I was very intimidated by the idea of making anything as large as a blanket when I started crocheting. I made hats, toys, sweaters, bags… all way more complicated patterns in hindsight! It took a friend who regularly made only blankets to convince me to give it a try.

I had much younger children at the time and trying to finish a project before I ran out of motivation or wanted to be starting something else was a constant battle. She managed to convince me that most crochet blankets use very tall stitches, and in some cases a lot of air! To make matters even more ridiculous, I already knew how to make granny squares. I had only used them in the sort of pattern where they are made individually and then sewn together though, and I had NOT enjoyed assembly.

This pattern is the perfect solution to all of those problems. The only skill needed is the ability to make a granny square (only chain stitches and double crochets involved). It has a really good balance between enough open spaces to work up quickly and enough filled spaces to still be warm and cozy. It works just as well with any weight of yarn, and unless you choose something incredible fine, it will work up quickly. You don’t need to sew any pieces together. You don’t even need to change colours if you don’t want to, but it is a simple way to add a bit of fun to the pattern.

The very best part is this: how ridiculously easy the pattern it. Are you prepared?

Step 1: Make a granny square. (Find a video tutorial if this is new for you.)

Step 2: Instead of cutting the yarn when you are done, use the same method you used in the granny square to make your square bigger. Then bigger. Stop whenever you are happy with it.

Step 3: A border of single crochets around the perimeter will both look nice and give it a bit of stability. (Don’t forget, 3 sc in each corner to turn you around nicely to the next side!)

That’s it. I worked really hard to split the pattern into an entire three steps. So don’t be afraid to give a bigger project a try! The thing that makes this pattern amazing for a first try is that you are increasing evenly as you go around. If you run out of steam half way, who cares? You made a lap blanket instead of bed sized one. Or a baby blanket instead of something for the couch. Most other patterns start from an edge or corner and if you don’t get as far as you intend then it doesn’t look right. This one looks the same the whole way through, it just gets bigger. And who says you have to admit what size you planned to make it when you started out? Give it a shot, maybe you will surprise yourself!