Free crochet pattern
Granny Afghan (1951): vintage crochet pattern
A classic granny square afghan of 176 squares, each with four rounds in assorted colours and a black outer round, set 11 by 16. Three rounds of black sc and a multicoloured fringe finish the edge. Originally published as "Granny Afghan" in Beautiful, Beautiful Afghans (Star Book No. 82) by American Thread Company in 1951, it is now.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Updated · Editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Easy |
| Yarn weight | Medium (#4) |
| Yardage | 3789–4210 yd (3465–3850 m) |
| Hook | 3.75 mm |
| Gauge | Each square measures about 4 in (10 cm). |
| Finished size | 53 × 75 in (135 × 191 cm) |
| Time | about 3 hours |
Materials
- Worsted (#4) yarn. American Thread "Dawn" Knitting Worsted was a worsted-weight yarn; substitute any worsted yarn that matches the gauge.
- Colours: 31 oz Black and 50 oz assorted colours.
- Original hook: plastic crochet hook No. 4 or F.
- Hook: Start with 3.75 mm (US F-5) and change size to match the gauge.
Yarn Kit & Substitution Options
This pattern calls for 4210 yards of weight #4 yarn. Select a suggested yarn to see required skeins and estimated cost:
Caron Simply Soft · 100% Acrylic
315 yds per skein · High-yield yardage, silky no-scratch texture
14 skeins required
approx. $$76.86 total
Abbreviations (US terms)
- chain
- double crochet
- single crochet
- round
- repeat
- stitch
Notes before you start
- Source: "Granny Afghan", Beautiful, Beautiful Afghans (Star Book No. 82), American Thread Company, 1951. Public domain in the USA.
- As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY “DAWN” KNITTING WORSTED, Article W 11 or W 15 or W 41 or W 42; 31 ozs. Black and 50 ozs. of Assorted Colors.; Plastic crochet hook No. 4 or F.. Gauge: Each motif measures about 4 inches..
- Modernisation note: The original is written in US terms; abbreviations were updated to modern style (s c → sc, d c → dc, tr c → tr, s d c → hdc). "Row" is written as "Rnd" where the work is in rounds.
- Modernisation note: "Cut yarn" is written as "fasten off"; "attach" is written as "join"; "yarn over" as "yo"; "skip" as "sk".
- Modernisation note: "Ch 1 loop" is written as "ch-1 loop".
- Modernisation note: Check: 11 squares of about 4 in make about 44 in, less than the printed 53 in width (and 16 × 4 in = 64 in against 75 in); squares may come out larger than "about 4 inches". Measure your first square against the size you want.
- Modernisation note: Metric conversions, the modern hook suggestion and the yardage estimate were added; they are not in the original.
- Modernisation note: Hook numbers from this period were not standardised to millimetres; the starting size given is a modern equivalent, and the gauge is what matters.
Row progress: 0 of 9 done (0%)
Square (make 176)
0 of 6 done- Rnd 1: With any color, ch 4, join to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc in each rnd) and work 2 dc in ring, *ch 1, 3 dc in ring, repeat from * twice, ch 1, join in 3rd st of ch, fasten off.Mark row complete
- Rnd 2: Join next color in ch-1 loop, ch 3, 2 dc in same loop, ch 1, 3 dc in same loop, *3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next loop, repeat from * twice, join in 3rd st of ch, fasten off.Mark row complete
- Rnd 3: Join next color in corner loop, ch 3, 2 dc in same loop, ch 1, 3 dc in same loop, *3 dc in next space between corners, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next loop, repeat from * twice, 3 dc in next space, join in 3rd st of ch, fasten off.Mark row complete
- Rnd 4: Join next color in corner loop, ch 3, 2 dc in same loop, ch 1, 3 dc in same loop, *3 dc in each of the next 2 spaces, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in corner loop, repeat from * twice, 3 dc in each of the next 2 spaces, join in 3rd st of ch, fasten off.Mark row complete
- Rnd 5: Join Black in corner loop, ch 3, 2 dc in same loop, ch 1, 3 dc in same loop, *3 dc in each of the next 3 spaces, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in corner loop, repeat from * twice, 3 dc in each of the next 3 spaces, join in 3rd st of ch.Mark row complete
- Rnd 6: Work a rnd of sc around entire square working 3 sc in each corner, fasten off.Mark row complete
Assembly and border
0 of 3 done- 176 motifs, 11 × 16, are required for the afghan.Mark row complete
- Sew or crochet squares together.Mark row complete
- Join Black in corner and work 3 rnds of sc all around afghan, working 3 sc in each corner, fasten off.Mark row complete
Working on:
Rnd 1: With any color, ch 4, join to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc in each rnd) and work 2 dc in ring, *ch 1, 3 dc in ring, repeat from * twice, ch 1, join in 3rd st of ch, fasten off.
Finishing
- Fringe: Using all colors, cut strands 9 in (23 cm) long. Using 3 strands, double in half and loop through every other sc, draw ends through loop tightly, repeat all around.
Errata
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Granny Afghan pattern from?
It was published as "Granny Afghan" in Beautiful, Beautiful Afghans (Star Book No. 82) by American Thread Company in 1951. The publication is in the public domain in the United States; this version is transcribed and modernised by crochetpatterns.io.
What yarn or thread do I need for the Granny Afghan?
medium (worsted) (#4) yarn. about 4,210 yd / 3,851 m (81 oz at ~52 yd/oz, typical of worsted-weight yarn — check your label)
What hook should I use?
Start with 3.75 mm (US F-5) and change size to match the gauge. Gauge: Each square measures about 4 in (10 cm).
