice more. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
- **Stitch check:** 12 groups of 3 tr + 4 ch-2 corners + 8 ch-1 side spaces = 36 tr total. ✓

### Round 4 (with Colour A)
Join Colour A into any ch-2 corner sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), (2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same corner sp, ch 1, (3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice, *(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next corner sp, ch 1, (3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice; rep from * twice more. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off, leaving a long tail (approx. 80 cm) if you plan to join with whip stitch.
- **Stitch check:** 16 groups of 3 tr + 4 ch-2 corners + 12 ch-1 side spaces = 48 tr total. ✓
- Each side of the square has 4 groups of 3 tr separated by 3 ch-1 spaces, with ch-2 corners.

**Weave in all interior tails on each square as you go to save time at the end.**

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## Blocking

Lightly steam-block or wet-block all 16 squares to **10 cm x 10 cm**. This step is highly recommended — it evens out the stitches and makes joining much neater.

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## Joining the Squares (Whip Stitch Method)

Lay out your 16 squares in a **4 x 4 grid**, arranging colours pleasingly.
- Total before border: 4 × 10 cm = **40 cm x 40 cm**. ✓

### Step 1: Join into rows
With Colour A and a tapestry needle, place two squares right sides together. Whip stitch through the **back loops only** of corresponding stitches along one edge, working corner-to-corner. Continue adding squares until you have 4 horizontal strips of 4 squares each.

### Step 2: Join the rows
Join the four strips together horizontally using the same whip stitch method, taking care to line up the seams at every junction.

*Tip: At each four-corner intersection, pass the needle through all four corner spaces to lock them neatly together.*

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## Border

With RS facing, join Colour D into any corner ch-2 space of the joined blanket.

### Border Round 1
Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), (2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same corner sp, *work 3 tr in each ch-1 sp and 3 tr in each seam/joining point along the side to the next corner*, (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next corner sp; rep from * around, working last side, then sl st to top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off Colour D.

*This round establishes an even granny-style edge with corners.*

### Border Round 2
Join Colour A into any ch-2 corner sp. Ch 1, work **1 dc** in each tr around, working (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in each ch-2 corner sp. Sl st to first dc. Fasten off.

- **Border adds approx. 2 cm per side**, bringing the blanket to approximately **44 cm x 44 cm**. ✓

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## Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining ends securely using a tapestry needle.
2. Gently block the finished blanket to even out the border and square up the edges.
3. Trim any stray fibres.

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## Care Instructions

- Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag.
- Lay flat to dry to maintain shape.
- Do not tumble dry on high heat.

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## Final Maths Check

- 16 squares × 10 cm = 4 squares per row × 10 cm = **40 cm** ✓
- 40 cm + (2 cm border × 2 sides) = **44 cm** ✓
- Round 4 perimeter per square: 4 sides × (4 × 3 tr + 3 × 1 ch + 2 ch corner allowance) — each side has 4 tr-groups separated by ch-1, plus corners — verified to align cleanly with neighbouring squares. ✓

Enjoy your finished stroller blanket — a perfect handmade gift that will be treasured for years to come!