Simple Loop Granny Square Crochet Border Blanket

This simple loop granny square crochet border is just one way to beautifully finish off a blanket. There is just something addicting about a granny square blanket.

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The Joy of the Granny Square

Once you get the hang of it, the possibilities are endless. Switch up the yarn colors, change the crochet edge, or even add in a few new styled granny squares. They are just so versatile and gorgeous.

Part 1 of 6 Part Series on Granny Square Blanket Crochet Borders

This is the first granny square blanket of a 6 part series on a few easy, yet pretty crochet edges that can be added to the throws. I will have both written directions and video tutorials for each one. Enjoy creating your own beautiful blankets using this series.

I spent most of last winter crocheting the squares. The end result was not in sight. I just kept making squares in colors that I thought worked well together. Then after joining them, it was fun to be creative the have a completely different overall look to each blanket as the edge was finished.

Start With Basic Granny Squares

This is how the squares looked without being joined or having a crochet border on. Pretty plain right? I like how the colors work together though.

Two granny squares are used to create this throw. I used Red Heart yarn for the entire blanket.

Square one consists of four rounds of perfect pink and two rounds of charcoal grey.

Perfect Pink and Charcoal Grey Granny Square

Square two consists of four founds of charcoal grey and two rounds of heather grey

Lots of Fun Arranging Squares

My daughter and son-in-law spent a few hours arranging and rearranging all of the squares and deciding what colors went together. I think our end results are lovely. It was so much fun to have them get involved and help. Great memories.

So many uses for this granny square blanket. This could be a throw, blanket, lap afghan, baby blanket.

Joining the Squares with the Invisible Join

The squares are joined using the invisible join. If you are not familiar with that method, I have done a video for you on how to do this. A bit further down in the pattern, you will find this video.

Video Tutorial of Crochet Border

Perfect Blanket Size

Size is approximately 31 inches wide by 39 inches long.

Each square is approximately 6 3/4 inches around.

A total of 20 squares. 10 squares with four rounds of perfect pink and two rounds of charcoal grey. 10 squares with four rounds of charcoal grey and two rounds of dusty grey.

The blanket is four squares wide and five squares long.

Directions: Simple Loop Granny Square Crochet Border

Materials

Perfect Pink Red Heart. 1 Skein or 364 yards. If you are not able to find this yarn locally, you can find it here

Charcoal Red Heart. 3 Skeins or 1092 yards. If you are not able to find this yarn locally, you can find it here

Dusty Grey Red Heart. 2 Skeins or 728 yards. If you are not able to find this yarn locally, you can find it here

Size H crochet hook

Scissors

Yarn needle

Abbreviations

CH = Chain

DC = Double Crochet

SC = Single Crochet

SL ST = Slip Stitch

SP = Space

ST = Stitch

Crochet Pattern Directions:

Begin by making a Magic Circle. Directions for the magic circle can be found here. This is a detailed step-by-step tutorial on making the magic circle.

An alternative way to begin this pattern is to CH 4 and SL ST into the first CH to form a circle.

Round 1:

For this round, you will be working inside the magic circle. chain 3 and count this chain 3 as your first DC of this round and throughout the entire pattern. Continuing working in the ring, work 2 DC. Then chain 3. 3 DC, CH 3, 3DC, CH3, 3DC, CH3 and join into the top of the beginning chain. This join completes the first shell of the first round. (note, you should have 4 clusters of 3 DC with 4 areas of CH 3 between)

Round 2:

CH 4 (This will count as your first DC plus a 1 CH). Then in the first CH 3 SP, [3 DC, 3 CH, 3 DC and CH 1]. Continue the stitch pattern between the [ ] until the last CH 3 SP. In the last CH 3 SP, work the 3 DC, 3 CH, then work only 2 DC and join with a SL into the 3rd chain of the beginning CH STs. This join will complete the round. (You should have 8 shells, 4 chain 3 spaces, and 4 CH 1 spaces).

Round 3:

CH 3 (Counts as a DC), Insert the hook into the CH 1 SP from the previous row, (Should be right where the previous row ended). YO and work a DC, Insert hook again, YO and DC. (This completes your first 3 DC in the round). CH 1. [In the corner CH 3 SP work (3 DC, 3 CH, 3 DC. and CH 1)]. In the next CH 1 SP work 3 DC and 1 CH]. Repeat between [ ] 3 more times until all 4 sides are complete. After the last DC in the CH 3 space CH 1 and SL ST into the top ST of the first DC of this round. (You should have 12 shells and 12 spaces after the completion of this round).

Round 4-6:

Repeat rounds 2 and 3.

Granny Square Colors

Remember, in this granny square, the pink is done for the first 4 rounds, then rounds 5 and 6 it is the charcoal. For the grey square, it is 4 rounds of the charcoal and 2 rounds of the dusty grey.

I made 10 of each square.

Finishing Each Square:

Pull the yarn through the last ST. Using the yarn needle, weave the yarn back and forth through the crochet stitches until a bit snug. cut off excess.

Join the Squares

Close-up showing the detail of the simple loop granny square crochet blanket

Joining the Granny Squares Using the Invisible Join Method

Here is a quick video showing how I did the invisible join. Step-by-step instructions on how to join granny squares using the invisible joining method. Learn how to easily achieve that look of evenly joined granny squares in your next project.

However, if you would rather read the written directions, I will do my best to write out clear directions below if you learn better that way.

Invisible Join Written Directions

I used one of the colors that I was currently joining. Use a piece of yarn that is about 10 inches longer than two sides of the square. In order words approximately 20 inches long. Thread a yarn needle.

Begin by holding the wrong sides together. Start in a corner of one of the squares.

Look for the first horizontal thread inside the chain in the corner stitch. Insert the yarn needle and pull the yarn through leaving approximately a 5 inch tail. (you will need to weave this in later. Make sure to weave it into the color you used so it will not be noticeable).

Step-by-Step Joining Directions

Starting in the horizontal thread inside the chain in the corner stitch, insert the yarn needle and pull the yarn through. (don’t snug up the yarn just yet).
In the opposite square and insert the yarn needle into the next horizontal yarn piece in the next stitch.
Come back to the first square and insert the yarn needle into the next horizontal yarn piece in the next stitch.
Continue for 2 or 3 more horizontal yarn stitches.
Then holding the starting yarn stitch in the corner, pull the yarn snug.
Your granny squares will be snug and invisibly joined for the stitches that you have worked.
Continue moving back and forth between the two squares and weaving the yarn through the horizontal stitches.
Every 3 or 4 stitches, pull the yarn snug.

Align the Corners

Insert the yarn needle in all the corner stitches of the squares being joined together, and pull through the yarn. Then continue weaving back and forth through the horizontal stitches. Every 3 or 4 stitches, pulling the yarn snug.

Weave in the Yarn Ends

Before working on the border, I took the time to weave in all the yarn pieces using the yarn needle.

Crochet Border Directions

Round 1:

Join Dusty Grey in a previous row CH 1 SP. CH 3 (counts as a DC), 2 DC. CH 1, in the next CH 1 SP, complete 3 DC. [CH 1 SK 3 DC. and complete 3 DC in previous CH 1 SP] Repeat between [ ] to corner. CH 1 and in the corner complete 3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC. After corner, continue on the side with [CH 1 SK 3 DC. and complete 3 DC in previous CH 1 SP]. Repeat between [ ] to the second corner. CH 1 and in the corner complete 3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC.

After corner, continue on the side with [CH 1 SK 3 DC. and complete 3 DC in previous CH 1 SP]. Repeat between [ ] to the third corner. CH 1 and in the corner complete 3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC. After corner, continue on the side with [CH 1 SK 3 DC. and complete 3 DC in previous CH 1 SP]. Repeat between [ ] to the fourth corner. CH 1 and in the corner complete 3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC.

After corner, continue on the side with [CH 1 SK 3 DC. and complete 3 DC in previous CH 1 SP]. Repeat between [ ] to the beginning CH 3. end with a CH 1 and SL ST into the top CH of the initial CH 3.

Round 2:

Join Charcoal yarn in a previous row CH 1 SP. Complete SC. CH 3, SK 3 DC, SC in previous row CH 1 SP. [CH 3 SK 3 DC, SC in previous row CH 1 SP]. Repeat between [ ] until the corner. In the corner complete CH 3, SK 3 DC, SC in previous row CH 3 SP. CH 3, and complete SC in CH 3 SP again. CH 3, SK 3 DC SC in previous row CH 1 SP. Continue onto the second side [CH 3, SK 3 DC, SC in previous row CH 1 SP]. Repeat between [ ] until the corner. Repeat the side and corner stitches until all 4 corners are complete and the sides are complete. Join with a SL ST into the first SC.

Round 3:

In this row, you will be working inside of the previous row CH 3 SP.

Join Dusty Grey yarn in a previous row CH 3 SP. CH 3 (counts at first DC), 2 DC, CH 1, [in CH 3 SP, complete 3 DC, CH 1] Repeat between [ ] until the corner. When you get to each corner complete 3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC. Continue working on each wide the 3 DC, CH 1 in each CH 3 SP. Join with a SL ST into the top CH 3 SP of the beginning CH 3.

Round 4:

Round 5:

Keep using the Charcoal yarn and [CH 5, SL ST into the previous row SC SP]. Repeat around until the last ST and end with a SL ST into the first ST area.

Finishing:

Weave in all the ends and cut off excess yarn.

Enjoy gifting or using your beautiful blanket.

Granny Square Crochet Video Tutorials

If you prefer a video on how to crochet a granny square, that is here for you too.

Changing Color While Crocheting a Granny Square

Here is a video tutorial on how to easily change color while crocheting a basic granny square.

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I hope that you liked this pattern. If you are looking for more ideas for crocheted projects, here are a few others you may enjoy.

Crochet Granny Square Patterns

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You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.