How to Crochet a Granny Square
By Rachel – 36 Comments| Crocheting a granny square is a very simple pattern that is repeated around in a square shaped fashion. Granny squares are commonly used to make baby blankets and afghans. They can also be used to make scarves, clothing, washcloths and coasters. The usage for granny squares is unlimited. Learning how to crochet a granny square is very easy, just use the below pattern to get started! Gauge is not important since granny squares can be many different sizes. |
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Crochet Pattern: Granny Square (updated 2/19/2010)
Round 1: ch 4, sl st in forth ch from hook forming a loop
Round 2: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc now and throughout), 2 dc in loop, ch 2, (3 dc in loop, ch 2) 3 times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 12 dc
Note: at the end of this round and all following rounds, you may change yarn color if desired
Round 3: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch 2, (3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch 2) 3 times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 24 dc
Round 4: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, (ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 space) 3 times, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space, ch 2, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 36 dc
Need help understanding the abbreviations? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart.
Continue this pattern to increase the size of the granny square. Here is the basic idea for the granny square pattern:
- For corner spaces (each round has 4 corners): 3 dc in ch-2 space, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch-2 space
- For side spaces (each round adds one more ch-2 space to each side): 3 dc in ch-2 space
- Each round will have 12 more double crochets than the previous round.
When moving from one loop to the next, always chain 2, thus each set of 3 double crochets is separated by 2 chains.
If you are having problems crocheting a granny square, no worries! Just leave a comment and I will be sure to help.
Thankyou. I have been looking for a simplr Granny square pattern for a long time. This one is easy to read, understand and follow. Thank you very much.
Bonnie Stout
You’re welcome. I’m so glad that you found it easy to follow!
[...] These examples of creating a square only use single crochet. Squares can be crocheted in any crochet stitch that you want. Just make sure you account for the length of a crochet stitch when you make your square. For a fun square pattern, try crocheting a granny square! [...]
Can some one explain to me what this means (3 dc in loop, ch 2) 3 times. Thank you..
Hi Evelyn!
(3 dc in loop, ch 2) 3 times means that you are going to make 3 double crochets in the loop that you made in round 1, then you are going to chain 2, then you are going to make another 3 dc in the loop, then you are going to chain 2 again, then you are going to make another 3 dc in the loop and then chain 2 again. Hence you are doing (3 dc in loop, ch 2) 3 times
Let me know if you have more questions!
I can knit anything, but this crocheting thing is killing me! I can do the stitches, but I have been trying to crochet a Granny Square for over a week, and I keep ending up with a pansy! It has something to do with getting to the next space, I’m sure. I’m not doing something right, and it’s frustrating me to no end! Oh, and I’ve watched the YouTube videos, and I’m still messing up. I am going to try your pattern, that I’ve just discovered. I like how you’ve added the written-out explanations, as well. I will definitely let you know if I can’t do it! Thanks!
Hey Debbie! When I first tried to crochet a granny square it was soooo frustrating for me too! I just didn’t get it! So I know exactly what you’re going through. If you need any help or get confused anywhere I’ll be glad to explain it in more detain. I hate that feeling of frustration and I don’t want you to go through that again
What in the world is a slip stitch? That’s what’s getting me on all patterns. Can you help?
Here is a tutorial on slip stitch!
All you have to do is insert your hook into the stitch indicated, yarn over, and pull the strand of yarn through both loops on your hook. That’s your slip stitch!
Let me know if you need more help
I am have trouble understanding how to do a granny square. Mine just doesn’t seem to be looking like the pictures I see and I am not quite sure where i am making my mistakes. If someone can please help me out i would greatly appreciate it. ty
Hey Dawn!
Granny square can be tricky the first few times you do it, I know it was for me
Here are some tips to help you out:
Starting form the center of the square you are going to make 4 sets of 3 double crochets, which are each separated by a chain 2. This makes the cross shape in the center.
At the end of each round you are going to slip stitch, joining to the beginning of the round you made.
Each round after the first round you are going to make 3 double crochets in each loop. But if it is a corner loop, then you have to make a corner by doing 3 double crochets, ch 2, then another 3 double crochets all in that corner loop.
Each time you do a set of 3 double crochets, it is separated by a chain 2.
And, again, once you go all the way around the square you slip stitch to the beginning of the round, then start the next round.
I hope this helps some, but if there is a particular part of the pattern that you are having trouble with, let me know and I’d love to help!!!
I now got the hang of it but I have another question. I want to change colors to make a blanket and would like to know how to change colors.
hey Dawn, here’s a post about how to change colors in crochet.
I made a continuious granny square baby afghan. I used 2 colors. I made 6 rounds with the first color then 3 rounds of second color, then 3 of first color and so on. The beginning square looked great and square. I added the next color and all looked fine until i added the second round of the first color. then everything started looking cockeyed. I did not miss a stitch nor did I add extra stitches. any ideas?
hmm… the only thing I can think of is miscounting stitches, but you already said that you didn’t. Try continuing another round to see if it starts to look ok again. Sorry I couldn’t be more of a help.
I just have a question where is first says ch 3, 2 dc in loop, ch 2….Does that mean that I am going to make my first dc in the actual hole where my sl st came together? If that makes any sense! I guess I am confused by the whole word “loop”…
The “loop” is created in round 1. The slip stitch is what joins the loop together. You won’t make your first double crochets into any of the chains, but instead into the loop that is created by round 1.
Thanks so much..I think I am finally figuring it out
[...] NOT have the pattern to make this awesome dress. But I do have the granny square crochet pattern: How to Crochet A Granny Square. Share and [...]
Hi I have a question on the Bernat Baby Coordinates Gingham Blanket pattern. This is an excerpt from the pattern: “Ch 5 (counts as dc and ch 2). *Miss next 2 dc. 1dc in next dc. (2 dc, Ch 3, 2 dc) in next ch-3sp. **1 dc in next dc. Ch 2. Rep from *twice more, then from * to ** once. Join with st st in 3rd ch of ch5.” So when it states *twice more, does that mean start at the asktrek and stop at the end of the sentence which is “in next ch-3s”. and stop right there and do that twice more….or does that mean start from the asktrek and continue twice more all the way to the end Ch2.
Hi Adrienne, the *twice more is telling you to start at the * and end at the Ch 2. Because if you started at the * and ended at the “in next ch-3sp” it would be the same as saying from * to **. Hope that helps!
[...] Never gets tired of a good old granny square. [...]
I love doing Granny Blocks. However, I need help joining the blocks. Do you have a tutorial I can follow for this?
Hi Margo, there’s a lot of ways to join your squares together. Here’s one of the traditional ways: How to Whip Stitch in Crochet
Hi Rachel,
I just found your site!! Thank you really very much for you kind generosity and the lovely simple way you talk out the instructions. I learned to crochet as a tiny child from my nanny, who used to crochet as an extra income. All the nanny’s would sit together under big trees talking and all the kids they had charge of used to get crochet hooks!! Subsequently I learned to crochet by watching and following – never reading a pattern. Some years back I was given some strong wool and shown how to do a square of some sort. Its all I have been doing – making the squares and joining them into a huge king size bed throw. Today I thought I’d like to learn something else and found you and your granny square. Its so much simpler than the pattern I was shown a few years back. THANK YOU for helping me learn to read the pattern.
kindest regards,
Okay, this is making no sense to me. You put Round 2: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc now and throughout), 2 dc in loop, ch 2, (3 dc in loop, ch 2) 3 times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 12 dc, but the 12 dc, where do you put it?????? If you could explain the whole granny square a different way that would help A LOT!
Also a suggestion is to tell us how to start with one shell, then on your second row you do 2 shells then 3rd row three and so on, and how to go back so from 3 to 2 to 1 shells. Thanks!
Hi Amelia, the 12 dc at the end is the total stitch count for the round. Here is a post on how to read crochet patterns if you need it: How to Read Crochet Patterns
ooooooo lolz another pattern i used from ur site i actually went back and did the count
lolz. thanks 
Hi Rachel is there any size restriction for the Granny square and why would that be or can you just keep on going? I am at 9 rounds now, thanks!
Hi Tam, you can just keep going and going. Have fun crocheting your granny square!
Tam, I just finished up a 6 ft square granny square. lol it was one of those keep busy projects that got out of hand. its done in watermelon pink and mint blue caron heavy weight yarn. Its really neat looking. So I would say there is no limit on how big a granny square can go.
Hi, in regards to the continuous granny that looked cock eyed. I have run across this one time before, I fixed it from happening by either decreasing the chains between the groups of three, or eliminating them altogether, so instead of this:
3 doubles into the next ch. space, chain 2, three doubles in the next etc, I would either skip the chain inbetween the groups of three doubles, or sometimes reduce it to just one tighter one,this seemed to solve my problem. katie.
Oh wow thanks Rachel, Karen and Katie! mine looks okay so far its in beige on a huge cone of carpet wool I figure I’d like to use it as a blanket on my reflexology table if I can keep going. I am so enjoying it!!
Hi Rachel, Enjoy your web site. I am trying to make a continuous granny rug but am also having the problem of it going out of shape, it looks great for about six rounds then I can see it also going cockeyed as Katie said, I think I may need to increase the chains in between as I think its something to do with my tension, do you have any other suggestions as its very frustrating as I keep restarting to have it happen again,Im also a bit confused as Im in Sydney and where you call them double crochet we call them treble! Chrisitine
Hi Rachel,
I love your website and started making a big granny square blanket for my brother. The square starts to stretch out in the corners with each round added. Is that the nature of the pattern that can be fixed by blocking or could it be something else?
Do let me know. Your help will be hugely appreciated.
Pavi
Hi Pavi, you can try blocking a swatch before crocheting more, to see if it’ll help you. Lots of folks seems to have trouble when the squares gets larger and larger. The smaller squares seem to work better.