Crocheting Granny Squares is boring? Not at all! It’s no coincidence that the Granny Square is back in style, so it’s high time to get started with this easy—and above all, fun—crochet technique. In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about crocheting Granny Squares and show you 5 surprising variations, including free patterns. Read on to find out more...
Crocheting Granny Squares - Anyone who loves crocheting has surely come across them at some point. The Granny Square is an integral part of the crocheting world, and every Haakster has probably started out by crocheting an old-fashioned little square. Granny squares are used for many projects, such as blankets, bags, clothing, cushions, and much more. By varying the colors and shapes, you can customize the Granny Square entirely to your own taste, making every project unique. Have you tried it yet?
Are you a beginner Haakster and want to learn how to crochet a Granny Square? No problem! Crocheting a Granny Square is the perfect project for beginners because the pattern is simple. In the patterns below, we’ll walk you through the process of crocheting a Granny Square step by step.
Basic Granny Stitch Crochet Pattern
A Granny Square consists of alternating groups of double crochets (also called a cluster) separated by a chain of chain stitches. You can use the granny stitch to crochet both back and forth and in the round, and depending on your pattern, you can create different shapes. Below, we’ll explain the most common granny shapes (square, round, triangle, pentagon, and hexagon) using clear crochet instructions, including a stitch count chart.
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern
Materials
used: Yarn and Colors Epic Peony Pink (38), Pistachio (84), Jade Gravel (73), Lettuce (81), and Orchid (52)
- 5mm Crochet Hook
Abbreviations Used
Crocheting Granny Squares
- Start the first double crochet of each round with 3 chain stitches to build up the height of the double crochets.
- End each round with 1 sl st in the 3rdthe l of your first double crochet.
- Add a new color between the clusters or at a corner. When crocheting the Granny Squares in a single color, chain until you reach the space between the next cluster.
- You can start a square with a magic ring, or you can start a square with 4 ch. In this case, you crochet all the remaining stitches of your first round into the first ch. This also gives you a nice round shape to start with.
- If your crochet work is too wavy, try using a smaller Crochet Hook. If your granny square is too tight, try using a larger Crochet Hook.
- Granny squares take on a beautiful shape when you wet them and stretch them out. Read more here about stretching and steaming your projects.
- Do you want to crochet a Granny Square blanket and figure out how many meters of yarn you’ll need? Start by crocheting one square and measuring it. Then, increase stitches in each round and measure the amount of yarn you used per round. This will help you estimate how much yarn you’ll need for your desired-sized Granny Square blanket.
Granny Square - Crocheting a Granny Square
- Make a magic ring or start with 4 ch.
- Round 1 (Pistachio): 3 l (1ste (double crochet) crochet 2 more double crochets. Chain 1. Crochet 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Crochet 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Crochet 3 double crochets. Chain 1, and finish the round with 1 slip stitch in the 3rdthe l of your first st. Now pull the starting thread tight so that the center of your granny square closes nicely.
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Round 2 (Orchid): Attach the yarn to one of the corners. Crochet around the loop.
3 ch, 2 dc, 1 ch, 3 dc. Crochet 3 dc, 1 ch, 3 dc at all other corners as well. Fasten off with 1 sl st in the 3rdthe l of the first st. - Stage 3 (Jade Gravel): Start at one of the corners. Crochet 3 stitches. 2 dc. 1 ch. 3 dc. Now crochet 3 dc in the center of the side, between the two groups. Continue to crochet 3 dc, 1 ch, 3 dc at each corner, and 3 dc at the center of each side. Fasten off with 1 sl st in the third ch from the first dc.
- Row 4 (Peony Pink): Repeat the pattern from row 3.
- Round 5 (Lettuce): Repeat the pattern from row 3.
Project idea: The Granny Square is suitable for all kinds of projects, but it really shines in Blankets, Cushions, or Clothing Items such as a Granny Square Cardigan.
Granny Pentagon - Crocheting a Granny Pentagon
The granny pentagon is characterized by its five equal sides. The center of the pentagon consists of five clusters.
- Make a magic ring or start with 4 ch.
- Round 1 (Orchid): 3 l (1ste (double crochet) work 2 more double crochets. Chain 1. Work 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Work 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Work 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Work 3 double crochets. Chain 1, and fasten off with a slip stitch in the third chain from the first double crochet. Pull the starting thread tight so that the center of your pentagon closes neatly.
- Round 2 (Lettuce): Attach a new strand of yarn to one of the chain stitches from the previous round. Crochet 3 chains. Crochet 1 single crochet. Crochet 1 chain. Crochet 2 single crochets. For all remaining chain stitches, crochet 2 single crochets, chain 1, and 2 single crochets. Finish with a slip stitch in the third chain stitch from the first single crochet.
- Row 3 (Peony Pink): Attach a new strand of yarn to the first chain stitch of the previous round. Crochet 3 chains. Crochet 1 single crochet. Crochet 2 single crochets. Now crochet 3 single crochets between the next 2 clusters. At all corners of this round, crochet 2 single crochets, 1 chain, 2 single crochets, and on all sides, crochet 3 single crochets. Fasten off with 1 slip stitch in the third chain of the first single crochet.
- Round 4 (Pistachio): Continue crocheting in the same pattern as Row 3.
- Round 5 (Jade Gravel): Continue crocheting in the same pattern as Row 3.
Granny Hexagon - Crocheting a Granny Hexagon
The granny pentagon is characterized by its six equal sides. The center of this hexagon consists of six clusters.
- Crochet a magic ring or start with 4 ch.
- Stage 1 (Jade Gravel): 3 l (1ste (double crochet) crochet 2 more double crochets. Chain 1. Crochet 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Crochet 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Crochet 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Crochet 3 double crochets. Chain 1. Crochet 3 double crochets. Chain 1, and finish the round with 1 slip stitch in the 3rdthe l of your first stitch. Now pull your starting thread tight so that the center of your hexagon closes neatly.
- Round 2 (Pistachio): Attach a new strand of yarn to one of the chain stitches from the previous round. Crochet 3 chains. Crochet 1 single crochet. Crochet 1 chain. Crochet 2 single crochets. For all remaining chain stitches, crochet 2 single crochets, chain 1, and 2 single crochets. Finish with a slip stitch in the third chain stitch from the first single crochet.
- Round 3 (Lettuce): Attach a new strand of yarn to 1 of the ch-1s from the previous round. Crochet 3 stitches. Crochet 1 tr, 1 ch, 2 tr. Now work 3 tr between the next 2 clusters. At all corners of this round, work 2 tr, 1 ch, 2 tr, and on all sides, work 3 tr. Finish with 1 sl st in the third ch of the first tr.
- Round 4 (Orchid): Continue crocheting in the same pattern as Row 3.
- Round 5 (Peony Pink): Continue crocheting in the same pattern as Row 3.
Project idea: The granny pentagon and hexagon are both perfect for making baby blankets and throws.
Granny Circle - Crocheting a Granny Circle
The granny square is characterized by its round shape. The center of the circle consists of 7 clusters.
- Make a magic ring or start with 4 ch.
- Round 1 (Peony Pink): 3 l (1ste (double crochet) crochet 1 more double crochet. Crochet 1 chain. Crochet 2 double crochets. Crochet 1 chain. Crochet 2 double crochets. Crochet 1 chain. Crochet 2 double crochets. Crochet 1 chain. Crochet 2 double crochets. Crochet 1 l and finish your round with 1 sl st in the 3rdthe l of your first st. Now pull your starting thread tight so that the center of your Granny Round closes nicely.
- Stage 2 (Jade Gravel): Join to one of the ch. Chain 3 (first double crochet). Crochet 2 double crochets. Chain 1. Now work 3 double crochets in each ch from Round 1. Between each group of double crochets, chain 1 before continuing.
- Round 3 (Pistachio): Join to one of the ch. Crochet 3 ch (first tr). Crochet 2 tr. Crochet 1 ch. Crochet 3 tr. Now, on each ch from the previous round, work 3 tr, 1 ch, 3 tr. Fasten off with 1 sl st in the 3rdthe l of the first st.
- Round 4 (Lettuce): Join to one of the ch. Crochet 3 (first dc). Crochet 2 dc. Crochet 1 chain. Now work a dc in each ch from the previous round, and work 3 dc between each of the 2 clusters. Crochet 1 chain between each group of double crochets.
- Round 5 (Orchid): Crochet a chain stitch from the previous round. Crochet 3 (first double crochet). Crochet 3 double crochets. Now work 4 double crochets in each chain stitch from the previous round, and finish with 1 slip stitch in the third chain stitch of the first double crochet.
Project idea: Use the granny square to crochet Coasters, doilies, round Cushions, or mandalas.
Granny Triangle - Crocheting a Granny Triangle
The granny triangle is characterized by its three equal sides. The center of the triangle consists of three clusters.
- Make a magic ring or start with 4 ch.
- Round 1 (Lettuce): 3 l (1ste (double crochet) work 2 more double crochets. Chain 2. Work 3 double crochets. Chain 2. Work 3 double crochets. Chain 2 and fasten off with a slip stitch in the third chain from the first double crochet. Pull the starting thread tight so that the center of your triangle closes neatly.
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Row 2 (Peony Pink): Start at one of the corners. Crochet around the loop.
3 ch, 2 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc. Crochet 3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc at all other corners as well. Fasten off with 1 sl st in the 3rd ch from the first dc. - Round 3 (Orchid): Join at one of the corners. 3 ch, 2 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc. Now crochet 3 dc in the center of the side, between the two groups. Continue to crochet 3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc at each corner, and 3 dc at the center of each side. Fasten off with 1 sl st in the third ch of the first dc.
- Round 4 (Jade Gravel): Repeat the pattern from row 3.
- Round 5 (Pistachio): Repeat the pattern from Row 3, but this time, crochet 4 sts instead of 3 sts between the clusters along the long sides.
Project idea: Crochet a cute banner using the granny triangle pattern!
Joining Granny Squares Together
There are several methods you can use to join Granny Squares. For example, you can crochet the Granny Squares together by working along the edge, stitch by stitch, using slip stitches or single crochets. You can also opt for a more playful effect by connecting the Granny Squares with a chain of chain stitches alternating with single crochets, creating a sort of braided structure. It’s easiest to start by making long strips and then crocheting the individual strips together. Would you rather not crochet the granny squares together? Then you can always embroider the individual squares together using an overcast stitch.
Inspiration with Granny Squares
Would you like to try your hand at crocheting a Granny Square project? Use the basic patterns above to design your own creation, such as a Blanket, Cushion, or Cardigan, or get inspired by the many Yarnplaza Granny Square projects. Check out some of our most popular Granny Square designs below and shop for a complete kit right away!
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