Newborn Granny Square Swaddle

Skill level: Beginner
Finished size: Approximately 80 × 80 cm (31½ × 31½ in)
Yarn: Worsted / 8-ply wool or wool-blend (preferably superwash), ~800–900 g total. Soft, breathable fibre; avoid scratchy wool next to a newborn’s skin.
Hook: 5 mm (or size to match tension)
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional)

Abbreviations (UK)

ch – chain
dc – double crochet (US sc)
tr – treble (US dc)
sl st – slip stitch
sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es)
rnd – round
rep – repeat

Tension (gauge)

One granny square after 7 rounds measures 18.5 × 18.5 cm (7¼ × 7¼ in), lightly blocked.
Adjust hook if needed. Even squares matter more than exact centimetres.

Notes

• Worked in the round; join with sl st to first st unless stated.
• Colour: one colour throughout, or change colour each round / each square as you like. Fasten off and weave ends as you go.
• This is a wrap blanket, not a wearable with sleeves. Never leave a baby unattended in a swaddle; follow safe-sleep guidance.

Granny square (make 16)

Foundation: Ch 4, sl st in first ch to form a ring.
(Alternatively: magic ring.)

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr throughout), 2 tr in ring, ch 2, [3 tr in ring, ch 2] 3 times, sl st to top of beg ch-3.
(4 groups of 3 tr, 4 corner ch-2 sps)

Rnd 2: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, (ch 3, 2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same sp (first corner), ch 1, *(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * twice more, sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 3: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, (ch 3, 2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same sp, ch 1, 3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next corner ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * twice more, sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 4: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, (ch 3, 2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same sp, ch 1, [3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice, *(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next corner, ch 1, [3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice; rep from * twice more, sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Rnds 5–7: Continue in established granny pattern:
(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in each corner ch-2 sp; ch 1, 3 tr in each ch-1 sp along the sides.
Each round adds one 3-tr group per side.
After Rnd 7: 6 side groups of 3 tr between corners on each side (6 × 4 = 24 groups + 4 corners).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail if you will whip-stitch. Weave in other ends. Block squares lightly so they are the same size.

Joining (choose one)

Arrange squares 4 × 4, all right side up, matching orientation.

Method A — Whip stitch (beginner)

Hold two squares wrong sides together (seam on the back).
With yarn needle and matching yarn, whip-stitch through back loops only of corresponding stitches along one side, including corner ch sts.
Join into 4 strips of 4, then join the strips. Keep tension even so the blanket lies flat.

Method B — Join-as-you-go (JAYG)

Work Rnds 1–6 of each remaining square as usual. On Rnd 7, when you reach a side that should join a finished square:
Instead of ch 1 between 3-tr groups, sl st into the matching ch-1 sp of the adjacent square; at corners, sl st into the neighbouring corner ch-2 sp after the first 3 tr of the new corner, then complete the corner.
Join on as many sides as needed. This reduces sewing.

Border (optional but recommended)

Join yarn in any outer corner ch-2 sp.

Rnd 1: (Ch 3, 2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in corner, then work granny groups (3 tr, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp and in each join along the sides; (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in each outer corner. Sl st to beg ch-3.

Rnds 2–4: As granny: corners (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr); sides 3 tr in each ch-1 sp, ch 1 between groups.

Rnd 5 (edging): Ch 1, dc in each tr and in each ch-1 sp around; (dc, ch 1, dc) in each corner ch-2 sp. Sl st to first dc. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends. Block gently to 80 × 80 cm.

Finishing & care

Machine-wash only if the yarn band allows; otherwise hand-wash, dry flat.
Check there are no loose ends a baby could catch.
Safety: Swaddles should allow hip movement and not cover the face. Stop swaddling when the baby shows signs of rolling.

Enjoy wrapping your little one.