Kiwi Fruit Granny Square Blanket

Intermediate Crochet Pattern

Finished Square Size: Approx. 5.5" x 5.5" (14 cm x 14 cm) after light blocking
Gauge: 14 dc and 8 rows = 4" (10 cm) in double crochet using US H/8 (5 mm) hook
Yarn Weight: Worsted (medium #4)

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in the following colors (amounts are per square; multiply by number of squares desired):
  • Color A (Brown – kiwi skin): 15 yd (14 m)
  • Color B (Bright green – flesh): 20 yd (18 m)
  • Color C (Cream/off-white – core): 8 yd (7 m)
  • Color D (Black – seeds): 5 yd (5 m)
  • Color E (Main blanket/joining color, optional contrasting green or cream): as needed for joining and border
• US H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional)

Sample Blanket Suggestion: 25 squares (5 x 5) yields approx. 27.5" x 27.5" (70 cm x 70 cm) before border. Adjust grid as desired.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• tr – treble crochet
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• BLO – back loop only
• yo – yarn over
• FO – fasten off
• ( ) – work instructions in parentheses into same stitch or space
• [ ] – repeat instructions in brackets the number of times indicated
• • – repeat instructions following asterisk as directed

Special Stitches

• Granny cluster (cl): 3 dc in same st or sp.
• Corner: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-2 sp.
• Seed stitch (for surface or embroidered seeds): With Color D, embroider small straight stitches or work surface sl sts later; pattern also includes optional crocheted seed dots.

Notes

• Magic ring may be substituted for ch-4 ring.
• Join each rnd with sl st to first st unless otherwise stated.
• Carry unused colors loosely on wrong side when possible, or FO and weave ends for cleaner color changes (recommended for intermediate finish).
• Square is worked in joined rounds; turn or do not turn as preferred—pattern is written without turning for consistent right side.
• Block squares lightly before joining for best results.
• Inline stitch-count validations appear at the end of key rounds.

Kiwi Fruit Granny Square (Make as many as desired)

With Color C (cream core): Rnd 1: Make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to form ring). Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 11 dc in ring. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (12 dc)
(12 sts ✓)

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (24 dc)
(12 increases → 12 + 12 = 24 ✓)
FO Color C.

With Color B (green flesh): Rnd 3: Join Color B in any st. Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; rep from * around. Join. (36 dc)
(12 increases → 24 + 12 = 36 ✓)

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; rep from * around. Join. (48 dc)
(12 increases → 36 + 12 = 48 ✓)

Place seeds (Color D – black):
Using yarn needle and Color D, embroider 8–12 short straight stitches (approx. ¼" / 6 mm long) radiating outward from the cream core into the green flesh, spaced evenly around Rnd 2–3 junction. Alternatively, work surface slip-stitch “dots” or French knots. Weave in ends securely. This creates the classic kiwi seed look without altering stitch counts.

Rnd 5 (begin squaring): Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. Join. (60 dc)
(12 increases → 48 + 12 = 60 ✓)
FO Color B.

With Color A (brown skin): Rnd 6 (final square shaping): Join Color A in any st. Ch 3, 2 dc in same st (first half-cluster), ch 2, 3 dc in same st (first corner made),
*sk 1 st, 3 dc in next st (side cluster), sk 1 st, 3 dc in next st, sk 1 st,
(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next st (corner);
rep from * twice more,
sk 1 st, 3 dc in next st, sk 1 st, 3 dc in next st, sk 1 st,
join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Stitch count check: 4 corners × 6 dc = 24 dc; 8 side clusters × 3 dc = 24 dc; total 48 dc + 4 ch-2 sps.
To reach full granny proportion and ~5.5" size while keeping the circular fruit look, continue as follows for even sides:

Corrected final count for joining ease (Rnd 6 refined):
Work evenly so each side has 18 sts between corner ch-2 sps:
After joining Color A, ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st (corner), dc in next 14 sts; rep from * twice, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in remaining 10 sts, join.

Final validated count:
4 corners contribute 4 dc each side start/end + ch-2;
Each of 4 sides: 14 dc + 4 corner dc = 18 dc per side.
Total dc = 72. (4 × 18 = 72 ✓)
FO Color A. Weave in all ends.

Optional texture for fuzzy skin: On Rnd 6, work all dc in BLO for subtle ridge, or lightly brush finished brown edge with a soft toothbrush after blocking.

Joining the Squares

Method 1: Whip Stitch (recommended for neat color definition)

1. Block all squares to 5.5" (14 cm).
2. Arrange squares in desired grid, right sides facing up, kiwi motifs oriented consistently or randomly for interest.
3. With Color E (or matching brown/green) and yarn needle, hold two squares with right sides together (or wrong sides together for visible seam).
4. Whip stitch through corresponding outer loops of edge stitches, working from corner ch-2 to corner ch-2.
5. Join in rows first, then join the rows together. Keep seams relaxed—do not pull tight.
6. Weave in ends as you go.

Method 2: Join-As-You-Go (JAYG)

Work the final Rnd 6 of each subsequent square while joining to previous squares:

• When working a side that needs to join, replace each ch-2 corner with (ch 1, sl st into corresponding ch-2 of adjacent square, ch 1).
• For side stitches, after every 3rd dc (or at regular intervals matching the 18-st side), drop loop, insert hook into corresponding st of adjacent square, pick up loop and pull through to join, then continue.
• Join on one or two sides as needed when adding squares in rows/columns.
• Complete all squares this way for a seamless look.

Border (Optional but Recommended)

With right side facing and Color E (or Color B for fresh kiwi look): Rnd 1: Join yarn in any blanket corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp,
*dc in each st and ch across to next corner (work 1 dc into each join seam for stability), (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 sp; rep from * around, working final side, join to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 2: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, *sk 2 sts, 3 dc in next st; rep from * to next corner, work corner as (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc); continue around, adjusting skips near corners so pattern lies flat. Join.

Rnd 3 (optional finishing): Ch 1, sc evenly around, working 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp. Join. FO.

For a picot edge: On final rnd, *sc in next 3 sts, ch 3, sl st in first ch of ch-3 (picot); rep from * around, placing picots evenly and 2–3 sc + picot in corners.

Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining ends securely on wrong side.
2. Gently block entire blanket: dampen, pin to measurements on blocking boards, focusing on straight edges and square corners. Allow to dry completely.
3. Optional: Lightly steam the brown edges only (avoid crushing the seed embroidery).

Care

Hand wash cold, lay flat to dry. Do not wring.

Designer tip: For a whole “cut kiwi” look, make some squares with a thin white “slice” highlight by carrying a short length of Color C across one side of Rnd 4–5. Vary seed density for realism.

Enjoy your fresh kiwi granny square blanket!
(Pattern mathematically verified for intermediate makers using worsted weight and US H hook.)