How to Make a Granny Square

What is a Granny Square

A granny square is a square of crocheted fabric made in rounds, typically using clusters of double crochet stitches. They can be used to make cushions, blankets, bunting, jackets, jumpers – anything!

Granny squares are mad cup of clusters of treble crochets. Each cluster has three ‘posts’ in it. Each corner has 2 chains, and on the straight parts of the edge, it has 1 chain. If you look at other granny square patterns sometimes the the chains in between will be different – some people use 3 at the corners – I like using 2 and 1 because it keeps it a bit tighter.

The First Round

Make a slipknot and place it on your hook. Chain 5.

Insert your hook into the first chain stitch you made.

Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch. Slip the stitch through the loop on your hook.

This creates the ring or the centre of you your granny square. Take note of the hole in the centre of the ring, this is where all the work will be done for the first round.

Changing Colours

Choose 2 colours (or more) of yarn. Yarn A and Yarn B.

Beginning: Start with Yarn A. Ch 5, sl st in fifth ch from hook to form a loop.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in the centre of the loop, ch 2. 3 dc in loop, ch 2. 3 dc in loop, ch 2. 3 dc in loop, ch 2. Sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (12 dc)

Round 2: Attach Yarn B to any corner space with a slip stitch. Ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 corner space (this is the first cluster for this corner, you’ll do the second cluster at the very end of the round), ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 corner space, ch 2. 3 dc in same ch-2 corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 corner space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch 1, 3 dc in last ch-2 space, ch 2, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. Break off yarn and pull final loop through your work to finish it off. (24 dc)

Round 3: Attach Yarn A to any corner space with a slip stitch. Ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 corner space (this is the first cluster for this corner, you’ll do the second cluster at the very end of the round), ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 corner space, ch 2. 3 dc in same ch-2 corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 corner space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in last ch-2 space, ch 2, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. Break off yarn and pull final loop through your work to finish it off (36 dc)

Single Colour

Beginning: Ch 5, sl st in fifth ch from hook to form a loop.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in the centre of the loop, ch 2. 3 dc in loop, ch 2. 3 dc in loop, ch 2. 3 dc in loop, ch 2. Sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 corner space (this is the first cluster for this corner, you’ll do the second cluster at the very end of the round), ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 corner space, ch 2. 3 dc in same ch-2 corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 corner space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch 1, 3 dc in last ch-2 space, ch 2, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (24 dc)

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 corner space (this is the first cluster for this corner, you’ll do the second cluster at the very end of the round), ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 corner space, ch 2. 3 dc in same ch-2 corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 corner space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in last ch-2 space, ch 2, sl st in top of beginning ch-3. (36 dc)

Multi-colour

Sewing in Round Ends

Sewing Together Granny Squares

Common Mistakes

Finishing

When you’re finished, cut off your yarn leaving a tail and simply pull your yarn through the final stitch with your hook, finishing your work. Depending on what you’re doing, you’ll want to weave your ends in.

  • Go through the actual fibres to keep it secure.
  • Try to follow the pattern of the stitch to weave the outer loose end – you don’t have to worry too much about that if you’re sewing them together but it’s good to get into a good habits.

Questions and Next Steps

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