🧶 How To Make a Crochet Square Motif Baby Blanket | Tutorial for Beginners

A crochet baby blanket made from square motifs is a classic and heartfelt gift. It’s a project that’s easy for beginners to tackle, as it involves repeating a simple pattern and then joining the pieces together. This tutorial will walk you through creating a blanket that is beautiful, soft, and perfect for a new arrival.

Skill Level: Confident Beginner

This project is ideal if you’re comfortable with:

• Chain (ch): The fundamental stitch.
• Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining stitches.
• Double Crochet (dc): The main stitch for the squares.
• Joining Motifs: Connecting your finished squares.
• Weaving in Ends: The crucial final step.

Finished Baby Blanket Dimensions (Approximate)

Using the recommended yarn and a standard granny square size, your finished blanket will be approximately 30 x 30 inches (76 x 76 cm), a great size for a stroller or tummy time.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Yarn: Approximately 800-1000 yards (730-915 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) yarn. A soft, machine-washable yarn like acrylic or a cotton blend is highly recommended for a baby blanket.
• Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm.
• Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for weaving in ends and joining the squares.
• Scissors: To cut your yarn.
• Stitch Markers (Optional): To help you keep track of stitches or corners.

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Part 1: Making the Granny Square Motifs

For a 30×30-inch blanket, you will need to make a total of 36 identical squares and arrange them in a 6×6 grid. Each square will be about 5 inches (12.5 cm) on each side.

For each square, follow these steps:

1. Round 1 (Magic Ring or Chain Start):
   • Magic Ring: Create a Magic Ring. Chain 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc, ch 2, *3 dc, ch 2*, repeat from * to * two more times. Pull the ring tight. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
   • Chain Start: Chain 4, join with a sl st to form a ring. Ch 3, work 2 dc, ch 2, *3 dc, ch 2*, repeat from * to * two more times. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
2. Round 2:
   • Slip stitch into the next two stitches and into the next chain-2 corner space.
   • Chain 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into the same corner space.
   • Chain 1 (this creates a side space).
   • *In the next corner space, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Chain 1.*
   • Repeat from * to * two more times.
   • Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
3. Round 3 and beyond:
   • Slip stitch into the next two stitches and into the next corner space.
   • Chain 3, work 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into the same corner space.
   • Chain 1.
   • Work 3 dc into the next side space.
   • Chain 1.
   • Continue this pattern: 3 dc into each side space and (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into each corner space.
   • Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
4. Repeat Round 3 until your squares measure about 5 inches (12.5 cm) per side. Fasten off and weave in all tails.

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Part 2: Assembling the Blanket

Once you have all 36 squares, it’s time to join them together. The easiest and neatest method for beginners is the whip stitch.

1. Arrange the Squares:
   • Lay out your squares on a large, flat surface in a 6×6 grid. This is a great time to experiment with color placement and a checkerboard pattern.
2. Join the Columns:
   • Thread your yarn needle with your joining color.
   • Lay two squares side by side with the wrong sides facing.
   • Begin a whip stitch by inserting your needle into the corner stitch of both squares and sewing through both loops of each corresponding stitch.
   • Continue sewing down the side until you reach the next corner.
   • Repeat this process to join all the squares in each column. You’ll end up with six long strips of squares.
3. Join the Rows:
   • Once all your vertical seams are sewn, repeat the process to join the horizontal seams. This will connect all your strips together.

Part 3: Adding the Border

A simple border gives your blanket a finished, polished look and adds durability.

1. First Border Round:
   • With your chosen border color, join your yarn with a sl st to any stitch on the edge of the blanket.
   • Chain 1. Work 1 sc into each stitch around the entire blanket.
   • When you reach a corner, work 3 sc into the corner space.
   • When you reach a seam where two squares are joined, work a sc into the corner space of the first square, then a sc into the corner space of the next square.
   • Join with a sl st to the first sc.
2. Second Border Round (Optional):
   • Chain 3 (counts as first dc). Work 1 dc into each stitch around.
   • When you reach a corner, work 3 dc into the center stitch of the corner.
   • Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
3. Fasten Off and weave in all remaining tails securely.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully created a beautiful and unique baby blanket! It’s a labor of love that will be cherished for years to come.

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