Hi guys! It’s been 4 months since I’ve shared a new blanket pattern, so I am beyond excited to release the 4 Square Blanket pattern.
If you love the moss stitch (a.k.a. the linen or woven stitch) and you aren’t afraid of colour, then you’ll love the 4 Square Blanket. This crochet blanket looks complicated, but once you get the hang of the moss stitch (a single crochet and chain 1 stitch combination), then it becomes a really fun, mindless crochet project.
The free pattern below, shows you how to crochet a large baby blanket (42″ x 42″), but instructions are provided to make a custom size.
I hope you enjoy making your blanket!
If you prefer to print the pattern, the ad-free printable PDF includes step-by-step video tutorials and instructions for 8 blanket sizes (Small Baby to King)!
Pin this 4 Square Blanket Pattern – HERE!
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Materials:
Optional Materials:
- Steamer or Spray Bottle
- Straight Pins or Blocking Pins
- Blocking Mat or Foam Board
Yarn:
- Yarn Note: You can use ANY medium 4 (worsted/aran) weight yarn as a substitute.
- Lion Brand Jeans, Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 246 yd / 225 m, 100 g / 3.5 oz)
- Vintage (A), Top Stitch (B), Brand New (C), Faded (D)
- Lion Brand Heartland, Weight 4 Medium (100% Acrylic, 251 yd / 230 m, 142 g / 5 oz)
- Grand Canyon (Main Colour – MC)
Yardage:
- Main Colour (MC): 630 yds / 576 m – 3 skeins
- Colours A – D: 293 yds / 268 m – 2 skeins of each colour
- Total: 1802 yds / 1648 m
Abbreviations:
- Ch – chain
- St(s) – stitch(es)
- Sp(s) – space(s)
- Sk – skip
- MR – magic ring
- Sl st – slip stitch
- Sc – single crochet
- Sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- FLO – front loop only
- YO – yarn over
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
- Rnd – round
- [ ] – repeat instructions inside brackets
Gauge: Approximately 8 Rnds = 4” x 4”
- If your gauge is too small (more than 8 rnds = 4”), try using a thicker weight 4 yarn or a larger crochet hook.
- If your gauge is too big (less than 8 rnds = 4”), try using a thinner weight 4 yarn or a smaller crochet hook.
- You can also try adjusting your tension.
Pattern Measurement:
The 4 Square Blanket is a large baby blanket that measures approx. 42″ wide x 42″ long, including the border. The border is crocheted at the end of the blanket, and is made up of 2 rnds done in the main colour – it adds 1″ to the length and width of the blanket.
Other Crochet Blankets You’ll Love!
Customize the Size of Your Blanket:
This blanket is a square, which means that the length and width will be the same. To make your blanket smaller or larger than the original pattern, repeat Rnds 7 – 22, until satisfied with the size; then end the blanket by repeating Rnds 7 – 18 (one more time) – this ensures that the blanket ends on a 4-colour block, before a 2-rnd border is added.
4 Square Blanket Construction:
- The blanket starts by crocheting 4 small squares, and sewing them together to make 1 large center square (Picture 1).
- The remainder of the blanket is crocheted in rounds. We alternate between two colour blocks: a Main Colour Block made of 6 rnds (Picture 2), and a 4-Colour Block made of 10 rnds (Picture 3). Each colour in the 4-colour block lines up with the corresponding center square colour.
- The blanket always ends with a 4-colour block section, followed by a 2-rnd border done in the Main Colour. Picture 4 is a diagram of the Large Baby Blanket size.
*The Ad-free Printable PDF has sizing instructions for 8 blanket sizes (Small Baby, Large Baby, Lapghan, Small Throw, Medium Throw, Large Throw, Queen, and King), along with step-by-step video tutorials.
Changing Colour Tutorial:
Main Colour Block – Fastening on:
Insert hook into any corner ch-2 sp, YO with main colour (MC) and pull through the sp.
Fasten off:
YO, and pull through the loop on the hook to make a long tail. Cut the strand, and pull it tight to close the knot that this creates.
4-Colour Block Colour Change:
The colour change happens in the last ch-1 before the center ch-1 sp. To change colour, work the last sc in the current colour, then drop the strand to the back of your work. Pick up the new colour, YO, and pull it through the loop on the hook to make a ch-1. Pull on the old colour to tighten up the ch-1. You changed colour!
Working with 4 Colours Tip:
When working with multiple colours, the strands are bound to get tangled up. To avoid this, here is a great tip from Moogly.
Single Crochet Decrease (Sc2tog) Tutorial:
The single crochet decrease stitch (sc2tog) joins 2 stitches together to make 1 single crochet stitch. For this pattern, the sc2tog is worked across the center corner ch-2 sps of two squares.
- Insert hook into corner ch-2 sp of Square #1, YO and draw up a loop – there should be 2 loops on the hook.
- Insert hook into corner ch-2 sp of Square #2, YO and draw up a loop – there should be 3 loops on the hook.
- YO, and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
Pattern:
Notes:
- The beginning ch of each rnd does NOT count as a st.
- Yarn is not carried throughout this pattern. After joining the new colour, drop the old colour. If you need it for future rnds, leave it, and pick it up for these rnds. If you no longer need a colour, fasten off, leave a tail, and cut the strand.
- Odd numbered rnds are considered the WS, and even numbered rnds are considered the RS.
Center Square:
Make one square in each of the 4 contrasting colours (A, B, C, D), for a total of 4 squares.
With Colour A, make a MR.
Rnd 1 (WS): Ch 1, [sc, ch 2] 4 times in MR. Join with a sl st. Turn. <4 sc, 4 ch-2 sps>
Rnd 2 (RS): Ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in first ch-2 sp, [(sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in next ch-2 sp] 3 times, (sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp to complete the corner. Join with a sl st. Turn. <8 sc, 4 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-1 sps>
Rnd 3 (WS): Ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in first ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 1) in ch-1 sp, [(sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 1) in ch-1 sp] 3 times, (sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp. Join with a sl st. Turn. <12 sc, 4 ch-2 sps, 8 ch-1 sps>
Rnd 4 (RS): Ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in first ch-2 sp, [(sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp] 3 times, (sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until first ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp. Join with a sl st. Turn. <16 sc, 4 ch-2 sps, 12 ch-1 sps>
Rnds 5 – 10: Repeat Rnd 4.
Each rnd increases by 4 sc and 4 ch-1 sps. Rnd 10 should have a stitch count of 40 sc, 4 ch-2 sps, 36 ch-1 sps.
Fasten off and leave a long tail for seaming. Weave in ends, except for the seaming tail.
With Colour B, C, and D, Repeat Rnds 1 – 10, to make a total of 4 squares.
Join the Squares Together:
- Line up the 4 squares according to the diagram, making sure that the WS of each square is facing you.
- Whip stitch in the FLO of each st and ch-sp across to join the squares.
- Join Square A to B: Thread the yarn needle with Colour A’s tail. Start in the outer corner ch-2 sp of each square and end in the center corner ch-2 sp.
- Join Square A to C: Using the same tail, start in the center corner ch-2 sp of each square and end in the outer corner ch-2 sp. Cut the tail and weave in ends.
- Join Square D to B: Thread the yarn needle with Colour D’s tail. Start in the outer corner ch-2 sp of each square and end in the center corner ch-2 sp.
- Join Square D to C: Using the same tail, start in the center corner ch-2 sp of each square and end in the outer corner ch-2 sp. Cut the tail and weave in ends.
Main Colour Block Section (6 Rnds):
Rnd 1:
- With the WS facing you, insert hook into the top left corner ch-2 sp of Square A, and fasten on with MC.
- Ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp, [(sc, ch 1) in next 9 ch-1 sps, sc2tog in the center ch-2 sps of Square A and C, ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in next 9 ch-1 sps, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp] around, working a sc2tog across the center ch-2 sps of Squares C and D, D and B, and B and A.
- (Sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp to complete the corner. Join with a sl st. Turn.
Stitch Count (Per Side): 21 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 20 ch-1 sps
Rnds 2 – 6:
- With MC, ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp, [(sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp] 3 times, (sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until first ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp to complete the corner. Join with a sl st. Turn.
Each side increases by 1 sc and 1 ch-1 sp every rnd. Rnd 6 should have a stitch count of 26 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 25 ch-1 sps per side.
4-Colour Block Section (10 Rnds):
- Before starting Rnd 7, mark the center ch-1 sp of each side of the blanket with a stitch marker – this is the 13th ch-1 sp for Rnd 7, the 21st ch-1 sp for Rnd 23 (Rnd 7 Repeat #1), and the 29th ch-1 sp for Rnd 39 (Rnd 7 Repeat #2).
- Make sure the WS is facing you. Insert hook into the center ch-1 sp between Square A and B, and fasten on with Colour A.
Rnd 7:
- The colour changes happen in the following order: Colour A, C, D, B.
- With Colour A, ch 1, [(sc, ch 1) in center ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until next center ch-1 sp, change to next colour in last ch-1 – add stitch marker] 4 times.
- Do not change back to Colour A in the last ch-1 of the rnd. Join with a sl st. Turn.
Stitch Count per Colour: 27 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 26 ch-1 sps
Rnd 8:
- The colour changes happen in the following order: Colour B, D, C, A.
- With Colour B, ch 1, [(sc, ch 1) in center ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until next center ch-1 sp, change to next colour in last ch-1 – add stitch marker] 4 times.
- Do not change back to Colour B in the last ch-1 of the rnd. Join with a sl st. Turn.
Stitch Count per Colour: 28 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 25 ch-1 sps per colour
Rnds 9 – 16:
- Repeat Rnds 7 – 8. Fasten off of each colour, and weave in ends.
Each colour increases by 1 sc and 1 ch-1 sp every rnd. Rnd 16 is a Rnd 8 repeat, and has a stitch count of 34 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 35 ch-1 sps per colour.
Main Colour Block Section (6 Rnds):
- With the WS facing you, insert hook into the top left corner ch-2 sp of Square A, and fasten on with MC.
Rnd 17 – 22: With MC, ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp, [(sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc, ch 1) in ch-2 sp] 3 times, (sc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp until first ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2) in first ch-2 sp to complete the corner. Join with a sl st. Turn.
Each side increases by 1 sc and 1 ch-1 sp every rnd. Rnd 22 has a stitch count of 40 sc, 1 ch-2 sp, 39 ch-1 sps per side.
Remainder of the 4 Square Blanket:
Rnds 23 – 38: Repeat Rnds 7 – 22, 1 time. The center ch-1 sp for Rnd 23 (Rnd 7 Repeat) is the 21st ch-1 sp.
Rnds 39 – 50: Repeat Rnds 7 – 18, 1 time. The center ch-1 sp for Rnd 39 (Rnd 7 Repeat) is the 29th ch-1 sp. The last 2 rnds (Rnds 17 – 18) are the border!
Fasten off and weave in ends!
Blocking the Blanket:
Blocking is the process of wetting a piece of crochet to make the ends and rows straight. To block this blanket, you will need a steamer or spray bottle, straight pins or blocking pins, and a blocking mat or foam.
Block your work by stretching out the blanket (vertically and horizontally), and placing pins along each side to hold it in place. Spray the blanket with water, or use a steamer, making sure to stay at least 2 inches away from the blanket. Gently press the water or steam into the blanket with your hands. Let the blanket dry completely before unpinning it.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the 4 Square Blanket, please reach out to me. I am happy to help! Send me an e-mail through my contact page.
End Notes:
Yay! You just made your first 4 Square Blanket. I hope it makes you smile whenever you and your loved ones use it. If you’d like to make more crochet blankets, or other crochet home decor items, explore some crochet patterns by clicking on the button below.
Disclaimer: You are welcome to sell items that you’ve made from this pattern; however, you are not allowed to use my pictures or sell my pattern as your own (Copyright @ ThisPixieCreates).
I hope you have an amazing day!
Love, Dayna
