The Gabe Squared granny square blanket provides hours of mindful crochet time and a cozy blanket when you’re done. Beginner friendly, made with worsted weight yarn, free on the blog.

Gabe Squared Granny Square Blanket

I love nothing more than a comfy granny square blanket. For me, the rhythm of crocheting granny squares is one of the most relaxing activities.

A couple of years ago, I crocheted granny square blankets for my grandsons. I took a traditional granny square and added a little zip to the design. The granny square for each blanket were slightly different so the boys could feel like they had one designed just for them.

The younger grandson received a version of the Gabe Squared Granny Square Blanket (yes, it’s named after him). He loved it!

The Gabe Squared granny square blanket is perfect for a night of relaxing crochet, either to make the granny squares or cuddle up under. You’ll love this beautiful granny square blanket!

Design + Construction

Most of my granny square blankets are pretty straightforward. I design for the kind of crocheter who loves to relax with a good granny square project on her hook with good TV to watch. The Gabe Squared Granny Square Blanket is no exception.

The traditional granny stitch is the star of the show. But, to add a little interest to this granny square, I tucked in a few rounds of stitches worked in the 3rd loop in the midst of the granny stitch to create a solid section with some subtle surface texture.

The two contrasting sections offer a little more interest than a traditional granny square without getting overly complicated. 

I chose a flat slip stitch seam to assemble the squares. Not only does it add another layer of subtle texture to the right side of the blanket, it’s crocheted rather than sewn, saving you time.

The entire granny square blanket is finished off with a simple single crochet border with all the stitches worked in the back loop only. You’ll love the way the exposed front loops enhance the look of an otherwise plain border.

It’s a beautiful granny square blanket designed to be as much fun to make as it is warm to snuggle up under!

The Yarn

I designed this blanket to work with any worsted weight yarn you choose. The construction of the granny squares, the seaming method and the border all work perfectly for a wide array of worsted weight choices.

I chose Lion Brand’s “Pound of Love” because it’s soft and easy to work with. Plus, the extra large skeins means it’s an economical choice for this larger granny square blanket.

The Gabe Squared granny square blanket gives you the chance to shop your yarn stash, too. This version of the granny square blanket started because I had a lot of “Pound of Love” left over from a previous project.

You can experiment with color combinations in the squares themselves, assigning various colors to the sections that naturally occur in the granny squares. Plus, the flat slip stitch seam and the border can be worked in complimentary or contrasting colors, giving you the chance to use up what you already own.

Yarn Substitution

Because I used Lion Brand’s “Pound of Love”, you may want to use a yarn similar to get the same look as mine. If you aren’t sure if your yarn will work, use my Yarn Substitution Worksheet to see how close they are.

Or, check out YarnSub.com for other choices that would work well.

The Gabe Squared Granny Square Blanket Free Pattern

General Information

Yarn

Lion Brand “Pound of Love” 100% premium acrylic worsted weight (16oz/1020yd; 454g/932m)

Color: Terracotta – Approx. 1785 yds

Any worsted weight appropriate for blankets will work

Hook

US size I-9 (5.5mm) or size needed for gauge

Tools

• Removable stitch markers
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle

Finished Size

Approx. 43” x 53”

Granny square measures approx. 10” across

Gauge

Rnds 1-3 = Approx. 4” across

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Abbreviations – US crochet terminology

• beg – beginning
• BLO – back loop only
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• pm – place marker
• rep – repeat
• rm – remove marker
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS – right side
• YO – yarn over

Repeats

• (…) – Work everything within the parentheses in the same st or sp.
• […] – Repeat everything within the brackets the indicated number of times.
• {…} – Repeat everything within the braces the indicated number of times.

Special Stitches

Chain-1 space (ch-1 sp) – The number denotes the number of chains made

Chain-3 corner space (ch-3 corner sp) – The number denotes the number of chains made in a corner space.

Granny stitch (GS) – 3 dc in the same st or sp

Hidden stitch

The hidden stitch is the 1^st st that follows each corner when working in the round. Oftentimes, because of the stitches worked in the corner space, that 1^st stitch can be hidden and tucked underneath those stitches. In the instructions, it will be noted when to pay particular attention to the hidden stitch.

Invisible join: At the end of the rnd, remove working loop from hook, insert hook from back to front through the top of the 1^st st of the rnd, add working loop back onto hook and pull through to the wrong side, continue as instructed.

Half double crochet in the 3^rd loop (hdc 3lp) – when working with the RS facing – YO, insert hook through the 3^rd loop that sits just under and behind the top loop of the stitch, YO, pull through the 3^rd loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops on the hook to complete the hdc.

The double crochet in the 3^rd loop (dc 3lp) is worked exactly like a normal dc except the hook is inserted in the 3^rd loop the same as for the hdc 3lp.

Stacked single crochet (STsc) – (This stitch is used at the beginning of a round to replace the traditional turning ch-3. It has the appearance of a dc.) – Insert hook in the same st as the loop, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (bottom sc made), insert hook through the left vertical bar of the bottom sc, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (top sc made).

Pattern Notes

1. Do not turn after any rnd. The RS is always facing you.
2. A ‘ch-2’ or ‘ch-3’ can be substituted for the STsc without altering the look or construction of the square.
3. ‘Ch 1’ at the beg of a rnd does not count as a st.
4. The number of sts worked in the corners changes to accommodate sts worked in subsequent rnds. Pay close attention to how many ch are worked in the corners of each rnd.