Making a Granny Square

One of the easiest things to crochet is a granny square. You can use any kind of yarn whether it is 8 ply, 4 ply or cotton. However, if you use multiple colours you should stick to similar thickness and compatible yarns.

The granny square on the picture was made with 8 ply acrylic yarn. The crochet hook used was no. 4.5. The finished size of the square is 15cm square. Again choose a crochet hook suitable for your yarn. Of course, for finer yarn you use a smaller crochet hook.

Besides the description of how to go about crocheting a granny square we also have provided you with a diagram below. This visual aid often helps to understand the pattern better.

Abbreviations used in this pattern

ch       chain

chs     chains

st       stitch

sts      stitches

sl st    slip stitch

dc       double crochet

prev    previous

Here is how to make a granny square.

Make 6ch and join with a sl st to form a ring.

1^st Round:      In the first round, the double crochet stitches are worked inside the ring. Begin round with 3ch, which are a substitute for the first double crochet stitch in around; then 15dc and join with sl st to the 3^rd ch from foundation loop. Fasten off if multiple colours are used, if not continue with round 2.

Changing colours.

When crocheting the granny square in multiple colours after completing a round join yarn with a sl st in stitch of previous round and begin next round with 3ch. Joining new yarn creates loose ends. Whenever possible, work overtop of these loose end to hide them or before continuing pull the loose end through the top of a few stitches with your crochet hook.

2^nd Round:     Join new colour yarn (if used) with a sl st in stitch prev round,3ch and 2dc in same st previous round, 1ch, skip 1dc prev round, 3dc in same st, *1ch, skip 1dc prev round, 3dc, 2ch, 3dc in same st prev round the form corner, 1ch, skip 1dc prev round, 3dc in same st, *, repeat twice from * then 1ch, 3dc in same stitch as first 3ch and 2dc, 2ch, join with sl st to 3^rd chain. Fasten off if multiple colours are used.

3^rd Round:      Join new colour yarn (if used) with a sl st in stitch prev round – the easiest to do this is in a 1ch space next to a corner, crochet 3ch and 2dc in same space, 1ch, 3dc in the next space, 1ch, 3dc in next space, 2ch to form corner, 3dc in same space, 1ch, repeat this pattern 3 times, join with sl st to 3^rd chain. Fasten off if multiple colours are used.

4^th Round:      Continue as round 3 with the exception that there is an extra space, thus an extra 3dc and 1ch on each side.

5^th Round:      As round 4, but again as the square gets larger there are more space with 3dc and 1ch on each side.

In this picture the . is a ch and the other symbol a dc.

If you want a larger square continue crocheting with as many rounds as you want.

There are many methods for joining the squares, but I find that one of the easiest ways is joining them using the single crochet method. Join the squares held right side together so that the single crochet is on the wrong side.