Today's Granny Afghan in Caron One Pound - Downloadable PDF

Today's Granny Afghan in Caron One Pound – Free Crochet Pattern by Marilyn Losee

Designed by Marilyn Losee, the Today's Granny Afghan is a modern, stylish update on the beloved classic granny square blanket. This free downloadable PDF crochet pattern produces a generously sized throw measuring approximately 56" × 78" (142 × 198 cm), making it an ideal project for cozy winter evenings. The design embraces rich, deep colour contrasts to give the traditional granny motif a contemporary, sophisticated edge that moves well beyond its vintage roots.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a large, statement-sized granny square afghan — a blanket or throw constructed from individual crocheted motif blocks that are joined together. The finished piece is substantial enough to serve as a full sofa throw or a cosy bed accent. Seventeen large blocks are assembled to complete the full afghan, each block measuring approximately 11" × 11" (28 × 28 cm).

Design and Construction Details

The afghan is built from 17 large granny square blocks, each worked in the round from the centre outward. This construction method — starting with a small chain ring and expanding outward round by round — is the hallmark of the classic granny square technique. What makes this version feel modern is its deliberate use of four bold, contrasting dark colours worked in a structured sequence across the rounds, creating a graphic, layered look rather than a scrappy or random appearance.

Each large block begins with a foundation chain ring and grows through multiple rounds, with colour changes introduced at specific rounds to build the colour-blocked effect. The joining of rounds uses a colour-change slip stitch technique, where the new colour is drawn through at the moment of joining, creating clean, seamless colour transitions without loose ends tangling mid-round.

Techniques Used

• Granny square construction — working in the round from a central chain ring, a foundational crochet technique with a long and beloved history in handcraft
• Colour changing at round joins — a precise method of switching yarn colours cleanly at the slip stitch join between rounds
• Corner construction — creating the characteristic square shape by working (2 dc, ch 4, 2 dc) clusters into corner chain spaces, building the square's angled corners with each round
• Motif-based assembly — individual blocks are made separately and then joined to form the full blanket
• Working into chain spaces — a core granny square skill where stitches are placed into the open chain arches rather than into individual stitches

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (ch) — used for the foundation ring, turning chains, and corner chain spaces
• Slip stitch (sl st) — used to join rounds and to navigate to the correct starting position at the beginning of each round
• Double crochet (dc) — the primary stitch throughout the motif, used to build the body of each granny square round
• Half double crochet (hdc) — referenced in the pattern abbreviations, indicating its use in finishing or joining sections

Materials

The pattern is worked in Caron One Pound yarn, a popular aran weight (medium/worsted-weight) yarn available in large 454 g / 16 oz skeins, each providing approximately 742 m / 812 yards. Four colourways are used across the afghan:

• Contrast A – Lace (0585): 1 skein
• Contrast B – Claret (0562): 1 skein
• Contrast C – Espresso (0581): 2 skeins
• Contrast D – Black (0503): 3 skeins

The recommended hook is a US G-6 (4.25 mm) crochet hook, or the size needed to achieve the stated gauge. A yarn needle is also required for weaving in ends. Gauge is noted as not critical for this project, making it especially approachable for crocheters of