How to Crochet a Granny Square
| 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
Round 1: ch 4, sl st in forth ch from hook
Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in loop, ch 2, (3 dc in loop, ch 2) 3 times, sl st in next ch
Note: at the end of this round and all following rounds, you may change yarn color if desired
Round 3: (ch 2, 3 dc in next loop, ch 2, 3 dc in same loop) 4 times, sl st in next ch
Round 4: ch 3, 2 dc in loop, (ch 2, 3 dc in next loop, ch 2, 3 dc in same loop, ch 2, 3 dc in next loop) 3 times, ch 2, 3 dc in next loop, ch 2, 3 dc in same loop, ch 2, sl st in next ch
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 loops (each round has 4 corners): 3 dc in loop, ch 2, 3 dc in same loop
- For side loops (each round adds one more loop to each side): 3 dc in loop
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
I do the continuous granny square. I change color with the 3d round and there I ch 2 & make a half by going in the ch 2 space to my right (behind). There is another way I’d like to know. A whole corner can be made by going into the ch 2 ahead but I’m not sure how to do it. I just would like to try it although the half is simple. Hope I explained it. Do you have instructions for that? I love this pattern and have done 20″x20″ blankets for the ASPCA for years. They just love them and so do the cats. They give one when a cat is purchased. I do so many colors usually two colors & an off-white or gray or white for holidays. Thanks.
Dorothy
Hi Dorothy, I’m not sure I know the method that you describe. The pattern above is what I do to make a granny square.
Have another question. When I started to do the Granny Square I did 2 ch at the start of a row and then one ch between sts and also in the corners. Does it make a difference to your item if you make 3 ch at the beginning and then 1 ch throughout? I’m just curious. Probably it’s the preference of the one who is crocheting. I’m doing the 3 ch and 2 ch on one now and it’s hardly any larger but it seems to be nicer overall. It seemed the 2 ch gave a bump there as if it was too much but it seems to be okay when you look at the previous rows. I also have a slight problem about it looking crooked. I’m hoping the 2 ch will straighten it.
thanks
The ch-2 and ch-3 doesn’t really make much of a difference. Technically a ch-3 is suppose to be the length of a double crochet, but some make their chains tighter or looser, so that’s why some people like the ch-2 over the ch-3 and vice versa.
[...] 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. [...]
Hi! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Just one question…at the end of each round, do I turn the square like I would do when I’m working in rows? Thanks for the help & happy new year!
Hi Jennifer, you do not turn after each round. Since it is worked in rounds instead of rows, you simply continue to work in a circular fashion.
I’ve had repeated problems with any granny square tutorial I’ve tried – on the slip stitch part where you start the next round. I just could not get this to look natural no matter how many times I tried!
Here’s where I was getting stuck:
Everything was going along fine, until the Round 2 to Round 3 transition:
Did my slip stitch at the end of Round 2. Now onto Round 3.
Did my chain 2… now what? I do 3 dc in the NEXT loop? Then doesn’t this create a funny “extra” loop? Like – it lays on top of the 3 dc under it from Round 2?
Not sure if that makes sense but that’s where I was getting stuck – maybe you can help since it sounds like it should work!
)
In order to move on with the project I went ahead and did what my instincts told me to do and tried turning my work to see if I would have better results – and I really did! It worked great for me this way! I do my slip stitch at the end of Round 2 as instructed, then chain 2, turn my work, and (in the loop I just created with the slip stitch) do 2 dc – chain 2 – 3 dc, continuing as the pattern instructs but turning at the end of each round. Worked so well I thought I’d share in case it helped others!!
Hi Sara Jo, when you do the ch 2 then 3 dc in the next loop, it should not lay on top of the 3 dc on the previous round, since you are making your 3 dc into the loop and not onto the 3 dc. The loop refers to the open chain space created in round 2, not the double crochets. There isn’t an extra loop since the ch 2 in this case works like a double crochet, not as a chain space/loop. The ch 2 will “stand” vertically next to the 3 double crochets you make.
I had the same problem as Susan, granny sq. blanket looking cockeyed after a several rounds. Finally after asking everywhere & everybody I got a nice square blanket after 16 rounds. Two people I found said to do a single crochet at the beginning of my round until the last one, then I do a slip st to secure it. I didn’t think that answer would work but tried it and IT DID WORK. Do this from the beginning though, to make it work. I am so happy with it as I didn’t like it leaning as it did to the right.