After crocheting what seems like a bazillion little granny squares, this is the fun part - putting them all together and finishing off the blanket!
(If you missed part one of this tutorial on how to plan your granny square blanket and make the squares, go here to Part 1 first.)
Joining the granny squares:
With your white/cream yarn, starting with your first square in the first row, attach the yarn to one corner ch 1 hole and then chain 3 (this will act as your first dbl crochet + chain 1). [ Dbl crochet 3 times into the same hole (this forms a corner of the square), chain 1, dbl crochet 3 times into the next hole, chain 1, dbl crochet 3 times into the next hole, chain 1, dbl crochet 3 times into the next hole, chain 1 ] Repeat 3 times until you're at the hole you started on and then slip stitch into the 3rd chain from the beginning. Pull yarn through loop and cut, leaving a tail.
Now, you will move on to the second square in the first row and join it this way:
Attach the white/cream yarn to one corner ch 1 hole and then chain 3 (this will act as your first dbl crochet + chain 1). [Dbl crochet 3 times into the same hole (this forms a corner of the square), chain 1, dbl crochet 3 times into the next hole, chain 1, dbl crochet 3 times into the next hole, chain 1, dbl crochet 3 times into the next hole, chain 1.] Repeat once and then stop! Poke your crochet hook through one corner chain of the first square. Slip stich through.
Ch 1, dbl crochet 3 times in same hole (of second square), chain 1, [dbl crochet 1 time in the next hole, then find the middle dbl crochet of the adjacent "dbl crochet 3" on your first square and slip stich through. Dbl crochet 2 times, ch 1] Repeat from [ to ]. Dbl crochet 3 times into the next hole, chain 1, dbl crochet 3 times into the next hole, chain 1. Slip stitch into the 3rd chain from the beginning. Pull yarn through loop and cut, leaving a tail.
You'll repeat this pattern for the entire first row of 12 squares.
On the next rows, when you need to join one square to others, only crochet up one side, and then start attaching it to the other squares.
Here's a picture showing a slip stitch through the corner chains to attach the square corners together.
The blanket is 16 rows long, so this part takes a while. I would suggest to take a "break" every few rows and weave in the ends on the back of the blanket so that you're not weaving them ALL in at the end (which is really annoying)!
Once the entire 16 rows of 12 are joined, you're ready to edge the blanket.
Finishing the blanket:
I chose a very simple bobble edge so that the colourful granny squares were the stars of this piece!
I single crocheted for two rows around the entire perimeter of the blanket, and then I used this lovely pattern to make bobble edging. Isn't it cute and quirky?
Weave in all of those pesky ends and your done!
I think we'll cuddle up with this blankie on our living room couch, and then when our new house is built and Baby A has her own nursery, it will reside there. I like that it's soft and made of natural fibers.
I'm totally in love with this crocheted granny square blanket - it's retro-cuteness at it's finest. And I'm really proud of it!
Have you ever crocheted a blanket? Please share your finished projects in the comments below.
I've just finished a baby blanket in different shades of blue for my grandson. I have to admit I've only ever crocheted square granny squares but I love your version of starting off in a round pattern.I also love the colours you have used!
Thank you for your detailed post about joining the squares together. I was looking for this exact thing to pass on to my daughter inlaw:)
I'm glad you found this post helpful, Catherine! Thanks for your comment and your blue crochet blanket sounds really adorable.
THANK YOU ..... Thank YOU......THANK YOU! THis is EXACTLY What I was looking for. I love the way this method looks when finished!
You're so very welcome, Candace! I'm glad you found what you needed. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Do you have any advise on washing blankets like this? I love the vibrant colors, but worry about them running onto the cream edging in the wash? Thank you so much for sharing!
Best,
Julie
I machine wash mine in cold water and lay it flat to dry and I've had no issues yet! 🙂
This blanket looks fantastic! What are the dimensions for it? Is it adult size or child size?
Thanks, Abby! This blanket measures about 48" x 64". It's a good crib or lap blanket size.
When you crochet the squares together, do you slip stitch and CUT each time so that there are "ends" at each slip stitch, or do you run the wool all the way through?
Thanks! I have nearly all of my squares done and now thinking ahead! 🙂
Hi, Moya! I left all of my ends hanging, and then wove them in at the end. NOT a fun job! It would be much smarter to weave them in as you go. 🙂
I LOVED the way this came out, BUT... I was not overly happy with the way my corners came out. Is there any way you can explain how/where you connect the corners? I want to make another, and this time, I'd like to have the corners down better. 🙂
LOVE it!!!!!
Simply desire to say your article is as astounding. The clearness to your submit is simply nice and i could suppose you're knowledgeable in this subject. Fine together with your permission allow me to clutch your RSS feed to keep updated with drawing close post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please continue the gratifying work.|