The Up North Throw is an easy granny square blanket pattern that was inspired by a traditional quilt square called the half square triangle! It uses a really fun square that is a half traditional granny and half solid. I’m sure you’ve seen a couple of variations of this before on my site.
We’ve been doing quilt-inspired crochet alongs all year.
Winter: Winter Waves Blanket
Spring: Sweet Lilac Blanket
If you don’t already know I live in Michigan and the one place us Michiganders like to go on vacation is “up north”. Now, this is a pretty subjective term, some say the U.P. is up north, some say its north of the 45th parallel, and some say its an hour north of where you currently live. I’m in the 45th parallel camp myself.
My favorite thing about heading north is that the farther you get from the big cities, the more stars you can see. That’s the inspiration for this season’s blanket. Our easy granny square blanket will consist of 36 blocks (10 inches each) arranged in a fun geometric star pattern. These unique granny squares are small enough to be portable and big enough that there are not a million of them.
How is this Granny Square Blanket CAL going to work?
You can find the whole pattern below and you are free to work on this at your own pace. As you’re working you can share your progress in our crochet group on Facebook. I’ll be making this blanket right along with you too!
When you post in the group or on Instagram, use #upnorththrowcal so we can find your posts!
Do you have a picture of the finished blanket?
Nope, not yet! I’ve gotten a headstart but I’ll be crocheting right along with you all. I’ve included the layout chart so you have an idea of what it will look like.
Do I have to sew my granny squares together?
Nope, not if you don’t want to! Here are some great tutorials on how to crochet your squares together.
What kind of border are we doing?
It is up to you! You can find some border ideas for your blanket here!
How long will it take to make this blanket?
That’s totally up to you! Go as fast or slow as you want. The pattern will be available for free here always. There’s no rush.
Granny Square Blanket Pattern Details and Information
The yarn I chose for this blanket was Caron Simply Soft. I wanted to pick something that was readily available. I love the color selection this yarn has. Its also super soft and has such a nice drape.
You’ll need 1 main color and 4 coordinating colors. I chose grey for my main color and a patriotic combination of red, navy, light blue and off white for my coordinating colors.
This geometric crochet design is a variation of the Wyoming Valley Quilt Block (scroll down to see graph!) and we are using these really fun half solid, half granny squares that I’m going to nickname Mixed Up Grannies. Once you get the hang of changing colors, this granny square pattern is easy and fun.
How to Crochet the Up North Quilt Inspired Granny Square Throw
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft or similar worsted weight yarn (some substitutions are Lion Brand Heartland, Red Heart Soft, Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Lion Brand Basic Stitch, Lion Brand Jeans, Knit Picks Brava Worsted)
Colors I’m using: Grey Heather (main color), Autumn Red, Dark Country Blue, Soft Blue, Off White
Amounts:
Main Color: 1250 yards
Then you’ll need 4 other colors. 2 main (dark blue and red for me) and 2 accent colors( light blue and off white).
Main Coordinating Colors: 630 yds each
Accent Colors: 364 yds each
For me this worked out to 5 skeins of main color (they’re 5oz skeins), and 2 -6oz skeins of each coordinating/accent color
You’ll also need
-5mm crochet hook
-scissors and tapestry needle
Finished blanket: Approx 60in x 60in
Each square measures: 10 in (blocking may be needed)
Abbreviations
I use US Terminology
Ch(s): chain(s)
St(s): stitch(es)
Dc: double crochet
Sc: single crochet
Sl St: slip stitch
Mc: main color
CC: coordinating color
Save this on Pinterest!
Notes
-ch 3 counts as dc
-Always start your squares with the color needed for the solid portion.
-When you’re making the solid color squares, ch 2 in each corner space rather than chain 1 and change color like the instructions say
-Do not cut yarn when changing color, leave it behind your work and drop/pick up as needed
-Number of Squares Needed
- Mc: 4
- MC (solid)/CC1: 8
- MC (solid)/CC2: 8
- CC1/CC2(solid): 8
- CC3: 4
- CC4: 4
-CC1 and CC2 are your main coordinating colors, CC3 and CC4 are your accent coordinating colors
Mixed Up Granny Square Instructions
Rnd 1: Using the color needed for solid portion of square, ch 5 and join to form ring. Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, change color (see notes for working one-color square), [3 dc, ch 2]x2. Join to beg ch 3 with sl st. Turn
Rnd 2: Sl st into corner space. Ch 3, 2 dc in corner space, ch 1, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in next corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next corner space. ch 1. change back to original color, 2 dc in corner space, dc in each st along side to next corner space. (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in corner, dc in each stitch along side to next corner. 2 dc in corner. ch 2. join to top of beginning ch 3 with sl st. Turn
Rnd 3: Sl st into corner space, ch 3, dc in corner space, dc in each st along side to next corner space, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, dc in each st along side, 2 dc in corner, ch 1, change color, 3 dc in corner, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space along side, (3 dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space along side, 3 dc in corner, ch 2. Join to beginning ch 3 with sl st. Turn
Rnd 4: Sl st into corner space. ch 3, 3 dc in corner, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space along side to next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space along side, 3 dc in corner, ch 1, change back to original color. 2 dc in corner, dc in each st along side, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner. Dc in each st along side. 2 dc in next corner. ch 2, join to top of beginning ch 3 with sl st.
Rnds 5-9: repeat rnd 3 and 4. On last round finish off and weave in ends. Block to 10 inches (or so that all squares are the same size)
Joining and Border
I will be using my main color and this joining technique. You are welcome to use any method you enjoy. The same goes for the border! It’s a choose your own adventure relaxed CAL. I will be making a couple of round-up posts soon with joining and border recommendations.
Use the chart found above for the layout. For the squares that are one color only there’s an ‘S’ labeled where you should place the solid portion of the square.
I can’t wait to see your blankets come together!!
Oh my goodness – I love this!! Thank you! Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, now retired and still crocheting in the little town of Mesquite, NV. Just signed up for your newsletter and can’t wait to start this adventure.
If I buy the pattern from Ravelry is the chart going to be in color as shown above or will it be just the outline pattern so I can write in my own colors?
I have purchased it and it is the colors that heather used. But if you look on the facebook page someone shared a blank outline so that you can use your our colors.
I’m a michigander also. So I can’t wait to start this. But unfortunately I do need to. Have 2 other afghans I have to make for others before I start. But thanks for sharing a nice new project.
Hi, I love this idea for a throw. I grew up in the Upper Peninsula and now live in the lower Peninsula of Michigan.
I have a question. I am missing something. How do you know which color should be the solid color of the square?
Thank you for your help.
Jean
Thank you! It says which color should be solid in the list of how many squares you need.
Thank you, I looked through pattern but missed that part.😀
You had me at “Wyoming”.. though I know you probably mean a location in Michigan.. whereas I choose to believe you meant my home state 😀 Can’t wait to get started!
I definitely meant your homestate! Just coincidence that it happens to be a city in MI . 😊😊