Fair + Square Blanket, Crochet Version
As classic as classic gets, granny squares never grow old! Our Fair + Square Blanket turns the motif’s possibilities into a game board of concentric squares in every size and color. The rules aren’t clear, but the outcome is… A very winning blanket, indeed!
If your preferred equipment is needles rather than hooks, don’t worry, the same free pattern is available for knitters. To cast on, check it out right here!
Both versions of the Fair + Square Blanket play with permutations of squares within squares, but for us, the game really gets good when color joins the team. Morning‘s world of soft brights are like a fresh day, while its blend of organically grown cotton and yak feels as good as the new day’s sun.
To get started, pick up a Fair + Square Blanket Bundle (no longer available), available in sizes Small or Large Throw, and in this Full-Spectrum Palette or in a Four-Color Palette (which uses the same pattern but requires less yarn). Crocheted or knit, the game is the same, same bundle, same fun!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoFairAndSquareBlanket and #PurlSohoMorning. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Full-Spectrum Palette
To knit your own Crib (Throw) size blanket, you will need (NOTE: the Fair + Square Blanket Bundles are no longer available)…
- 22 (27) skeins of Purl Soho’s Morning, 75% organically grown cotton and 25% yak. Each skein is 191 yards. (NOTE: Winter Pink is no longer available)
- Main Color: 7 (12) skeins of Heirloom White; approximately 1,190 (2,120) yards required
- Color A: 1 skein of Winter Pink; approximately 45 (65) yards required
- Color B: 1 skein of Purple Allium; approximately 30 (50) yards required
- Color C: 1 skein of Pink Radish; approximately 50 (70) yards required
- Color D: 1 skein of Pink Lemonade; approximately 60 (85) yards required
- Color E: 1 skein of Sweet Apricot; approximately 50 (70) yards required
- Color F: 1 skein of Yellow Apple; approximately 55 (80) yards required
- Color G: 1 skein of Cucumber Ice; approximately 50 (75) yards required
- Color H: 1 skein of Tender Green; approximately 45 (55) yards required
- Color I: 1 skein of Araucana Blue; approximately 40 (50) yards required
- Color J: 1 skein of Fresh Sky; approximately 70 (95) yards required
- Color K: 1 skein of Dungarees Blue; approximately 35 (50) yards required
- Color L: 1 skein of Blue Morning Glory; approximately 30 (40) yards required
- Color M: 1 skein of Mountain Purple; approximately 40 (60) yards required
- Color N: 1 skein of Stone Cottage; approximately 40 (60) yards required
- Color O: 1 skein of Grassland Gray; approximately 40 (60) yards required
Four-Color Palettes
Another option is to make the same size blanket using fewer skeins and just four contrast colors. You will need…
- 11 (18) skeins of Purl Soho’s Morning, 75% organically grown cotton and 25% yak. Each skein is 191 yards.
We love these three cheery palettes…
LEMONADE
- Main Color: 7 (12) skeins of Heirloom White; approximately 1,190 (2,120) yards required
- Color A: 1 (2) skein(s) of Yellow Apple; approximately 191 (360) yards required
- Color B: 1 (2) skein(s) of Pink Radish; approximately 191 (360) yards required
- Color C: 1 (1) skein of Pink Lemonade; approximately 125 (191) yards required
- Color D: 1 (1) skein of Sweet Apricot; approximately 125 (191) yards required
POOL
- Main Color: 7 (12) skeins of Heirloom White; approximately 1,190 (2,120) yards required
- Color A: 1 (2) skein(s) of Fresh Sky; approximately 191 (360) yards required
- Color B: 1 (2) skein(s) of Araucana Blue; approximately 191 (360) yards required
- Color C: 1 (1) skein of Cucumber Ice; approximately 125 (191) yards required
- Color D: 1 (1) skein of Tender Green; approximately 125 (191) yards required
HYACINTH
- Main Color: 7 (12) skeins of Heirloom White; approximately 1,190 (2,120) yards required
- Color A: 1 (2) skein(s) of Purple Allium; approximately 191 (360) yards required
- Color B: 1 (2) skein(s) of Mountain Purple; approximately 191 (360) yards required
- Color C: 1 (1) skein of Dungarees Blue; approximately 125 (191) yards required
- Color D: 1 (1) skein of Blue Morning Glory; approximately 125 (191) yards required
NOTE: For the Large Throw, we only used a little bit of the twelfth skein of the Main Color. If you don’t end up needing it, you can return unwound yarn for a refund within 30 days of purchase, or within 6 months, for store credit. Our Return Policy has all the details! Also, we used full skeins of Colors A + B for the Small Throw and Colors C + D for the Large Throw. To avoid running short, please double check your gauge and be conservative with tails!
You will also need…
- A size G (4.5 mm) crochet hook
Gauge
Small Throw Square: 6 x 6 inches
Large Throw Square: 8 x 8 inches
NOTE: If your square turns out smaller, try a bigger hook, or if your square turns out bigger, try a smaller hook!
Sizes
Small Throw (Large Throw)
Finished Dimensions: 30 inches wide x 42 inches long (40 inches wide x 56 inches long)
Notes
Basic Square
NOTE: New to granny squares? Our Granny Square Blanket Pattern walks you through every step!
Foundation Ring: Chain (ch) 6 and join into a ring with a slip stitch.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), make 2 double crochet (dc) into the ring, ch 2 (this ch 2, and every ch 2 that follows, forms a “corner space”), [3 dc into the ring, ch 2] 3 times, slip stitch into third chain of the ch 3. [12 dc, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into that same corner space, [ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next corner space] 3 times, ch 1, 3 dc into beginning corner space, ch 2, slip stitch into third chain of beginning ch 3. [24 dc, 4 ch-1 spaces, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into that same corner space, [ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next corner space] 3 times, ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space, ch 1, 3 dc into beginning corner space, ch 2, slip stitch into third chain of ch 3. [36 dc, 8 ch-1 spaces, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into that same corner space, [(ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space) 2 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next corner space] 3 times, [ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space] 2 times, ch 1, 3 dc into beginning corner space, ch 2, slip stitch into third chain of ch 3. [48 dc, 12 ch-1 spaces, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into that same corner space, [(ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space) 3 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next corner space] 3 times, [ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space] 3 times, ch 1, 3 dc into beginning corner space, ch 2, slip stitch into third chain of ch 3. [60 dc, 16 ch-1 spaces, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into that same corner space, [(ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space) 4 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next corner space] 3 times, [ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space] 4 times, ch 1, 3 dc into beginning corner space, ch 2, slip stitch into third chain of ch 3. [72 dc, 20 ch-1 spaces, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Round 7: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into that same corner space, [(ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space) 5 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next corner space] 3 times, [ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space] 5 times, ch 1, 3 dc into beginning corner space, ch 2, slip stitch into third chain of ch 3. [84 dc, 24 ch-1 spaces, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Large Throw Only
Round 8: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into that same corner space, [(ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space) 6 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next corner space] 3 times, [ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space] 6 times, ch 1, 3 dc into beginning corner space, ch 2, slip stitch into third chain of ch 3. [96 dc, 28 ch-1 spaces, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Round 9: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into that same corner space, [(ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space) 7 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into next corner space] 3 times, [ch 1, 3 dc into next ch 1 space] 7 times, ch 1, 3 dc into beginning corner space, ch 2, slip stitch into third chain of ch 3. [108 dc, 32 ch-1 spaces, 4 ch-2 spaces]
Both Sizes
Cut yarn leaving a 5-inch tail. Pull the tail through the remaining loop on the hook.
Schematics
Full-Spectrum Palette Schematic
Want to see it bigger? Here’s a PDF…
Four-Color Schematic
NOTE: Follow the pattern as written, but instead of using the contrast colors indicated in the pattern, refer to the schematic below for which colors to use in which squares.
Want to see it bigger? Here’s a PDF…
Pattern
NOTE: Refer to the Schematics, above, for a visual reference to the following instructions, and if making 4-Color Blanket, use Schematic to determine which contrast color to use throughout pattern.
Row 1
Square 1A
With Color K, work Foundation Ring and Rounds 1-2 (1-3) of Basic Square (see Notes).
Cut Color K. Join Main Color (MC).
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 3 (4).
Square 1B
With MC, work Foundation Ring and Rounds 1-3 (1-4) of Basic Square.
Cut MC. Join Color D.
With Color D, work Rounds 4-5 (5-6) of Basic Square.
Cut Color D. Join MC.
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 6 (7).
Square 1C
With MC, work Foundation Ring and Rounds 1-2 (1-3) of Basic Square.
Cut MC. Join Color M.
With Color M, work Rounds 3-4 (4-5) of Basic Square.
Cut Color M. Join MC.
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 5 (6).
Square 1D
With Color A, work Foundation Ring and Rounds 1-4 (1-5) of Basic Square.
Cut Color A. Join MC.
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 5 (6).
Square 1E
With MC, work Foundation Ring and Round 1 (1) of Basic Square.
Cut MC. Join Color C.
With Color C, work Rounds 2-5 (2-6) of Basic Square.
Cut Color C. Join MC.
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 6 (7).
Row 2
Square 2A
With Color F, work Foundation Ring and Rounds 1-5 (1-6) of Basic Square.
Cut Color F. Join MC.
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 6 (7).
Square 2B
Work as for Square 1A, using Color C as contrast color.
Square 2C
With MC, work Foundation Ring and Rounds 1-4 (1-5) of Basic Square.
Cut MC. Join Color E.
With Color E, work Rounds 5-6 (6-7) of Basic Square.
Cut Color E. Join MC.
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 7 (8).
Square 2D
With MC, work Foundation Ring and Rounds 1-5 (1-7) of Basic Square.
Cut MC. Join Color H.
With Color H, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 6 (8).
Square 2E
Work as for Square 1A, using Color J as contrast color.
Row 3
Square 3A
With MC, work Foundation Ring and Round 1 (1) of Basic Square.
Cut MC. Join Color E.
With Color E, work Rounds 2-4 (2-5) of Basic Square.
Cut Color E. Join MC.
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 5 (6).
Square 3B
Work as for Square 2D, using Color J as contrast color.
Square 3C
Work as for Square 1D, using Color G as contrast color.
Square 3D
Work as for Square 1B, using Color L as contrast color.
Square 3E
Work as for Square 1D, using Color N as contrast color.
Row 4
Square 4A
Work as for Square 1A, using Color O as contrast color.
Square 4B
Work as for Square 1D, using Color B as contrast color.
Square 4C
Work as for Square 3A, using Color I as contrast color.
Square 4D
Work as for Square 1A, using Color F as contrast color.
Square 4E
Work as for Square 2D, using Color D as contrast color.
Row 5
Square 5A
Work as for Square 1D, using Color D as contrast color.
Square 5B
Work as for Square 1B, using Color H as contrast color.
Square 5C
Work as for Square 1A, using Color L as contrast color.
Square 5D
Work as for Square 2A, using Color O as contrast color.
Square 5E
Work as for Square 1E, using Color M as contrast color.
Row 6
Square 6A
Work as for Square 2D, using Color A as contrast color.
Square 6B
Work as for Square 1A, using Color B as contrast color.
Square 6C
With MC, work Foundation Ring and Rounds 1-2 (1-3) of Basic Square.
Cut MC. Join Color J.
With Color J, work Rounds 3-6 (4-7) of Basic Square.
Cut Color J. Join MC.
With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 7 (8).
Square 6D
Work as for Square 1D, using Color K as contrast color.
Square 6E
Work as for Square 1A, using Color E as contrast color.
Row 7
Square 7A
Work as for Square 2A, using Color G as contrast color.
Square 7B
Work as for Square 1C, using Color N as contrast color.
Square 7C
Work as for Square 2D, using Color F as contrast color.
Square 7D
Work as for Square 3A, using Color C as contrast color.
Square 7E
Work as for Square 1B, using Color I as contrast color.
FINISHING
Sew Together
Use the MC to sew together your squares. We stitched ours with a whipstitch, and our Sewing Crocheted Squares Together Tutorial has a video that explains exactly how to do it!
Weave In The Ends
Weave in all the ends and wet block. All done!
Hello I am 79 years old now, but I would like to have the square knitting pattern please
Hi Brendah,
Thanks for reaching out! We’re offering the knitting pattern for this design on a different page of our website. You can find it by clicking on the link, right here!
All the best,
Lili
Would it work to substitute the Cotton Pure for the Morning on the crochet pattern?
Hi Kristen,
Thanks for writing in! While Morning is a light worsted/DK weight yarn, Cotton Pure is only sportweight, which means you’ll probably get a smaller gauge when working with it. This would cause each square (and your entire blanket) to be significantly smaller than the measurements we give in the pattern! However, if you do still decide to use Cotton Pure, I would suggest making extra squares, if you want your blanket to be as large as the one we made. Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any more questions!
All the best,
Lili
Hi
I have 14 skeins of Linen Quill that I would like to make the granny square blanket. I’m thinking that I would need to buy more skeins. Would I be able to substitute this yarn, and how many more skeins would I need to purchase?
Thanks
Hi Mrs. Carol,
Thanks for writing in. I think this blanket would look lovely in Linen Quill! The only thing I would consider is that Linen Quill is a lot thinner than Morning, so each granny square will come out smaller when following the pattern as written. However, you could certainly add more rounds to each square, so that they come out to the size indicated in the pattern.
Since each skein of Linen Quill is 439 yards, you certainly have enough yarn to complete the project already! However, one of the joys of this design is the array of different colors, so if you want to, you might consider buying more skeins so that you could have a wider color palette.
All the best,
Lili
Hi, I desperately want to make this blanket in the crochet version. I don’t, however, have the $750+ to purchase all of your gorgeous yarn that it requires. I’m also not great at ad-libbing. Any suggestion of a yarn that could be used in substitute? (Note: I have made several projects using Purl Soho yarn and I wish I could afford to make this blanket using your yarn!) Any advice is so appreciated!
Hi Jennifer!
Thank you so much for asking. We totally understand that sometimes our yarn suggestions are more of an inspiration than a reality for many people. We are always happy to recommend less expensive (but still beautiful!) alternatives. In this case, we suggest that you try Good Wool, because it comes in a variety of fun colors at $15/skein and would create a warm and cozy blanket! We also have recently revamped our Sale page, which features products we currently have on sale. One other thing I wanted to point out is that if you sign up for our newsletter, you will receive a discount code that can be used towards any regularly priced Purl Soho brand items, too!
I hope this helps, but please feel free to contact us at customerservice@purlsoho.com to talk more about this if you would like!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you, Margaret. In your opinion, how would Posy work?
You are very welcome, Jennifer! I know we were in contact over email, however I am posting my reply here too, in case it is helpful for other readers!
Posy is one of my favorite yarns, because it is luxuriously soft and very easy to work with, and I think it would look especially nice for your blanket. We are currently offering Posy on sale at 15% off, and we have a wide selection of colors, sure to suit your granny square blanket vision. Posy is a lighter weight yarn than Morning, which means you will need to work more granny squares on a smaller hook to reach the blanket dimensions. This could be a great opportunity to try new designs or new color combinations, though!
I hope this helps give you some more inspiration for your blanket!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you, Margaret! This is so helpful!
Hi unrelated but the windy day blanket is there a crochet version pattern at all stuggling with the knit version due to injury and desperate to make this it’s my favourite blanket ever. Would there be a way to try a crochet version at all thanks in advance xxx
Hi Jenna,
I’m glad to hear that the Windy Day Blanket has caught your eye! I’m afraid that we do not have a crochet version of it though, as the pattern itself is tricky to translate into crochet. We’re so sorry for the inconvenience!
All the best,
Lili
Hi
Making this blanket in the larger size with 4 contrast colours.
I would like to make it a bit 2 squares wider and 3 rows longer
Any suggestions on how I should repeat the pattern?
Thank you
B
Hi Betty,
Thank you for writing in! A larger blanket sounds like a lovely idea! I would suggest repeating rows 1 and 2 for the additional rows you will add and repeating columns A,B & C. Another option I would like to suggest is to color in your schematic that is included in the pattern and see how you like the repetition of colors and then make a decision on how which set of columns you would like to add. I hope this helps!
Happy making,
Gavriella