This skipping rocks baby blanket is an attractive granny square pattern with a modern design. The blue reminds me of the water and the dark lines are the ripples in the water when a rock is skipped across.
Post contains affiliate links and we earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page. For more information please read the disclaimer on the About Us page.
Easy Portable Crochet Project
Imagine yourself on a lovely sunny day down by the dock with your feet up and a slight cooling breeze. Your crochet project is in hand and you hear all the sounds of nature.
Crocheting granny squares for me is simple, fun, and quick too. Not to mention a granny square project can be taken with me wherever I go. Join smaller squares together as I have done here or keep going and make a large crochet afghan.
They are just lovely to work on in my humble opinion. The granny square is one of the most easy and versatile crochet patterns around.
Granny Square Baby Blankets
This crochet pattern is one of the patterns in a six-part granny square baby blanket series I have been working on.
Each one consists of the twenty crochet squares. The colors have been varied along with the crochet borders to achieve a different look for each one.
Square Colors in This Crochet Baby Blanket
There are ten of each granny square for a total of 20 squares.
Square one consists of four rounds of Delft Blue and two rounds of Charcoal Grey.
Square two consists of four founds of Charcoal Grey and two rounds of Dusty Grey.
Directions: Skipping Rocks Baby Blanket
Blanket Size
Size is approximately 33 inches wide by 41 inches long.
Each square is approximately 6 3/4 inches around.
A total of 20 squares.
- 10 squares with four rounds of delft blue 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.
Gauge
12 Double Crochet per 4 inches. However, gauge is not critical in this crochet pattern.
Materials
Charcoal Grey Red Heart. 2 Skeins or 545 yards. If you are not able to find the yarn locally, you can find it here.
Dusty Grey Red Heart. 1 Skein or 364 yards. If you are not able to find the yarn locally, you can find it here.
Delft Blue Red Heart. 3 Skeins or 990 yards. If you are not able to find the 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
STs = Stitches
YO = Yarn Over
[ ] repeat between
If you are newer to crochet, here is a step-by-step tutorial on completing the classic granny square.
Special Stitches
Granny Cluster, or shell:
A granny cluster is a term for a special crochet stitch that consists of a set of 3 double crochets, all worked into one stitch or space. The clusters are then separated from one another with chain stitches.
Crochet Pattern Directions
Beginning the Granny Square
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 (Counts as 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 CH of the beginning CH 3. This join completes 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.
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
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.
How to complete the Invisible Join for Granny Squares
Watch this video on YouTube.
Subscribe to the channel
Invisible Join Written Directions
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.
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
Round 1:
Join the Delft Blue yarn
Begin working in any CH 1 SP from the previous row. Work CH 3 (Counts as DC) and 2 DC in the same SP, CH 1. [Skip the next 3 DC work, 3 DC, CH 1 in the next CH 1 SP]. Repeat around. In the corner CH 3 SP work (3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC). End with a CH 1 and SL ST into the top CH 3 ST of the initial CH 3 of this round.
Round 2:
Change to the Charcoal Grey yarn
Join the yarn in any CH 1 SP from the previous row. Complete a CH 1 (Counts as 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 [ ] around. In each corner CH 3 SP work (SC, CH 3, SC). End with a CH 3 and join with a SL ST into the first CH 1 SP.
**For rounds 3-7, you will be repeating rounds 1 and 2 and altering the yarn colors.
Round 3:
Change to Delft Blue
Repeat round 1. Join yarn to a CH 3 SP.
Round 4:
Change to Charcoal Grey
Repeat round 2
Round 5:
Change to Delft Blue
Repeat round 1
Round 6:
Change to Charcoal Grey
Repeat round 2
Round 7:
Change to Delft Blue
Repeat round 1
Finishing
Weave in yarn ends and remove excess.
Video Crochet Tutorials
Right hand crochet border
Left hand crochet border
How to Crochet a Granny Square:
If you loved this post, please share. It helps to show me that these types of posts are helpful – thank you!
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.
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.