The Originals Granny Square Blanket

Skill level: Beginner
Finished size: About 46 × 46 in (117 × 117 cm) including border
Construction: 49 granny squares (7 × 7), seamed or joined as you go, optional border

A cozy Super Bulky throw in charcoal, wine, gold, and cream—New Orleans nights and family gold, without any show logos.

Materials

• Yarn: Super Bulky (6), acrylic or wool blend, ~160 yd / 100 g typical
  • A Charcoal (Mikaelson night): 5 skeins (~800 yd / 730 m)
  • B Wine (French Quarter): 2 skeins (~320 yd / 290 m)
  • C Antique gold: 2 skeins (~320 yd / 290 m)
  • D Cream: 1 skein (~160 yd / 145 m)
    Total ~1,600 yd (1,465 m). Exact amounts vary by brand and joining method.
• Hook: US L/11 (8 mm), or size to match gauge
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional)

Gauge

One 4-round granny square = 6 × 6 in (15 × 15 cm) after light blocking.
Work a test square. If smaller, go up a hook; if larger, go down. Gauge affects size and yarn use.

Abbreviations (US)

ch — chain
dc — double crochet
sl st — slip stitch
sp — space
st(s) — stitch(es)
rnd — round
rep — repeat
yo — yarn over

Notes

• Magic ring or ch 4, sl st to form ring—both fine.
• Standing dc or ch 3 counts as first dc of a round.
• Color changes: finish last yo of last st with new color; fasten off old color leaving 6 in tail.
• Do not turn; work RS always.
• Beginner tip: count 3-dc groups each round (Rnd 1: 4 groups; Rnd 2: 8; Rnd 3: 12; Rnd 4: 16 ✓).

Square (make 49)

Color recipes (mix for a “family mosaic”; counts are suggestions):

Rnd 1: With first color, magic ring (or ch 4, sl st). Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times, sl st to top of ch-3. (4 groups, 4 ch-2 corners ✓)
Rnd 2: Sl st to next ch-2 sp (or join new color in any ch-2). Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp (corner), ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2, ch 1; rep from * twice more, sl st to ch-3. (8 groups ✓)
Rnd 3: Join/continue in any ch-2 corner. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1, ch 1; rep from * around, sl st to ch-3. (12 groups ✓)
Rnd 4: Same as Rnd 3, working 3 dc in each ch-1 along sides (two side groups per side). (16 groups ✓) Fasten off. Weave ends.

Lightly steam-block squares to 6 in.

Joining

Lay out 7 × 7, mixing types so like colors don’t clump. Align RS up, corners matching.

Whip stitch (easiest): Hold two squares WS together (or RS for a ridge). With A, whip through back loops only along one side, matching 3-dc groups and ch-sps. Join into 7 strips of 7, then join strips.

Join-as-you-go (optional): On Rnd 4 of a new square, when you reach a side that should attach, work 3 dc in the usual sp, then sl st into corresponding ch-1 of the already-finished square instead of ch 1; at corners, sl st into neighbor’s ch-2 after the first half of the corner. Continue around.

Border (optional)

With A, RS facing, join in any corner ch-2.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 (or join gap) along sides; at square joins treat the seam as one ch-1; at blanket corners (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) around, sl st to ch-3.
Rnd 2: Repeat Rnd 1 once more (or sc around: 1 sc in each dc, 1 sc in each ch-1, 3 sc in each corner ch-2). Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave all ends. Block finished blanket to ~46 × 46 in.
Care: follow yarn label; most Super Bulky acrylics machine wash gentle, lay flat.

Yarn math (check)

49 squares × ~22 yd ≈ 1,078 yd + joining/border ~300–400 yd ≈ 1,400–1,500 yd. Extra A covers border. ✓