Easy Crochet Blanket with Bernat Yarn – Perfect for Beginners

A cozy, colorful crochet baby blanket constructed using easy granny square techniques and Bernat Blanket yarn’s self-changing color cakes—perfect for gifting or snuggling.

Crocheting a blanket has never been this exciting. This pattern uses Bernat Blanket All-In-One yarn, which changes colors effortlessly as you work. That means no extra cutting or weaving to switch threads, it’s all done for you in beautiful, smooth transitions. You’ll create colorful granny squares that feel oh-so-soft and warm, making this crochet blanket cozy for kids, babies, or anyone who loves snuggling up.

About Bernat Yarn

Bernat All-in-One Blanket Yarn is soft, thick, and perfect for cozy designs. It’s easy to work with because it gives extra yarn at the end of each square, so you can join pieces without needing more. Each yarn “cake” makes four squares, and the colors change on their own.

Credit Daisy Farm Crafts

Key Features:

• Basic Design: Creates 10” x 10” granny squares with built-in color-changing yarn.
• Materials: Bernat All-In-One Blanket Yarn in “Seaside Shine,” requiring an 8mm (L) hook.
• Key Technique: Traditional granny square construction using double crochets and chain spaces for corners.
• Color Transition: Built into the yarn; no need to cut or weave extra ends between colors.
• Joining Method: Squares are stitched together using a flat mattress stitch for seamless edges.

Made with Bernat’s innovative All-In-One Blanket Yarn, this crochet baby blanket embraces the timeless charm of granny squares while eliminating much of the effort involved in managing yarn ends. The colorful, self-changing yarn does the hard work for you, transitioning hues as you complete each round of your squares. The soft, chunky texture of the yarn creates a plush, luxurious finish—great for cuddling babies!

To construct the granny squares, you’ll use classic double crochets combined with chain stitches to form clusters and corners. Beginning with a magic circle or slip knot and chain loop, you’ll build layers outward, adding rounds as each square grows in size. The transitions between colors occur flawlessly within the yarn cake itself, resulting in effortlessly vibrant designs that require no extra cutting or knotting. As you progress, uniform tension will help maintain the shape and balance of each square.

Each cake of Bernat Blanket Yarn yields enough material to make four 10” x 10” squares, so three cakes are sufficient for a baby blanket. The squares are joined using a flat mattress stitch with a tapestry needle, creating nearly invisible seams. This method not only ensures softness along edges but avoids the bulk that can arise from joining techniques like slip stitching. The finished piece is a stunning example of modern yarn technology paired with classic crochet style.

For added flair or size, individual colors from the blanket yarn collection can be used to create bold borders or larger designs. Whether you prefer vibrant, multi-colored displays or soft, muted tones, this yarn offers endless customization options to match your creative vision.

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Video Tutorial

Step-By-Step Pattern

Materials

To get started, you’ll need the following materials:

1. Yarn
   • Bernat Blanket All-in-One Yarn (color featured: Seaside Shine, but there are many other beautiful options).
   • Note: Each cake of Bernat Blanket All-in-One Yarn produces four 10″x10″ granny squares.
2. Hook Size
   • 8.0mm (L) crochet hook.
   • Optional: Adjust sizes based on tension.
     • Tight crocheters: Try a 9.0mm hook.
     • Loose crocheters: Try a 7.0mm hook (less common, but achievable).
3. Optional Tools
   • Tapestry Needle (large eye) for sewing squares together.
   • Stitch markers (useful for alternative joining techniques).
   • Scissors (for trimming yarn).

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Pattern Instructions

Let’s crochet your granny squares step by step.

Foundation: Starting the Granny Square

1. Make a Slip Knot: Leave a 4-inch tail, and create a slip knot on your crochet hook.
2. Chain 4 (ch4): This will form the center of your square.
3. Join into a Circle: Insert your hook into the very first chain, yarn over, and slip stitch (sl st) to form a small circle.

Round 1: First Granny Clusters

1. Chain 6 (ch6):
   • The first 3 chains count as a double crochet.
   • The next 3 chains form a corner.
2. Work 3 Double Crochets (dc):
   • Insert your hook into the center of the circle.
   • Make 3 double crochets to form the first cluster.
3. Chain 3 (ch3): This creates the next corner.
4. Repeat Clusters and Corners:
   • Work 3 more double crochets into the center, followed by another chain 3.
   • Do this two more times until you have four 3-dc clusters with corners separating them.
5. Join Round: Slip stitch (sl st) into the top of the starting chain-3 to finish the round.
   • You should have a square shape with 4 corners (ch-3 spaces).

Round 2: Building Out the Square

1. Slip Stitch to Corner: Move your hook into the nearest chain-3 corner space.
2. Chain 6 (ch6): Just like Round 1—first 3 chains count as a double crochet, and next 3 chains form the corner.
3. Work 3 Double Crochets (dc): Into the same corner space.
4. Chain 1: This space is used to separate clusters as the square grows.
5. Work Along the Edge:
   • In the next corner space, work:
     • 3 double crochets (dc), chain 3 (ch3), and 3 double crochets (dc).
   • Repeat this corner pattern for all four corners.
6. Final Edge: After creating the last corner, finish the round by working 2 double crochets into the first corner space and slip stitching into the top of the starting chain-3.

Round 3 and Beyond

• Each round repeats the basic pattern with slight adjustments:
  1. Begin the round by chaining 6 (ch6).
  2. Add chain-1 spaces between clusters along straight edges.
  3. In corners, work: 3 double crochets, chain 3, 3 double crochets.
  4. Slip stitch to join the round.
• Complete a total of 4 rounds (or more based on desired square size).

Joining Granny Squares

1. Arrange Squares: Lay out squares in your preferred pattern.
2. Thread Tapestry Needle: Use the extra yarn from the final cake to sew squares together.
3. Mattress Stitch Method:
   • Insert the needle through the edges of two squares, matching up stitches.
   • Alternate from one square to the other, keeping the seam flat as you work.

Final Touches

• Once all squares are joined, weave in loose ends with a tapestry needle.
• Block the blanket (optional) to help shape and smooth the edges.

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Troubleshooting and Suggestions:

Common Issues:

• Inconsistent Tension: With thick blanket yarn, uneven stitches can make corners bulky. Practice maintaining steady, but relaxed, tension by adjusting how you hold the yarn against your hook.
• Color Changes: While the built-in color transitions simplify the process, occasional color mismatches might occur at tight finishing rounds. Backtrack slightly and tighten your stitches to line up the right shade.
• Joining Squares: If the mattress stitch feels cumbersome, experiment with a zigzag or slip-stitch join for faster assembly.

Creative Modifications:

• Border Embellishments: Add a solid border using Bernat Blanket Yarn’s coordinating single-color options for an extra pop.
• Blanket Size: Increase the pattern dimensions by adding additional squares or building larger granny squares.
• Custom Color Combinations: Mix and match different color cakes for a striking, patchwork-style design.
• Alternate Uses: Use the granny square technique from this pattern to create pillows or tote bags by joining fewer squares!