Crochet Granny Square Winter Blanket- Free Pattern

The Winter Windows Throw is a snuggly project that uses granny squares and a unique repeat of skipped stitches

Today’s project is just about the coziest thing here on Amelia Makes so far! As a crochet blanket, the Winter Windows Throw is not only interesting to look at, it is VERY warm and comfy as well.

Thick yarn and lots of double crochet stitches make this project nice and thick, while two-toned granny squares, a pattern down the middle section, and finishing tassels make the whole thing very unique.

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Keep Reading to learn more about this project!

About This Project

The Winter Windows Throw is a wonderful blanket to make for a favorite couch or even as a bed covering. The weight of the yarn make the finished throw feel like an actual “weighted” blanket. It is just very substantial and feels reassuring to have on your lap when snuggled in for the night. 

The size of the yarn also helps this project to go by quickly. While it is a good-sized blanket, finishing at about 64” square, using super bulky yarn means that it doesn’t take forever. 

Finally, there are a few different details to this that give it a lot of visual interest. First of all, a row of large granny squares in contrasting colors create some nice, wide sections at the ends. Tassels added on the corners create a whimsical touch. But perhaps most interesting, some repeats of skipped stitches create a rather surprising pattern in the main part of the blanket.

Materials Needed

To make the Winter Windows Throw, you will need the following: 

• Almost 800 yards of super bulky yarn, such as Lion Brand’s Wool Ease Thick and Quick. If doing a 2-color blanket, you will need 350 of one color (for the squares on each end) and 425 yards of another color. For my Blanket, I used the colors Oatmeal and Sea Glass.
• N/9.00mm hook
• Stitch Markers(technically not required, but very useful for this project)
• Scissors

Skill Level

With all things considered, this could be labeled an intermediate pattern.

The most commonly used stitch in this blanket is, by far, double crochet. Knowing how to chain, double crochet, work a granny square in the round, and slip stitch are the main skills required and are fairly basic. However, a few parts of this pattern are just a step more advanced. 

I used the join as you go method to connect my granny squares, making everything more seamless. In fact, the only noticeable seam that this project requires is between the second set of granny squares and the rest of the blanket. The first row of squares serves as a starting point for all of the rows that come in the middle. 

The pattern of open spaces/skipped stitches in the middle section of this blanket is not difficult to do, but requires reading several repeats of stitches.

This pattern gives the blanket an almost nordic (or maybe southwestern) look and was something a bit new to me. To create this, different stitches get replaced with a ch1 and skipped to create little “windows” all along the work.

This is the part of this crochet blanket where I found that stitch markers came in handy quite a bit! 

Materials Needed

• 775 yards of super bulky yarn, such as Lion Brand’s Wool Ease Thick and Quick.
• If doing a 2-color blanket, you will need 350 of one color (for the squares on each end) and 425 yards of another color.
• N/9.00mm hook

• Stitch Markers (very useful for this project)
• Scissors
• Something about 5-6″ wide to wrap your yarn on for creating tassels

Abbreviation Used

Ch-chain
Dc-double crochet
st/sts-stitch/stitches
Ch-space- the open space created previously from using chains stitches

Gauge

A granny square made with four layers will equal 8.5″ across

Construction Notes

• I like to join when I’m on my last full side of the square. That way I spend the minimal amount of time working with the full weight of what I’ve joined so far.
• Ch3 in the rows count as stitches.
• The pattern in the main part of the blanket is basically made up of patterns using 3 sets of 3 stitches. As you get familiar with the pattern, using stitch markers to separate the sections can help you keep the pattern lined up.
• Repeats are shown inside of asterisks (**)

Pattern Directions

Granny Squares

For each square, make a granny square that uses chain spaces of 2 instead of 3. Each will have 5 total rounds-four of your first color and one of your second color. Make 10 total: 5 for each end of the blanket.

For each square:

Ch5 to start. (we are using chain spaces of two instead of three for these squares) At the beginning of a round, ch5 when a longer chain is needed (start of rounds 2 and 4)and ch3 when you are making the equivalent of a dc stitch(start of rows 1 and 3).

Squares turn out 8.5” wide after the four rounds.
Then, add a layer of the second color and join the granny squares in one row as you go. (5 squares connected for each end of the throw).

Center Blanket Section

Starting in rows along a long edge of the connected granny squares:

Row 1: Add your second color and ch 3. This counts as a stitch, here and in other rows as well.Dc across the row, putting one Dc in each ch space, one in the top of each DC from the granny squares on that side, and one in each of the square corners. Also put an extra dc in where two granny squares meet. You should end up with 109 stitches total.
Row 2: Ch3 and turn, DC across the row(109 stitches).

Row 3: Ch3 and turn. Skip a st and DC. ch1, skip a st and DC Repeat across the row to the last st.
Put one final DC in at the end of the row.
Row 4: Ch3 and turn. DC across the row, putting one stitch into each ch-space and into each stitch
top from the previous row.
Rows 5-6: Ch3 and turn. DC 7 {ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC 14} repeat instructions in brackets 4
more times(5x total). ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. Dc 8
Rows 7-8: Ch3 and turn. DC 4. {ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC 2. ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC
8}.repeat instructions in brackets 4 more times(5x total). ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC 3. ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC 5.
Rows 9-10: repeat rows 5-6
Rows 11-12: repeat rows 7-8
Rows 13-14: repeat rows 5-6 (This completes the first pattern)
Rows 15-16: Ch3 and turn, dc 16.{ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC14.} repeat 4x(5x total).ch1, skip a st and Dc x2 DC17.
Rows 17-18: Ch3 and turn. DC13 {ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC 2. ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC
8}.repeat instructions in brackets 3 more times(4x total). ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC 2. ch1, skip a st and Dc x2. DC 13.
Rows 19-20: repeat rows 15-16.
Rows 21-22: repeat rows 17-18.
Rows 23-24: repeat rows 15-16.
Rows 25-34: repeat rows 5-14
Row 35: Repeat row 4(solid row of dc)
Row 36: Repeat row 3(alternating ch1 spaces and dc stitches).
Rows 37-38: repeat rows 1-2,(solid dc rows without having to switch colors.
On row 38, join to your row of granny squares as you go across.

Border

Do a border of DC all the way around your blanket.

Tassels

Make and attach 4 tassels. To do this you can make 20 wraps of yarn on a 5.5 book, or something similar, and this will make your yarn pieces would about 12”long before trimming the ends.

Final Thoughts

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Keep the Crafting Delightful!

Amelia

You might also like:

• Granny Square Tutorial
• 2020 Crochet Spree
• Cozy Earwarmer Pattern

In this crochet blanket, several different elements are combined to make something that is super warm and cozy. Tassels, granny squares, and skipped stitches all make the Winter Windows Throw very unique