Hello friends!

We’ve made it halfway through 2023 already, and I am so excited to share a lot more crochet patterns with you over the next few months. If you read my newsletter, and to some extend my blog, you might know about the changes we’ve had in our family this year and why I’ve been a bit delayed in releasing many patterns thus far. The basic gist is that we have a new puppy and she really thinks crochet is fun. And by “fun”, I mean she thinks chewing on my WIP, my skein, the yarn between said WIP and skein, and my crochet hook is the greatest thing ever! But she’s finally maturing a bit and learning that while crochet is fun, Momma does not think chewing on crochet is the way to enjoy it.

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My friend Helen from Sunflower Cottage Crochet invited me to participate in the Preemie Crochet Challenge again this year, and of course I agreed! My niece was a micro-preemie born at 24 weeks gestation, so this event has a special place in my heart. (Plus I love designing baby things even though it really isn’t in my normal niche of pattern designs!)

You can read more about my niece’s story here.

This year, I decided to create a simple design that is beginner friendly and can be worked up quickly- especially since preemies always arrive before we’re ready and handmade gifts take time. I made my design sample in about 5 evenings- and this included taking breaks to write down what I was doing and even shoot a tutorial video- so you’ll be able to whip one up in short order as well!

Because I don’t know anyone currently who is getting ready for a new baby and I am one of those “crazy dog ladies” whose dog is like her child, one Miss Ruby Sue Shih Poo is now the proud owner of her very own Sweet Little Granny Square Baby Blanket. This is not her first crocheted blanket because she inherited a few from our departed Shih Tzus. She was so well-behaved while I was making my Sweet Little Granny Square Baby Blanket and didn’t attempt to chew on any part of it; however when I was weaving in my final ends, she jumped into my lap and curled up in the blanket, declaring this to be hers. Look how much she loves it!

Love cute puppies? You can follow Ruby Sue on Instagram!

The Sweet Little Granny Squares Baby Blanket is one of the adorable patterns featured in the Baby Shower Blog Hop hosted by Ambassador Crochet. Each day from April 14- May 11 2024, a different baby crochet pattern will be available either for free or 50% off.

Don’t want to remember to check in each day, or want to save even more money on these patterns? You can grab the Baby Shower pattern bundle using my affiliate link and get all of the patterns at once!

This pattern is available as a forever free pattern here on the Straight Hooked blog, but if you prefer an ad-free experience you can purchase a copy of the PDF.

On 4/22/24, you can get a free copy of the PDF through the Baby Shower Blog Hop. You can grab your copy of the Sweet Little Granny blanket pattern below. (Be sure to visit the main blog hop to get the discount code)

Sweet Little Granny Square Blanket

Materials:

5 mm crochet hook

Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors

Stitch Markers 

Scissors

Finishing Needle

Abbreviations:

ch-chain

dc- double crochet

dc2tog- double crochet 2 together

fpdc- front post double crochet

hdc- half double crochet

hdc3l- half double crochet in the 3rd loop

sk- skip

slst- slip stitch

shdc- standing half double crochet

sdc- standing double crochet

stsc- stacked single crochet

sp- space

st(s)- stitch(es)

Gauge:

8 dc x 5 rows = 2” square

Or

Rnds 1-3 = 2” square

Finished Size:

22” wide x 28” long

Notes:

This pattern is written in US terminology.

You will need to make 20 squares.

This pattern is worked in the round.

Visit my Rumble channel for stitch tutorial videos.

Pattern Instructions:

Squares: (Make 20)

Rnd 1. (Color A) ch4, slst to first ch, stsc, 2dc, ch1, *3dc, ch1*, repeat from *to* 2 more times, slst to top of stsc. (16)

Rnd 2. stsc in ch1sp, 2dc in same ch1 sp, *sk 3 sts, (3dc, ch1,3dc in ch1 sp)*, repeat from *to* 2 more times, sk 3 sts, 3dc, ch1 in ch1 sp, slst to stsc (28)

Rnd 3. stsc in ch1 sp, 2dc in same ch1 sp, *sk 3 sts, 3dc in sp between sts, sk 3 sts, (3dc, ch1,3dc in ch1 sp)* repeat from *to* 2 more times, sk 3 sts, 3dc in sp between sts, sk 3 sts, 3dc, ch1 in ch1sp, slst to stsc while changing to Color B. (40)

Rnd 4. (Color B) stsc in ch1 sp, 2dc in same ch1 sp, *sk 3 sts, 3dc in sp between sts, sk 3 sts, 3dc in sp between sts, sk 3 sts, (3dc, ch1,3dc in ch1 sp)* repeat from *to* 2 more times, sk 3 sts, 3dc in sp between sts, sk 3 sts, 3dc in sp between sts, sk 3 sts, 3dc, ch1 in ch1sp, slst to stsc while changing to Color C (52)

Rnd 5. (Color C) stsc in ch1sp, dc in top of stsc below, dc 11, *(dc, ch2, dc in ch1sp), dc 12*, repeat from *to* 2 more times, (dc, ch2 in ch1sp), slst or invisible join to stsc, finish off and weave ends. (64)

Joining Squares:

Use Color A and join together using the dc2tog join method. For this method, you will begin the first half of your dc2tog in one square and complete the second half in the joining square. This creates and additional round of dc on each square as well as creates a secure join that won’t accidentally unravel with use. Once all 20 squares are joined, use Color A to dc around edge of blanket, adding 3dc in each interior square corner and (dc, ch2, dc) in each of the 4 exterior corners. 

Border:

Rnd 1. (Color B) Attach yarn using shdc method at any stitch that is not a corner. hdc in each st on sides, fpdc around each corner dc, (hdc, ch2, hdc) in each corner. slst or invisible join to first st, finish off.

Rnd 2. (Color C) Attach yarn using shdc method in the 3rd loop of any stitch that is not a corner. hdc3l in each hdc, fpdc around each fpdc and (hdc, ch2, hdc) in each corner. slst or invisible join to first st, finish off. 

Rnd 3. (Color A) Repeat Rnd 2. Weave in all ends. 

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I have another free pattern coming soon, so stay tuned!

Until next time,

Happy Hooking!

~Malena