Giant Granny Square

This beautiful blanket sat unfinished and crumpled in a forgotten corner of Joelle’s craftroom for at least two years. One day it somehow got unearthed, poking itself out from under a pile of fabrics. Page, Molly and I were simultaneously riveted by the vision of this amazing blanket that we’d never seen. Molly demanded to know, “Where has this been?!” I reprimanded, “Why haven’t you finished it?!” Page yelled, “Can I have it?!” Why didn’t I think of that?
Joelle was less impressed with herself than we were with her. She just kind of shrugged and said that she’d gotten too busy to finish it (true, she is busy). So I offered/got enlisted to crochet the last round and to sew in the ends.

It was a pleasure to spend time in the mind of Joelle’s color sense. To me it’s a marvel how she dreamed up these colors. Soft grays and creams blur behind sharp bursts of vivid pinks and rich browns, all mingling together in beautiful rainbow magic.
It’s a simple notion – a granny square that goes on and on and on – but because the pattern is so pleasantly meditative, the mind is free to just wander from one color to the next, creating beautifully symphonic color music. There’s no better instrument for such composing than Koigu’s KPM. The hand-dyed colors strike every note perfectly!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!

UPDATE: UPDATED PATTERN, NOW IN COTTON PURE
July 2024

We created a new version of this project, our free Boundless Granny Square Blanket pattern, crocheted in our soft, supple, machine washable 100% organically grown Cotton Pure. For a boundless blanket without tons of skeins to wind, you crochet the main color using our super satisfying Cotton Pure On A Cone… That’s 2,789 yards of joy! And for those happy little stripes, pick out four Cotton Pure skeins in colors you love. Enjoy each stripe and look forward to the next as you hook up a granny square that gets more charming the more it grows!
Materials
This blanket is 30 x 30-inches and takes at least seven skeins to make. Joelle used more skeins in order to use more colors. Here’s what they are:

For this warm toned version (from top to bottom):
Koigu’s Koigu Premium Merino (KPM) in colors #2389, #1303, #2360, #1111, #2231, #1411, #1135, #1110, #1209, #2180, and #1201

Here’s another color idea if you want to explore cooler tones (from top to bottom):
Koigu’s Koigu Premium Merino (KPM) in colors #2411, #2171, #2409, #2405, #2416, #2403, #2360, #0000, #1201, #2100, #2180, #1230
Remember that tracking down exact matches of Koigu colors can be a little tricky at best, and impossible at worst. Luckily, Koigu makes so many gorgeous colors that substituting one of these colors with your own choice is bound to bring its own rewards.
Shop our wonderful collection of fingering-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
This blanket has been on quite a journey. I think Joelle’s love for it has been rekindled, and Page may have to make her own! If you’d like to make your own and want to learn how to make a granny square, please visit our Granny Square Tutorial! –Whitney
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our crochet patterns and crochet tutorials, buy one of our many kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next crochet or knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
This is totally gorgeous!!! Love love love it.
Very very beautiful indeed.
Andi 🙂
My mom makes these huge granny square blankets:) I got one when I graduated from high school and 20 years later, it’s still going strong. It feels like a hug.
Wow! The shifts are so subtle, but the overall effect so is dramatic!
This is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a really long time. Oh, now I want to make one of these so bad.
Oh this is so beautiful I want it too. I am really trying hard to teach my self to do this, thanks again for the inspiration, I love it!!
That is so beautiful! And BIG! I don’t think I could make one that great looking.
I made a giant granny last year, and it’s very nice, but this post inspires me to try one out of luxe yarn rather than the usual Granny acrylic (urgh). This project is really pretty!
Stunning! It’s amazing how great color selection can make a granny square blanket look like a work of art. Of course, I will be yet one more that will try to capture that look!
LOVE this blanket, I want to learn crochet & this is the perfect project to learn on – great color choices as well
Amazingly beautiful. I really want to make one.
Knittting Kit ?
Why don’t you prepare kit in those gorgeous choice of colours ? or any choice for that matter.. For one, I would buy it in a sec..
Is one skein enough to go all the way around the outside edge?
Gorgeous! This may be the push I need to FINALLY learn how to crochet…. what size hook did Joelle use?
Not sure if my comment went through..
Anyhow, what about having some kits ready – or other colour combination – pre-set for selling. I, for one, would buy right away..
wowowowowow!
Hi Everyone with questions, here you go!
I used a 3.25mm/US D crochet hook for the koigu
1 skein is enough to go around the outside edge
We don’t have kits put together for this project but would be happy to assemble some colors for you. Please contact us at the link below and let us know what you’d like color-wise. And maybe we’ll consider putting together some kits for this project in the future.
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact
Thanks for all of your kind comments! –Joelle
Ok – I have the same blanket in the same status in my stash! My colors are not nearly as beautiful as Joelles, but this post has inspired me to dig it out and finish it! Thank you!!
what a wonderful and beautiful idea! i love it!
I really want to be able to make things like this! Will have to have to a go. Pretty pretty colours. Well done team effort *high fives*
How many rounds were crocheted in order to make a blanket this size?
How pretty!! It reminds me of a few projects I did as a kid 🙂
I love the simplicity and endless possibilities of granny squares!
The blanket is so awesome! This makes me want to try to crochet again. I’ve never really taken to it, but I love this. Thank you!
Ok. This inspired me. I have been working on an afghan for a friend for months now and am not satisfied with doing it in pieces. I love the colors, love the high-quality yarn, but the thought of piecing it together has been bugging me. I look on here today and AHA!! do a giant granny square! Or four of them. I may do something like that.
Thanks for being my "lightbulb" today.
That is so beautiful! The colors are incredible.
wow! colors are amazing –huh? the right ones can make a simple granny square so lovely…
WOW I love this, it is gorgeous!!
I counted 43 rounds including the final round. Looks like 2 rounds per color, some colors repeated twice, since there were only 12 colors used throughout. Having been a long time crocheter myself, I think you did a wonderful job!
I made two giant granny squares recently for two sweet new babies and their mamas love them too! I need to make one for my own bed now. This is so pretty and looks inviting.
Wow, this is just gorgeous. I wish I had the time to sit down and complete a project such like this.
I love your work 🙂
Yes! Yes! I want to make one! I’ve been tinkering with individual granny squares and have been slightly annoyed with the idea of eventually having to piece them all together. This is my answer. Thanks for posting.
Wow! I love this! I have made a couple of granny square blankies myself, and have recently thought of making another one… What an inspiration! I’m going to start one this week for sure after seeing this! Awesome work! The colors are quite stunning. I love the color-vibration it gives. Simply beautiful.
Most beautiful great-granny(that’s what I call it) I’ve ever seen! Very inspiring!
Love it, the colors are really amazing and I imagine it s quite long to do, I am not sure I would be patient enough to do that, this type of knitted blanket is very popular in my country too but this one is really a success!
j adore vraiment, que de belles ides ici!
It is fantasting, I love it!
Thanks so much for posting this. I’ve been making these like crazy – fun to work up and I love coming up with colors. Haven’t tried the KPM, but I’m looking for more variations (I use everything from Flickr photos to photos of my boy’s colorful clothing combos as inspiration) and hand-dyed seems to be the way to go! Again much thanks! I hope everyone tries this. If you need a readymade version, let me know! I love making them.
Absolutely stunning, and I’m so glad it’s been outed…………… it looks as though it was very satisfying to do, and the colours! Being covered in that blanket must be like being covered in a delicious rainbow.
II have been making these since I was 18..(61 yrs ago today) There are so many things you can do with granny squares.. I put six tohgether,(2x2x2) then do many rows around them and deliver them to the local nursing home for their Geri-chair patients… Also make smaller square (19") afghans from fine baby yarn, for the local N.I.C.U..(Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and also knit little hats for them. donated 27 afghans last week.. also sew & put hand smocking on little gowns (for Baptism,dedications, or Naming of the little 1-2-3 lb babies. It is a rewarding pastime. If anyone lives in the Poughkeepsie,Wappingers Falls, Hopewell Jct area, contact me. I also teach at the East Fishkill Community Library each Thursday….c’mon down.. The Purple Crone..
Yes, yes! I want a kit also; will send email. I’ve been crocheting my first granny squares with the tutorial – what great fun!
Aww, Happy Birthday, Purple Crone! Thanks for taking the time to make the world beautiful with your handiwork and your kind heart!
It’s very beautiful, I am unable to do that -:( bravo et un grand bonjour de France !
This is so cool–our church receives boo-coo yarn so I’m sure I can make one or two of these for the bazaar (if that’s okay). This is a great carry-along, mindless project for wait time at the doctor’s or for needlework club (which can be very noisy and distracting at times). Thank you for sharing your patterns. This website keeps me inspired.
Hi Northwind,
Of course that’s okay, we definitely do not own the copyright on granny squares! Enjoy!
Heck, what else is hiding in there??
(And yes to the kits, please!)
Ohh… Beautiful ! I love it …
We love granny square blankets too …. my mum has lovingly done one for each of my 5 children- all very individual to their personalities. As well as my kids she makes one for any child of a friend or family.
Ahhhhhhhhh, I feel like I’ve come home. It’s awesome and beautiful.
Cherry x
You are so right, the colours in this is amazing. I think I might try and make my own version of this as my next baby blanket. 🙂 Thank you for all the inspiration.
I am so happy to see this finished blanket. I was inspired to make one in a similar fashion a couple of years ago – http://thatsillygirl.blogspot.com/2007/09/it-is-done.html
I get several hits a month with people looking for a pattern for a giant granny square blanket. I never wrote out the pattern because it was kind of pieced together from other sources, so I am so glad to see your pattern. I am going to add a link to my post so that people will find your pattern. Seeing yours in all its beauty makes me want to try another. :0)
These are the projects that make me SO GLAD I can crochet. I can’t knit a stitch, but I can crank these puppies out in no time. Beautiful color scheme!
I’m in love with this pattern! The only problem is my edges are getting flowey — as in, the tension around 30 or so rows isn’t tight enough around to keep it a square but starting to look more like a poodle skirt. What could possibly go wrong with a granny square?! Yikes… Please advise.
Oh, I get always so sad when I read this post. I’ve tried twice to make this granny and always end with a giant twisted square. And it begin to twist from the beginning square. I have tried with a worsted weight yarn and works better but never with a sport or fingering weight. Did anyone have the same problem as me?
I have my way of doing that and it works every time with any yarn. I chain one between double crochet only in the corner everywhere else I just dc from one place to another with no chain inbetween.
Oh I have just read the last comment and the problem I have is exactly the same as austinannie! lol…
Hi Annie and Celia,
We’re so sorry you’re having this trouble! If you edge is getting ruffled or not laying flat it means that you’ve either got too many stitches, or to few. Without looking at it, its hard to judge, but it sounds like what is happening is that you aren’t doing the double crochet properly (this is a common problem!)
Here is a link to the double crochet tutorial on our site:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/crochet-basics/2007/4/12/double-crochet.html
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you need further assistance!
LOVE THIS !!!
Am crocheing a blanket at the moment, but now I can’t wait to finish and try your inspiring example!
This is such a great blanket! Do you all offer crocheting classes? I would love to learn more about that. I also would like to go beyond just knitting and learn more tecniques. Love you guys and hope to go visit the shop soon!
I’m a man and I think that it’s amazing!
It’s beautiful! The colors are great! Seems like a lot of good work!
I love this! I included them in a collection of granny squares over on my blog: http://monami.squarespace.com/mon-ami-journal/2010/1/17/inspiration-granny-squares.html
thanks for sharing
xo
Oh I am so in love with your yarn colors….and the combinations I will definitely be using to crochet many winter items this year….Thank you!
I was wondering if you can explain how to do the pattern. I'm trying to make a baby blanket for my daughter due late April and that's the pattern I want to use and I know how to do regular crochet just not the granny squares. and when I seen the name Joelle I thought that would be even more perfect cause my daughters middle name is actually going to be Joelle. Hopefully you can either recommend me to a site that does that pattern or type one out for me. please and thank you!!!!!
Hi Nicole-
Here is a link to the Granny Square pattern, complete with written instructions and photos: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/granny-square-project/
Good luck with your blanket! and congrats on your soon- to – arrive daughter!
– Molly
I love these colors! And this post has just enthused and inspired me to make one for the kiddos. Wonderful creativity and I have to say, I love your website!
Gabli
Sorry for the confusion, especially as you have provided a product link – but could you please tell me if the skeins recommended were mini KPM (11yds) which seem to have many more colors available and have a similar product photo to the one in the post, or the 175yd skeins?
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/410-Koigu-Premium-Merino-(KPM) or
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8016-Koigu-Premium-Merino-(KPM)-Needlepoint-Yarn
Hi Miss Honey-
It is the 175 yard skeins. They are available here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/410-Koigu-Wool-Designs-Koigu-Premium-Merino-KPM
Thanks you!
Molly
I made a giant great granny for each of my children this year for Christmas (4 of them-people in church got used to me brining in my bag & working during service, bonus is that it keeps me warm while I work)-only variation I use is using 2 or 3 skeins at a time & a huge crochet hook. Makes for a very thick cuddly blanket. Added bonus is I get to think of & pray for each child as I make their blanket. Very calming & peaceful to work on.
Did you block this when it was finished? I am making one currently and as it gets bigger it is not as square as I would like it to be.
Hi Pixie-
Joelle didn't block this. However, someone else we know had a problem similar to yours and it turned out that she was doing double crochet incorrectly. Here is a video on the double crochet stitch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpi7FxMxv5Y&feature=related
Please let us know if you have any further questions, and good luck with it!
Molly
Hi,
I'm currently having the same problem as Celia and Pixie, I watched the youtube video and read the double crochet blog post and that's how I've been making my double crochets. Do you know of any other reason why this might be happening?
Thanks for your help and love this blanket!
Katie
Hi Katie-
We're sorry to hear you're having this problem. You might want to try experimenting using a different sized hook. If you're getting a rippled edge your tension might need to be tighter, and thus a smaller hook might help.
Please let us know if that helps!
Thank you!
Molly
My g-granmother made afghans like this all the time, and I tried to figure out the pattern on my own, but I was just a beginner. I'd like to do this one day!
I love making granny squares! They are about the only thing that I can crochet! I have made my twins son and daughter a large granny square afghan and am in the process of finishing my oldest son's. I've been using yarn that I've had in my stash to make a scrappy afghan. I am also in the process of making doll six afghans to donate to my mother of twin's group so that they can sell then at the annual convention. I am hoping people like them enough to buy them. Maybe they can raffle them off also. Anyway, I love granny squares and can't wait to make more afghans! I also love love love the color way used in this afghan!
I am making my first 12 in granny square for a blanket that is roughly 90 x 80 or so. How many skeins and squares do you think I should aim for? ^.^ love your blanket!
Hi Keslin,
That's a tough one. The original used 24 skeins of Koigu. Are you knitting it in Koigu? Those 24 skeins created a 30 inch x 30 inch blanket. I guess you could extrapolate from there.
Laura
I had a problem with mine (from a different pattern) looking twisted so, instead of doing one continuous round, I started flipping it over every round so the natural lean in the pattern would balance out over the rows.
But the last eight rows have started wanting to not lay flat. I think the last yen is a bit thicker than the others. It SAYS it is the same size, but it isn’t…
Hey Dawn,
Thank you for the comment! I’m sorry that you are having trouble with the end of the project. If the project doesn’t want to lay flat it is probably because it is being crocheted tighter than the rest. Does your final yarn say that it is the Koigu KPM or the Koigu Kersti? It could be you may have a Kersti in the last color which is a thicker version of the rest of the yarn used in the project. I’m sorry I can’t be more help but feel free to call the store at 212-420-8796 if you would like more assistance and we can walk you through it.
Goodluck!
Jake
Hello! I’d love to make this blanket (and I especially like the cool version) but many of the colors aren’t available anymore. Could you recommend a palate using the available Koigu colors? Thank you!
Hi Sara,
Thanks for writing in! I have taken a look at all of the colors of Koigu that we do carry and I think that I have come up with replacements for the cool colorway for you. Please do take a look and see if you think that they will work well together as I do. The colors are 1010.5, 418, 2409, 2405, 2416, 2403, 2341, 0000, 1231, 2100, 1200 and 2335.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thank you so much – the colors are beautiful. I read in another comment that I need 24 skeins to make the 30×30 blanket. Would you recommend two of each color, or some other combination? Thanks so much for your advice – I really appreciate it!
Sara
Hi Sara,
Thanks for the kind words! I think two of each color is a great idea, but with this pattern you can even do less colors and bigger color blocks too. It’s up to you on how you want the blanket to look. That’s the fun part!
Best,
Adam
Hello! I made this blanket in cooler colors last summer and I’d like to make another one. Is there any way you could recommend a palate based on colors that you have in stock? Maybe a warmer palate this time but anything would work. Thank you!
Hello Sara,
Thank you for reaching out and my apologies for the delay on my response to your question! I just sent you an e-mail with a color palette option in KPM. Let me know what you think!
Warmly,
Marilla
I’ve just started crocheting after following your site for years. I started out with quilting , more recently have tried knitting, and always filled in with various other crafts in between! I saw
Joelle’s granny square years ago, and have always kept it in the back of my mind that one day i would learn to crochet, and then try it. Well, i’m hoping that day is here. But i have just tried to click on both links to the granny square tutorial, and neither work. Please don’the say I am too late to try these out! They are such a classic. Is there still a link that works?
Hi Karlin,
I apologize about that, if you go to the web sight and then click on create, scroll down to crochet, when that opens up you will see tutorials, click on the link and the granny square tutorial is there,when you click on that and it will walk you through on how to do it.
I hope this helps,
Melissa
Hi, I’m trying to find a link to the instructions and I keep getting a 404 error. Help?
Hi Candace,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so sorry that the links were not working! We have corrected them and they should be working now! I am also including the link here for you: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/granny-squares/
Thanks again for letting us know!
Cassy
I’ve only just come across this and whilst there are many older posts there is a solution to your granny squares twisting.
At the end of each round simply turn your square. This keeps your edges straight and no more out of shape blankets.
It’s given me a new love for granny squares. I’ve got many on the hook at the moment.
Enjoy your straight granny squares.
Hi. I would love to crochet the large granny square blanket but I can’t find the pattern. Can you help me please?
Thank you ?
Hi Jill,
Thanks for writing in! For this blanket, we followed our Granny Square Tutorial and simply continued adding on more and more rows and switching colors whenever it seemed like a good idea, until the blanket was the correct size!
Happy crocheting!
Julianna
Hello! What size crochet hook was used for the Giant Granny square blanket? Thank you!
Hi Shawn,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m afraid that this is such an old pattern that we didn’t mention what size hook we used to make it! But we used Koigu KPM yarn, for which we recommend sizes A – D (2 – 3.25 mm). Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I would love to make this pattern in super soft merino could you please let me know yarn requirements in a fall color scheme and a blue color scheme
Hi Sonya,
Thank you for writing in! I’d recommend Heirloom White, Sea Salt, Oyster Gray, Yellow Yellow, Golden Green, Fresh Pickle, and Frond Green for a wonderful cool toned Fall palette. I have also included some instructions below on how you can customize the size of this blanket!
To modify this pattern you will want to start with a gauge swatch (a small granny square in this case). After you have created your gauge swatch you can weigh it in grams and divide the square footage (in inches) of your swatch by the total number of grams. This will give you your grams per square inch which you can then use to calculate your yardage for your blanket. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella