Crocheting a baby blanket is one of the most heartwarming projects a crafter can undertake. Among the many designs available, the Flower Granny Square stands out for its beauty, versatility, and sentimental value. Each square features a delicate flower in the center, surrounded by a classic granny square border—creating a perfect blend of color, texture, and warmth for a newborn.
In this article, you’ll learn step-by-step how to crochet a flower granny square, how to join them together, and how to turn them into a lovely baby blanket that will be cherished for years to come.
🌼 Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies:
🧶 Yarn
- Worsted weight (Medium/4) or DK weight (Light/3) yarn is best for baby blankets.
- Choose soft, baby-friendly yarn such as:
- Cotton-acrylic blends
- Baby acrylic yarn
- Organic cotton
- You’ll need two or more colors:
- One for the flower center
- One for the flower petals
- One or two colors for the square background and border
🪡 Tools
- Crochet hook: Use a hook size appropriate for your yarn. Usually:
- Size G/6 (4.0 mm) or H/8 (5.0 mm) for worsted
- Size F/5 (3.75 mm) for DK yarn
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
🧵 Basic Stitches You Need to Know
Here are the stitches used in a basic flower granny square. If you’re a beginner, practice these first:
- Slip stitch (sl st)
- Chain stitch (ch)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Half double crochet (hdc)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Treble crochet (tr) (sometimes used for petals)
🌸 Step-by-Step: How to Crochet a Flower Granny Square
🌼 Round 1: Flower Center
- Start with a magic ring (or ch 4 and join with sl st to form a ring).
- Ch 2 (counts as first dc).
- Crochet 11 dc into the ring.
- Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-2. (12 stitches total)
Fasten off if you’re changing color for the petals.
🌷 Round 2: Flower Petals
- Join new yarn color in any stitch.
- [Ch 2, 2 dc in the same stitch, ch 2, sl st in the next stitch] – this makes one petal.
- Repeat this pattern around to make 6 petals.
You’ll use every other stitch to create a petal, totaling 6 around.
- Join with a sl st to the base of the first petal.
- Fasten off and weave in ends.
🌿 Round 3: Square Base
Now it’s time to convert the round flower into a square.
- Join new yarn (background color) behind any petal in a chain space.
- Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same space.
- Ch 1, in next space: 3 dc.
- At corners, do: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc.
- Continue around, making corners on every third space.
- Join with a sl st to the first ch-3.
You should now have a square shape forming around your flower.
🌻 Round 4 and Beyond (Optional)
To make the square bigger, you can:
- Continue working in traditional granny square rounds:
- 3 dc in each space between clusters
- Corners remain: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc
- Add as many rounds as needed for your desired square size (usually 4–5 rounds total for a baby blanket).
🧩 How Many Squares for a Baby Blanket?
The number of squares depends on the final size you want and the size of each square.
Average Sizes:
| Blanket Type | Dimensions | Squares Needed (if 5” each) |
|---|---|---|
| Stroller | 30” x 35” | 6 x 7 = 42 |
| Receiving | 36” x 36” | 6 x 6 = 36 |
| Crib | 36” x 52” | 6 x 10 = 60 |
Measure one finished square and calculate accordingly.
🪢 Joining Your Squares
Once you have all your flower granny squares ready, it’s time to join them:
Popular Joining Methods:
1. Slip Stitch Join
- Align squares right side up.
- Slip stitch through both loops of each stitch.
- Creates a visible ridge.
2. Whip Stitch
- Sew squares together with a tapestry needle.
- Invisible from the front.
3. Join-as-you-go
- Join new squares during the final round.
- Saves time and gives a seamless look.
🧸 Adding a Border
A border gives the blanket a polished look and helps unify the colors.
Easy Border Ideas:
- Single crochet all around for a clean finish.
- Shell stitch for a scalloped, lace-like edge.
- Picot edging for a decorative twist.
Tip: Match your border color to one of your flower or square tones for a cohesive design.
💧 Washing and Care Tips
- Use baby-safe, hypoallergenic yarns.
- Machine wash gentle or hand wash.
- Lay flat to dry or tumble dry low if yarn allows.
🌈 Color Inspiration for Baby Blankets
- Classic Pastels: Soft pink, baby blue, mint, butter yellow
- Modern Neutrals: Cream, gray, taupe, sage
- Bold Brights: Rainbow colors with white background
- Themed Palettes:
- Floral Garden: Pink, green, lavender, white
- Ocean Breeze: Aqua, teal, white, sandy beige
- Sunset Glow: Peach, coral, rose, gold
🧶 Final Thoughts
Crocheting a flower granny square baby blanket is more than just a project—it’s a heartfelt gift that wraps a baby in love, warmth, and tradition. Each flower square adds beauty and charm, while the repetitive nature of the pattern provides comfort and relaxation for the maker.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn new skills or a seasoned crocheter seeking a meaningful project, this pattern offers the perfect balance of creativity and craftsmanship.
Video tutorial:
