Rangoli Granny Square Blanket

Skill level: Intermediate
Construction: Individual granny squares joined; optional border.

Rangoli is traditional Indian floor art of concentric geometry, petals, and bright color. Each square is a small rangoli: a flowered center, radiating petals, and classic granny corners.

Finished measurements

Throw approximately 52 × 64 in (132 × 163 cm) including border, after blocking.

• Square (blocked): 6 × 6 in (15 × 15 cm) after 6 rounds
• Layout: 8 squares wide × 10 squares long (80 squares)
• Joined field: 48 × 60 in (122 × 152 cm)
• Border: about 2 in (5 cm) each side

Adjust layout (e.g. 6 × 8 for a smaller throw) and yarn amounts proportionally.

Yarn

Worsted weight (category 4), about 2,400 yd (2,195 m) total.

Suggested palette (rangoli-bright; substitute as desired):

Sample: 5 colors of 100% acrylic or wool-blend worsted.

Hook & notions

• US H-8 / 5 mm (or size to match gauge)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Blocking mats and pins (recommended)

Gauge

6-round rangoli square = 6 × 6 in (15 × 15 cm) blocked.

Work a test square. Change hook if needed so the square is square and measures 6 in.

Abbreviations (US)

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)
beg — beginning
yo — yarn over
rep — repeat

Granny cluster: 3 dc in same st or sp.

Notes

• Magic ring may be replaced with ch 4, sl st to form a ring.
• Join each round with sl st to first st (or to 3rd ch of beg ch-3) unless stated.
• Beg ch-3 counts as dc.
• Change color at the join: finish last yo of last st with new color, or fasten off and join new color in any corner sp.
• Weave ends as you go.
• Block squares before joining for even seams.

Rangoli square (make 80)

Color sequence (one suggested cycle):
Rnd 1: A · Rnd 2: A · Rnd 3: B · Rnd 4: C · Rnd 5: D · Rnd 6: E

Vary the inner colors from square to square if you like; keep Rnd 6 in E for a unified join.

Rnd 1 (center): With A, magic ring, ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring, join. 12 dc. Pull ring closed.

Rnd 2 (petals): Ch 1, *(sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) in next st (petal), sl st in next st; rep from * around (6 petals), join to first sc. Fasten off A if changing. 6 petals.

Rnd 3 (ring of clusters): Join B in any sl st between petals. Ch 3, 2 dc in same sl st, ch 1, *3 dc in next sl st between petals, ch 1; rep from * around, join. 6 clusters, 6 ch-1 sps.

Rnd 4 (square the circle): Join C in any ch-1 sp.
(Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp (corner), ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1,
*(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * twice more, join.
4 corners, 4 side clusters. (Each side: corner, ch-1, cluster, ch-1, corner.)

Rnd 5: Join D in any corner ch-2 sp.
*(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice; rep from * 3 more times, join.
4 corners; 2 clusters per side.

Rnd 6: Join E in any corner ch-2 sp.
*(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times; rep from * 3 more times, join. Fasten off.
4 corners; 3 clusters per side.

Block to 6 in square, pinning corners and easing sides.

Stitch-count check (Rnd 6): 4 corners × (6 dc + ch-2) + 12 side clusters × 3 dc + 16 ch-1 sps. Sides should lie flat; if ruffled, go down a hook; if cupped, go up a hook.

Assembly

Arrange 8 columns × 10 rows, rotating squares so color accents form a larger rangoli-like grid (concentric rings of color, or a checker of warm/cool centers).

Method 1 — Join-as-you-go (JAYG)

Work Rnd 6 of the first square as written. For each subsequent square, work Rnd 6 but join at ch-2 corners and ch-1 sps to the neighboring square(s):

On shared sides, replace each ch-1 with: ch 1, sl st in corresponding ch-1 (or ch-2) of adjacent square, ch 1 (or simply sl st into the matching sp, then continue 3 dc).
At corners that meet one square: (3 dc, ch 1, sl st in adjacent corner, ch 1, 3 dc).
At corners that meet two squares (interior): sl st into both adjacent corner sps as you complete the corner.

Work across a row, then join the next row to the previous row the same way.

Method 2 — Whip stitch

Complete all squares through Rnd 6. With E and yarn needle, hold two squares WS together (or RS together for a ridge). Whip stitch through both loops of corresponding sts along one side, matching clusters to clusters and ch-sps to ch-sps. Join into strips, then join strips. Keep tension even so seams do not pull.

Weave all ends.

Border (optional)

Join E in any outer corner ch-2 sp.

Border rnd 1: *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, ch 1, then along each side work [3 dc in next ch-1 or join-sp, ch 1] across to next corner; at each square-join, work 3 dc in the join (or 3 dc around the seam) so the edge stays even; rep from * around, join.

Border rnd 2: Sl st to corner, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in corner, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp across; rep from * around, join.

Border rnd 3 (picot / rangoli dots, optional): *Sc in next 3 sts, (sc, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, sc) in next st; at corners work (sc, ch 3 picot, sc) in ch-2; rep from * around, easing so picots sit evenly. Join, fasten off.

Weave ends. Block the blanket to 52 × 64 in (132 × 163 cm).

Finishing

Steam- or wet-block. Do not stretch corners out of square. The finished throw should show a framed grid of rangoli medallions.

Care

Follow yarn label. Typical acrylic: machine wash gentle, tumble low or lay flat.