Summer Granny Square part 2 - Baby Blanket Edition

As promised, here is part two of my Summer Granny Square project, where I show you how to make a baby blanket using the granny square posted in a previous post. this is the perfect gift for a baby born in the coming fall and winter. I hope you have fun making it, Happy crocheting!

Level: intermediate 

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Summer Granny Square

This month, I took a little break from my main knitting projects, and tried small crochet Ideas, such as this granny square. Having some left over sport cotton and acrylic sport yarn, that I am not willing to throw away, I pushed my hands to hold a hook and start a granny square this time around.

Though I don't fancy making baby blankets out of granny squares that much, because they require loads of work to assemble, on top of having to make their many parts. But, a summer should not pass by without making one, no matter what the method used in the making. 

So in this post I present my humble granny square to you. Tune in for my upcoming post, where I will show you how to make a baby blanket that has this granny square as its base.

Level: intermediate 

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Little Lily Nap Blanket

Hello friends! Baby blankets are always fun to work with, for it's a medium size project. It is a blanket, though it is done in a relatively short time, especially when I choose a straight forward pattern, and not granny squares type that needs many phases to finish. 

My new post is a baby blanket, which I crocheted using a multicoloured baby yarn that I found in a popular bazaar in Erbil (which is, by the way, a very beautiful city). It's easy to make, as I wrote the chosen pattern and designed a matching simple edging.

Level: Intermediate

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Tiny Royal Baby Blanket

Few months ago, I was browsing Pinterest, and I came across this new crochet technique called the Element CAL. what does it mean? I didn't know then, but I liked it so much that I started crocheting immediately. I followed the tutorial videos posted by itsallinanutshell.com, which I thank so much for the gorgeous Element CAL design and clear instructions. This technique needs a lot of concentration if its your first time trying it, nevertheless, with time your work will go smoothly.

I had a small bag full of cotton yarn (catania and alize), so I started working on this project inspired by the Element CAL pattern, and now I proudly present to you my Tiny Royal Baby Blanket.

Level: Advanced



Materials:

• Yarn: Schachenmayer, Catania, 100% cotton, yarn weight: sport. 50 g/ 1.75 oz. 125 m/ 137 yds. one skein of each: Anthrazit 429, Denim 421, Jade 253 and Gold 249. Alize, cotton baby, 50% cotton, 50% acrylic. Classical unbrushed, 100 g/ 3.53 oz. 270 m/295 yds. color 01, 2 skeins. 
• Crochet Hook: US: E-4, 3.5 mm.
• Tapestry needle

Yardage: 800-850 m/ 875-930 yard.

Measures: 25 inch/ 64 cm long, 20.5 inch/ 53 cm wide.

Crochet Terms (US)

• ch: chain
• ss: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• bpsc: back post single stitch
• fptr: front post treble crochet

Before you start:

Note 1: All treble crochet stitches are worked into second round below, in front of the previous round and skipping it (please watch www.itsallinanutshell.com's element CAL project tutorial videos)

cc1: Corner cluster one; (ch 3, tr in the center of ch 2 space of previous round, dc).

cc2: Corner cluster two; (dc, tr in the center of ch 2 space of previous round, dc).

Note 2: cc1 and cc2 terms will be used from round 4 and on.

Note 3: To make your work easier, always weave in ends when changing yarn.

Note 4: You can make the color combinations you like for 1-6 rounds. 7-8 rounds must be worked in alize yarn.





Instructions:

The granny square (make 30):

With any catania yarn, work the next four rounds:

Round 1: make a magic ring, or chain five, ss to first ch.

Round 2: ch 3, dc, ch 2, *dc 2, ch 2, repeat from * three times, ss to third ch of first ch 3.



Round 3: ss to first ch 2 space, (ch 3, tr into round 1 (magic ring, or ch 5), dc, ch 2, dc, tr into round 1, dc) in ch 2 space.

*(dc, tr into round 1, dc, ch 2, dc, tr into round 1, dc), in next ch 2 space, repeat from * three times, ss to the third ch of first ch 3.






Round 4: ss to first ch 2 space, (cc1, ch 2, cc2) in ch 2 space, (dc, tr in between dc 2 of round 2, dc) in between the two clusters of previous round, *(cc2, ch 2, cc2) in next ch 2 space, (dc, tr in between dc 2 of round 2, dc) in between the two clusters of previous round, repeat from * three times, ss to the third ch of first ch 3.



Edging

Note: in each granny square of the border, ignore the corner sc 2 of round 8.



Round 1 

With alize yarn, in any corner of the blanket, work as follows:

1. Blanket first corner: (cc1, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space.

2. Granny square side: ch 1, sc in each bpsc sts 18 times, ch 1.

3. Between two granny squares: (dc, fptr in the last fptr of round 7 vertically, dc) in ch 2 space of wright side granny square, ch 2, (dc in ch 2 space, fptr in first fptr of round 7 vertically, dc) in ch 2 space of left side granny square.

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space,

work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, sc to third ch of first ch 3, cut alize yarn.


Round 2

Bind on gold catania yarn in last ch 1 space of edging round 1.

1. Blanket first corner: (ch 3, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc)in ch 1 space, (cc1, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in next ch 1 space.

2. Granny square side: ch 1, skip sc, sc in each sc 16 times, skip sc, ch 1.

3. Between two granny squares:
- Wright side granny square: (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in ch 1 space, (dc, tr in bpsc of round 8 vertically, dc) in ch 2 space, ch 2.

- Left side granny square: (dc, tr in bpsc of round 8, dc) in ch 2 space, (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in ch 1 space.

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in ch 1 space, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in next ch 1 space.

Work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, sc to third ch of first ch 3.


Round 3:

1. Blanket first corner: in between the first two clusters, (ch 3, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc), (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between next two clusters, ch1.

2. Granny square side: ch 1, skip sc, sc in each sc 14 times, skip sc, ch 1.

3. Between two granny squares: (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between the first two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between next two clusters.

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: ch 1, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between the first two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between next two clusters, ch 1.

work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, ch 1, sc to third ch of first ch 3, cut gold yarn.


Round 4:

Bind on alize yarn in the first ch 2 space of any corner.

1. Blanket first corner: (ch 3, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between the next two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between next two clusters, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 2 space.

2. Granny square side: skip sc, sc in each sc 12 times, skip sc.

3. Between two granny squares: (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 1 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between the next two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between next two clusters, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 1 space.

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between the next two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between next two clusters, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 2 space.

Work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, ch 1, sc to third ch of first ch 3.


Round 5:

1. Blanket first corner: (ch 3, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between first two clusters, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between the next two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between next two clusters twice, ch 1.

2. Granny square side: ch 1, skip sc, sc in each sc 10 times, skip sc, ch 1. 

3. Between two granny squares: (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between two clusters tiwce, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between next two clusters twice,

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: ch 1, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between two clusters tiwce, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between next two clusters twice, ch 1.

work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, ch 1, sc to third ch of first ch 3, cut yarn, weave in loose ends.

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects.

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Magic Square Baby Blanket

From time to time, I sit down between large projects, experimenting with new small crochet pieces, such as coasters and granny squares. Sometimes nothing interesting comes out, but I think, this time, it really turned out well. A magic granny square that turns from a circle shape to almost a square, without the usual angles made of a number of chain stitches.

Since I really liked this magic granny square, I decided to come up with a project made of a number of it. I found this nice Alize cotton baby yarn, I chose two pastel colors, because they are my favorite, and here it is.

Skill level: Easy 

I am really glad to announce that this post was featured in AllFreeCrochet's list of the top 100 crochet patterns of 2019. Click the image to view the full list:

 

 

Materials:

• Yarn: Alize cotton baby soft, 50% cotton, 50% acrylic, 295 yards (270 m), 3.53 oz (100 g), in the colors winter sky 514 (4 skeins) and light yellow 643 (2 skeins).
• Crochet hook, size US H/8 (5 mm).
• Tapestry needle

Measurements: 

• Granny square: 5.5" x 5.5" (14 cm x 14 cm), approx.
• Blanket: 32" x 25" (84 cm x 64 cm) approx.

Gauge: 18 sts and 10 round = 4"x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) in double crochet. 

Yardage: 600- 620 yards (550- 570m), approx.

Crochet terms (US):

• ch: chain.
• st: stitch.
• mr: magic ring.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• dc: double crochet.

Instructions:

Make a magic ring, or ch 6 sts and slip into the first st.

Round 1: ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), (dc, ch 1) nine times, sl st into third ch of the first ch 4. 

Round 2: ch 4, *dc in ch 1 space, ch 1, dc in dc, ch 1, repeat from * 8 more times, dc in ch1 space, ch 1, sl st into third ch of the first ch 4. 

Round 3: ch 3, (dc 2 in ch 1 space, dc in dc, *skip ch 1 space, ch 2, dc in dc, repeat from * 3 more times), repeat between () two more times, dc 2 in ch1 space, dc in dc, **skip ch 1 space, ch 2, dc in dc, repeat from ** two more times, ch 2, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3.

Round 4: ch 3, (dc in dc three times, dc 2 in ch 2 space, dc in dc, *skip ch 2 space, ch 3, dc in dc, repeat from * two more times), repeat between () two more times, dc in dc three times, dc 2 in ch 2 space, dc in dc, **skip ch 2 space, ch 3, dc in dc, repeat from ** one more time, ch 3, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3.

Round 5: ch 3, (dc in dc  six times, dc 3 in ch 3 space, dc in dc, *skip ch 3 space, ch 4, dc in dc, repeat from * one more time), repeat between () two more times, dc in dc six times,  dc 3 in ch 3 space, dc in dc, skip ch 3 space, ch 4, dc in dc, skip ch 3 space, ch 4, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3.

Round 6: ch 3 , (dc in dc ten times, dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in dc, skip ch 4 space, ch 5, dc in dc), repeat between () two more times, dc in dc ten more times, dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in dc, skip ch 4 space, ch 5, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3.

Cut yarn, weave in loose ends and block if needed.

Joining the granny squares:

Note: Because the square I made has round corners, I had to come up with a flexible joining method to make the blanket look nice and tidy. I should thank  The Patch Work Heart for the inspiration. I used their method, but made minor changes to suit my granny squares' round corners.

Follow the pattern below:

First row: start making the roller coaster row from the corner of a granny square and follow the arrows I've drawn, or the full instructions in the link. But make the numbers of chain stitches I mentioned at the corners.

- Remember when you finish this row, all the granny squares will be attached and the rectangle blanket is complete.

- Only the corners attachments need care 

 

Second row: it is simpler, and goes only around the border of  the blanket, just follow the drawn pattern, or you can make your own design.

Click Here For Full Size Image

 

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects.

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