Granny squares are quick and fun to make. While it’s a classic crochet project that has been around for decades, don’t let the quirky name fool you. Using different colors, sizes, and configurations, the design possibilities of these simple motifs are endless!
Making granny squares is a great crochet project for any skill level, including beginner crocheters. Every season, it’s consistently my most popular beginner class when I teach workshops locally.
You can use any size yarn with a corresponding hook. Today I’ll be using medium weight yarn with a 5.0 mm (H) hook.
I’ve included both written and charted instructions, in case you prefer one format over the other.
Materials
Yarn
Medium (worsted) weight yarn in one or more colors
Hook
Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Notions
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Stitch marker (optional) – to mark your starting ring and the beginning of your rounds
Blocking pins
Stitches and Abbreviations
ch: chain
sp(s): space(s)
ch-sp: chain-space (work into the large space below the chain instead of the chain itself)
sl st: slip stitch
dc: double crochet
( ): work all stitches shown in parentheses in the same stitch
[ ]: repeat sequence of stitches in brackets the number of times indicated
Pattern Notes
- Pattern is worked in joined rounds. Do not turn your work at the end of each round.
- Pattern is written for a 4-round square. Squares can be made any size by increasing the number of rounds as described in the pattern instructions after Round 4.
- Some people prefer chaining 2 at each corner rather than the 3 I have indicated in the pattern. This is a personal preference. I like to use a chain 3 because my corners are a bit more defined, but the choice is yours.
- The chart pictured below is for right-handed crocheters. If you’re a lefty (like me), you’ll be working a mirror image of the chart instead (working clockwise instead of counter-clockwise).
Granny Square
Ch 4, sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and at the beginning of each round), 2 dc in ring, [ch 3, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 3, sl st in top of first ch 3.
The 3-dc groups form the sides of the square and the ch-3 sps form the corners.
If changing colors every round, fasten off and join new color with a sl st in any corner (ch-3 sp). If using the same color, sl st in next 2 dc and in corner. Repeat this step in between every round.
Round 2: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next corner. Repeat from * 2 times, ch 1, sl st in top of first ch 3.
Round 3: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner, *ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next corner. Repeat from * 2 times, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 1, sl st in top of first ch 3.
Round 4: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner, *[ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp] 2 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next corner. Repeat from * 2 times, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp] 2 times, ch 1, sl st in top of first ch 3.
Work subsequent rounds in a similar manner until your square is the desired size: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in each corner, 3 dc in each ch-1 sp, ch 1 between each 3-dc group on the sides of the square. Each round, your square will increase one 3-dc group on each side.
Granny Square Chart
Finishing
Fasten off. Block square by wetting and pinning into shape. Weave in all ends after blocking.
Enjoy making your granny squares! It’s a great way to use up small bits of leftover yarn. Visit this post about my Black Squares Blanket to see how I used my leftover bits of acrylic yarn to make a blanket by connecting several motifs together.
What’s your favorite project using square motifs?
