Crochet Patterns / February 7, 2024

Family Circle – Crochet Pattern for Baby Blanket/Throw Using Granny Square Circles

Hi all!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Family Circle Blanket, a cheerful granny square blanket using an unconventional color palette and a special method of seaming your squares to give the cleanest join at each granny square intersection. The pattern is both written and charted, and 2 coloring pages are included for you to create your own color combinations!

Get the Lion Brand Crochet Kit here (in your desired colourway + size)!

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project to Ravelry here!
Shop the recommended yarns, Lion Brand Heartland, here.
- Shop the full Lion Brand crochet kit here (comes with all yarn required + FREE copy of the PDF pattern)!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

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About

Each square of this sample was crocheted lovingly while caring for my baby, so a name reflecting that experience only seemed fitting. Each of these adorable squares is worked individually, making it an ideal on-the-go project. Crochet 25 granny squares at your own pace to create a cheerful heirloom baby blanket or as many squares as needed to reach your desired size.

This pattern is both written and fully charted.

There are 2 coloring pages included (scroll down to view them!); one with 5 colorways as shown in the sample, and one completely blank for you to use as many colorways as desired.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted—Lion Brand Heartland in 5 colorways: Cuyahoga Valley, Olympic, Grand Canyon, Badlands, and Kobuk Valley

100% acrylic (acrylic is a great fiber content for blankets or any project that will be thrown in the washing machine regularly!)
251 yds (230 m) per 5 oz (142 g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes.

Yardage Required

Color A: Cuyahoga Valley – 1 skein / 195 yds (178 m)

Color B: Olympic – 1 skein / 195 yds (178 m)

Color C: Grand Canyon – 1 skein / 195 yds (178 m)

Color D: Badlands – 1 skein / 195 yds (178 m)

Color E: Kobuk Valley – 1 skein / 195 yds (178 m)

Border Color (Sample uses Color C): Grand Canyon – 1 skein / 245 yds (225 m)

Note that you will need a total of 2 skeins of your chosen border colorway to complete the squares and border.

Substitute Lion Brand Heartland with any similar category 4 (worsted/aran) medium weight yarn that matches gauge. Always swatch before beginning to ensure you are happy with the resulting fabric.

Hook: Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, several locking stitch markers for seaming your blanket together

Gauge

After completing Rnd 4, your circle should measure 4” (10 cm) in diameter, blocked.

Finished Measurements

Finished blanket measures approximately 36” (91 cm) square.
Each individual granny square measures approximately 6.5” (16.5 cm) square.

Terms + Abbreviations

Written in U.S. Crochet terms

ch: chain

ch-sp: chain space

dc: double crochet

hdc: half double crochet

rep: repeat

rnd: round

RS: right side

sc: single crochet

sl st: slip stitch

st(s): stitch(es)

tr: treble crochet

WS: wrong side

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Beginner

Sizing: This blanket is written as a baby blanket. For a larger blanket, work extra squares in your preferred color combinations until reaching your desired size. Note that this will require additional yardage than listed in the Materials section.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each rnd in italics.

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch except for Rnd 7 of your square where the ch-3 counts as 1 dc.

Right Side/Wrong Side: The RS is the side that faces you as you crochet each square.

Construction: Each square begins with the colored circle. After you change to your next color, you will work stitches of varying heights to help square out your circle. Once the desired number of squares are worked, they are seamed together using a special seaming technique to for a clean join.

Helpful Links

Coloring Sheets

There are 2 blank coloring sheets in this pattern for you to create your own color combinations! One page has 5 colorways assigned to the blanket like the sample shown, and you can label A through E in your unique color names. A second page is included that is blank for you to use as many colors as you’d like! This pattern is great for using up any scrap yarns you may have in your stash – feel free to get creative with your color scheme!