Crochet Granny Square

About Crochet Granny Squares

Everyone has their own style of crocheting. Some prefer traditional techniques and styles, while others add their own flare to an existing pattern or simply just make one up as they go along. With all of the different styles out there, however, the basic crochet granny square pattern remains a favorite.

A granny square is any crocheted square that is stitched in rounds, meaning you start in the center and work your way outward. There are many varieties of these squares, including those with flowers in the center and others that alternate colors. Small granny squares can be linked together to form an afghan, while larger squares can create tote bags or lap blankets.

How to Make a Granny Square

Even for those who have never really crocheted before, a granny square is relatively simple. Sandie Petit, an experienced crocheter, has given permission to publish her Granny Square Worked With One Color pattern:

Materials

• Crochet hook (size depends on what size square you are making)
• Number 16 needle
• Scrap yarn (weight depends on what style you want)

Abbreviations

• hk = hook
• yo = yarn over
• dc = double crochet
• ch = chain
• rep = repeat
• sl st = slip stitch
• sp = space
• wk = work
• ea = each
• beg = beginning

Pattern

Note: Shell = 3 dc

Ch 5 (chain five spaces), join with a sl st (slip stitch) to form a ring.

Round 1: Chain-3, yo, make 2 dc in ring, ch 3, * 3dc in ring, ch 3* rep from * twice, join with a sl st to top st of beg ch-3

Round 2: Sl st in ea of next 2 dc, sl st in ch-3 sp, then in same sp wk (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, shell) (first corner),

• ch 1, in next ch-3 sp wk (shell, ch 3, shell) (2nd corner),
• ch 1, in next ch-3 sp wk (shell, ch3, shell) (3rd corner),
• ch 1, in next ch-3 sp wk (shell, ch3, shell) (4th corner)
• ch 1, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Note: At this point, you will have 8 shells. Each corner will have 2 shells separated by a chain-3 space. You will also have a chain-1 space separating your corners from each other.

Note: You will always put 3 chains between your corner shells. Remember that a shell consists of 3 double crochets.

Round 3: sl st in ea of next 2 dc, sl st in ch-3 sp, ch3, 2dc, ch3, shell in same sp where you just slip stitched (1st corner made),

• ch 1, shell in ch-1 sp between groups to form side, ch 1, in next corner ch-3 sp work (shell, *ch 3, shell), (2nd corner)
• ch 1, shell in ch-1 sp between groups to form second side, ch 1, in next corner ch-3 sp work (shell, ch 3, shell), (3rd corner)
• ch 1, shell in ch-1 sp between groups to form third side, ch 1, in next corner ch-3 sp work (shell, ch 3, shell), (4th corner)
• ch 1, shell in ch-1 sp between groups to form fourth side, ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3.

Note: This round now has 12 shells (3 on each side). You are adding 4 shells each round. Each round will have one more shell on each side.

Round 4: sl st in ea of next 2 dcs, sl st in ch-3 sp, then work (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, shell, in same sp for 1st corner), * (ch 1, shell) in ea ch-1 sp between shell groups along side to corner), ch 1, work corners as (shell, ch 3, shell in next sp), repeat from * to last (fourth) side, then (ch 1, shell) in ea ch-1 sp) to corner, ch 1, join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

Repeat Round 4 (each round adding approximately 1" to square) - To continue rounds, work (shell, ch 3, shell ) for corners. You will add 4 shells each round, one on each side. Then with a ch-1 between groups, shell in each space along sides between corners. Continue working rounds until you have reached your desired square size.

You may finish with a border of single crochet, using the same or a different color. Make one single crochet in each double crochet and one single crochet under each chain between shells, except in corners use 3 single crochets under the chain-3.

For more information on joining rounds, check out Crochet Cabana's tutorial.

What to Make with a Granny Square

If you are crocheting granny squares and want to link them together, you can make:

• Afghan
• Lap blanket
• Vest
• Baby bib
• Purse or tote bag
• Scarf
• Cap or beret
• Poncho
• Baby blanket
• Place mats
• Tablecloth

Free Granny Square Patterns

Here are some crocheting Web sites with some free, yet unique, granny square patterns:

• The American Pride Granny Square is an awesome six-inch square designed to look like an American flag.
• The Heart Afghan Square has hearts incorporated into each block.
• The World Trade Center Memorial Square combines the patriotic colors red, white and blue into one design.
• The Christmas Star Granny Square is perfect for a holiday afghan.
• The Pinwheel Star Square has a three-dimensional design to it.

Granny Square Videos

Don't feel like reading a book or perusing a Web site to figure out the granny square stitch? Then surf over to YouTube for a wide variety of short how-to videos:

• Crocheting - Granny Square
• Color Changes Granny Square
• Granny Square - Sewing Together
• Learning to Crochet -- Granny Squares
• How to Crochet Lesson 2

A Final Thought

If you are an avid crocheter and love to make granny squares, there are several organizations that accept donated granny squares for a variety of projects. Those groups include:

• Bev's Country Cottage
• Granny-Along
• Crochetville
• Craft-O-Mania