Bulky Yarn Granny Square Afghan Free Crochet Pattern

 Sometimes all you need to do something fresh is to take something classic and add a little twist. That’s what I did here with this afghan crochet pattern.

Sure, I’m not the first person in the world to make a granny square afghan using bulky yarn, but I haven’t seen anything quite like this before.

This afghan is very heavy. This isn’t no I’m-a-little-chilly-on-a-crisp-fall-day kind of afghan. This is the OMG-it’s-the-next-Ice-Age kind. You have been warned.

I actually made this as a baby shower gift for my cousin. She’s into using non-traditional colors for a nursery, and I think that’s becoming a new trend.

This afghan came out to be 34″ x 34″- I didn’t have enough yarn on hand to make it bigger. Yes, I know baby blankets are traditionally 3′ x 3′, but thankfully the Afghan Police didn’t show up at the baby shower.

I based my instructions off of this tutorial over at About.com on how to crochet a basic granny square. The only major difference between this tutorial and how I do it is that I only do one chain st between the dcs that are not on a corner- the tutorial does two chain sts throughout. Either way is fine and it is up to your personal preference.

Bulky Yarn Granny Square Afghan Free Crochet Pattern

 Materials:
Size US M (9.00mm) crochet hook
Scissors
Tapestry or yarn needle
4 skeins each color of Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in Grey Sky (color 1) and Clematis (color 2)

Abbreviations:
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)
j = join
r = round
sp = space

Directions:
Using color 1, ch 5; j r with sl st to form a loop.

Round 1:
Ch. 3, 2 dc, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2) 3 times, sl st to join to the 3rd chain stitch from foundation loop.

Round 2:
Ch 3, 2 dc in space, ch 2 to form corner, 3 dc in same space, ch 1, (3 dc in next space, ch 2 to form corner, 3 dc in same space, ch 1) 3 times, sl st to join to the 3rd chain stitch you crocheted at the beginning of the round.

Round 3:
Change to color 2. Ch 3, 2 dc in space, ch 2 to form corner, 3 dc in same space, ch 1, (3 dc in next space, ch 1, 3 dc in next space, ch 2 to form corner, 3 dc in same space, ch1) 3 times, 3 dc in next space, ch 1, sl st to join to the 3rd chain stitch you crocheted at the beginning of the round.

Round 4 and beyond:
Each subsequent round will follow the same basic procedures used in the preceding rounds.  You’ll start with 3 chain stitches substituting for the first double crochet. In the corners, you will work 2 sets of 3 double crochet stitches separated by 2 chain stitches. Otherwise, you will work 3 double crochet stitches in each space, separated by 1 chain stitches on either side.

If you want to follow the color code I used to make this blanket, switch back to color 1 at round 5, then alternate through colors 1 and 2 in that order for every two rows of the blanket using each color an even amount of times until the blanket is 34″ x 34″ or the size desired.

Finish:
Use the other color than the one you used in the last round. sc in each dc and ch st around. sl st to join to the the first sc you crocheted at the beginning of the round. Cut yarn, tie off and weave in ends.

I hope you can use this as inspiration to try some of your old patterns out with different kinds of yarn. If you do and create something fantastic, feel free to post them on my Facebook page!

Don’t forget to check out my other free crochet patterns!