The Unicorn Battenberg Blanket
If you've ever visited me at a market, chances are you've seen this blanket! It always catches people's eye, and it has easily become one of my most asked about projects. The best part? It's much simpler to make than it looks.
This Unicorn Blanket is made using basic solid granny squares arranged in a classic Battenberg layout, making it a fantastic project for beginners or anyone looking for a relaxing crochet project. I've included plenty of photos to guide you through the process, and because it's made from individual squares, you can easily make it larger or smaller to suit your needs.
For my blanket, I used one Unicorn Yarn Box, one extra ball of Classic White 4ply cotton, and finished it with a decorative border from a paid Hooked on Sunshine pattern. I can't include that border pattern here, but I'll link to it if you'd like to use the same finish. If you'd prefer a completely free version, I'm also working on a new border so I can share a full start to finish pattern in the future.
For now, let's get started!
What You’ll Need
One Unicorn Yarn Box, one extra Classic White Yarn Cake.
You’ll also need:
• A 3.5 mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• A yarn needle for sewing in ends
• Stitch markers (optional, but really helpful for keeping track of your corners)
A quick note on size
My finished blanket measures approximately 58 cm x 90 cm with the border, and is made up of 10 squares across and 15 squares down (150 squares in total).
Stitches used
Mc - Magic circle/Magic ring
Ch - Chain stitch
Hdc - Half double crochet
Dc -Double crochet
Ss - Slip stitch
The Square
Each square is made in just three rounds and works up really quickly. Once you’ve made a couple, you’ll find a nice rhythm with them.
Start with a magic circle.
Round 1
Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), Dc 3, Ch 2 (this is your corner, you may like to place a stitch marker here to help identify each corner)
Dc 3, Ch 2
Dc 3, Ch 2
Dc 3,
This last corner is a little different. We are going to do a half double crochet into the top of the first double crochet (ignoring the chain 2 at the start of the round). Doing it this way will put our first few chains for the next round right into the middle of the corner so we can start and finish our rounds in the corner every time, thus giving us a nice clean square.
Close your MC and once you are confident your first round is correct I recommend you weave in your lose end straight away. It will make it easier later on.
Do not turn
Stitch count:
3 dc per side, with 2 Ch in each corner except the last corner is a Hdc.
Round 2
Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), Dc 2 in this same corner space,
Dc 3, (Dc 2, Ch 2, Dc 2) into the chain space from the previous round,
Dc 3, (Dc 2, Ch 2, Dc 2),
Dc 3, (Dc 2, Ch 2, Dc 2),
Dc 3, Dc 2 in the corner space, Hdc into the first dc of the round (we are skipping the ch2).
Do not turn
Stitch count:
3 Dc per side, with 2 Ch in each corner except the last corner is a Hdc
Round 3
Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), Dc 2 in this same corner space,
Dc 7, (Dc 2, Ch 2, Dc 2) into the chain space from the previous round,
Dc 7, (Dc 2, Ch 2, Dc 2),
Dc 7, (Dc 2, Ch 2, Dc 2),
Dc 7, Dc 2 in the corner space, as this is our last square you can simply chain 2 and slip stitch into the top of the first dc (we are skipping the ch2).
Fasten off for your first square. I recommend you weave in this end now so you don't have a million later ;)
Stitch count:
7 Dc per side, with corner stitches (Dc 2, Ch 2, Dc 2)
From here, you can either make all of your squares like this and join them together when you have all 150, or make the first square as above and join the rest of them as you go (this is the method I used, and I’ll walk you through that next).
Joining Your Squares As You Go
Once you’ve made your first square, the rest of your blanket is built by joining each new square as you complete Round 3.
How to Join
Start your next square and work through Rounds 1 and 2 as normal.
Begin Round 3.
Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch)
Dc 2 in your corner space, Dc 7, Dc 2 in your corner space, CHAIN 1 (our second chain will be replaced with the following slip stit
Slip stitch into the second chain from the corner of your joining square.
Now we’re going to start joining.
Dc into the corner space of your working square like normal.
Now loosen the loop on your hook a little and remove the hook and insert your hook into the top of the first Dc on your joining square.
Grab the loop from your working square and pull it through the top of the Dc stitch.
Now our squares are joined. Continue with the next Dc and join them together the same way.
Continue joining in this way across the entire row.
When you finish your last Dc (the two in the corner chain space) do one slip stitch into the chain space of your joining square (this replaces the first ch of the corner) and continue with the rest of the round 3 pattern... chain 1, Dc 2 etc.
Fasten off as usual.
Later on in your blanket you will need to join your square to a square next to it and above/below as well. This is simply a case of following along this pattern and continuing to join the third square. instead of single crochets in the corners when we join we use a slip stitch into the adjoining square instead so your stitch count should always be the same.
Why This Method Works
By joining this way, you’re not creating any extra stitches, which keeps the join nice and flat.
Sometimes slip stitching can add a bit of bulk, but this method keeps everything smooth and seamless.
Border
To finish my blanket, I used a section from a pattern by Hooked on Sunshine called Baby Ardith. As it isn't my original design, I can't include the instructions here unofrtunately.
You can find the pattern here if you'd like to recreate the same look!
Happy crocheting! 🩷