According to Merriam-Webster.com, the word blanket has been used since the 14th century to describe a fabric used for warmth on bedding.http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/wftwarch.pl?092107 Baby blankets, commonly made from softer yarns, are popular do it yourself projects for baby showers and christenings. This article teaches you how to crochet a baby blanket from granny squares, made in 4 rounds.

This crochet pattern is relatively quick and easy to create even if you are a beginner. The blanket is created by assembling 84 individual square motifs. Each motif should take around 30 to 45 minutes to make for the average crocheter. You need a size E crochet hook, 15 ounces of white and 20 ounces of purple baby sport weight yarn. Of course, you can substitute your own colors for these.

The finished blanket should measure approximately 35 inches by 35 inches. The design contains two different motifs, one with a flower and one with just alternating colors. If you plan to make the blanket for a boy, just use the Motif A square for the whole project.

This how takes you step by step through the process of creating two different granny squares with color changes and crocheted flowers. It also demonstrates how to sew the final pieces together with an overcast stitch. You finish off the blanket with a scalloped edging.

To begin, you need to make your first square. This pattern is for Motif A. To learn more about the basics of crochet, read the How to Do Basic Crochet Stitches page.

• Terms
• 3-DC Shell: In this tutorial, this consists of making 3 double crochets in the same space.
• Chain-1 Space: This is a space made from chaining 1 loop.
• Chain-3 Space: This is a space made from chaining 3 loops.

• Changing Colors:

After you reach the last double crochet stitch in a row, continue the stitch until there are only 2 loops on the hook. Then, you wrap the yarn over with the new color. Bring the loop through the old one. Once that is done, construct one double crochet in the stitch shown in the instructions. This double crochet stands for a chain-3 space. If a chain-1 space is needed, you go through the same steps but make a half double crochet stitch instead of the double.

Using your purple yarn, create a foundation circle with 5 loops. Join it with a slip stitch.

• Round 1: Chain 3. This represents the first double crochet stitch for the row. Make 2 double crochets into the ring. Chain 3 to create a corner space. Sequence: Create a 3-dc shell in the ring then chain 3. Repeat that sequence twice more. Switch to the white yarn using the double crochet method.
• 4 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces

• Round 2: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into the next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Sequence: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1. Repeat that sequence twice more. Switch to the purple yarn using the half double crochet method.
• 8 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 4 chain-1 spaces

• Round 3: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into the next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Make a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space. Chain 1. Sequence: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1. Repeat that sequence twice more. Switch to the white yarn using the half double crochet method.
• 12 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 8 chain-1 spaces

• Round 4: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into the next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Sequence 1: Create a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space then Chain 1. Repeat sequence 1 once more to complete. Sequence 2: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1.

Sequence 1 and 2 make sequence 3. Repeat sequence 3 twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3). Then, slip stitch the next double crochet. Cut the yarn and leave a 6 inch tail. Weave in the ends.

• 16 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 12 chain-1 spaces

Make 47 Motif A squares in total.

Now, you learn to make 'Motif B that includes the crocheted flower.

Using your purple yarn, create a foundation circle with 5 loops. Join it with a slip stitch.

• Round 1: Chain 3. This represents the first double crochet stitch for the row. Make 2 double crochets into the ring. Chain 3 to create a corner space. Sequence: Create a 3-dc shell in the ring then chain 3. Repeat that sequence twice more. Switch to the white yarn using the double crochet method.
• 4 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces

• Round 2: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into the next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Sequence: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1. Repeat that sequence twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3).
• 8 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 4 chain-1 spaces

• Round 3: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into the next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Make a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space. Chain 1. Sequence: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1. Repeat that sequence twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3).
• 12 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 8 chain-1 spaces

• Round 4: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into the next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Sequence 1: Create a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space then Chain 1. Repeat sequence 1 once more to complete. Sequence 2: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1.

Sequence 1 and 2 make sequence 3. Repeat sequence 3 twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3). Then, slip stitch the next double crochet. Cut the yarn and leave a 6 inch tail. Weave in the ends.

• 16 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 12 chain-1 spaces

'Making the Flower Accent: Once you're done with the square, it's time to make the flower centerpiece.

• Round 1: Slip stitch your purple yarn to one of the middle double crochet posts of round 1. Chain 3. Sequence: Slip stitch on to the next middle double crochet post by inserting the hook on the right side of the post and pushing it up on the left side. Yarn over and pull the new loop through the loop on the hook to complete the slip stitch. Chain 3. Repeat the sequence 3 times. Slip stitch into the original chain.

• 'Round 2: Chain 1 then make 1 single crochet, 1 double crochet, 7 triple crochets, 1 double crochet and 1 single crochet in the chain-3 space. Sequence: Create 1 single crochet, 1 double crochet, 7 triple crochets, 1 double crochet and 1 single crochet in the next chain-3 space. Repeat the sequence 3 times. Slip stitch into the initial single crochet. Cut the yarn and leave a 6 inch tail. Weave in the ends.

Make 36 Motif B squares in total.

Turn the squares on their tips so that you have diamond shapes. Refer to the diagram below to see the arrangement of the 84 shapes. Basically, you need to alternate 7 Motif A diamonds with 6 Motif B diamonds.

• Overcast Stitch:

Take one Motif A and one Motif B diamond and hold them together by one edge with right sides facing. It is essential that you try and line all the edge stitches up so that you can sew corresponding stitches together. With your white yarn threaded into a yarn needle, take your needle through the farthest right double crochet back loops of both pieces. Draw the yarn through and repeat the process until you reach the last double crochet on the side. Place a Motif A piece next to the Motif B. Continue overcasting the edges and adding diamonds. It's best to make rows of two first then join the rows together. This keeps the process more organized and neat.

• Scalloped Edge:

Once all 84 pieces are joined, you need to turn the whole blanket right side up so that you can add the edging. Slip stitch then chain 3. (This chain stands for the first double crochet.) Make 6 more double crochet stitches in a top corner chain-3 space. Sequence:' Make 5 double crochets in the next chain-1 space. Repeat this sequence 3 times. When you reach an inner corner of 3 chain-3 spaces, form 1 single crochet, 3 doubles and 1 single crochet in the middle chain-3 loop. Be careful not to crochet too tight. It can make the edges warp.