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# Teddy Bear Granny Square Blanket

A sweet and cuddly blanket featuring an adorable teddy bear design created with traditional granny squares. Perfect for baby showers, nurseries, or anyone who loves teddy bears!

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner

## Finished Measurements
- Approximately 42" × 54" (107 × 137 cm) after blocking and border

## Materials

### Yarn
- **Weight:** Worsted (4/Medium)
- **Suggested Yarn:** Lion Brand Vanna's Choice or Red Heart With Love
- **Yardage:**
  - Color A (Chocolate Brown): 800 yards
  - Color B (Taupe/Tan): 700 yards  
  - Color C (Cream/Off-White): 600 yards
  - Color D (Black): 50 yards
  - Border Color (your choice - suggest Cream): 400 yards

### Hook & Notions
- Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Blocking pins (optional but recommended)

## Gauge
Each granny square = 6" × 6" (15 × 15 cm) after blocking
*Gauge is critical for this project. Take time to check your gauge and adjust hook size if needed.*

**Gauge Swatch:** Work one complete square (5 rounds). If square is too small, use a larger hook. If too large, use a smaller hook.

## Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- dc = double crochet
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side

## Special Stitches
**Granny Cluster:** (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space - creates corner

## Pattern Notes
- Each square is worked in joined rounds from the center outward
- All rounds are worked on the right side
- Ch 3 at beginning of rounds counts as first dc throughout
- You will make 63 squares total in various colors according to the chart
- Suggested colors can be modified to your preference

---

## GRANNY SQUARE (Make 63)

### Foundation Ring
Ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring.
*Alternative: Use magic ring if you prefer*

### Round 1
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)

### Round 2
Sl st in next 2 dc and into ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-2 sp (first corner made), ch 1, *[(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp (corner made), ch 1]; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (24 dc, 4 corner ch-2 sps, 4 ch-1 sps)

### Round 3
Sl st in next 2 dc and into corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *[(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1]; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (36 dc, 4 corner ch-2 sps, 8 ch-1 sps)

### Round 4
Sl st in next 2 dc and into corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice, *[(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice]; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (48 dc, 4 corner ch-2 sps, 12 ch-1 sps)

### Round 5
Sl st in next 2 dc and into corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times, *[(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 3 times]; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (60 dc, 4 corner ch-2 sps, 16 ch-1 sps)

Fasten off, leaving a 6" tail for weaving in.

**Each completed square should measure 6" × 6".**

---

## COLOR CHART & ASSEMBLY

### Square Color Guide
Make the following number of squares in each color:
- **Color A (Chocolate Brown):** 20 squares
- **Color B (Taupe/Tan):** 18 squares
- **Color C (Cream):** 23 squares
- **Color D (Black):** 2 squares

*Math check: 20 + 18 + 23 + 2 = 63 squares total ✓*

### Assembly Diagram
Arrange squares in 7 columns × 9 rows according to this chart to create the teddy bear design.

```
Row 9:  C  C  C  C  C  C  C
Row 8:  C  B  B  B  B  B  C
Row 7:  C  B  A  A  A  B  C
Row 6:  C  B  A  D  A  B  C
Row 5:  C  B  A  A  A  B  C
Row 4:  C  B  B  B  B  B  C
Row 3:  C  A  A  A  A  A  C
Row 2:  C  A  A  A  A  A  C
Row 1:  C  C  C  C  C  C  C
```

**Key:** 
- A = Chocolate Brown (bear body)
- B = Taupe/Tan (bear face/ears)
- C = Cream (background)
- D = Black (nose)

---

## JOINING SQUARES

### Blocking First (Recommended)
Before joining, block each square to 6" × 6":
1. Pin each square to blocking board in a 6" square shape
2. Lightly mist with water or steam
3. Allow to dry completely
4. This ensures uniform square sizes for easier joining

### Method 1: Whip Stitch Join (Beginner-Friendly)

1. Arrange all squares according to assembly diagram
2. Thread yarn needle with 24" of matching yarn
3. Place two squares RS together
4. Working through back loops only, whip stitch along one edge
5. Continue joining squares into rows
6. Join rows together using same method
7. Weave in all ends securely

### Method 2: Join-As-You-Go (Neater Finish)

**For Interior Squares (joined on 2 sides):**

Work Rounds 1-4 of granny square as written. On Round 5, join to adjacent squares as follows:

**Round 5 with Joining:**
Sl st in next 2 dc and into corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times, (3 dc, ch 1, *drop loop from hook, insert hook in corresponding corner ch-2 sp of adjacent square, pick up dropped loop, ch 1*, 3 dc) in next corner sp (corner joined), ch 1, continue joining side by working [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] to next corner, repeating join at corners as needed.

**Detailed Join-As-You-Go Instructions:**
- Always join with RS facing
- Join squares in rows from right to left
- Join rows from bottom to top
- Match corner ch-2 sps to corner ch-2 sps
- Match ch-1 sps to ch-1 sps between clusters

---

## BORDER

### Round 1
With RS facing, join border color with sl st in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, *ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] across to next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp; repeat from * around all 4 sides, ending ch 1, sl st in top of beginning ch-3.

*Count check: You should have (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each of 4 corners*

### Round 2
Sl st in next 2 dc and into corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, *ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] across to next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp; repeat from * around all 4 sides, ending ch 1, sl st in top of beginning ch-3.

### Round 3
Repeat Round 2.

Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

---

## Finishing

1. **Weave in all ends** securely on WS, weaving through several stitches in different directions
2. **Final blocking** (optional): Lightly steam or mist entire blanket and pin to finished dimensions
3. **Trim any excess yarn** close to work after ends are secured

---

## Care Instructions
- Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent
- Lay flat to dry
- Do not wring or twist
- May be machine washed on gentle cycle in a mesh bag (test with swatch first)

---

## Customization Ideas
- **Size Variations:** 
  - Baby blanket: 5 × 7 squares = 30" × 42"
  - Throw blanket: 9 × 11 squares = 54" × 66"
- **Color Options:** Try pink/white for a girl theme, or blue/white for a boy theme
- **Add details:** Embroider eyes and mouth on the bear face for extra personality

---

## Pattern Support
If you find any errors or have questions about this pattern, please check your stitch counts at the end of each round against the numbers provided in parentheses.

**Stitch Count Reference for Each Square:**
- Round 1: 12 dc ✓
- Round 2: 24 dc ✓
- Round 3: 36 dc ✓
- Round 4: 48 dc ✓
- Round 5: 60 dc ✓

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**Happy Crocheting!** 🧶🐻

*Pattern © 2024. For personal use only. Please do not distribute or sell this pattern.*