Master the Granny Stitch and Create a Gorgeous Granny Square Blanket
Introducing the Granny’s in the Frame Blanket Square—a fresh take on the beloved granny square! This beginner-friendly crochet pattern showcases just how timeless and versatile the classic granny stitch can be.
Worked in rounds, this design adds a modern twist while staying true to the traditional charm that makes granny squares a favorite among crocheters.
Using #4 weight (aran) yarn and a 5mm hook. And at 12″ square this pattern is perfect for cozy blankets, cushions, or any project where you want the beauty of a classic granny stitch to shine.
Best of all, it’s available for free on the blog post below! Just keep scrolling.
Please note, this post may contain affiliate links – should you purchase anything using my affiliate link I may get a small commission at no extra cost to yourself!
Inspiration behind the design
The Granny’s in the Frame Blanket Square was originally designed for the Granny Sampler CAL 2024, hosted by Debbie over at MadameStitch. In many crochet-alongs, I like to push my creativity by designing a square that meets the host’s parameters while challenging myself in some way. But this time, I felt a strong pull toward simplicity. I picked up my hook, grabbed some yarn, and let the design flow naturally.
As I worked, the square reached about 8 inches, and I knew I wanted to frame the traditional granny stitch in a way that highlighted its timeless charm without overshadowing it. That’s how the Granny’s in the Frame Blanket Square was born—a simple yet striking design that brings focus to the beauty of the granny square while keeping the overall look balanced and elegant.
Before I knew it I had a pile of these squares made … so watch out for a new blanket pattern in my shops soon!
Construction of the Granny Square design
The Granny’s in the Frame Blanket Square is worked in the round, starting with the classic granny stitch at its center. Once the granny square is established, the design transitions into a ‘frame’ created using camel stitch and half double crochets, which add texture and structure to the piece.
The square is worked in one continuous piece, making it simple to crochet, and you have the flexibility to switch colors if you’d like to highlight the framing effect around the granny stitches. This adds a beautiful contrast and helps bring out the stitch details in your project.
The Yarn
For the Granny’s in the Frame Blanket Square, you can use any #4 weight (aran) yarn with a 5mm hook, making it a versatile project. If you prefer to use a different yarn weight, that’s absolutely fine—I’ve provided measurements so you can adjust your yarn and hook size while still achieving the same square dimensions. This pattern works wonderfully with all yarn weights!
For my version, I used Paintbox Simply Aran because I had plenty in my stash, and it’s a budget-friendly option. If you’re using this square in a blanket, feel free to choose any yarn type you love. However, if you’re repurposing the square for kitchen or bathroom projects, I recommend opting for cotton yarn, which is durable and absorbent for those specific needs.
Can I Get the PDF Pattern?
As a stand alone pattern you cannot get this one in any of my shops. It is only available as a free pattern in my blog post below. However, I am working on a blanket version of this particular square which will be available very soon!
The Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket CAL 2024
As mentioned above, this pattern features in the Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket CAL hosted by MadameStitch. It runs from Sept 30th – Oct 31st 2024 and at the end of it you will have a gorgeous sampler blanket with 12 fabulous squares and a fitting border.
There are 2 ways of joining in this granny square event:
- Visit the round up post and work up each of the squares from the designer’s free pattern on their blog posts. Click the link to the blog post below.
- Purchase the complete e-book which contains all of the squares, joining and border instructions. You get them all for one amazing price of $12.99 during the event (price will increase from 1st Nov 2024). To check out the e-book without any obligation click the buy the e-book button below.
You might also like:
I have a few patterns that use the granny stitch or a variation of it! Here are five of my favourites:
- Granny’s Cowl is a fun quick project that is a free pattern on my blog.
2. The free Modified Granny Cup Cozy is a great take on the granny stitch that works up in about 30 minutes!
3. The Elegant Cocoon Cardigan is another free on the blog pattern that uses the drunken granny stitch.
4. Granny’s not Biased chevron scarf uses one cake to make and looks fabulous.
5. An 8″ blanket Square with a difference! I adore the texture on this one – and I am so proud of that sunflower appliqué!
The Granny Square pattern specifics:
Materials:
| Any 4 weight yarn of your choosing – approx. 165 yards 5mm (H) hook Scissors Tapestry Needle Stitch Markers Measuring Tape |
Gauge:
| Gauge is not important for this project as long as you are consistent and happy with how your stitches look. This pattern is written so that you can make a 12” square without the need to match any gauge. |
Sizing:
Your finished square will be 11.75-12” square.
Abbreviations used:
| MR – magic ring Ch(s) – chain(s) St(s) – Stitch(es) Rep – Repeat Dc—double crochet Hdc—half-double crochet Ss – slip stitch Sp(s) – space(s) Sk – skip [ ] – all stitches inside these brackets are worked into the same stitch or space. FO—fasten off YO—yarn over |
Other notes:
| · Written in US terms · Ch3 counts as a dc · Remember to turn when the pattern tells you otherwise your square may start to warp a little. · At the corners, I use a Ch1 instead of the usual Ch2 so that the gaps between the 3dc groups are not bigger than the rest of the square. · Size is what you make it! This pattern is pretty simple, just repeat until you have the desired size in mind! |
Special Stitches:
Camel Stitch (HDC in the third Loop): To work this stitch you will create a normal hdc stitch but you will be working into the third loop and not the front or back loops. The photo below shows you where the third loop will be.
The Pattern:
** This is a free pattern on the SunflowerCottageCrochet.com blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**
Round 1: In MR ch3, 2 dc, ch1, *3dc, ch1 Rep from * twice more. SS to top of ch3 start to join. Pull MR closed. (4 sets of 3dc, 4 ch1 sps)
OR
Ch3, ss to first ch to join. Ch3, 2 dc, ch1, *3dc, ch1 Rep from * twice more. SS to top of ch3 start to join. (4 sets of 3dc, 4 ch1 sps)
Round 2: Ch3, turn, [2dc, ch1, 3dc] in Ch1 sp, [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in each of the remaining 3 ch1 sps around. SS to top of ch3 to join. (8 sets of 3dc, 4 ch1 sps)
Note: from this point if you are a beginner crocheter I would recommend that you use stitch markers to mark the ch1 sps. These are your corner spaces.
Round 3: Ch3, turn, 2dc between the 2 sets of 3dc from the round below.
*[3dc, ch1, 3dc] in the ch1 sp, 3dc between the next 2 sets of 3dc. Rep from * twice more. SS to top of ch3 to join (12 sets of 3dc, 4 ch1 sps)
Round 4: Ch3, turn, 2dc between the 2 sets of 3dc from the round below. .*[3dc, ch1, 3dc] in the ch1 sp, 3dc between the next 2 sets of 3dc, 3dc between the next 2 sets of 3dc. Rep from * twice more. [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in Ch1 sp, 3dc between the last 2 sets of 3dc from the previous round. SS to top of ch3 to join. (16 sets of 3dc, 4 ch1 sps)
Round 5: Ch3, turn, 2dc between the next set of 3dc from the round below, *3dc between each set of 3dc from the round below until you reach the ch1 sp . [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in the ch1 sp. Rep from * three more times. 3dc between each set of 3dc from the round below. SS to top of ch3 to join. (20 sets of 3dc, 4 ch1 sps)
Rounds 6 – 10: Rep round 5 until your square is approximately 8” wide. (24 (28, 32, 36, 40) sets of 3dc, 4 ch1 sps)
Round 11: Ch1, turn, hdc in first st and each st to the ch1 sp, *[2hdc, ch1, 2hdc] in ch1 sp, hdc in each st across to next ch1 sp. Rep from * two more times. *[2hdc, ch1, 2hdc] in ch1 sp, hdc in each st across to first hdc of the round. SS to join to top of first hdc.
Note: you only work into the dc’s from the previous round and the ch1 sps here.
Round 12: Ch1, camel st (see special stitches) in each st around making sure to work [2hdc, ch1, 2hdc] in each of your ch1 sps.
Round 13: Ch1, hdc in first st and each st up to the ch 1 sp. *[2hdc, ch1, 2hdc] in ch1 sp, hdc in each st across to next ch1 sp. Rep from * around. SS to first hdc to join.
Rounds 14-15: Rep round 11 until your square is between 11.5”-11.75” wide.
Round 16: Ch1, sc in first st and each st up to the ch 1 sp. *[2sc, ch1, 2sc] in ch1 sp, sc in each st across to next ch1 sp. Rep from * around. SS to first sc to join.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Don’t forget to tag me in your Granny Square makes on Facebook and Instagram!
