The instructions for making the rectangles are as follows:

Foundation Rows and Round 1


1. Ch 21

2. Sc in 3rd chain from hook (insert in ‘back bump’ shown by needle in photo)

3. Sc all the way along to the end

4. Turn

5. Ch2 (counts as 1 hdc)

6. hdc in the first stitch (first st – indicated by needle)

7. Skip 1 stitch

7. Insert 2 hdc in next stitch (placement shown by needle)

9. *Skip 1 st, 2 hdc in next* and repeat from *to* until the last stitch (which was the turning ch at the start)

10. Insert 2 hdc in the turning ch formed at the start

11. Placement shown by needle

12. [2ch, 2 hdc, 2ch, 2 hdc] in same space 

13. Skip 1 st, insert 2 hdc in next (should be opposite another 2 hdc)

14. *Skip 1 st, 2 hdc in the next space*, repeat from *to* until the end of the row

15. ch2, insert 2 hdc in same space as 2 hdc made at the start of the round. (shown by needle). Ch2 and ss into top of beg-ch

16. Round 1 complete

Round 2


17. Turn the work over

18. Needle indicates where to insert the slip stitch

19. Ss in the ch2 corner space you have just formed

20. Needle placement indicates placement of next group of stitches

21. Insert 2 hdc , Ch2, 2 hdc in the ch2 corner space

22. Needle indicates placement of the hdc cluster which is in the gaps between the hdc clusters from the round below

23. Work your way along inserting 2 hdc in each space until you reach the next corner

24. Work [2 hdc , ch2, 2 hdc ] in the corner space

25. Work [2 hdc , ch2, 2 hdc ] in the next corner space

26. Work 2 hdc in each space along until you reach the start of the round.
Work 2 hdc, ch2 in the corner where you started and ss into the beg-ch.

Continue to make 25 rectangles in each of the four colours.

Arrangement of Rectangles

You can arrange your rectangles as you please. I arranged mine as follows:

Joining the Granny Rectangles

The Rectangles are joined using the joining colour (E), which is Graphite in my sample. I used the join-as-you-go joining method, which meant that each rectangle was joined to the adjacent rectangle whilst the third round was added to each rectangle. The third round is worked in the same way as for the second round, but with an additional hdc cluster along each side.

The join-as-you-go joining method is outlined here. The principles of this tutorial are adapted to apply to the rectangles rather than squares.

Joining the modern crochet rectangles

Border

The border is simply 6 rows of hdc clusters (a group of 2 hdc), all worked in the joining colour E (Graphite).

Border on the Modern Crochet Rectangle Blanket

Border round 1: Using yarn E (Graphite), pull up a loop in any ch2 corner space. Ch2 (counts as first htr), 1 hdc into same space, work along the side of the blanket inserting *2 hdc in each space formed between the hdc clusters from the row below. When you come to the join between the two rectangles insert a hdc cluster in the corner space of both the first rectangle and the second (see photo below). When you arrive at the corner of the blanket work (2 hdc, ch2, 2 hdc) in the corner* and then repeat from *to* until you reach the start of the round, 2 hdc in corner space where you started, ch2, ss into top of beg-ch.

Border on the Modern Crochet Rectangle Blanket

Border Round 2: Turn the blanket over, ss into the chain 2 corner space that you just formed. Ch2 (counts as 1htr), 1 hdc into same space, work along each side of the blanket working 2 hdc in each space formed between the treble clusters from the row below and working [2 hdc, ch2, 2 hdc] in each corner. When you reach the start of the round, 2 hdc in corner space where you started, ch, ss into the top of the beg-ch.

Border Round 3-6: Repeat Border Round 2.

Fasten off and weave in all ends. I don’t usually block my blankets, but you can do this if you wish.