Cozy Christmas Granny Square Blanket

Beginner · Worsted Weight · Approx. 40" × 40" (102 × 102 cm)

A cheerful traditional granny-square throw in classic Christmas red, green, and white. Perfect first blanket project: simple stitches, modular squares you can make anywhere, and a straightforward join.

Skill Level

Beginner

Finished Size

Approximately 40" × 40" (102 × 102 cm) after light blocking, including border.

Yarn

Worsted weight (Category 4) acrylic or wool-blend, approx. 1,400 yd (1,280 m) total:

• Color A (Red): 500 yd (457 m)
• Color B (Green): 500 yd (457 m)
• Color C (White/Off-white): 400 yd (366 m)

Suggested: Red Heart Super Saver, Caron One Pound, or equivalent.

Hook

US H/8 (5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional)
• Blocking mats and pins (recommended)

Gauge

One 4-round granny square = 4" × 4" (10 × 10 cm) blocked. Take time to check gauge; adjust hook size if your square is larger or smaller.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• yo – yarn over
• FO – fasten off

Special Stitches

Granny cluster (3-dc group): 3 dc in same space or stitch.

Corner space: ch-2 space at each corner.

Pattern Notes

• Blanket is made of 36 individual granny squares (6 × 6 layout), joined, then edged with a simple border.
• Each square is worked in joined rounds with RS always facing.
• Ch 3 at start of rnd counts as first dc.
• Color changes: finish the last yarn-over of the final st of the rnd with the new color, or FO and join new color in any corner sp.
• Weave in ends as you go for easiest finishing.
• Block squares lightly before joining for best results.

Color Recipes (make the following)

Total = 36 squares.

Granny Square (make 36)

Foundation: With first color, ch 4. Sl st in first ch to form ring. (Or magic ring if preferred.)

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (4 clusters, 4 corner ch-2 sps) — 12 dc + 4 ch-2 sps ✓

Rnd 2: Sl st in next 2 dc and into first ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp (first corner), ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1] 3 times. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (8 clusters) — Each side: cluster, ch 1, cluster; corners ch-2 ✓

Rnd 3: Cont with same color or change as per recipe. Sl st to first ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times. Join. (12 clusters)

Rnd 4: Sl st to first ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice] 3 times. Join. (16 clusters) FO, leaving a 12" tail if you plan to whip-stitch with the tail; otherwise weave in.

Size check: Square should measure 4" × 4" after light steam or wet block. (4 rnds → 4" ✓)

Blocking

Weave in all ends. Wet-block or steam-block each square to 4" × 4". Pin corners firmly so sides are straight. Allow to dry completely.

Layout

Arrange squares RS up in a 6 × 6 grid. Alternate colors for a balanced Christmas look (e.g., checker or random scatter of red/green with white accents). Take a photo for reference before joining.

Joining Method 1 – Whip Stitch (recommended for beginners)

1. Hold two squares WS together, RS facing out, aligning stitches and corner spaces.
2. Thread yarn needle with matching or contrasting yarn (Color C works well for a snowy look).
3. Whip stitch through both loops of corresponding stitches along one side, working from corner ch-2 to corner ch-2.
4. Join squares into 6 strips of 6, then join the strips together the same way.
5. Keep tension even—snug but not tight—so the blanket lies flat.

Joining Method 2 – Join-As-You-Go (optional)

On Rnd 4 of each new square, when working a side that touches a previous square, replace each ch-1 with a sl st into the corresponding ch-1 sp of the adjacent square, and replace corner ch-2 with (ch 1, sl st in neighbor’s corner sp, ch 1). Complete all other stitches normally. Work left-to-right, row by row.

Border (optional but recommended)

Join Color C (white) with sl st in any outer corner ch-2 sp of the assembled blanket.

Border Rnd 1: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, *ch 1, 3 dc in next sp; repeat along side, working (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each blanket corner; at each square-join “valley,” work 3 dc in the join to keep the edge even. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Border Rnd 2: Sl st to corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; repeat around, placing (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each corner. Join.

Border Rnd 3 (scallop finish): Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp or center st of cluster, skip 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat around, adjusting skips near corners so scallops sit neatly. In each corner ch-2 sp work 7 dc for a fuller scallop. Join with sl st to first sc. FO and weave in ends.

(For a simpler edge, stop after Border Rnd 2 and work one rnd of sc evenly around.)

Finishing

Weave in any remaining ends. Give the finished blanket a final light block or steam to open the stitches and set the border. Allow to dry flat.

Care

Machine wash gentle cold (acrylic) or hand wash (wool blend); lay flat to dry. Do not wring.

Stitch Count Validation Summary

• Rnd 1: 4 clusters × 3 dc = 12 dc ✓
• Rnd 2: 8 clusters ✓
• Rnd 3: 12 clusters ✓
• Rnd 4: 16 clusters ✓
• Layout: 6 × 6 = 36 squares ✓
• Finished size target: 6 squares × 4" = 24" + ~1½" joins + ~2–3" border each side ≈ 40" ✓

Enjoy your handmade Christmas granny square blanket—wrap up and stay cozy!