19. Free Crochet Pattern : Computer Love, the "Pixel Art" granny squares blanket
Hello, crocheters, and raise the anchor!
Today, I’m taking you on a time journey, back to the era of pixels and the first video game consoles. For the wedding of my friends Axelle and Quentin, and because Axelle is a true video game enthusiast, I wanted to create something absolutely unique: a gigantic granny square crochet blanket representing the famous Mario growth mushroom! And for such an unconventional project, it needed a title to match: "Computer Love."
"Computer Love": A Prophecy in Music
“Computer Love,” or “Computerliebe” in German, is a song by electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk, released in 1981. While the personal computer was still in its infancy, the song was a strange prophecy. It tells the story of a lonely person, desperately seeking a human connection through their screen.
We hear poignant lyrics:
Another lonely night / Staring at the TV screen / I don't know what to do / I need a rendezvous
Beyond the catchy melody, it is a lucid and committed observation of the role technology would take in our lives, and the tension between the digital world and our need for human love and warmth.
Where Pixels Meet Crochet
The link with my Mario blanket is its aesthetic. The granny squares, assembled to form the mushroom, create a pixel art effect, directly inspired by the graphics of video games from that era. My crochet hook and my yarn gave birth to an object that is the visual reflection of the song's sonic aesthetic.
But it's also a beautiful inversion. The song talks about love sought through a computer, while this blanket is an object of real love, handmade, with time and patience. It symbolizes a victory over the solitude evoked by the song.
For Axelle and Quentin, this blanket is more than a wedding gift: it's an homage to Axelle's passion for the world of video games. The mushroom, a symbol of growth in the game, represents their shared life growing together. It's a nod to her world, transformed into an object made with love for their home. It is a thought for the path they have traveled, the path they are about to travel, and all the levels they will unlock together.
This pattern is accessible to all yarn pirates. You can click on the materials to access the shop and start your pixelated adventure!
Computer Love pattern details
Computer Love is a pattern that requires 3 colours: black, white, and red (or green if you want to make a 1-Up mushroom). The total number of granny squares is 216... so hold onto your hook!
To complete this pattern, we will assemble a total of:
- 78 black squares,
- 92 white squares,
- 46 accent squares (red or green).
These will then be sewn together to create our design.
Project Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Finished Size | Adult Blanket (150 cm x 150 cm / approx. 59 in x 59 in) |
| Gauge | 20 DC = 10cm (4 in) with a 4 mm hook |
| Hook Size | 4 mm |
Materials
- 13 skeins of Morning Salutation by Kremke (50g/110m) 01 White
- 10 skeins of Morning Salutation by Kremke (50g/110m) 20 Black
- 7 skeins of Morning Salutation by Kremke (50g/110m) 25 Red or 33 Green
- 4 mm Crochet Hook
- Tapestry Needle (or yarn needle)
- Stitch Markers
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)
CH : Chain
DC : Double Crochet
Solid Granny Square instructions
Magic Circle (Magic Ring)
Round 1:
- Chain 5 (this counts as your first DC + 2 CH for the corner). Place a marker in the 3rd CH.
- Work 3 DC into the circle.
- Chain 2.
- Work 3 DC into the circle.
- Chain 2.
- Work 3 DC into the circle.
- Chain 2.
- Work 2 DC into the circle.
- Slip stitch into the 3rd CH of the beginning of the round to close.
[4 sides of 3 DC and 4 corner spaces of 2 CH].
Round 2:
- Chain 3 (this counts as your first DC). Place a marker in the 3rd CH.
- In the next corner space, work (2 DC, 2 CH, 2 DC).
Repeat the following sequence 3 times: DC in each of the next 3 DC, then in the next corner space, work (2 DC, 2 CH, 2 DC).
- DC in each of the next 2 DC.
- Slip stitch into the 3rd CH of the beginning of the round to close.
[4 sides of 7 DC and 4 corner spaces of 2 CH].
Round 3:
- Chain 3 at the beginning of the round. Place a marker in the 3rd CH.
- DC in each of the next 2 DC.
- In the next corner space, work (2 DC, 2 CH, 2 DC).
Repeat the following sequence 3 times: DC in each of the next 7 DC, then in the next corner space, work (2 DC, 2 CH, 2 DC).
- DC in each of the next 4 DC.
- Slip stitch into the 3rd CH of the beginning of the round to close.
[4 sides of 11 DC and 4 corner spaces of 2 CH].
Round 4:
- Chain 3 at the beginning of the round. Place a marker in the 3rd CH.
- DC in each of the next 4 DC.
- In the next corner space, work (2 DC, 2 CH, 2 DC).
Repeat the following sequence 3 times: DC in each of the next 11 DC, then in the next corner space, work (2 DC, 2 CH, 2 DC).
- DC in each of the next 6 DC.
Slip stitch into the 3rd CH of the beginning of the round to close.
[4 sides of 15 DC and 4 corner spaces of 2 CH].
Cut and weave in the ends. Block your granny square to get a nice, smooth square... and repeat 215 times!
Once your 216 granny squares are complete, bravo matey, you can take a breather and grab a drink because the bulk of the work is done. Now you just need to assemble everything by sewing the squares together edge-to-edge according to the chart.
Weave in the remaining ends, wash, and let it air dry.
PIRATE TIP: To get a nice flat and uniform fabric, a little steam from an iron (on minimum heat) will work wonders. Be careful, however, use the iron sparingly—it would be a shame to burn your work, wouldn't it, matey?
The “Computer Love” pattern is an exclusive creation by Wolly Roger. Any person reproducing this pattern without citing the author will be downloaded into the virtual hell.
Take care and see you soon for new adventures.
Hopla, bis bàll!