Snowflake Granny Square Blanket: Free Crochet Pattern

AI-generated illustration made from our throw layout, not a photo of a blanket made from this pattern. Differences: the white squares show dark cross-shaped spaces, the border looks narrower than our 2 rounds, and the mug sits on the bottom corner. The exact layout is in the charts below.

Free pattern · Easy · lap about 43 in square or throw about 55 x 67 in · worsted yarn in navy and snow white, US H-8 hook.

This winter snowflake granny square blanket is made of one simple square, worked in 2 solid colors. Laid out on the floor, the snow white squares draw one big Nordic-style snowflake on navy: 8 points, like the stars on a ski sweater. It is not a snowflake motif square: plain granny squares make one big snowflake.

Each square is the classic 5-round granny square, in one color, so there are no color changes inside a square. You join them with a navy slip-stitch seam and finish with a navy and white border.

Every round and both borders were checked by our stitch simulator. Sizes, yarn and time are estimates from a suggested gauge.

Finished size: Lap about 43 x 43 in, throw about 55 x 67 in (approximate)
Level: Easy: ch, sl st, sc and dc
Time: About 19 hours (lap) or 38 hours (throw), estimated, not timed
Yarn: Worsted weight (#4), 2 colors: about 1350 yd (lap) or 2690 yd (throw) in all
Hook: US H-8 (5.0 mm)
Gauge: Suggested only, not swatched: one square (5 rounds) = 6 in (15 cm) from side to side
Squares: 49 (lap) or 99 (throw)

Sizes

Lap blanket — 7 x 7 squares, about 43 x 43 in

Yarn: Worsted weight (#4), 2 colors
Hook: US H-8 (5.0 mm)
Yarn needed: navy 890 yd · snow white 460 yd — about 1350 yd in all (estimated, with a 20 % margin)
Finished size: about 43 x 43 in (109 x 109 cm), approximate
Check before seaming: 49 squares: 17 snow white and 32 navy. Border Rnd 1: 145 sc on the top and bottom edges, 145 sc on each side edge, 3 sc in each corner (592 sc in all); Rnd 2: 600 sc. About 19 hours in all, estimated.

Throw — 9 x 11 squares, about 55 x 67 in

Yarn: Worsted weight (#4), 2 colors
Hook: US H-8 (5.0 mm)
Yarn needed: navy 2010 yd · snow white 680 yd — about 2690 yd in all (estimated, with a 20 % margin)
Finished size: about 55 x 67 in (140 x 170 cm), approximate
Check before seaming: 99 squares: 25 snow white and 74 navy. Border Rnd 1: 187 sc on the top and bottom edges, 229 sc on each side edge, 3 sc in each corner (844 sc in all); Rnd 2: 852 sc. About 38 hours in all, estimated.

Layout, row by row

Lap blanket layout, top row first

Row 1: 7 navy (N N N N N N N)
Row 2: 1 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy (N S N S N S N)
Row 3: 2 navy, 3 snow white, 2 navy (N N S S S N N)
Row 4: 1 navy, 5 snow white, 1 navy (N S S S S S N)
Row 5: 2 navy, 3 snow white, 2 navy (N N S S S N N)
Row 6: 1 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy (N S N S N S N)
Row 7: 7 navy (N N N N N N N)

Throw layout, top row first

Row 1: 9 navy (N N N N N N N N N)
Row 2: 9 navy (N N N N N N N N N)
Row 3: 1 navy, 1 snow white, 2 navy, 1 snow white, 2 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy (N S N N S N N S N)
Row 4: 2 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy, 1 snow white, 2 navy (N N S N S N S N N)
Row 5: 3 navy, 3 snow white, 3 navy (N N N S S S N N N)
Row 6: 1 navy, 7 snow white, 1 navy (N S S S S S S S N)
Row 7: 3 navy, 3 snow white, 3 navy (N N N S S S N N N)
Row 8: 2 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy, 1 snow white, 2 navy (N N S N S N S N N)
Row 9: 1 navy, 1 snow white, 2 navy, 1 snow white, 2 navy, 1 snow white, 1 navy (N S N N S N N S N)
Row 10: 9 navy (N N N N N N N N N)
Row 11: 9 navy (N N N N N N N N N)

✓ CookZya original design · Stitch counts checked round by round — All 5 rounds of the square and both border rounds of each size were replayed by our stitch simulator; your tension decides the final size.

Materials

Color N — navy (squares, seams, border Rnd 1), about 2010 yd
Color S — snow white (squares, border Rnd 2), about 680 yd
Yardage above is for the throw; the lap is in the Sizes cards.
Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers.

Notes

US crochet terms. ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, sp = space, st(s) = stitch(es), rep = repeat, Rnd = round.
Magic ring: wrap the yarn twice around two fingers, insert the hook under the strands, pull up a loop and ch 1 to lock it. Prefer a chain ring? Ch 4, sl st in the first ch.
Ch 3 (counts as a dc): the 3 chains at the start of a round stand in for the first dc; you join in the top (3rd chain) of it.
A group = 3 dc in the same space. A corner = (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in a ch-2 corner space.
Make all the squares first: count them against your size card before you join.
Layout code: N = navy square, S = snow white square, read from left to right, top row first.

Charts and layouts

The throw drawn from the layout — a computer drawing, not a photo: each tile is one granny square.

One square: every box is a group of 3 dc, the little rings are the ch-2 corners; round numbers sit in the top-left corners — a computer drawing.

Lap size: 49 squares, a smaller, chunkier snowflake (the throw shows the 8 points best); rows and columns numbered, Row 1 at the top — a computer drawing.

Throw size: 99 squares, rows and columns numbered, Row 1 at the top — a computer drawing.

Granny square

Make the number of navy and snow white squares in your size card. Right side facing you; you never turn.

Rnd 1 With the color of your square (navy or snow white), make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as the first dc), 2 dc in the ring, ch 2. *3 dc in the ring, ch 2; rep from * 2 more times. Pull the tail to close the ring. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (12 dc in 4 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps). 12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps
Rnd 2 Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in the next ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as a dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1 (it goes over the 3 dc of Rnd 1), *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (24 dc in 8 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps, 4 ch-1 sps). 24 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 3 Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in the next ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as a dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, *3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Last side: 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (36 dc in 12 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps, 8 ch-1 sps). 36 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 8 ch-1 sps
Rnd 4 Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in the next ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as a dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, *[3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 2 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Last side: [3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 2 times. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (48 dc in 16 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps, 12 ch-1 sps). 48 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 12 ch-1 sps
Rnd 5 Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in the next ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as a dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, *[3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Last side: [3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (60 dc in 20 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps, 16 ch-1 sps). Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. 60 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 16 ch-1 sps

Lap blanket border

After joining, for the lap blanket.

Rnd 1 With the right side facing you, join navy with sl st in the ch-2 corner sp at the top right corner of the blanket; you will work first along the top edge. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), 3 sc in the same corner sp. *Work along the edge to the next corner of the blanket: sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp; at a seam, 1 sc in each of the 2 ch-2 corner sps (one on each side) and nothing in the seam itself; then 3 sc in the corner sp of the blanket; rep from * 2 more times (top edge, side edge, bottom edge, each followed by a corner). Work along the last side edge in the same way. Join with sl st in the first sc. The number of sc on each edge is in the Sizes cards. Fasten off navy. 592 sc
Rnd 2 Join snow white with sl st in the first sc of Rnd 1 (the sc where Rnd 1 was joined). Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), sc in the same st, 3 sc in the next st (the center sc of the corner). *Sc in each st up to the center sc of the next corner, 3 sc in the center sc; rep from * 2 more times. Sc in each st to the end. Join with sl st in the first sc: 8 sc more than Rnd 1. Fasten off. 600 sc

Throw border

After joining, for the throw.

Rnd 1 With the right side facing you, join navy with sl st in the ch-2 corner sp at the top right corner of the blanket; you will work first along the top edge. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), 3 sc in the same corner sp. *Work along the edge to the next corner of the blanket: sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp; at a seam, 1 sc in each of the 2 ch-2 corner sps (one on each side) and nothing in the seam itself; then 3 sc in the corner sp of the blanket; rep from * 2 more times (top edge, side edge, bottom edge, each followed by a corner). Work along the last side edge in the same way. Join with sl st in the first sc. The number of sc on each edge is in the Sizes cards. Fasten off navy. 844 sc
Rnd 2 Join snow white with sl st in the first sc of Rnd 1 (the sc where Rnd 1 was joined). Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), sc in the same st, 3 sc in the next st (the center sc of the corner). *Sc in each st up to the center sc of the next corner, 3 sc in the center sc; rep from * 2 more times. Sc in each st to the end. Join with sl st in the first sc: 8 sc more than Rnd 1. Fasten off. 852 sc

How to join the squares

1 Lay out your squares

Lay all your squares right side up on the floor, row by row, as in the layout for your size (Row 1 is the top row). Check that the snowflake is centered, then take a photo.

2 Join the columns

Hold the first 2 squares of the top row right sides together (the fronts touching), edges even. With navy, work 1 sl st through both corner sps, then 1 sl st through each pair of matching stitches: 15 dc and 4 ch-1 sps, through both squares, and 1 sl st through both corner sps: 21 sl st. Do not cut the yarn: go on down the same 2 columns to the bottom row. Join every pair of columns like this (6 long seams for the lap, 8 for the throw).

3 Join the rows

Now join the rows the same way, 21 sl st along each square, all the way across (6 long seams for the lap, 10 for the throw). Keep every sl st loose so the seams stay as stretchy as the squares. From the right side the seam is a thin ridge. A little navy may show between two snow white squares; for a solid white snowflake, sew those short seams with snow white instead (a few extra yards of snow white).

4 Add the border

Turn the blanket right side up and work the 2 border rounds of your size (above).

5 Weave in and block

Weave each tail through 2 or 3 inches of stitches of the same color on the wrong side. Lay the blanket flat, pat each square to about 6 in, mist and let it dry.

Finishing

Check that every end is woven in and every seam is closed. Wash and dry the blanket as the yarn label says before you gift it.

Design notes

The snowflake is symmetric both ways, so the layout reads the same from the top or the bottom: you can't turn it the wrong way.
Solid squares mean only 2 ends per square and no color changes inside the square.
A navy margin of at least 1 square all around keeps the snowflake clear of the white last border round.

Tips

Keep a tally of the navy squares as you make them: 74 for the throw is a lot to count in your head.
Block a test square: if it is bigger or smaller than 6 in, the blanket will be too; the layout stays the same.
Weave in the ends of each square as you go.

Common mistakes

Joining a white square in a navy spot: lay out and photograph the whole blanket before the first seam.
Pulling the sl st seam tight: the blanket puckers along the seams.
Working a group into the top of a stitch instead of into a space: the square grows crooked.

Make it your own

Ice colors: pale blue instead of navy for a softer snowflake.
Christmas: red instead of navy, white snowflake.
Bigger: see our Granny Square Blanket Size Chart for other sizes; keep the snowflake centered.

Care

Follow the yarn label; most acrylic blankets can be machine washed on a gentle cycle.

More granny square patterns

Granny Square Blanket Size Chart — want another size? How many squares for every blanket
How to Crochet a Granny Square — the square step by step, one picture per round
Easy Granny Square Blanket — the same square in 4 colors, with photos of the joining steps
Crochet Snowflake Coaster — a matching snowflake for the coffee table
Christmas Granny Square Blanket — the same square in red, green and gold

FAQ

How many squares do I need for the snowflake granny square blanket?

49 for the lap (17 snow white, 32 navy) and 99 for the throw (25 snow white, 74 navy).

Is this blanket good for a beginner?

Yes: one square, one color per square, and a slip-stitch seam. If the square is new to you, start with our How to Crochet a Granny Square guide.

How much yarn do I need?

About 2690 yd of worsted weight yarn for the throw (2010 yd navy, 680 yd snow white) and about 1350 yd for the lap (890 navy, 460 snow white), estimates with a 20 % margin.

Can I sell the blankets I make?

Yes, you may sell what you crochet. Please don't sell or repost the pattern; link to this page.

Winter Snowflake Granny Square Blanket (Free Crochet Pattern)