Learn to Crochet Granny Squares

What are Granny Squares?

Crochet granny squares are motifs made in the round.  The gauge and the number of rounds determine the size of the finished square.  Squares can be joined to make wearable items, accessories, or blankets.  The basic granny square requires only chain stitch, slip stitch and double crochet stitch.  Once you master the basic granny square, there are variations without end. We have collected some interesting examples—just scroll to the bottom of this article.

Granny square crochet, like patchwork, has been used historically to make beautiful things from leftover textiles.  You may have seen a classic afghan made with multicolored granny squares—often made with black borders to unify all the colors.  Because the individual motifs are joined after they are made, granny squares are portable projects.  Work a few squares any time you have some spare minutes and soon you will have a bag of squares to be sewn together into something fabulous.

What can You Make with Granny Squares?

Anything you can make with joined squares could potentially be done with crochet granny squares.  In the 70s some crafters made vests, purses, ponchos, skirts and more using crochet hooks and knitting worsted in groovy colors.

Heavy wool rug yarn could be used for potholders or rugs.  In cotton yarn, a granny square can be a dishcloth.  A washable wool or fine acrylic baby yarn makes a perfect baby blanket. 

How to Crochet a Granny Square

While the exact stitch counts may vary across patterns, here is a typical, no frills granny square formula.

Begin at the center of your square by chaining 6 stitches.  Join in a circle by making a slip stitch through the first chain.  Round one is now made by making stitches into the hole at the center of the chain ring. These stitches will also be made over the starting tail of yarn, thus hiding the yarn end.

Rnd 1: Ch3. Make 2 dc in ring. [ch3, make 3dc in ring] 3 times.  To close the last corner,  ch3 and make 1sl in top of the starting ch3.  This first round consists of 4 groups of 3dc and 4 open spaces.

Rnd 2: Ch3, make 2dc in corner space. Ch1, 3dc in next corner space. [Ch3 for corner, 3dc in same corner space, ch1, 3dc in next space] 3 times. Ch3 and make 1sl in top of the starting ch3 of the round.

Subsequent rounds: Repeat the pattern by making a group of 3dc in each space (the starting ch3 of each round counts as a dc) with a ch1 between each group. In corner spaces there will be 2 groups of 3dc with a ch3 between.

This pattern will be second nature after you have made a few squares.  Make rounds until your squares are the size you desire for your project. 

Joining Granny Squares

Before joining squares, block them to a uniform size.  Pinning them to an ironing board or other such surface and applying a little steam (without touching the yarn) or misting them with water and allowing them to dry works well for most yarns.

Squares can be whipstitched together with a large tapestry needle and yarn to match the last rounds of the squares.  Another method of joining is to use a crocheted slip stitch.

How many granny squares are needed for a blanket? To calculate this, measure your granny square.  Divide the desired finished length and width of your blanket by the measurement of a single granny square.  Round up any fraction. For example, if you calculate your blanket should be 9.5 squares wide by 11.3 squares long, plan for 10 squares by 12. Multiply the numbers to get the total number of squares (in this case, 10 times 12 is 120 squares.)

What about Knitters?

Knitters who don’t want to learn to crochet can mimic the technique by knitting square motifs in a variety of stitch patterns.   We have curated a collection of knit granny square patterns and projects for your convenience.

Granny Square Ideas

Begin with granny square coasters or dishcloths for practice. Then experiment with different weights of yarn and numbers of rounds to see what you most enjoy.  A single large granny square can make a nice table mat.  So can a bunch of small motifs sewn together.  This versatile craft can be small and portable or big and bold. Start with or patterns below.  Soon you may be designing your own original projects with the timeless granny square technique.

References:

McCall Pattern Company, McCall’s Crochet Treasury, 1968