EASY Crochet Blanket for Beginners | Dirty Granny Pattern!

EASY Crochet Blanket for Beginners | Dirty Granny Pattern!

What is the Dirty Granny Blanket?

Why You'll Love This Project

Materials you’ll need

Here’s everything I used for my Dirty Granny Baby Blanket.

• Yarn: Worsted-weight (size 4) acrylic, 600 g total.
• Hooks: 8 mm for the starting chain, 7 mm for the blanket.
• Stitch markers: 13 of them.
• Darning needle: For sewing in ends.
• Scissors.

If you only have a 6 mm hook, you can still make this blanket, just work your starting chain very loosely.

Yarn requirements

For this EASY crochet blanket, I used worsted-weight acrylic yarn. The total amount is:

• 600 g of three main colors, so 200 g of each color.
• Less than 100 g of white for the accent rows.
• That works out to about 990 meters / 1080 yards of yarn.

If you want help choosing soft and baby-friendly yarns, this list of best yarns for baby blankets is a handy guide to safe and comfortable options.

Hooks needed

I like using two hook sizes for this blanket.

• 8 mm hook for the foundation chain. The bigger hook keeps the chain loose so your starting edge does not pull in.

• 7 mm hook for the main blanket. If you only have a 6 mm hook, use that for everything, just keep the chain relaxed.

In the video, I link my favorite ergonomic hooks; you can find similar ones through the larger ergonomic crochet hook and 7 mm crochet hook mentioned in the description.

Other tools

1. 13 stitch markers
2. Darning needle for weaving in ends
3. Scissors

Stitch markers are especially helpful at the start to keep track of your multiples of eight.

If you’re new to stitch markers, this quick guide on how to use crochet stitch markers has great photos and tips.

Getting started: the foundation chain

The foundation chain sets the width of your blanket. The pattern is based on multiples of 8.

• For the same size as mine, chain 104.
• To make it wider or narrower, chain any multiple of 8 until it looks the width you want.

All my written patterns are in everyday language, so if you like reading along as you go, you can also follow the step-by-step Dirty Granny blanket tutorial with video.

Step 1: Slip knot and hook

1. Grab your larger hook (8 mm) and your yarn.
2. Make a slip knot in your usual way.
3. Tighten it to fit your hook, but not too tight.

Step 2: Chain in multiples of eight

You’ll be working in little “sets” of eight chains and marking them.

1. Chain 8: count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
2. Gently turn the chain so you see the back bumps (sometimes called camel bumps).
3. Find the back loop right under your working yarn and place a stitch marker into that bump.
4. Chain another 8, find the back bump under your working yarn, and add another marker.
5. Repeat: chain 8, place a marker, until:
   • You’ve placed 13 markers, or
   • You’ve reached your desired width (104 chains for the sample).

These markers keep your count accurate and make it easier to spot where each “glass” or “olive” will land later.

Step 3: Switch to your regular hook

When your chain is ready:

1. Remove the big hook.
2. Insert your 7 mm (or 6 mm) hook.
3. Chain 1 more.

Now you’re ready to work Row 1.

Row 1: Building the foundation pattern

Row 1 is where you set up the entire look of the blanket. You’ll be working into the back loops of the chain, which gives a neat, tidy edge.

The first “glass” stitch

1. Look at the chain from the side to see the back bumps.
2. Count to the 6th chain from your hook:
   • The first chain is right under your working yarn.
   • Then count 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
3. Insert your hook into the back loop of that 6th chain.

In that same chain, work a glass:

• 2 double crochet (dc)
• Chain 2
• 2 more double crochet in the same chain

So:

• Glass = 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in one stitch.

The first “olive” stitch

Now you start the main rhythm of the blanket.

1. Skip 3 chains along the back bumps.
2. In the 4th chain (this is usually where you placed a marker), work an olive:
   • 5 double crochet in the same back loop.

So:

• Olive = 5 dc in one stitch.

Continue across Row 1

Keep repeating along the chain:

• Skip 3 chains.
• In the next chain, work a glass (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc).
• Skip 3 chains.
• In the next chain, work an olive (5 dc).

Your stitch markers should line up with the chains where you’re placing glasses and olives, which is a nice check that your count is correct.

Ending Row 1

At the very end of the row you’ll have 3 chains left.

1. Skip 2 chains.
2. Work 1 double crochet into the very last chain.

That last dc gives you a straight edge along the side of your blanket.

Row 2: The easy one-row repeat

From here on, the blanket is a one-row repeat. Every row of the body follows the same idea: glasses go into glasses, olives go into olives.

1. Chain 3, which counts as your first dc.
2. Turn your work by sliding your hand under the working yarn, grabbing the blanket, and flipping it so the row you just worked is on top.

Glasses get glasses

Find the first glass from the previous row. You’ll see the little chain-2 space in the middle.

Into that space, work another glass:

• 2 dc
• ch 2
• 2 dc

Olives get olives

Next is an olive from the row below. It looks like a little hill of 5 stitches.

1. Count the stitches of the olive: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
2. Insert your hook into the 3rd double crochet, the top of the hill. Make sure you catch both loops of the stitch.
3. Into that third stitch, work an olive:
   • 5 dc in the same stitch.

Then repeat again:

• In the next glass space, work a glass.
• In the center stitch of the next olive, work an olive.

Ending Row 2

At the end of the row:

1. You’ll see your starting chain-3 from the previous row.
2. Insert your hook into the top of that chain-3, catching two strands.
3. Work 1 double crochet into that chain.

Every row of the blanket body will end this way: 1 dc into the top of chain-3.

Row 3 and beyond: repeat the same row

Row 3 is just a recap of Row 2.

• Chain 3, turn.
• Work a glass into every glass, and an olive into every olive.
• Finish with 1 dc into the top of the turning chain.

Keep repeating this row until your blanket is as tall as you like. For the sample, I used:

• Four rows of a color,
• Then one row of white,
• And repeated that color pattern up the blanket.

If you enjoy simple, meditative repeats, you might also like my tulip design in this tulip stitch blanket step-by-step guide, which also uses easy basics to create a pretty texture.

Changing colors neatly

When you’re ready to switch to a new color, you’ll change yarn at the very end of a row.

1. Work across the row as normal until the final dc into the top of the chain-3.
2. Start that last dc as usual:
   • Yarn over, insert into the chain, yarn over, pull up a loop.
   • Yarn over, pull through 2 loops only.
   • You should have 2 loops left on your hook.
3. Stop there and cut your old yarn, leaving a tail about 5–6 inches long.
4. Make a loop with your new color and place it on your hook.
5. Pull the new color through those 2 remaining loops to finish the dc.
6. Gently tug both tails at the back so the stitch looks normal.
7. Now chain 3 with the new color and turn your work.

You can let the tails hang for now. Later, weave them in with your darning needle, matching the colors so they disappear into the stitches.

The final row: simple border on top

Once your blanket is the height you want, finish the last four rows of your main color. At the end of that last standard row, instead of chaining 3, you’ll start a simple lacy top edge.

1. Finish the last row with your dc into the top of the chain-3.
2. Chain 1 and turn your work.

Working the border row

You’ll be using single crochet (sc) and chains to make soft little loops along the top.

1. Into the very first stitch (right beside the chain-1), work 1 single crochet.
2. Chain 2.
3. Into the first glass space, work 1 single crochet.
4. Chain 3 loosely. Try to match how loose your original starting chain looks.
5. Into the center stitch of the next olive (the 3rd dc), work 1 single crochet.
6. Chain 3 again, loosely.
7. Into the next glass space, work 1 single crochet.

Keep repeating:

• Into each glass space: 1 sc, then chain 3.
• Into the center stitch of each olive: 1 sc, then chain 3.

At the very end of the row:

1. When you’ve worked into the last glass or olive, chain 2.
2. Work 1 single crochet into the top of the last chain-3 from the previous row.
3. Chain 1, cut your yarn with a nice tail, and pull the tail through the loop to fasten off.
4. Snug the knot down gently.

Now weave in all your tails on the back with your darning needle.

Finished size, yarn, and adjusting your blanket

Using the hook sizes and yarn weight I showed, my blanket measures:

• 38 inches wide by 48 inches tall
• 96 cm wide by 122 cm tall

To change the width, simply:

• Chain any multiple of 8 until it looks as wide as you want.

To change the height:

• Just work more or fewer repeat rows before you finish with the top border.

If you enjoy exploring more EASY crochet blanket ideas, you might like this collection of top 5 free crochet blanket patterns, which includes several beginner-friendly designs.

Color Combination Ideas

Tips for Choosing Yarn

Understanding Stitch Tension

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Why Stitch Markers are Your Best Friend

Seaming Techniques

Adding Appliqués or Embellishments

Turning Your Blanket into a Gift

Other Projects to Try

Christa's Secret Yarnery: More to Explore

Stay Connected with Christa

Conclusion: Stay Hooked!

Christa Patel is the creative mind behind the Secret Yarnery, a trusted resource for crochet enthusiasts worldwide. With years of experience, Christa specializes in designing beginner-friendly yet stunning crochet patterns that inspire creativity and confidence in crafters of all skill levels.

As a passionate crocheter, Christa is known for her clear and approachable teaching style, breaking down complex patterns into simple, easy-to-follow steps. Through her engaging video tutorials, written patterns, and helpful tips, she has cultivated a community where crocheters can connect, learn, and share their work.

Christa’s dedication to making crochet fun and accessible shines in every project she creates, from colorful blankets to intricate borders. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just picking up a hook for the first time, Christa's guidance will help you craft something beautiful.

For more crochet patterns, tips, and inspiration, visit her website at The Secret Yarnery, or check out her YouTube channel filled with step-by-step tutorials.