Free Crochet Dinosaur Granny Square Blanket Pattern

Materials Needed & Measurements:

• Suggested Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran (100g/201 yds per skein)
  • 5 skeins White
  • 1 skein Marine Blue
  • 1 skein Spearmint Green
  • 1 skein Melon Sorbet
  • 1 skein Daffodil Yellow
• Yarn Substitutes: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice, I Love This Yarn!, Red Heart, Loops and Threads, or any worsted weight yarn.
• Hook Sizes:
  • J/6.00mm for blanket squares and joining
  • G/4.00mm for dinosaur appliques
  • C/2.75mm for fine details on the appliques
• Additional Materials:
  • 6mm safety eyes or black yarn for embroidered eyes
  • Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Pattern Measurements:

Finished blanket size: approximately 40″x48″.

Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• sp(s) = space(s)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round

Special Stitches

• Magic Ring: Used to start appliques seamlessly.
• Spike Stitch: For textured details in appliques (insert hook into row below, yarn over, and pull up a loop to create a long stitch).

Stitching Instructions for Making the Crochet Dinosaur Granny Square Blanket Pattern:

Step 1: Granny Squares

• Base Granny Square Pattern (for all squares):
  • Rnd 1: Create a magic ring, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into the ring, ch 2. (3 dc, ch 2) repeat 3 more times around the ring. Pull the ring tight and sl st to the top of the ch 3 to close. (12 dc, 4 ch-2 corner spaces)
  • Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the same corner sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same corner sp. (3 dc in the next ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp) repeat around. Sl st to the top of the ch 3 to close.
  • Rnd 3-6: Repeat the same pattern: (3 dc in each side sp, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in each corner sp). Fasten off and weave in ends after completing 6 rounds.
• Colored Squares:
  • Follow the same base granny square pattern using Marine Blue, Spearmint Green, Melon Sorbet, or Daffodil Yellow yarn for the specified colored squares.

Step 2: Dinosaur Appliques

Each dinosaur applique involves creating several parts (body, head, legs, spikes, etc.) and sewing them together. Use G/4.00mm hook for all applique pieces unless noted otherwise.

• Brontosaurus Applique (Example: Green Body with Yellow Spots):
  • Body:
    • Ch 10. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 7 ch, 3 sc in the last ch. Turn and work on the other side of the foundation chain, sc in next 8 ch. Sl st to the first sc to close.
    • Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, with 2 sc in each of the 3 corner sts to keep the body rounded. Sl st to close.
    • Add yellow spots: Using yellow yarn, make random small circles by working 2 rnds of sc starting in a magic ring. Sew onto the body.
  • Head & Neck:
    • Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next 3 ch (this forms the neck).
    • For the head: Ch 3, 6 sc into the 2nd ch from hook, sl st to form a circle. Sew to the top of the neck.
  • Legs:
    • Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch, sl st to finish. Repeat 3 more times for all legs and sew to the bottom of the body.
  • Tail:
    • Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. Attach to the body.
• Repeat for Other Dinosaurs (Triceratops, Stegosaurus, T-Rex):
  • Use the specified colors for each dinosaur. Follow a similar process to create individual parts (body, head, legs, spikes, etc.).
  • Triceratops and Stegosaurus will need additional spikes or frills: Use ch-3 loops and sl sts to create triangular shapes along their backs or heads.

Step 3: Joining Squares

• Join As You Go Method (6-Round Squares):
  • Align the edges of two squares.
  • Insert the hook through the corner ch-2 sp of both squares, sl st to join.
  • Continue with 3 dc in the next sp of the first square, sl st to the corresponding sp of the second square. Repeat along all edges.
• Crochet Together Method (7-Round Squares):
  • Hold squares wrong sides together.
  • Insert hook through the corner ch-2 sp of both squares, ch 1, sc in the same sp.
  • Continue with sc in each st through both squares along the edge.

Step 4: Border

• Attach white yarn to any corner of the joined blanket.
  • Ch 2 (counts as hdc), make 5 hdc in the same corner sp.
  • Hdc evenly along each edge, making sure to work 5 hdc in each corner sp.
  • When you reach the starting corner, sl st to the first hdc to close.
• Optional: Add a second border row with sc for extra detail.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

• Position dinosaur appliques on the blanket. Pin them in place.
• Using a tapestry needle and matching yarn, sew each applique securely onto its square.
• Attach safety eyes or embroider eyes using black yarn.
• Weave in all ends.

Your crochet dinosaur granny square blanket is ready!

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