How to Make a Granny Square for Beginners
If you are a new crocheter and want to expand your skills to include a crocheted square, then you'll love this beginner-friendly granny square crochet pattern.
A granny square is a versatile component of many crochet projects. The humble granny square can be used to build an afghan blanket, shawl or cardigan. The possibilities are endless.
The general process is to make a handful of granny squares, then stitch them together in such a way that it creates a unique pattern in the shape of the project you are working on.
Usually, the first step of creating a granny square project is to just start making countless granny squares, which I'll show you how to below!
Building a Project with Granny Squares
However, there are a few important things to keep in mind when making crocheted granny squares.
First, each one should have a uniform size. If you build a 4″ x 4″ granny square, they should all be that way. Second, it may be critical to block them, so each square has defined corners and sides.
A common misconception is that a project utilizing granny squares need to have all the squares built in the same pattern. This is untrue, and creatively, by using different stitches and colors your granny square project can be completely unique to you!
How to Crochet a Granny Square
A granny square is one of the first patterns a beginner-level crocheter learns because it uses basic crochet stitches, it's easy to learn, and it works up quickly.
You may hear them referred to as afghan squares or motifs as well. These square crochet patterns are fun to learn and are a great way for beginner crocheters to gain confidence in their crochet skills and test learning new stitches.
Traditional granny squares are worked in the round, which means you'll be joining yarn to form a continuous round without turning, rather than working in rows as you would with a crochet blanket. Learn more below about the stitches that will make up a granny square below.
The Stitches for This Granny Square Pattern
You'll only need to know how to double crochet and make a chain stitch to complete this easy granny square pattern. Double crochet stitches are one of the basic stitches a beginner learns when they are first starting to crochet.
This granny square pattern is worked with double crochets clustered and sometimes is referred to as granny clusters. A cluster is just a given number of stitches worked in one space to form a cluster of stitches.
Once you've built your first crochet granny square, you can build your next one in any crochet stitch you'd like! Using different stitches in your granny projects will allow you to make a unique crochet project that is one of a kind.
Basic Stitches of This Simple Granny Square
Double Crochet (Dc):
- Wrap the yarn over (YO) the hook, insert the hook into the specified st.
- YO the hook again, draw the yarn through the st, so there are 3 loops on the hook
- YO the hook again draw it through 2 loops, so there are 2 loops on the hook
- YO the hook, draw it through the final 2 loops.
Chain Stitch (Ch):
A simple crochet stitch that often forms the foundation of what crochet stitches are worked into during projects.
- Make a slip knot.
- Insert hook into slip knot point first, bring yarn over the shaft of the hook from back to front and grab it with the throat of the hook.
- Draw hooked yarn through slip knot and onto the hook. This movement will make one chain stitch
- Repeat steps two and three until you have the desired number of stitches for a pattern. One loop will remain on hook.
Slip Stitch (Sl St):
- Insert hook into designated stitch
- YO (yarn over) and pull back through the st and through the loop on the hook.
The Special Stitch in This Granny Square
- Granny Cluster (aka Shell Stitch): The granny cluster in this pattern is 3 stitches worked into the same space.
Now that you know all the stitches required for this granny square, it's time to start!
Below are the basic steps on how to make a classic crochet granny square, with a full step-step tutorial pattern.
With this easy pattern, your squares will lay flat, work up fast and beautifully, so you'll have a solid granny square in no time.
If you prefer, you can change the color midway through the granny square to make it colorful by using our tutorial on how to change colors in crochet. Whether you make a solid color or multiple color granny square, just have fun with it!
I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern on how to make your first crocheted granny square!
How to Crochet A Basic Granny Square
Skill Level: Basic
Materials
- Yarn any weight. For my square example, I'm using a four weight medium yarn (Vanna's Choice)
- A crochet hook that corresponds to the yarn you are using. I am using a J/6 mm crochet hook.
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Notes
- This pattern is written in standard US terms
- The size of the granny square will depend on the size crochet hook and weight classification of yarn used. You are welcome to make a few different granny squares with a few different hook sizes to see what works best for you, so you can achieve the desired size needed.
- Tip: This is a great project to use scrap yarn on, since it takes very little yarn to make this granny square.
The Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern
Round 1 of a Granny Square:
- Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet)
- In the 3rd chain from the hook, double crochet twice (1st double crochet cluster)
- Chain 2, work 3 double crochets into the same space as the previous double crochets (2nd double crochet cluster)
- Chain 2, work 3 double crochets into the same space as the previous double crochets, (3rd double crochet cluster)
- Chain 2, work 3 double crochets into the same space as the previous double crochet clusters (4th double crochet cluster)
- Chain 2, slip stitch to the top of the chain 3 from the first cluster.
Round 2 of a Granny Square:
- Chain 3 (this counts as a double crochet)
- 2 double crochets into the last chain 2 space from the round before. It is the one directly below the chain 3.
- Chain 2, in the next chain 2-space over double crochet 3 times, chain 2, and double crochet 3 more times in that same space
- Chain 2, in the next chain 2-space over double crochet 3 times, chain 2, and double crochet 3 more times in that same space.
- Chain 2, in the next chain 2-space over double crochet 3 times, chain 2, and double crochet 3 more times in that same space.
- Chain 2, You will be at the beginning chain 2-space you started with. Next double crochet 3 times and chain 2
- Slip stitch to the top of the chain 3 to complete round 2.
Round 3 of a Granny Square:
- Chain 3 (this counts a double crochet)
- 2 double crochets into the last chain, 2-space from the round before. It is the one directly below the chain 3.
- * Chain 2, In the next chain 2-space work 3 double crochets
- Chain 2, in the next chain 2-space over double crochet 3 times, chain 2, and double crochet 3 more times in that same space.
- Repeat from * around until you reach the corner you started with. Chain 2, double crochet 3 times and chain 2
- At the final corner, Slip stitch to the top of the chain 3 to complete round 3.
Finishing a Granny Square:
- To finish a granny square, pull the yarn through the last loop leaving a six-inch tail then cut with scissors. Weave in the loose ends with a yarn needle.
- You may wish to block your granny square so it even the whole way around and has a true square shape. Learn more about blocking in crochet to see which method is right for you.
More Granny Square Tutorials
As you feel more confident as a beginner crocheter, you may wish to expand your granny square skills. Below are a few ways to customize a granny square to your liking.
How to Make a Granny Square Bigger
Making a granny square bigger is easy to do! You'll just continue the same granny cluster patterns but with each round, working along the edges and into each corner, but there will be more spaces along the edges to double crochet in.
You can continue crocheting a granny square until it turns into a blanket if you'd like! I found this granny square blanket that did just that, and it turned out beautiful.
Different Ways to Start a Granny Square
In the tutorial above I used a chain 3 method, but there are other ways to begin a granny square.
- Chain 3: This method was shown above and is the most common technique used to make a classic granny.
- Magic Ring / Circle or Adjustable Ring: This is a method that allows you to begin crochet in the round and close the hole tightly when done working in it, so the hole doesn't show. Basically, it gives you a more solid square.
- Chain 4: This is similar to the chain 3 method, but you will be working the beginning round in the chain 4 instead of the chain 3. This works well but will leave a slightly bigger hole in the center of your granny square.
Change Color in a Granny Square
At the beginning of each round you can change yarn colors to make your granny square unique. This is easy to do by dropping your current color on the last stitch and then picking up the new color (putting over the hook) to finish the stitch.
How to Crochet Granny Squares Together
There are three joining methods that can be used to connect granny squares or any crochet square together. Learn how to connect granny squares below:
- Slip Stitch Seam: Use a slip stitch crochet stitch to join squares together. This is the quickest way to join squares.
- Single Crochet Seam: This is similar to the method above, but you will use single crochets to join instead of slip stitches. I found this tutorial about joining that may help with both methods above.
I hope you enjoyed this easy crochet granny square pattern tutorial and learned a new crochet technique! If you have any questions, please feel free to join the Easy Crochet Facebook Group! We'd love to have you in our community.
More Crochet Patterns using the Granny Stitch
The granny stitch is a favorite for those making afghan blankets and granny squares. However, it can be used on any type of project. Below are some modern crochet projects we used this classic stitch on.
- Granny Scarf Pattern
- Granny Stitch Ripple Blanket
- Modern Granny Blanket
- Baby Granny Stitch Ripple Blanket
- Granny Shawl Pattern
More Crochet Granny Square Patterns
We've created a lot of granny square patterns throughout our crochet lifetime. We've used them to make a crochet pillow, crochet blanket and more! Take your new-found skill and turn it into something beautiful!
More Free Crochet Patterns
Here are some related crochet patterns that you may be interested in. All of these crochet projects utilize something you learned when making the granny square above.
How to Make a Granny Square for Beginners
Source: https://easycrochet.com/how-to-crochet-a-classic-granny-square/
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