Granny square baby blanket – finished!
I simply can’t believe I’ve managed to finish this before the baby arrives. This blanket has been a year and a half in the making you guys! It didn’t even start life as a baby blanket, just as a bunch of granny squares in pretty colours that allowed me to practice my new-found crochet skills, taught to me by my chum Bridie on a summer crafternoon.
Square and edging detail
It’s the simplest of granny square patterns ( I’ve included it at the end for anyone who’s just starting out too) but it uses the softest most gorgeous extra fine merino wool by MillaMia Sweden. At around £5 to £5.50 a ball, this blanket was not cheap to make! I’d estimate around 30 balls were used, making the materials alone an astonishing £150 or thereabouts (thankfully spread out over the course of a year)! Altogether 192 granny squares make up the finished blanket. I used approximately three more balls (plus a bit more grey) for the edging.
More edging detail
The edging was created by doing one round of double crochet in that lovely dusty pink to even off the sides and then one round of treble crochet in the same colour; then a round of treble crochet in ‘snow’, then the same in grey with a further final round of treble crochet clusters (seven into one stitch, miss two stitches, slipstitch, miss two stitches, repeat) to give that lovely scalloped edge.
See how big it is?
This blanket has travelled the world with me too. It’s been to Ireland, to Paris, to Santorini, to Thailand and even to Laos!
On holiday in Laos and on the Eurostar to Paris
I’d guess maybe upwards of 150 hours have been spent on it. It’s been a conversation starter, an anxiety reliever, a chilly afternoon warmer-upper and, when I discovered I was pregnant, it became a potential heirloom. A best friend and comforter for our son or daughter that will hopefully travel through their life with them.
It’s big enough to be doubled over as a sturdy cot or pram blanket but it also covers a single bed and is large enough to wrap up a overdue pregnant woman! Witness!
Overdue pregnant woman – wrapped
I love this blanket so much. I’m almost heart broken to have finally finished it.
But I can’t wait to start a new one! I’m thinking a 400 square granny blanket to keep me and the husband warm in our dotage. It’ll probably take that long…
Here’s the granny square pattern. These are the same instructions I used to teach Mela how to crochet a granny square and she’s making great progress so hopefully they’ll work for you.
Hello, it is gorgeous and congrats on your little one… I get attached to my projects too
Cheers Daniella!
So beautiful, Joanne – I know the wee one will love it, and cherish it even more when he/she is old enough to understand how much love & care you put into it
I love the colours 
I hope the wee one comes soon – perhaps they were just waiting for their blankie to be finished! ^_^ much love xoxo
Hey now there’s a thought! Thank you so much for best wishes!
It is so, so beautiful. I am really glad to think this blanket is ready to welcome your baby into the world. That edging absolutely makes it. I am getting very annoyed with my own blanket, which is taking too long. I need to apply myself more! I am thinking of you all the time – good luck with all adventures to come. You are going to have a baby in the house for Christmas. Isn’t that the best thing in the world?!!!
NB I’ve just shown your blog post to my mum and we agree the colours are gorgeous!
Oh bless you Karen! I love that your mum is having a look! Hello Mrs DYMK!
This is the sweetest heirloom baby blanket I ever seen.
I am so proud of you.. The edging is great it really finishes it off. It will definitely be an heirloom. What colours are you going to do for the one for you and current? The next one will be easier because of all the practice on this one – although you’ll have less sitting around time thanks to the baby….
Oh cheers Bridie and thank you so much for the lessons! Not sure what colours to go for. Matt suggested citrus colours like green and yellow, but I think he secretly hopes I won’t notice that’s Norwich city football club colours!
Joanne, this is exactly the reason I took crochet lessons…to have a blanket just like this in my life! Sadly, my crochet skills aren’t up to much, but I’m so tempted to try again after seeing this beauty! Your baby blanket is so beautiful and I love that it’s big enough to keep your little one warm when s/he’s not so little any more! What an absolute labour of love…you’re a hell of a mummy already ;o)
Seriously Marie a little patience and you will get there honestly! Maybe I should pimp Bridie out for lessons! Thank you so much! Xxx
Let’s just say the first afternoon that Joanne tried she thought she would never get it. However, with a bit of practice and another session (maybe it helped that we went to the pub and did it over a drink and dinner) it all became much clearer. Practice does help as it it makes it easier. And at least with crochet you can unravel it and start again – much easier than with sewing. Granny squares are a really good place to start as the stitches are quite simple and the repetition helps.
Thanks Joanne and Bridie, your encouragement is much appreciated! I’m going to do it, in the new year I will give crochet another go! There, I said it…publicly!!!
You’ve done a lovely job and your baby is very lucky to have a cosy blanket with so many special memories crocheted into it. Good luck, hope you don’t have much longer to wait
This is absolutely beautiful. I wish I managed to finish half the projects I started. Seeing this blanket has inspired me to get back to that blanket that I started months ago, oh and those mittens too, and the hat… the list is endless.
Yay!! What an achievement! It’s amazing Joanne and so pretty. I also love the edging….and the photo story of its history and travels is super cool!! What a well travelled blankie. Thinking of you Joanne, looking forward to hearing from momma stitch and witter xx
Very lovely blanket. Reading this reminded me of how excited I was when it was time to meet my twins. i was not sewing or learning to knit then though. I can imagine all the beautiful things you will make for your baby!
Your blanket is gorgeous, I love the colours and the scalloped edging. And I hope your baby will love it too!
It’s beautiful! What a wonderful blanket for a little one to be wrapped up in. Congratulations.
Wow, this is gorgeous! Well worth all the time you’ve spent on it!
Gorgeous! I love crocheting granny square blankets. They are just so cosy and warm looking.
This looks like a gorgeous labour of love. The colours are divine and this looks like the perfect blanket to snuggle up as a new family in.
I don’t crochet much because I don’t enjoy it as much as knitting, but this looks like the PERFECT traveling project…since you, like, DID travel with it. It’d be handy for when I don’t want to drag a long a big ol’ bag of something! I may have to try it now.
Awsome blanket, and good luck with your baby xx
I can’t believe I’m wanting to profess my love to a blanket right now, but it’s true – this is just SO gorgeous. And cosy. And snuggly. I want to reach through the monitor and touch it. I especially love the colours – they remind me of chocolate, raspberry and vanilla… all deliciously lovely. Lucky, Lucky Baby!
Congratulations (on the baby and the blanket)! I know those projects that take years and years to finsish, but it’s such an satisfying feeling when they’re finally done… The baby will love this blanket!
Gorgeous blanket! Really gorgeous classic colours. Can see it pictured in an Elle Decoration type shoot! I feel your sadness of coming to the end of such a project. But you will have so many memories tied to its making, in fact my last blog post was about this! Good luck with your very impending life changing event x
So glad you finally finished this (and just in time, too!) – its beautiful!
It’s gorgeous! I love the colours, well done you!
what a gorgeous labour of love (should i have mentioned the labour word?). it is absolutely beautiful and you’ll treasure it.
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