How to Crochet a Granny Square for Beginners
Are crocheted granny squares your nemesis?
Granny squares are quite devisive in the crochet community – people tend to either love or hate them.
If you’re squares are more triangles or even circles, we’re here to help.
For beginners, we recommend practicing with a worsted or aran weight acrylic yarn with at least a 5mm hook. We’re using KnitPicks Brava Worsted with a 5.5mm hook.
To begin, let’s study the structure of the granny square.
The chart to the left from the American Crochet Association shows a standard granny square pattern. Each ‘T’ is a US double crochet and the elongated circles are chains.
Granny squares are made up of clusters of 3 double crochets in the same chain space (crocheted over the top of a chain rather than into the top of a stitch). These are often called ‘Granny Clusters’ or ‘Granny Stitch’.
You can begin a granny square in a magic circle or chain 4, join with a slip stitch into the first chain, and then work over the chain. We will be using a magic circle (click here for an easy tutorial).
The most important thing to remember for granny squares if that you need four corners each round. This is what makes the square shape.
Note: the number of chains between the clusters and in each corner can vary between granny square patterns. If you want your square to be more open and ‘holey’, then you can follow the chart (1 chain between each cluster and 3 chains in each corner). We prefer to chain 1 between the clusters and 1 in each corner. Experiment to see what works for you.
Round 1 (Right Side)
US Crochet Terms – Double Crochet (dc)
The chain 3 at the beginning of each round counts as a double crochet – you can also use a Stacked Single Crochet to substitute the first dc stitch
Rd 1: In a mc, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, *3 dc, ch 1* x3, sl st to the top of the ch
Round 1: In a magic circle, chain 3, double crochet 2 times, chain 1, *double crochet 3 times, chain 1* Repeat the instructions between the * * 3 times total, slip stitch to the top of the chain 3
The stitch markers in the pictures mark each corner chain space. Check that you have 4 at the end of each round.
Round 2 (Wrong Side)
We are going to turn at the end of each round (this isn’t mandatory, but it helps stop the granny square twisting).
Crochet into the chain 1 spaces of the previous round.
Rd 2: Turn, sl st into the corner ch sp, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, *[3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in the same ch sp* x3, 3 dc in the same sp as the first cluster, sl st to the top of the ch
Round 2: Turn, slip stitch into the corner chain space, chain 3, double crochet 2 times, chain 1, *[double crochet 3 times, chain 1, double crochet 3 times] all in the same chain space* Repeat the instructions between the * * 3 times total, double crochet 3 times in the same chain space as the first cluster, slip stitch to the top of the chain 3
Round 3 (Right Side)
Rd 2: Turn, sl st into the corner ch sp, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, *3 dc, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in the same ch sp* x3, 3 dc in the same sp as the first cluster, sl st to the top of the ch
Round 2: Turn, slip stitch into the corner chain space, chain 3, double crochet 2 times, chain 1, *double crochet 3 times, chain 1, [double crochet 3 times, chain 1, double crochet 3 times] all in the same chain space* Repeat the instructions between the * * 3 times total, double crochet 3 times in the same chain space as the first cluster, slip stitch to the top of the chain 3
Tips for Granny Squares:
- Four corners: Each of the corners of your granny square should be made up of a cluster, chain, and cluster. You’re crocheting 2 clusters in each corner, and that extra cluster is what makes your granny square grow bigger and stay flat. If your square is round, check your corners.
- Make it bigger: It’s easy to keep adding rounds to your granny square. Remember that each corner should be [3 double crochets, chain 1, 3 double crochets] and the sides are 3 double crochets in each chain space.
- Hexagons: Once you master a granny square, why not try another shape? Triangles have 3 corners, Pentagon has 5 corners, and the ever-popular hexagon has 6 sides and can be folded into half a cardigan!
Don’t be deterred if you don’t get perfect, flat granny squares on your first, second, or even third try. Practice, practice, practice!
Remember to check that you have four corners at the end of each round.
Bella Coco has excellent beginner tutorials on YouTube if you need something more visual.