Crochet Building Block #1 – Crochet Granny Square
Learn to crochet Granny Square.
The first block in our Crochet Building Blocks Series is The Crochet Granny Square. The granny square is the classic crochet motif and an easy pattern to learn as a beginner. No matter what your crochet skill level is, the granny square is a must have in your crochet bag o' tricks!
There are many projects you can create with this versatile motif. Try making it in a solid color or change colors at will for a colorful project.
Techniques/Skills Used
Detailed granny square
- Magic Ring (optional)
- Crocheting in the Round
- Double Crochet
- Shells and Groups
- Slip Stitch
- Seamless Color Change (if using different colors)
- Half Double Crochet (for edging)
Crochet Granny Square Block Instructions
With yarn color of choice, ch 4, join with slip st to form a ring (or use magic ring).
Rnd 1 (Right side): Ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, (3 dc in ring, ch 2) 3 times; join with slip st to first dc: 12 dc.
Note: Place a crochet stitch marker around any stitch to mark last round as right side.
Rnd 2: Slip st in next 2 dc and in first ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1 * (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp (Shell made), ch1: repeat from * around; join with slip st to the first dc: 4 Shells.
Rnd 3: Slip st in next 2 dc and in first ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, * work Shell in next Shell (ch-2 sp), ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around; join with slip st to first dc.
Rnds 4-6: Slip st in next 2 dc and in first ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) across to next Shell. * work Shell in next Shell, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) across to next Shell; repeat from * around; join with slip st to first dc; at end of last round, do not finish off: 72 dc.
Slip st in next 2 dc and in next ch-2 sp; ch 2, hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc, hdc in each dc and ch-1 sp across to next corner. * 2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc in corner, hdc in each dc and ch-1 sp across to next corner; repeat from * around; join with slip st to first ch 2.
Helpful Tips and Reminders
- Remember to add a shell (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) to each corner and a cluster (3 dc) in each ch-2 sp.
- The motif can be as small or as big as desired. Simply continue to add rows until you've reached the desired size.
- Yarn color may be changed on any round.
Project Ideas
Finished Granny Square
- Classic Granny Square Blanket
- Granny Square Purse
- Crochet Granny Classic Afghan
- Granny Square Cushion Cover
Want to learn more stitches and motifs? We recommend this book for more great ideas!
Check out our helpful how-to video below!
[…] If you are interested in learning some other stitches, check out our tutorials for the back loop only stitch and the classic granny square cluster stitch. […]
[…] Granny Square […]
[…] I really needed a flat crochet pattern for this and because I was honoring my mother-in-law, I decided on the appropriate Granny Square (my kids called her Granny). I had this lovely lilac color that matches the decor in my guest room/office and I worked this up following the traditional granny square pattern. Rose wrote about it and shared a tutorial here. […]