Granny square blanket planner
Pick a blanket size and square size. The planner counts the squares, works out yarn for the squares, joining and border, and lays out your colours so no two neighbours match.
Updated
Colour map
Tap a square to change it to the colour ticked in the key. Letters match the key, so the printed map works in black and white.
| Paint | Colour | Yarn name | Squares | Yarn |
|---|
Your latest plan is saved in this browser. Yardage is an estimate: crochet one square first and adjust the size above to match yours.
How to plan a granny square blanket
- Make one square first. Block it lightly and measure it. Squares from the same pattern vary a lot between makers, so your own measurement beats any chart.
- Choose the finished size and join. A single crochet join adds a raised ridge and about ¼ in per seam; join-as-you-go keeps the blanket flat and adds nothing.
- Pick your colours and layout. Shuffle the random layout until you like it, or tap squares to swap colours by hand.
- Buy the yarn per colour. The key shows the squares and yarn for each colour, with joins and border in a separate colour or one of your main ones.
- Print the map and tick off squares as you make them. Join in rows, following the letters.
Tips
- Weave in ends as you go. A 63-square blanket in five colours can have over 300 ends.
- Block all squares to the same size before joining. It makes the seams line up and the blanket lie flat.
- Buy each colour from one dye lot, with a little extra of the joining colour: joins use more than people expect.
Common questions
How many granny squares do I need for a blanket?
Divide the blanket width by the square size to get squares across, and the length by the square size to get squares down, then multiply. For a 50 × 60 in throw with 6 in squares, a single crochet join and a 2 in border, that is 7 × 9 = 63 squares. The planner allows for joins and borders for you.
How much yarn does a granny square take?
A classic 6 in (15 cm) granny square in worsted yarn takes about 25 yards. Solid squares take roughly two-thirds more. Crochet one square, weigh it, and multiply by the number of squares for the best estimate.
How much yarn for a granny square blanket?
A throw-size classic granny square blanket in worsted takes about 2,150 yards including joining and a 2 in border. Buy around 10% extra, and more if you're using many colours, as each colour needs its own spare.
Does joining change the size?
Yes. A single crochet join adds about ¼ in (6 mm) between squares, which is several inches across a big blanket. Join-as-you-go and slip stitch joins add almost nothing. Choose your join in the planner and it adjusts the count.
How do I stop the same colours ending up next to each other?
Choose the random layout with three or more colours: the planner never puts a square next to one of the same colour above or to its left. Shuffle until you like it, then print the map and follow it as you join.