One Granny Square Blanket

Even though it is hot right now,  I thought it would be nice to make a summer blanket that can be used for the cool summer nights. After making 365 different granny squares, I wanted to try to make a blanket with one giant granny square. This will be a challenge for me since I can get bored with patterns that take a long time to finish.  All of the other blankets I have made have been with acrylic yarns, so I decided to try a blanket in a cotton yarn, which might be better suited for the summer months.

The pattern that was used to make the blanket can be found here, it includes the yarn, hook, and needles used. Below is a tutorial that can help to make the pattern a little clearer.

This pattern begins like any other granny square with a magic circle,  inside circle, ch 3, 2 dc, * ch 1, 3 dc, repeat from * 2 more times

 This is what the beginning of your granny square should look like, (4- 3 dc groups and 4 ch 1 spaces)

Now it is time to end off and weave in the ends:

Note: Each round will be finished off with a yarn needle join and not the traditional slip stitch (ss) join.

Once the round is completed, cut the yarn leaving a tail, thread the yarn tail into the yarn needle and pull the tail through the last stitch made.

Insert the needle from back to front under the first double crochet stitch made and pull the yarn through.

Now insert the needle from front to back through the top of the last stitch of the round, pull yarn through tightly and weave in ends

Note: using this technique helps to make ending off a round a little more tidy and helps you to weave in the ends at the end of every row.

The beginning of your granny square blanket should look like this

Round 2 is not done like a traditional granny square, this added round gives the blanket a little different look. Here we will be working in the ch 1 corner sps, 2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc, ch 2 and move on to the next corner.

Repeat the 2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc in the next corner and work your way around the granny square, end off by using the yarn needle finish and weave in ends.

Here is what it will look like when round 2 is finished (4 -4 sc, ch2 corners, 4-ch 2 sps)

Round 3 is done like a traditional granny square. Attach the yarn in any ch 2 corner sp, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp,

ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch 2 sp, ch 1, and 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the next corner ch 2 sp

work your way around the granny square, join to beginning ch 3 using the yarn needle finish

Continue in the same pattern by attaching the same color of yarn that was used in row 2, since using the same color of yarn for all the even rows will help to establish the pattern.

This is what the blanket looks like after 8 rounds of color and 8 rounds of black are completed.

The blanket is beginning to shape up with 15 rounds of color and 15 rounds of black completed.

If you would like to make this colorful blanket, you can find the pattern here.

Next week I hope to post the finished blanket!

Happy Crocheting!