Granny Square Crochet Blanket

One of the best things about being a crafter is that you can make your own version of something that would cost a fortune in stores! Handmade home furnishings are so popular right now, so we've brought you this stunning crochet throw. Made by Helen Ardley, Oceania offers a twist on the traditional granny square blanket and combines circular motifs with wide, openwork stripes.

NOTE:  fasten off when you have finished working with each colour. Dc joins will lean towards you when you are working. Work with same side facing

• Using 6.5mm hook make 6ch, sl st in first ch to form a ring
• Rnd 1: 3ch (counts as first tr), 15tr into ring, sl st in third of 3ch at beg of rnd
• Rnd 2: 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), (1tr in next tr, 2ch) 15 times, sl st in third of 5ch at beg of rnd
• Rnd 3: sl st in first 2-ch sp, 3ch (counts as 1tr) 2tr in same ch sp, 1ch, (3tr in next ch sp, 1ch) 15 times, sl st in third of 3ch at beg of rnd
• Rnd 4: sl st in each of next 2tr, 1ch, 1dc in next ch sp, 3ch, 1dc in next ch sp, 6ch, * 1dc in next ch sp, (3ch, 1dc in next ch sp) three times, 6ch, rep from * twice more, (1dc in next ch sp, 3ch) twice, sl st in first dc
• Rnd 5: sl st in first 3-ch sp, 3ch (counts as first tr), 2tr in same 3-ch sp, (5tr, 2ch, 5tr) in next 6-ch arch, * 3tr in each of next three 3-ch sps, (5tr, 2ch, 5tr) in next 6-ch arch, rep from * twice more, 3tr in each of last two 3-ch sps, sl st in third of 3ch at beg of rnd
• Fasten off

Rnd 1: using yarn D
Rnd 2: using yarn C
Rnd 3: using yarn A
Rnd 4: using yarn B
Rnd 5: using yarn B

Rnd 1: using yarn B
Rnd 2: using yarn A
Rnd 3: using yarn C
Rnd 4: using yarn D
Rnd 5: using yarn D

Rnd 1: using yarn A
Rnd 2: using yarn B
Rnd 3: using yarn D
Rnd 4: using yarn C
Rnd 5: using yarn C

Rnd 1: using yarn C
Rnd 2: using yarn D
Rnd 3: using yarn B
Rnd 4: using yarn A
Rnd 5: using yarn A

To make up

Sew in all loose ends. Using photograph as a guide join panels as follows:

Take four squares, one from each colour combination and place them in a row, with WS together and starting at one corner, working in loops closest together only, pick up a st from one square and a st from the next square, working through both edges 1dc in each st along one side
Join squares together to form a row
Using yarn B and working along one long edge starting at one corner, work one row of dc in every st, making sure it has an odd number of sts, turn
** Change to yarn A
Next row: 4ch (counts as 1tr, 1ch), miss one dc, 1tr in next dc, * 1ch, miss one dc, 1tr in next dc, rep from * to end, turn
Change to yarn C
Next row: 1ch, 1dc in first dc, 1dc in each st to end, turn ***
Change to yarn D
Next row: 4ch (counts as 1tr, 1ch), miss one dc, 1tr in next dc, * 1ch, miss one dc, 1tr in next dc, rep from * to end, turn
Change to yarn B
Next row: 1ch, 1dc in first dc, 1dc in each st to end, turn **
Rep from ** to **  twice more and from ** to *** once
Complete other long side to match

Use dc to join three squares together to form a strip using photograph as a guide for colour combination
Using yarn C and beg at one corner of a long edge, work a row of dc making sure it has an odd number of sts
Next row: 4ch (counts as 1tr, 1ch), miss one dc, 1tr in next dc, * 1ch, miss one dc, 1tr in next dc, rep from * to end
Change to yarn A
Next row: 1ch, 1dc in first dc, 1dc in each st to end
Next row: 4ch (counts as 1tr, 1ch), miss one dc, 1tr in next dc, * 1ch, miss one dc, 1tr in next dc, rep from * to end
Change to yarn B
Rep last two rows
Change to yarn D
Rep last two rows
Change to yarn C
Rep last two rows
Change to yarn A
Rep last two rows
Join rem three squares together, then join them to top of last row worked across first strip of three squares using one row of dc

Using photo as a guide, join four large panels together by working a dc row along each edge as before
Working in back loop only, work a round of dc in yarn C around edge remembering to place two sts in each corner
Change to yarn B
Rep last row
Fasten off
Weave in all ends

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

Oceania: 110cm x 96cm
Each square:  16cm x 16cm