Granny Square Tutorial 1: How to Crochet a Simple Granny Square

For this tutorial, I’m using cotton DK yarn, with 50 g giving you around 125 metres. You can, of course, use any yarn you prefer. Just adjust your crochet hook size to match the yarn you’re using.

I’ve made my granny square using a different colour for each round, but you can use any colour combination you like. You could also make the entire granny square in one colour.

Size:
Using cotton DK yarn, the granny square measures approximately 9 × 9 cm. You can easily add more rounds to make the square as large as you like.

Materials:
A 3 mm crochet hook and DK-weight cotton yarn in various colours. You’ll need approximately 7 g of yarn for a granny square this size.

Abbreviations: (I use US Terms)
ST: Stitch
SC: Single Crochet
CH: Chain stitch
DC: Double Crochet
SS: Slip Stitch


The Simple Granny Square:

Round 1:



Start with a magic ring and work 3 chain stitches (this replaces the first double crochet) and 2 double crochets.

Then work 2 chain stitches, followed by 3 x (3 double crochets, 2 chain stitches).

Pull the magic ring closed and finish the round with a slip stitch into the top chain of the beginning chain stitches.

If you’re working with multiple colours, simply cut the yarn here. Otherwise, you can continue with the same colour.



Round 2:



Start in one corner and attach the new colour.
Work into the first corner: 3 ch, 2 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc.
Then work into each of the next 3 corners: 3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc.
Finish the round with a sl st into the top ch from the beginning.



Round 3:



Start again in one corner and attach the new colour.
Work into the first corner: 3 ch, 2 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc.
Then work 3 dc into the space between the groups of dc from the previous round.
Repeat the following 3 times:
(3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc into the corner, followed by 3 dc into the space between the groups of dc from the previous round).
Finish the round again with a sl st into the top ch from the beginning.



Round 4:



From this point on, each round is worked in the same way.
Start each round with 3 ch, which counts as the first dc, followed by 2 dc, 2 ch and 3 dc.
Between the groups of dc from the previous round, work 3 dc into each space.
With each new round, there will be one more space to work into. In each corner, work 3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc.
As before, finish each round with a sl st into the top ch of the beginning chain.

Round 5:



Round 5 is worked in the same way as the 4th.

How Can You Use Granny Squares?
You can simply keep adding rounds to your granny square until you have a beautiful, one of a kind baby blanket.
Alternatively, you can make lots of individual granny squares and sew them together to create a completely different style of blanket.
And there are so many other things you can make with granny squares too, from bags and cushion covers to coasters, table runners and much more.


How join the granny squares?



I like to join my granny squares using the mattress stitch. Of course, there are other ways to join granny squares, but I prefer this method because it creates a neat, almost invisible seam.

Place two granny squares with the right sides facing each other. Start at a corner, at the chain space. Insert your needle from bottom to top through the outer loop of the first square, then through the corresponding outer loop of the second square.

Pull the yarn through and repeat this process, alternating between the two squares. Continue working through the next outer loop on each side, one stitch at a time, until you reach the next corner.

Once you reach the corner, gently pull the yarn along the seam to bring the two squares together and make the seam almost invisible. Be careful not to pull too tightly, as this can cause the squares to bunch up. You want to pull the yarn enough to close the seam neatly without changing the shape of the squares.



I hope you enjoyed making this Granny Square as much as I did! If you give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think, so feel free to leave a comment or share your feedback.
And if you’d like to try more Granny Square designs, you’ll find plenty of other tutorials on my blog. Just go to “Blogs” under my posts and search for “Granny Square Tutorial” to find them all in one place.