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Granny Square How-To

Linda Permann, contributor

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The basic double-crochet granny square is easy to learn how to make and is a great way to use up some of your yarn stash.

Linda Permann

Step 1: To get started, ch 6, and join to form a ring.

Linda Permann

Step 1a: Once you’ve made a ring ch 3. This is your first dc. Your center ring should look like this image.

Linda Permann

The basic double-crochet granny square is easy to learn how to make and is a great way to use up some of your yarn stash.

Photo: Linda Permann

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Today I’m going to explain how to make a basic double crochet granny. You can use grannies for much more than blankets—with just a few you’ve got the start of a lovely bag for spring, or a colorful headband, coasters, placemats, etc. I love the granny because it’s worked in the round; fussy foundation chains are not for me!

Here are a few links to modern granny inspiration before we get started:

Tiny Granny Square Art
Beautiful Granny Blanket
Granny Square Tote


Here are the abbreviations I’ve used, in case you aren’t familiar with them:
ch= chain
dc= double crochet

Step 1:

To get started, chain 6 (ch 6), and join to form a ring.

I am typically all about the magic ring/slipknot, but since blankets tend to get tugged and pulled by the weight of all that other yarn, I think a ch-6 ring is necessary in this case. After all, with all the time you'll put into your project, you want it to last.

Step 1a:

Once you make the ring, chain 3 (ch 3)—this will count as your first dc. Make 2 more dcs over ring. This is your first 3 dc shell.
*Ch 2, and make 3 dc over ring. Repeat from* 2 more times, ch 2 and join yarn to the 3rd ch of the round. You’ll have a nice little starter square.

After you’ve made a ring ch 3. This is your first dc. Your center ring should look like this image.

Step 2:

Join the second color of yarn in one of the ch-2 spaces (these are all corners, at this point). I like to join mine before the yarn end I just left so that I can crochet over the ends as I go, but there’s no “right” corner to join to—after all, you have a symmetrical shape, no matter which way you rotate it. Ch 3 to count as your first dc.

When adding the second color yarn, all ch-2 spaces are an option of places for you to start. I like to join my second color before the yarn end that I just left. This way I can crochet over the ends as I go.

Step 2a:

In the same ch-2 space: 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc. You’ve just made a corner.

Can you see that you have just made a corner? Now, ch 1, and skip the shell.

Next, ch1, and skip the shell.

Step 2b:

*In the next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Ch 1, skip the previous round’s shell. Repeat from * twice and join to the third stitch of the round.

You should now have four corners in your second round of color.

Step 3:

Now it’s time to start the third round. Again, you can join your new yarn anywhere. Here, I joined it in one of the ch-1 spaces before a corner.

Now you’re ready to add the third round of color. As before, you can join your new yarn anywhere. I started mine in one of the ch 1 spaces right before one of the corners.

Ch 3 (counts as dc) and make 2 dc in the ch-1 sp. Ch 1, then (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the ch-2 space/corner. Ch 1. *3 dc in ch-1 space, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner. Ch 1. Repeat from * around, join to the 3rd stitch of round.

With each round that you make, you’ll be adding an extra shell on each side. When you add this shell, you’ll be creating the space for the extra shell on the subsequent round. In this way, you can make your square as large or as small as you like.

Subsequent rounds are easy to make if you remember this simple formula:
In all ch-1 spaces: 3 dc, then ch 1.

In all ch-2 spaces/corners: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), then ch 1.

Step 3a:

With each round, you’ll be adding an extra shell on each side (and by adding the shell, you’ll be creating the space for the extra shell on the subsequent round).

You could make your granny as small or large as you want, and by playing with yarn sizes, there are even more possibilities. So get grannying!

See more of my projects on my personal blog, and look for my new book, Crochet Adorned, in stores August 11, 2009.

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Comments (17)

Maggiereds writes: Hi I finished the quilt with your great directions, how do I put it together. Can I single crochet both squares to each other? How does it lay flat? I am new at this and could use all the help I can get. LOL Please advise. Posted: 3:33 pm on June 19th

350yarnstasher writes: Good directions. When I do the granny square, I never chain in between each group on 3-double crochet. It seems to not lay flat and too loose and not lay flat, especially if I am doing an extra large (like 36x36) for a baby afghan. I looked back on my other old patterns and none of them do that chain in between either. I guess that there are many variations of the granny square. I now like to make the granny rectangle and use plastic bags cut into loops, looped together and make rugs! Nice for the little ones when they get out of the tub or outside out of the pool. They don't get their feet dirty and full of grass and can put their shoes on after they dry off. Posted: 5:33 pm on June 2nd

gabenoah0809 writes: a friend tried to show me how to do granny's and made it so confusing but your simple how to i finally made a square. i plan on making a blanket for my son who is due in just a few wks. thank you so much! Posted: 1:12 am on May 29th

nurseseabreeze75 writes: Finally I can do it. My mother-in-law showed me how but my squares kept coming out round. Thanks to your tutorial they are now square. I didn't change the colors though. I will get to that when I get better at crocheting. Thanks for the instructions. Posted: 9:32 am on March 30th

adooki writes: Thanks for the great tutorial,my friend did show me how to do granny squares some time ago but i didn't practice and so forgot, now i can check here if i forget again. Posted: 3:33 pm on February 10th

Caroleia writes: thank you so much for this tutorial which has inspired me to get back crocheting after 20 years Posted: 7:47 pm on January 23rd

LindaPermann writes: Maryselan- Yes, you should cut the yarn and weave in the ends. What I do is actually crochet over the ends as I go-- hold the yarn end close to the top of the stitches and encase it when you do your yarn over/draw up a loop/yarn over and draw through both loops. Then I leave a little bit sticking out and weave it back through the same stitches in the other direction. Since there are lots of spaces in the square I usually only weave it through one grouping of DC stitches- back and forth a few times. Posted: 12:57 pm on January 22nd

Maryselan writes: I have a question..this is my first time ever doing crochet. I suceeded to make a granny square thanks to your instructions. But I was wondering if you cut the previous yarn off when you join the colors, and if so (cause I did) how do you weave in the ends?...See I am used to knitting... Posted: 10:10 pm on January 17th

LindaPermann writes: thanks everyone, it's the highest compliment to me that these instructions were useful and I'm so glad that you all made granny squares successfully! Posted: 3:06 am on October 23rd

imcfee writes: I'm a beginning crochet-er, never been able to get a granny square right until I found your directions. Super-easy to understand, and the photos are great. I finally did it! Thanks so much! Posted: 6:44 pm on October 22nd

mommac writes: I loved the directions,the use of the different yarn colors was clever and very helpful. Posted: 10:13 pm on July 8th

Knotsewcrafty writes: I've never been able to do a Granny Square before and it was a source of much frustration. Yours is the clearest how-to that I've tried and, lo and behold, I made a Granny!

Thank you!!!!! Posted: 1:48 pm on June 8th

salamonadesign writes: Very easy and clear instruction for beginners. I have crocheted since I was a child and made many blankets, tops, scarves tablecloths and doilies.
I am glad that you are bringing crochet to a wider audience.


Posted: 9:41 am on May 8th

KRACKER writes: My passion is knitting; however, I have tried crocheting with stitch samples. Since I am left-handed it was a brain switch aroo to learn these stiches right-handed. Your "how to" was just what I needed to see. I learn by seeing and doing. Love this new site. Thanks so much! Posted: 6:20 pm on May 1st

rodezzy writes: Crochet is my favorite craft, and I do it a lot! The granny square is an old favorite and I use it often. I'm so glad to see a push to make crochet a "not just for grannies" craft. The granny square can be contemporary depending on the yarns you use. All of the delicious novelty yarns have got me crocheting something all the time. I love them and can't wait to use them. All of the standard yarns are still used, but in conjunction with the newer fun yarns, and I love, love, love it. My granny squares have taken on a whole new life. Posted: 1:22 pm on May 1st

craftyloop writes: crystal clear step by step explanations. thank you Posted: 1:11 pm on May 1st

wb4chh writes: The colors are beautiful and they really caught my eye. this project can blossom into others and you can take it on the road! Posted: 11:31 am on May 1st

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