Blue Deco Square-in-Square Crochet Blanket Free Pattern

Introduction

The Blue Deco Square-in-Square Blanket is a geometric afghan that brings a little Art Deco glamour to your living room, made from 80 identical square motifs in cream and denim blue. It's written for beginners: every motif uses only double crochet and single crochet, and the nested squares grow naturally from four corner spaces. The finished throw looks crisp and modern, with a smooth cream field framed by a blue ring on every square and a matching blue border around the whole blanket. It feels soft and cozy in worsted-weight acrylic, light enough to drape over a sofa yet warm enough for chilly evenings.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) acrylic yarn — 1,200 yards cream (Color A) and 800 yards denim blue (Color B).
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional), measuring tape.
• Finished size: 48 inches x 60 inches (8 squares wide x 10 squares long), each motif 6 inches x 6 inches after blocking.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through last 2 loops.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sp — space: the gap between stitches, such as a ch-2 space.
• rep — repeat: work the instructions again as many times as stated.
• st(s) — stitch(es).

Gauge

One square motif measures 6 inches x 6 inches after blocking. Work one motif and block it lightly; if it comes out larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• Make one motif and block it before crocheting all 80 — matching the 6-inch gauge keeps the finished blanket at 48 x 60 inches.
• Keep your turning chain tension even; the ch-3 at the start of each round counts as the first dc, so don't skip the stitch beneath it when joining.
• Work the four corner spaces consistently — each corner gets [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] — so every motif stays perfectly square.
• Weave in ends as you finish each motif instead of saving them all for the end; 80 squares make a lot of tails.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Square Motif (make 80)

With Color A, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R2: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (28 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R3: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 4 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 7 dc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (44 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R4: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 6 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 11 dc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (60 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R5: Change to Color B. Ch 1, sc in each dc around, working 3 sc in each ch-2 sp, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc).

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Assembly

Arrange the 80 squares 8 wide x 10 long, alternating orientation for visual interest. With right sides facing, whipstitch or sc the squares together through back loops only.

Edging

With Color B, join yarn at any corner.

R1: Ch 1, sc evenly around entire blanket, working 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st to first sc.

R2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, working 3 sc in each corner, join with sl st to first sc.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Block to measurements.

Assembly and Finishing

Lay out all 80 squares in an 8 x 10 grid, alternating the orientation of each square so the blue rings and cream centers create a subtle checkerboard effect. With right sides facing, whipstitch or single crochet the squares together through the back loops only, joining squares into strips first and then joining the strips. Weave in all remaining ends with a tapestry needle, working them into the wrong side of the fabric in different directions so they don't pull loose. Block the finished blanket to 48 x 60 inches: mist lightly with water, pin to measurements on a large flat surface, and let it dry completely before use.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the denim blue for charcoal or teal to change the mood while keeping the Art Deco geometry.
• For a quicker baby-size version, use 4 x 5 squares (24 x 30 inches) and keep the same two-round edging.
• Join squares with a contrasting slip-stitch seam instead of whipstitch for a bolder, more graphic grid.