How to use the granny square blanket pattern generator
- Pick a blanket size, or type your own width and length.
- Crochet one test square with your yarn and hook, following rounds 1 to 4 below. Measure it edge to edge and enter the size and the number of rounds.
- Choose your yarn weight, number of colors and color layout under More options.
- Read the pattern, the color chart and the yarn per color. Copy, print or save the pattern as a PDF.
The classic granny square pattern, round by round
Every square in this blanket is the classic granny square. Round 1 is four groups of 3 double crochet with a chain 2 at each corner. Each round after works (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into every corner and 3 dc into each ch-1 space along the sides, with a chain 1 between groups. Vogue Knitting describes the same structure, and Lion Brand's tutorial gives the same stitch counts.
| Round | Double crochet | 3-dc groups on each side, between corners |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 0 |
| 2 | 24 | 0 |
| 3 | 36 | 1 |
| 4 | 48 | 2 |
| 5 | 60 | 3 |
| 6 | 72 | 4 |
| 7 | 84 | 5 |
| 8 | 96 | 6 |
Patterns differ in small ways. Some chain 3 at the corners instead of 2, and some turn the square over between rounds. Sarah Maker's version does both. Either works, as long as you keep to one method for every square so they all come out the same size.
How many squares for a granny square blanket?
Here is what the generator gives for common blanket sizes, with a 2-round border and worsted yarn. The 5 inch column uses 4-round squares, and the 6 inch column 5-round squares. Your squares will be your own size, so enter yours above.
| Blanket | Target | 5" squares | 6" squares |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stroller | 30 × 35" | 42 (6 × 7), 1022 to 1363 yd | 30 (5 × 6), 1050 to 1399 yd |
| Crib | 45 × 60" | 108 (9 × 12), 2514 to 3352 yd | 70 (7 × 10), 2354 to 3138 yd |
| Lapghan | 36 × 48" | 63 (7 × 9), 1501 to 2001 yd | 48 (6 × 8), 1640 to 2186 yd |
| Throw | 50 × 60" | 120 (10 × 12), 2782 to 3708 yd | 80 (8 × 10), 2674 to 3565 yd |
| Twin | 66 × 90" | 234 (13 × 18), 5317 to 7090 yd | 165 (11 × 15), 5397 to 7195 yd |
| Full | 80 × 90" | 288 (16 × 18), 6507 to 8676 yd | 195 (13 × 15), 6349 to 8464 yd |
| Queen | 90 × 100" | 360 (18 × 20), 8095 to 10792 yd | 240 (15 × 16), 7777 to 10369 yd |
| King | 108 × 100" | 420 (21 × 20), 9415 to 12552 yd | 288 (18 × 16), 9299 to 12398 yd |
Bigger squares mean fewer to make and fewer ends to weave in. A queen with 6 inch squares needs 240 squares, against 360 with 5 inch squares. The yarn barely changes, because it depends on the blanket's area.
Colors and layout
Each square in the generator is one solid color, laid out in diagonal stripes, rows, columns or a scrappy mix. The chart shows where each color goes, and the color table lists how many squares and how much yarn each one needs. To change colors every round inside a square, work each round in a new color and weave in the ends as you go. Our guide on changing colors in crochet shows the neatest way.
Joining and the border
Once all the squares are made, lay them out on the floor following the chart. Join them into rows, then join the rows. Our guide to joining granny squares compares slip stitch, single crochet and whip stitch joins. The border pattern here is simple double crochet rounds, like the border round in Lion Brand's square. For fancier edges, see our crochet border guide.
