Granny Square Crochet for Beginners
It’s a new year and we are kicking it off with an easy Granny Square tutorial for beginners! In this tutorial you will learn how to crochet this basic granny square in just a few steps! Granny Squares are incredibly popular these days and can be used in just about any pattern whether you use them in a blanket, sweater, cardigan or headband, you will always be on trend. Grannies are super fun to make and is perfect beginner project to start off with because it has a lot of repetitive techniques which helps you practice all of your crochet skills!
So let’s head on down to the tutorial and have some fun!
The Granny Square Explained:
The basic Granny Square consists of the Double crochet and chain spaces created by either a chain one or chain two (for corners). It is basically the best way to practice your crochet craft because you can make a ton of squares and attach them in anyway you see fit. Use Granny Squares in blankets, cardigans, sweaters, crop tops, headbands or anything else you set your mind to really!
Below is a picture of my very first crochet project which I’m using as a cover for my box freezer. We’ve moved a lot over the years and my poor freezer has taken quite the punch. Luckily I can cover her up and she looks as good as new! 🙂 Let me know in the comments below if you want this pattern?!
Techniques you need to know before you start:
- Creating a foundation chain
- Slip Stitch
- Double Crochet
- Working into a chain space.
5 Facts about the Granny Square:
- The Granny Square is worked in the round and every round is connected with a slip stitch into the beginning chain of the round.
- Granny Squares are made out of clusters of Double crochets (three dc in one space is named a cluster), which are placed in a chain space made by the previous round.
- Each corner of a Granny Square consists out of 3 Double crochets, a chain 2 and again 3 Double crochets into the same corner space.
- Begin every round of a Granny Square in the next corner of the previous round unless otherwise stated by a pattern.
- There are so many versions of granny squares to make like Daisy Granny squares and heart granny squares! All of which are absolutely beautiful.
If you’re an absolute beginner, Welcome! Check out this super easy tutorial where you will learn everything about how to crochet. In addition to learning how to crochet, you will also learn how to single crochet. Also click on the link to learn how to Double Crochet if you are new here!
After that, come back and take on the granny square as your first project!
Materials needed for this Granny Square crochet tutorial:
Any yarn and it’s corresponding hook. I used some left over #4 worsted weight yarn and a 5mm (US H/8) crochet hook. It’s also handy to keep a tapestry needle and a pair of scissors close!
You can use something like Red Heart Super Saver!
After you’ve mastered the basic granny square tutorial:
Be sure to check out some of the easy tutorials I have available on my blog like:
- How to crochet for absolute beginners and learn the Single Crochet
- Reading a crochet pattern – the easy way
- The Half Double Crochet Stitch
- A new Granny Square pattern is coming next week! Mark your calendar for this very special free pattern! 🙂
Let’s begin!
In this quick and easy tutorial I will be showing you how to crochet a basic granny square in just a few steps:
1. Crochet your foundation circle.
After Choosing your yarn and hook, make a slip knot and chain 4.
To make your foundation circle, you are going to slip stitch into the first chain you made (next to the slip knot).
When you pull the circle a little ways apart, you will see there is a hole in the middle of this circle. You will be working round 1 into the middle of that circle.
2. Round 1: 4 x clusters of dc and 4 x chain 2 corner spaces.
From now on you will be working in rounds.
To start: Chain 3, which counts as your first double crochet. Now work 2 more double crochet into the middle of your circle.
Chain 2 and work 3 double crochets into the same space as before. Repeat this step from Chain 2, two more times to create a square.
After your last cluster, chain 2 to form the last corner and slip stitch into the top of the chain 3.
Now, slip stitch in each of the next two double crochet stitches and again into the corner of the next square.
You will do this step at the end of each round to be able to start the next round.
3. Round 2: 8 x clusters of double crochet, 4 x chain 2 corner spaces and 4 x chain1 side spaces
For the next round: Chain 3, which counts as your first double crochet. Work 2 more double crochet into the same space. You now have 3 x Dc in the space.
Chain 1 and work 3 double crochets into the same space as before. You now have 3 x dc, ch2, 3 x dc in the same space.
Now you need to get to the next space of your square, so to do that you need to chain 1. An easy way to see this – if you finish a corner, you then will see the next cluster of 3 x dc. Every time you see these clusters, you know you need to chain 1 to be able to get to the next space.
Now work the following sequence into the next chain 2 space: 3 x dc, ch2, 3 x dc in the same space.
Repeat the above process until you reach the end of the round.
After your last cluster, chain 1 and slip stitch into the top of the chain 3. Slip stitch to the next corner.
4. Round 3: Basically the same a round 2,but work into the middle space too.
This round is somewhat the same as the previous round. You start off the exact same way by placing the 3 x dc, ch2, 3 x dc in the same space. Then Chain 1 to move to the next chain space, which is now in the middle and not only the corners anymore. You will now place a cluster of 3 x dc into this same space. Chain 1 and move along to the corner space where you will again place the 3 x dc, ch2, 3 x dc in the same space.
Repeat this process until you reach the end of the round.
After your last cluster, chain 1 and slip stitch into the top of the chain 3. Slip stitch to the next corner.
5. Round 4 and onwards: The same as round 3.
This round and the next round are the same, the only difference being that the more rounds you crochet, the more chain 1 space will be made on the 4 side of the squares.
So, start off the exact same way by placing the 3 x dc, ch2, 3 x dc in the same space. Then Chain 1 to move to the next chain space, after that crochet another cluster into the next chain space followed by a chain 1. You will now place a cluster of 3 x dc into this same space. Chain 1 and move along to the corner space where you will again place the 3 x dc, ch2, 3 x dc in the same space.
Repeat this process until you reach the end of the round.
After your last cluster, chain 1 and slip stitch into the top of the chain 3. Slip stitch to the next corner.
5. Lastly, When you are finished and have reach your desired size:
Cut the working yarn and slip stitch to finish off.
Now work all the loose ends securely into the Granny Square
And that’s it!
You just made your first Granny Square!
Good job!! 🙂
To make it easier to find this stitch when you continue, place a stitch marker in this first stitch.
Written pattern:
The written pattern for the Granny Square will look like this:
Abbreviations:
Ch = Chain
Dc = Double Crochet
Sl St = Slip stitch
Beg = Beginning
Sp = Space
Next = Next
Make a slip knot and connect to your hook. Ch4 and join into a circle with a sl st. Work into middle of circle.
Rnd1:ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc into ring, ch2, (3dc into ring, ch2) x 3, ch2, sl st to top of beg ch3, sl st to nxt corner.
Rnd2: ch3, 2dc into same sp, ch2, 3dc into same sp, *ch1, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into corner sp, rep from * x2, at end, ch1 and sl st into top of beg ch3, sl st to nxt corner.
Rnd3:ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc into same sp, ch2, 3dc into same sp, *ch1, 3dc into nxt ch-sp, ch1, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into corner sp, rep from * x3, at end, ch1 and sl st into top of beg ch3, sl st to nxt corner.
Rnd4:ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc into same sp, ch2, 3dc into same sp, *ch1, 3dc into nxt ch-sp, ch1, 3dc into nxt ch-sp, ch1, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into corner sp, rep from * x3, at end, ch1 and sl st into top of beg ch3, sl st to nxt corner.
Round 5:ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc into same sp, ch2, 3dc into same sp, *(ch1, 3dc into nxt ch-sp, ch1) x 3, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into corner sp, rep from * x3, at end, ch1 and sl st into top of beg ch3, sl st to nxt corner.
Finish off, and weave in ends.
The Finished Granny Square
And that’s all there is to it!
Finally, you can crochet just about anything with the Granny Square for example, scarfs, shawls, headbands, blankets and many more!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I’m sure you will master this easy technique in no time!
Feel free to share this tutorial on all social media platforms and be sure to tag me in your projects!
Until the next tutorial!
-Nadine 🙂
can you do something really easy please? thanks 🙂
Hi Janelle! What did you have in mind?