How to Crochet a Granny Square for Beginners

The traditional crochet granny square is a staple skill for any beginner crocheter to master. A crochet granny square is essentially a crocheted square, made by stitching in rounds using alternating sets of double crochet stitches and chain stitches. This guide includes videos to learn how to crochet a granny square, as well as a tutorial from the wonderful Abby at Calm Homemade, using the granny square scarf pattern from Debbie Bliss' Dulcie Lookbook. So grab your hooks, it's time to make some grannies!

Once you learn how to crochet a traditional granny square motif, you can get as creative as you like! You can whip up granny square afghans and baby blankets, crochet a granny square top, you name it! The beauty of the granny square technique is you can crochet individual granny squares while you're on the go, and then join the granny squares together after.

Granny Square Crochet Patterns

Crochet abbreviations

Here, we use US terms.

Ch - Chain

Sl st - Slip Stitch

Sp - Space

Rep - Repeat

Dc - Double crochet

Materials

Debbie Bliss Duclie in shades Ecru, Heather and Primrose
Debbie Bliss Dulcie
7mm crochet hook
KnitPro Aluminium Soft-Grip Silver Crochet Hook

How to crochet a simple granny square step-by-steps

Using a 7mm hook, ch 4, sl st into the 1st ch to make a ring.

Pro Tip

You could also start with making a magic ring!

Round 1. Ch 5 Note: the ch 5 counts as a dc and ch 2. Place [3 dc, ch 2] 3 times, place 2 dc into the ring, sl st into 3rd of ch 5. Crochet around the tail to weave in.

Round 2. Sl st into the first sp, ch 5, place 3 dc into the same sp as the sl st, *ch 1, place [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc ] all into the next sp* rep from * twice more. Ch 1, place 2 dc into the same sp as the ch 5, insert your hook into the 3rd ch of ch 5, using a different colour draw a loop with the new colour.

Note: continue to round 3 instructions if you want your square all the same colour.

Cut the yarn from the first round and tie a knot to secure. 4 corners have now been formed.

Round 3. Sl st into the first sp, ch 5 place 3 dc into the same sp as the sl st. Ch 1, place 3 dc into the next sp, *Ch 1, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] all in to the corner sp, Ch 1, 3 dc into the next space (this forms the side of the square)* rep from * twice more. Ch 1, place 2 dc into the corner sp, sl st into the 3rd of ch 5.

Round 4. Sl st into the first sp, Ch 5, place 3 dc into the same sp as the sl st, [ch 1, 3 dc into next space] twice, *Ch 1, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] all into the corner sp, [ch 1, 3 dc into the next sp] twice; rep from * twice more, ch ,1 place 2 dc into the corner sp, insert hook into 3rd ch of ch 5 and pull through new colour, cut previous rounds yarn and tie knot to secure (or continue with existing if you want your square all one colour).

Round 5. Sl st into first sp, ch 5, place 3 dc into same sp as sl st, [ch 1, 3 dc into the next sp] 3 times, *ch 1 [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc (tr)] all into corner sp, [ch 1, 3 dc into next sp] 3 times, rep from * twice more, ch 1, place 2 dc into corner sp, sl st into 3rd of ch 5.

Round 6. Sl st into the first sp, ch 5, place 3 dc into the same sp as sl st [ch 1, 3 dc into next sp] 4 times, * ch 1 [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] all into corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc into next sp] 4 times, rep from * twice more, ch 1, place 2 dc into the corner sp, sl st into 3rd of ch 5. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

And you're done! That's your first granny square complete!

This tutorial was taken from the Debbie Bliss Dulcie Lookbook

Download the Dulcie Lookbook from Debbie Bliss to receive the granny square scarf pattern - a fun and fabulous way of perfecting your grannies! Play with different colourways and combinations for the perfect granny square scarf. For the month of May, the Lookbook and pattern is FREE with any purchase of Dulcie!

Debbie Bliss Dulcie Lookbook with Festival Crochet Scarf Pattern - Downloadable PDF By Debbie Bliss

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Shop Dulcie Yarn

How to join crochet granny squares

An easy way to join your crochet squares together, is to pin the pieces together and join together by working a row of DC along each joining seam. Finish off and sew in your ends.

Once all your squares are joined together to finish it off, you can work a final round of DC all the way around the front. Work 2 or 3 DC in to each corner stitch to keep the corners square. Join with a SL ST, finish off and sew in your ends.

Free granny square patterns galore!

There are so many different types of granny squares. We're digging the floral granny square patterns, they make for perfect shawls too! Here's some of our top free crochet granny square patterns. But oh my, we've just got started!

Free