Inspiration: Granny Square Blankets

Here's a few different blanket styles you can make with simple granny squares...

Create one large granny square, such as this Rainbow Granny Square blanket. Remember, you can use as many or as few colors you want alternating at different times to make some rows wider than others, even stopping before a row is complete.  Different shades of one color along with black appeals to me.

 

Solid colored squares without borders can be used too, such as with this Ta Dah Granny Square Patchwork Blanket.  The size of the squares can be larger or smaller than shown here giving a new look with each increase or decrease in square size.

  

Black Edged Retro was made using a variety of colors within each of the squares.  This would make a great scrap yarn afghan!  Try using different shades of one color for each square or complementary colors for an extra pop.

 

You can even mock plaid as they have with the Plaid Granny Blanket.  Also, when finished with this blanket crocheted chains can be added and weaved in and out for more of a plaid look. 

Create images that have a pixel feel such as this  8-Bit Super Mario Blanket   The possibilities are endless... just find yourself a free online program that can be used to turn images into graphs such as knitpro and you are well on your way (just remember to downsize the pixel count). 

   

The squares can even be different sizes too, like this New Baby Blanket.   This can be tricky when trying to figure out the correct size for each piece but using this picture as a guide may make things easier.  :o)  All the same conversions mentioned earlier would look great on this pattern also.  You can even add an image in the center or the corners by using small squares to create the image!

 

Not to mention you can create quilting patterns from crocheted granny squares such as those below...

Unfortunately, I have no idea who the original creator of this afghan is but the color and pattern is pretty awesome and it shows how putting squares together in an organized way can really have amazing results. 



You can also create have granny squares which opens up even more options for quilted granny square afghans.  Try using any quilting block that uses simple squares and triangles for even more choices.  Below is just one example (from CraftSylish) to show what a half granny square can accomplish.



Add a sock monkey to the mix or any other motif you wish...



... and even a stuffed animal such as this free Bunny Lovey pattern shows.



As you can see the possibilities are never ending...  There's actually thousands, if not millions of combinations when you begin to consider the many different types of granny squares, all the above being only one.  This is truly just the tip of the iceberg!