For those who love all the colours of the rainbow together, this free granny square blanket crochet pattern by Fran Morgan is a must-make. The two colourways add variety and the dark purple yarn really sets it off, but of course you can mix up your colours however you like! The combination of Aran weight yarn and large granny squares means you'll be able to make this granny square blanket surprisingly quickly!
If you're completely new to granny squares, you might find it helpful to check out our how to make a crochet granny square tutorial before starting this free granny square blanket crochet pattern. And if you've really got the granny square bug, don't miss out on Granny Square Day!
You will need
Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran (100% acrylic, 100g/184m)
7 balls of Yarn K Paper White (200)
2 balls of each: Yarn B Dark Aubergine (248) Yarn D Pillar Red (214) Yarn E Glorious Gold (66) Yarn I Marine Blue (233)
1 ball of each: Yarn A Kingfisher Blue (7234) Yarn C Azalea (70635) Yarn F Lime Green (228) Yarn G Mustard Yellow (223) Yarn H Dusty Lilac (246) Yarn J Cerulian Blue (74)
Please note - this Design was originally made in Deramores Studio DK yarn which is no longer available. We have suggested a suitable yarn substitute, however because of this colours may vary from those pictured.
Tension
Rounds 1-4 of Granny Square to measure 12 x 12cm (4¾ x 4¾in) using a 5mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension
Measurements
Blanket measures approx 146 x 190cm (57½ x 74¾in)
Abbreviations
You can find a full list of all abbreviations we use in our abbreviations and conversions guide. This granny square blanket crochet pattern is written in UK terminology but you can easily convert it to US terms using the guide.
Notes
Blanket is made up of 32 Motifs. The Granny Square Motifs are made in two colourways. The instructions for the first colourway are written first with the second colourway written in brackets. All other Motifs are working in the same colour scheme. There is a Diagram in the making up section, which you will need to refer to when joining the Motifs together.
Free granny square blanket crochet pattern
Granny square (Make 18)
Make 6 Squares in the first colourway and 12 in the second colourway.
Using Yarn A (Yarn J), make a crochet magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch3 (counts as tr throughout), 2tr in loop, (ch2, 3tr in loop) 3 times, ch1, htr in top of beg ch-3 (counts as a ch-sp), turn. [4 3-tr groups, 4 ch-2 sps]
Change to Yarn B (Yarn I).
Round 2 (WS) Ch3, 2tr in same ch-sp, ch1, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) in next 3 ch-2 sps, 3tr in same sp as beg 3-tr group, ch1, htr in top of beg ch-3, turn. [8 3-tr groups, 4 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps]
Change to Yarn C (Yarn A).
Round 3 Ch3, 2tr in same sp, ch1, *(3tr, ch1) in next ch-1 sp, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) in next ch-2 sp; rep from * twice more, (3tr, ch1) in final ch-1 sp, 3tr in same sp as beg 3-tr group, ch1, htr in top of beg ch-3, turn. [12 3-tr groups, 8 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps]
Change to Yarn D (Yarn H).
Round 4 Ch3, 2tr in same sp, ch1, *(3tr, ch1) in each ch-1 sp across to next corner**, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) in ch-2 sp; rep from * 3 times more ending final rep at **, 3tr in same sp as beg 3-tr group, ch1, htr in top of beg ch-3, turn. [16 3-tr groups, 12 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps]
Change to Yarn E (Yarn G).
Rounds 5-10 As Round 4, changing colour for each round in the following sequence: Yarn E (Yarn G), F (F), G (E), H (D), A (C), I (B). [40 3-tr groups, 36 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps]
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Half granny square (Make 10)
Using Yarn A, make a crochet magic loop.
Row 1 (RS) Ch3, 3tr in loop, ch2, 4tr in loop, turn. [8 tr, 1 ch-2 sp]
Change to Yarn I.
Row 2 (WS) Ch3, 3tr in same st as beg ch-3, ch1, (3tr, ch2 3tr) in ch-2 sp, ch1, 4tr in final st, turn. [4 3-tr groups, 2 tr, 2 ch-1 sps, 1 ch-2 sp]
Change to Yarn J.
Row 3 Ch3, 3tr in same st as beg ch-3, ch1, (3tr, ch1) in next ch-1 sp, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) in ch-2 sp, (3tr, ch1) in next ch-1 sp, 4tr in final st, turn. [6 3-tr groups, 2 tr, 4 ch-1 sps, 1 ch-2 sp]
Change to Yarn H.
Row 4 Ch3, 3tr in same st as beg ch-3, ch1, (3tr, ch1) in each ch-1 sp across to corner, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) in ch-2 sp, (3tr, ch1) in each ch-1 sp across to end, 4tr in final st across side, turn. [8 3-tr groups, 2 tr, 6 ch-1 sps, 1 ch-2 sp]
Change to Yarn G.
Rows 5-10 As Row 4, changing colour for each row in the following sequence: Yarn G, F, E, D, C, B.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Looking for more inspiring granny square projects? Then check out some of these!
Free granny square halter top crochet pattern
Quarter granny square (Make 4)
Using Yarn A, make a crochet magic loop.
Row 1 (RS) Ch4 (counts as tr and ch1 throughout), 3tr in loop, ch1, tr in loop, turn. [1 3-tr group, 2 tr, 2 ch-1 sps]
Change to Yarn I.
Row 2 (WS) Ch4, (3tr, ch1) in each ch-1 sp across to final st, tr in final st, turn. [2 3-tr group, 2 tr, 3 ch-1 sps]
Change to Yarn J.
Row 3 As Row 2. [3 3-tr group, 2 tr, 4 ch-1 sps]
Change to Yarn H.
Rows 4-10 As Row 2, changing colour for each row in the following sequence: Yarn H, G, F, E, D, C, B.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
To make up
Using the Diagram above, join the Squares together using Yarn K throughout. We’ve joined the Blanket together as we’ve worked the final round on each Motif. If you prefer you can work Round 1 of joining on all Motifs and then join together using your preferred method. If you want some help check out our tutorial on how to join crochet shapes together.
When joining the Quarter Granny Squares, treat the third ch of the beg-ch-4 as a corner ch-2 sp.
Work the next round on the first Motif only.
With RS facing, join Yarn K in any ch-2 corner sp.
Round 1 (RS) Ch3, 2tr in same sp, ch1, *(3tr, ch1) in each ch-1 sp to next corner, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, 3tr in same sp as beg 3-tr group, ch1, htr in top of beg ch-3. [40 3-tr groups, 36 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps]
Fasten off.
With RS facing, join Yarn K in any ch-2 corner sp next Motif that needs to be joined to previous Motif.
JAYG (join as you go) round (RS) Ch3, 2tr in same sp, ch1, ss in ch-2 sp on prev Motif, ch1, 3tr in same ch-2 sp on current Motif, *ch1, ss in next ch-1 sp on prev Motif, ch1, 3tr in next ch-1 sp on current Motif; rep from * across to next corner, 3tr in ch-2 sp, ch1, ss in ch-2 sp on adjacent Motif (side joined), ch1, 3tr in same ch-2 sp on current Motif, ch1, *(3tr, ch1) in each ch-1 sp to next corner, (3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch1) in ch-2 sp; rep from * for all sides not being joined at this stage, ss to top of beg ch-3.
Fasten off.
Repeat the JAYG round until all Motifs are joined. Note the instructions for joining a side will need to be repeated twice when joining to two different Motifs.
Border
With RS facing, join Yarn K in any corner.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, *3dc in corner (pm in second dc), 3dc in each row end across to corner; rep from * 3 times more, ss to top of beg dc.
Round 2 Ss into marked st, ch3, (2tr, ch3, 3tr) in same st as beg ch-3, *(skip 2 sts, 3tr in next st) rep across to next marked st, (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in marked st; rep from * 3 times more omitting final corner, ss to top of beg ch-3.
Fasten off.
Join Yarn B in any ch-2 corner sp.
Round 3 Ch3, 2tr in same sp, *(ch1, 3tr in sp between 3-tr groups) rep across to next ch-2 sp, ch1, (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in ch-2 sp; rep from * twice more, (ch1, 3tr in sp between 3-tr groups) across to beg ch-3, ch1, 3tr in same sp as beg ch-3, ch1, htr in top of beg ch-3.
Fasten off.
Join Yarn K in any ch-2 corner sp.
Round 4 Ch3, 2tr in same sp, ch1, *(3tr in next ch-1 sp, ch1) across to next ch-2 sp, (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in ch-2 sp; rep from * 3 times more omitting final corner, 3tr in same sp as beg ch-3, ch1, htr in top of beg ch-3.
Join Yarn K in any ch-2 corner sp.
Round 5 Ch1, *dc in each st to corner, 3dc in corner; rep from * around, ss to beg dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this free granny square blanket crochet pattern. Don’t forget, if you need any help with your crochet stitches you can always check out our crochet for beginners guide. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, check out our list of the best crochet hooks and the best crochet kits for beginners.
