South African Safari Blanket

It’s finally here…the all-in-one pattern of all 17 of my South African animal granny squares, incorporated into a striking and unique blanket!

The written crochet pattern (in US terms) provides instructions to make a South African safari-themed blanket, approximately 160 cm x 120 cm.

Comprising over 100 hours of work, this blanket was specially planned, designed, and made for my oldest son, who turns six years old at the end of the week! He takes a keen interest in wild animals, especially mammals, and together we planned which animals to include, and exactly what they would look like (to try and make them look as life-like as possible).

A total of 17 South African animals (including the famous ‘big five’) are depicted on the finished blanket. However, the blanket could also be made by repeating a smaller selection of the animals (or only one), if desired.

The pattern calls for a 4.00 mm crochet hook, and DK yarn (however, any yarn weight with a corresponding crochet hook will work – the size if the blanket will then vary) in the following four main colours: pepper (approximately 4 x 100 g skeins), lime green (approximately 3 x 100 g skeins), olive green (approximately 3 x 100 g skeins), and dark brown (approximately 2 x 100 g skeins). Smaller amounts of DK yarn are also needed in the following colours: black, dark grey, grey, pale grey, white, cream, beige, pale yellow, very dark brown, brown, speckled brown, camel, pink-brown, and dusty pink (great for using up all those left-overs!).

Detailed instructions are provided to explain how to attach a fleece backing to the blanket, for extra warmth (this also hides the back of the blanket, which may look a little messy after the smaller individual pieces of each square have been attached). For this, a piece of pre-washed fleece (approximately 180 cm x 140 cm) is required, as well as sewing pins, sharp scissors, and a 12 steel (1.25 mm) crochet hook.

The only other additional material needed, is a darning needle, with which to weave in the ends and sew the pieces together.