green and blue granny crochet square teaching how to crochet granny squares
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How To Crochet A Granny Square: Easy Beginner’s Guide

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Crocheting a granny square is a wonderful starting point if you’re new to the craft or looking for a quick and satisfying project. 

These versatile squares can be used to create blankets, scarves, and even apparel.  Today you will learn how to crochet a granny square.

Often seen in vibrant colors, the classic granny square is made up of clusters of double crochet stitches, built upon row after row, forming a sturdy yet appealing fabric with a distinctly homey feel.

The beauty of crafting a granny square lies in its simplicity and the creative freedom it offers.  With a basic understanding of a few stitches, you can whip up an easy granny square in no time. 

It’s a repetitive and relaxing process that allows you to play with color combinations and textures, giving each square a unique touch. 

Whether you opt for a traditional look or something more modern, the granny square’s adaptable design will suit your aesthetic.

Starting with a simple loop and working your way outward, you’ll see your granny square take shape. 

It’s a satisfying endeavor as each round adds size and intricacy to the piece. 

In just a few rounds, you’ll have created a beautiful and easy granny square that can serve as a building block for numerous projects. 

In the world of crochet, the granny square is truly a testament to the fact that a simple pattern can blossom into an array of complex and beautiful creations.

How To Crochet A Granny Square

blue Crochet Daisy Granny Squares
Photo Credit: Etsy.com

Granny squares are a fun and classic crochet project. With the right materials and a grasp of basic terms, you can start creating colorful patterns and textures.

Materials Needed

To kick off your granny square, you’re going to need:

  • Yarn: Worsted weight yarn is popular for granny squares. Check the yarn label for recommendations on hook size.
  • Crochet Hook: A good starting point is a 5.0 mm crochet hook, but adjust according to your yarn’s label.
  • Scissors: For cutting yarn.
  • Yarn Needle: To weave in ends.

Remember, when shopping for materials, if you follow affiliate links, be sure to review the privacy policy of the site you’re buying from.

Understanding Crochet Terms

Crocheting a granny square means knowing a few terms:

  • Slip Stitch (sl st): Joins stitches together without adding height.
  • Chain (ch): The foundation of your crochet work.
  • Double Crochet (dc): A common stitch that adds height and structure.

Familiarize yourself with these terms, because you’ll use them frequently.

Types of Granny Squares

Granny squares vary by design and complexity:

  • Classic Granny Square: The traditional pattern with clusters of 3 double crochet stitches.
  • Solid Granny Square: A variant with no spaces between the stitches for a dense fabric.
  • Circular Granny Square: Starts with a circle and becomes square as you progress.

Pick a type that matches your comfort level and desired design.

Basic Crochet Techniques

Before you start creating a granny square, there are a few crochet basics you’ll need to get familiar with. 

From starting your project with a slip knot to getting the hang of a magic ring, mastering these techniques is essential.

Creating a Slip Knot and Chain Stitches

Video tutorial: Slip knot and Chain Stitches

To begin crocheting, you need to know how to make a slip knot and chain stitches

You make a slip knot by looping the yarn over itself so that the tail end can be pulled to tighten around your hook. Here’s a quick guide:

  1. Lay the yarn over your hand with the tail hanging down.
  2. Wrap the yarn around your fingers, creating a loop.
  3. Insert your hook into the loop and grab the yarn that’s connected to the skein.
  4. Pull this through the loop on your hand to create the knot.
  5. Tighten by pulling the tail.

Once you have a slip knot on your hook, you’re ready for chain stitches:

  • Yarn over (yo) the hook and pull through the loop on your hook.
  • Repeat this process to create a sequence of stitches; this is your foundation chain.

Mastering the Magic Ring

Video Tutorial: Magic Ring

The magic ring, also known as an adjustable ring, is a handy method to start projects that are worked in rounds like granny squares.

  1. Loop the yarn around your fingers to create a circle.
  2. Slide the hook under the circle, yarn over, and pull up a loop.
  3. Yarn over again and pull through the loop on the hook to secure the ring.

Now, insert your hook into the ring for the first round of stitches.

Learning Basic Crochet Stitches

In crochet, there are several basic stitches you’ll want to get comfortable with:

  • Single crochet (sc): Insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over again, and pull through both loops on hook.
  • Double crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over again, pull through remaining two loops.

Here’s a table summarizing the stitches for easy reference:

StitchAbbreviationInstructions
Slip KnotSKLoop yarn and pull through to tighten
ChainchYarn over, pull through loop
Single CrochetscInsert hook, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through two loops
Double CrochetdcYo, insert hook, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through two loops, yo, pull through last two loops
Photo Credit: Funcrochetpatterns.com

Begin practicing these stitches, and soon you’ll be ready to work on your granny square with confidence.

Crocheting the Granny Square

green and blue granny crochet square teaching how to crochet granny squares
Photo Credit: Etsy.com

Getting the hang of how to crochet a granny square involves a few crucial steps: starting off with a loop, creating the first round of stitches, and progressively expanding the square through repeated patterns.

Starting Your Granny Square

To kickstart your classic crochet granny square, create a slipknot and place it on your crochet hook. 

Next, make four chains (ch). This forms the first chain, which is the foundation of your granny square. To connect the ends and form a ring, slip stitch into the first chain you made.

Forming the First Round

For the initial round, you’ll need to build out from the center ring. 

Start with three chains (ch); this counts as your first double crochet (dc). 

Now, you’ll make two more dcs into the ring—this trio of dcs will be your first granny cluster. 

Next, to create a corner space, chain two. Then, make another cluster of three dcs into the ring. 

Repeat the “ch-2, 3 dc cluster” sequence twice more to establish four corner spaces. 

To complete the round, make a chain of two and join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning ch-3.

StepAction
Start RoundSlipknot, ch 4, join
1st Granny Clusterch 3, 2 dc into ring
Corner Spacech 2
Repeat Cluster & Corner3 dc, ch 2 (x3)
Finish RoundSlip stitch to ch-3
Photo Credit: Funcrochetpatterns.com

Expanding Your Square

To expand the square, begin with slip-stitching to the next corner ch-2 space. 

Start the new round by chaining three (which counts as one dc), then do two more dcs, ch-2, and 3 more dcs in the same corner space—this forms the corner “shell”. 

For the next corner, create a granny cluster of three dcs, ch-2, and another granny cluster all in the same ch-2 space from the previous round. Do this for each corner around.

To maintain the square shape, simply add a new corner shell at each existing corner. 

As you work each round, you will add more granny clusters between the corners to accommodate the growing size. 

Remember, each new round increases the number of non-corner granny clusters.

RoundSteps
New RoundSlip stitch to a corner, begin new shells
Corner Shellch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in corner space
Side Clusters3 dc in spaces between corners
SquaringAdd a corner shell at each existing corner
Photo Credit: Funcrochetpatterns.com

Advanced Techniques and Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basics of creating granny squares, you can spice up your projects with these advanced techniques.

Joining New Colors

When you’re ready to add a new color to your granny square, you should finish the last stitch of your current color until you have two loops left on the hook. 

At this point, attach your new color of yarn and draw it through the remaining loops to complete the stitch. This creates a seamless transition between colors. 

Use this method to switch colors after completing a round or when starting a new round:

  • Finish the last stitch with two loops left on the hook.
  • Draw the new color through the loops to join.

Creating smooth color changes adds depth to the appearance of your traditional and solid granny squares.

Creating Different Square Variations

For a twist on the classic design, explore different granny square variations which can refresh your projects:

  • Traditional Granny Squares: Consist of clusters of three double crochets, separated by chain spaces and built upon in succeeding rounds.RoundPattern Note2ndStart incorporating chain spaces3rd+Work new clusters in the spaces
  • Solid Granny Squares: These squares minimize the chain spaces within the rounds, creating a denser fabric.RoundPattern Note1stSimilar to a traditional square setup2nd+Reduced chain spaces, more continuous stitches

Experiment with color changes in each round to personalize your square motif. 

Varying where and when you change colors can result in dramatic, visually appealing squares.

Finishing and Projects

green Crochet Daisy Granny Squares made into a blanket
Photo Credit: Etsy.com

Once your granny square is complete, it’s essential to properly finish your work to give it a polished look and prepare it for being part of a larger project.

Tying Off and Weaving in Loose Ends

After you’ve made your final granny stitch, cut the yarn leaving about a six-inch tail. 

Using a yarn needle, thread the tail and weave it back through your work. This secures your square and prevents unraveling. 

Weave in any loose ends in the same manner, ensuring each is neatly tucked away for a clean finish.

Granny Square Project Ideas

Crochet Daisy Granny Squares make into a green pouch
Photo Credit: Etsy.com

Granny squares are incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Square Blanket: Combine multiple squares to create a colorful blanket.Use a free crochet pattern to help with arrangements and joining methods.ProjectSuggested Number of SquaresBaby Blanket20–25 squaresThrow Blanket55–60 squaresBedspread100+ squares

Here are a few of our favorite projects from our Granny Square Patterns Library

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