A Slow Granny Square Baby Blanket: 22 Weeks of Gentle Crochet

A beautiful coincidence

The Slow Granny Square Baby Blanket came to be as a beautiful coincidence. Don’t you love it when something like that happens? I do. And I love the fact that I now go slowly through my day and my work, with intention and reflection. Instead of racing through my day and missing out on important coincidences. That was my old life. This is my new life.

Prefer a printable, ad-free PDF version? A ad free version of this pattern is in my Esty shop. It includes the granny square pattern, blanket layout, yarn details, video tutorial and journal page link all in one gentle PDF

Buy the ad-free PDF pattern

How the Slow Granny Blanket Project began

So I began the Slow Granny Blanket Project at the beginning of January 2026. But I had been thinking about it for quite a while. It began as a bag full of yarn from one of my first blanket makes, one where I did not realise the importance of securing your yarn. When my mum was very sick, she unravelled the blanket and rewound each ball by hand. This was her last project before she passed.

It took me a while to be able to look into the bag of yarn. Three and a half years to be exact. And I developed the idea of creating a new blanket slowly from these balls of yarn. Read the beginning of the Slow Granny Blanket Project here.

Each week, I delve into that bag and bring out different yarns and work out the colours for 5 small granny squares. Sometimes I make 1 square a day, sometimes I create 5 granny squares in one day. I join the 5 squares together into a panel. The next week I join another panel. I secure each square and weave in all the ends as I go. The only stipulation: 5 granny squares a week.

When a slow blanket became a baby blanket

It has been a beautiful process, one that I journal about. And as a creator, it has been a thrill to make something just for me. You see, I also create beautiful handmade knits for babies and I teach crochet as a way of slowing down and finding joy in the process of creativity.

As I was placing my Week 22 panel (I name each week so I can keep track of my progress) I realised that the blanket was now a beautiful size for a baby blanket. I shared this idea on Instagram and many people resonated with the baby blanket. You can see the reel here.

So I thought maybe it would be a good idea to share the pattern as a baby blanket. I think it is a great slow and gentle project for new mums, grandmas, or anyone wanting to make a handmade baby blanket. Pouring their love into each stitch as they create their own baby blanket, ready just in time for baby’s arrival.

What a gift, to be able to wrap your baby in handmade goodness.

About this slow granny square baby blanket

This baby blanket is made from 100 small granny squares, created slowly over 22 weeks. I made 5 squares each week, joined them into weekly panels, and then joined each new panel to the growing blanket.

Finished blanket size

My finished blanket measures approximately 89cm x 89cm.

This makes it a lovely size for a baby blanket, pram blanket, cot blanket or a special handmade keepsake blanket.

Yarn

For my blanket I used Patons Cotton Blend 8 ply.

Because this blanket began as a slow scrap yarn project, you could also use assorted 8ply cotton blend yarns or leftover yarn from your own collection.

I do recommend using similar yarn weights throughout the blanket so your granny squares stay close in size.

Yarn amount

14 x 50g balls but please keep reading:

I have 10 different coloured yarns which I use to make rows 1 + 2, Row 3 is completed using white yarn.

If you are using your yarn stash, this is the perfect blanket for you.

If you are purchasing the yarn to create this blanket (Oh, how exciting!) I would purchase 6 balls of your main colour (in my example, white) and then purchase one ball of yarn for each colour for rows 1 + 2. This way you will be able to assess what colours you like and decide if you want/need to purchase more of the same colour.

Please note that yarn amounts are approximate and may vary depending on your tension, hook size, yarn choice, square size and joining method.

Hook size

I used a 4.5mm crochet hook.

You may need to adjust your hook size depending on your yarn and tension.

Blanket layout

This blanket is made from 100 granny squares.

The finished layout is:

10 squares across, 10 squares down

I made 5 granny squares each week and joined them into a small weekly panel. Then I joined each new panel to the growing blanket.

How long does it take?

This blanket was made slowly over 22 weeks.

The gentle rhythm was:

5 granny squares each week, 1 small panel joined each week, ends woven in as I went

You could make this blanket more quickly if you wanted to, but I loved the slow rhythm of adding just a few squares each week.

Border

I have not added a border to this blanket.

The blanket sits beautifully without one, and I like the simple edge created by the joined granny squares.

You could add a border if you prefer a more finished edge, but it is entirely up to you.

Skill level

I would call this a confident beginner crochet project.

You will need to know how to make a granny square, join squares together and weave in your ends. The pattern and video tutorial can be found here.

Because the blanket is made slowly in small weekly sections, it is a gentle project to grow over time.

What you will need

• 8ply yarn (I have used Patons Cotton Blend 8ply) Approximately 700g / 1,330m of yarn which equals 14 x 50g balls

(The main colour of my blanket is white and I have 10 different coloured balls of yarn, which make up the first and second rounds of the square.)

• 4.5mm crochet hook

• Scissors

• Yarn

• needle

• A basket or bag to keep your weekly squares together

• Optional journal or notebook to record your colour choices each week

I have also created a printable journal page for your reflections, which you can download below.

Buy the printable PDF Pattern

The slow making rhythm

The beauty of this blanket is that it does not need to be rushed.

Each week, make 5 granny squares.

You might make 1 square a day, or you might sit quietly and make all 5 squares at once.

Once your 5 squares are finished, join them together to make one small panel. Then join that panel to your growing blanket.

This slow rhythm is what makes the blanket feel special. It becomes part of your week, rather than another project to race through.

A gentle journal page for your blanket

Because this blanket is designed to be made slowly, I have also created a simple journal page that you can use alongside your making.

You might like to record the colours you choose each week, who you are making the blanket for, or a few small thoughts about the process.

It is completely optional, but I have found that journaling alongside a slow crochet project makes the blanket feel even more meaningful. You can find the journal page

Download the free journal page

Free granny square pattern

For this blanket, I used the same granny square pattern from my Slow Granny Blanket Project.

You can find the granny square pattern and tutorial here:

Once you have made your granny squares, follow the layout and weekly rhythm in this post to create your own slow granny square baby blanket.

You can make your Slow Granny Baby Blanket as big as you want. Even if you gift the baby blanket, each year you could add a few more rows. That way your Slow Granny Baby Blanket grows with your baby!

I would love to see your baby blanket take shape. You can comment on this post, reach out via email or on socials. You can also use the #slowgrannybabyblanket

Happy crocheting,

Melissa