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How to Crochet Granny Squares

How to Crochet Granny Squares

How to Crochet Granny Squares

No beginner crochet class is complete without learning how to crochet granny squares.  The granny square is as timeless as it is beautiful.  It can be made in any size with any yarn to fit any style.

I’ve included two styles of granny squares in this series.  The classic granny square feels light, airy and open with alternating blocks and eyelets while the solid granny only has eyelets at the diagonals of each round so it makes a more stable square.

Whichever one you choose you can make small squares and crochet them together to create scarves, cowls, sweaters and, of course, blankets.  But if you prefer you can just keep crocheting to size you want and make a never-ending granny square blanket. Let’s make some crochet granny squares

Lesson 6: Classic Granny Square

We’ve got to start with the classic granny!  Can’t you just feel the history and nostalgia from seeing a granny square project?  Although you can still crochet granny squares out of scrap fabric to make an afghan granny squares are making a comeback in a variety of ways.

You may be thinking, “I don’t really want to make a granny square afghan.”  Once you know how to make some simple granny squares you can transform them into almost anything.  Purses, totes, slippers, sweaters and so much more.  I created a Pinterest board with a variety of granny square projects to spark your creativity.  Granny Square Projects!

How to Crochet Granny Squares Classic Granny Image

Skills taught in this tutorial:

• Working in the round
• Double crochet stitch
• Slip stitch and chain
• Go back and fix a mistake

If you need to review the basic stitches, go back and check out the beginning of the series:  How to Crochet: Basic Stitches.

Abbreviations:

beg – beginning
ch – chain
ch 1 space – chain 1 space
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch

Instructions:

Ch 4.  Slip stitch into the 4th chain from the hook to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch3, 2 dc into center circle.  Ch3.*3 dc, ch3 into center.* Repeat from * to * two more times.  Join with sl st to the 3rd stitch of beg chain.

Round 2: Ch4, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner.  Ch1. *(3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) in corner, ch1.* Repeat from * to * once.  (3 dc, ch3, 2 dc) in last corner.  Join with sl st to the 3rd stitch of beg chain.

Round 3: Ch3, 2 dc in ch 1 space. Ch1. *(3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) in corner, ch1, 3dc in ch 1 space, ch1.* Repeat from * to * two more times.  (3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) in last corner, ch1. Join with sl st to the 3rd stitch of beg chain.

Round 4: Ch 4, 3 dc in next ch 1 space, ch1.  *(3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) in corner, ch1.  [3 dc in ch 1 space, ch1.] Repeat instructions in [ ] until next corner.*  Repeat from * to * two more times.  (3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) in corner, ch1, 2 dc in ch 1 space. Join with sl st to the 3rd stitch of beg chain.

Round 5: Ch3, 2 dc in ch 1 space, ch1. *[3 dc in ch 1 space, ch1.] Repeat instructions in [ ] until next corner. (3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) in corner, ch1.* Repeat from * to * three more times.  [3 dc in ch 1 space, ch1.] Repeat instructions in [ ] until end of round. Join with sl st to the 3rd stitch of beg chain.

Repeat Rounds 4 and 5 until your granny square is the size you desire.

Pin this project!

How to Crochet Granny Squares Classic Granny Pin Image

Watch the video below to learn how to crochet the Classic Granny Square!

I used a Furls Odyssey 5.5 mm (size I) hook with Red Heart Chic Sheep yarn in this video series. (aff. link)

Right handed



Left handed


Lesson 7: Solid Granny Square

Now that you know how to make a classic granny square you’re in for a real surprise …

There are hundreds of different granny square designs!

You’re going to start seeing grannies everywhere.  Grannies with round centers, grannies with star centers,
grannies with pictures of animals and even granny square alphabet blocks.  There is a huge world full of new granny squares for you to try.

How to Crochet Granny Squares Solid Granny Image

One of the basic building blocks of the new granny square designs is the solid granny square.  The main difference is that there are only holes at the corners giving the block a denser fabric.  While some granny squares can be very complicated the solid granny is a breeze!

Skills taught in this tutorial:

• Working in the round
• Double crochet stitch
• Slip stitch and chain
• Go back and fix a mistake
If you need to review the basic stitches, go back and check out the beginning of the series:  How to Crochet: Basic Stitches.

Abbreviations:

beg – beginning
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch

Instructions:

Ch 4.  Slip stitch into the 4th chain from the hook to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch5, 3 dc into center circle.  Ch2. *3 dc into center, ch2.* Repeat from * to * once more.  2 dc and join with sl st to the 3rd stitch of beg chain.

Round 2: Ch3, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner.  *Dc in each stitch until the next corner. (2 dc, ch2, 2 dc) in corner.* Repeat from * to * two more times. Dc in remaining sts and join with sl st to the 3rd stitch of beg chain.

Round 3: Ch3. *Dc in each stitch until the next corner. (2 dc, ch2, 2 dc) in corner.*  Repeat from * to * three more times. Dc in remaining sts and join with sl st to the 3rd stitch of beg chain.

Repeat Round 3 until your solid granny square is the desired size.

Pin this project!
How to Crochet Granny Squares Pin Image


Watch the video below to learn how to crochet the Solid Granny Square!

Right Handed

Left Handed



How to Seam Granny Squares Video Tutorials

Right handed



Left handed

Be sure to check out all the lessons on the How to Crochet Series:


Heidi Kozlowski

Thursday 8th of December 2022

Do you have a left handed pattern for a heart granny square? I'm having a very hard time finding one.

Jan Coates

Monday 2nd of May 2022

Love your teaching style! I an a newbie and you have helped me!! Thank you!