My biggest project yet, and totally worth it!
This 30 animal squares baby blanket has been such a roller coaster of a project. I initially wanted to make a blanket for my baby nephew, somewhere along the road of brainstorming for that idea, I ended up creating 30 unique animal squares and connected them all to make a unique blanket.
This handmade blanket would make a great newborn gift and would add timeless charm to any nrusery decor. It is perfect for crib use, stroller outings, or as a versatile playmat.
Measurements
Width: 36 inches (92 cm)
Length: 44 inches (112 cm)
Material
- Lightweight acrylic yarn
- 4 mm hook
- Needle
- Scissors
Stitches Used | Abbreviations
- Magic Ring (MR)
- Chain (ch)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Half double crochet (hdc)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Triple crochet (tc)
- Increase (inc): 2 stitches in 1 stitch
- Decrease (dec): 1 stitch in 2 stitches
- * * – repeat sequence
- [ ] – all in 1 stitch
Notes
- The chains at the beginning of the round do no count as stitches unless stated otherwise.
- The number in ( ) at the end of each round indicates the total number of stitches for that round.
Pattern
- Base Square
A base square was used for the majority of the animal squares. To crease the base square:
Round 1: MR, ch2, 12dc in MR (12)
Round 2: ch2, *dc inc* all around (24)
Round 3: ch2, *dc, dc inc* all around (36)
Round 4: ch2, *2dc, dc inc* all around (48)
Change color to move from creating the “Face” to the “background”
Round 5: ch1, *3sc, 2hdc, 2dc, [2tc, ch2, 2tc] in the same st, 2dc, 2hdc* (68)
Round 6: ch2, dc all around and [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in the ch2 spaces from the previous round. (84)
Round 7: ch2, dc all around and [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in the ch2 spaces from the previous round. (100)
Change color to move from creating the “background” to making the border around the squares.
Round 8: ch2, dc all around and [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in the ch2 spaces from the previous round. (116)
- Animal Squares
The patterns the animal squares are available here: 30 Animal Square Patterns
- Stitching the Squares
Once you are happy with the layout, flip it because you will be stitching the squares together on the back.
To stitch the squares, use a needle and a long piece of white yarn and stitch by going through the back loops of all the squares.
- Border
White Border: connect the white yarn in one corner, ch2, and then dc all around. When you reach an intersection of two squares, do a dc dec in the two ch2 spaces next to each other. When you reach one of the four corner of the blanket, do 5 dc in 1 st.
Gray Border: connect the gray yarn in one corner, ch1, hdc all across and then in each of the four corners, crochet 3 hdc in 1 st.
Aaaaand you’re done.
If you enjoyed this pattern, let me know in the comments below, and make sure to share your creations on Instagram @MoreThanKnots and on TikTok @365DaysofDana.
A tutorial is also available on my YouTube channel!
365 Days of Dana 