Crocheting is a timeless and versatile craft that allows you to create beautiful and functional items, from cozy blankets to stylish accessories. If you’re just starting out on your crochet journey, one of the best projects to begin with is the classic granny square. Granny squares are simple to make, yet they can be combined to form intricate and stunning designs.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of crocheting a granny square for beginners.
A granny square stands as a quintessential crochet motif. It originates from fundamental crochet stitches, most notably the chain stitch and the double crochet stitch. Identifying a granny square is quite simple due to its distinct square shape and its delicate, lacy appearance.
Typically petite in size, granny squares offer an excellent solution for utilizing leftover yarn scraps. You have the flexibility to craft them in a single, solid hue or opt for a captivating multicolor approach, using a different yarn shade for each round.
Before we get started, gather the following materials:
Yarn: Choose a yarn in your preferred color and weight. For beginners, a medium-weight yarn (often labeled as “worsted” or “aran”) in a light color is recommended as it’s easier to work with.
Crochet Hook: Select an appropriate hook size for your yarn. Most medium-weight yarns work well with a 5.0 mm (US H/8) hook, but check the yarn label for recommendations.
Scissors: For cutting the yarn.
Yarn Needle: Used for weaving in ends.
In crafting a granny square, you’ll employ some fundamental crochet stitches. Below are the abbreviations utilized in this pattern:
ch – chain stitch
ch-sp – chain space
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch (Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch, and loop on hook)
Below are the detailed instructions for crocheting a granny square:
Foundation Ring: Begin your granny square with a central ring. Create a chain of 4 stitches.
Insert your hook into the first chain stitch and make a slip stitch to connect the chain stitches into a circle.
Creating the foundation Ring
Round 1: Chain 3. Inside the center ring, crochet 2 double crochets (dc), followed by a chain of 3.
Repeat the following pattern: (3 dc, ch 3) three times.
Conclude this round by joining with a slip stitch to the top of the first chain-3.
Round 1
Round 2: Chain 4; this counts as the first double crochet and a chain-1 space.
In the next chain-3 space (the first corner space), work the following: 3 dc, chain 3, 3 dc, chain 1.
Repeat Step 2 two more times for a total of three times.
In the last chain-3 space, work: 3 dc, chain 3, 2 dc.
Join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the initial chain stitches.
This concludes the second round.
Round 2
Round 3: Chain 3; this counts as 1 double crochet.
Next, in the chain-1 space from the previous round located just below, work 2 double crochets, followed by a chain-1. This creates the first granny cluster of this round.
In the next chain-3 corner space, work: 3 dc, chain 3, 3 dc, chain 1.
In the next chain-1 space, work: 3 dc, chain 1.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 around to the starting chain. Finally, join with a slip stitch to the top of the initial chain-3.
Round 3
Round 4: Chain 4; this counts as 1 double crochet and a chain-1 space.
In the next chain-1 space, work: 3 dc, chain 1.
In the next chain-3 corner space, work 3 dc, chain 3, 3 dc, chain 1.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 in each of the remaining chain-1 and chain-3 spaces.
In the last chain-1 space, work 2 dc.
Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain-3.
This completes Round 4.
Round 4
Finishing the Granny Square: Once you have finished the last round, cut your working yarn, leaving a tail of approximately six inches. Pull the yarn through the final stitch. Employ a blunt yarn needle to weave in the loose ends, securing them neatly.
Congratulations! You’ve completed your first granny square. To make a larger granny square, repeat the process, adding more rounds. You can experiment with different colors and yarn combinations to create unique and beautiful designs. With practice, you’ll be able to crochet granny squares of various sizes and create amazing projects like blankets, scarves, and more.
If you prefer video tutorials, you’re in luck! I highly recommend checking out this extensive tutorial tailored for visual learners who find video content more accessible than written instructions. The tutorial was carefully created by Amira Crafts Channel and you can access the video tutorial.
Dear crocheter friend, if you liked this article and wanted to have it in PDF, we can help you. You can access the PDF here below:
Access the PDF/ Basic Granny Square
We at My Sweet Crochet blog wish you all a great week and feel free to come back to our blog whenever you want. It’s great to share this incredible art that is crochet. To the next!
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