Two Color Granny Square Pattern (Diagonal Design Tutorial)

A two color granny square is a fun variation of the classic granny square that creates a bold geometric design using two contrasting yarn colors. This pattern uses a diagonal color split to form two triangles within a single square, making it perfect for modern crochet blankets, cushions, bags, and graphic crochet projects. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to crochet a solid two color granny square, change colors neatly, and combine multiple squares to create striking patchwork designs.

What is a 2 Tone Granny Square

Unlike the classic or traditional granny square, each side of this square is made up of just double crochet stitches, one double crochet into each stitch. There are no clusters and no chain stitches in between. This makes a “solid” row in each square, so the granny square is “solid.” rather than “holey”

If you create squares with two contrasting colors, changing along the diagonal, you will make triangles joined together. This opens up a wonderful world of exploration into placing shapes. If you add these to a few single-colored solid squares, you can make the most amazing patchwork patterns!

Even though we have already covered how to make a half granny square, this saves a lot of stitching together if you want to make a design from triangles.

How to Make Two Color Granny Squares (Step by Step)

This is a fun and simple two color granny square pattern that can be used to create a number of items. You just need to be able to make basic crochet stitches such as single crochet, chain stitch, and double crochet.

You will need two colors of yarn. (Color A and color B) and a crochet hook suitable for the weight of yarn you are using. I used a DK cotton yarn and a 3.5mm hook.

Special Skill – Changing Colors

If you are working with two colors at a time within the same square, you need to have a seamless crochet yarn color change. To do this, change to your second color by pulling the new color through the loop already on your hook. This will create 1 chain stitch.

Drop the old color and pick up the new one as required. If you work over the yarn, you are not currently using, “burying” the other color, you will have a lot fewer ends to work into the project afterward. Keep both yarns attached at the same time. You will need to work fairly tightly to stop the contrasting yarn from peeping through!

TIP: Because you will be working with 2 yarns at the same time, keep the single thread of each yarn together, one being worked and one being carried and hidden beneath the stitches. But be sure to keep the balls of yarn separate, or they can get horribly tangled as you work!

Using color A, make a magic circle or ch4 and sl st to make a loop.

Round 1:

1. Into loop, ch 5, (This counts as ch2 plus a dc), 3 dc, ch1.
2. When you change color, you will do it using another ch st. (So color changes count as ch 1 throughout the pattern.)
3. Change to color B, 3 dc, ch2, 3 dc, ch1.

Note that for my two color granny square, I have been crocheting over my color A strand of yarn, so it is the correct position to pick it up again now without creating a long loop at the back.

4. Change to color A, 2 dc, sl st into 3^rd ch of the beginning ch 5.

Round 2:

1. Sl st in next ch 2 sp.
2. Ch3 [counts as dc],
3. (dc, ch2, dc ) in the same sp. [Corner formed]
4. Dc in each of the next 3 sts. Still working over color B.
5. (2 dc, ch1) in next ch 2 sp.

6. Change to color B. (creating a ch as you change.)
7. 2 dc into same sp, dc in each of the next 3 sts. [2^nd corner formed.]
8. (2 dc, ch2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp. [3^rd corner]
9. Dc in each of the next 3 sts.
10. (2 dc, ch1 ) in next 2 ch sp.

11. Change to color A, 2 dc in the same ch2 sp.
12. Dc in each of the next 3 sts, sl st into 3^rd ch of initial chain.

Round 3:

Your two color granny square is now getting larger and you will continue in a similar fashion:

1. sl st in next st, sl st in next ch 2 sp, ch3 [counts as a dc]
2. dc, ch2, dc in same 2 ch sp.
3. Dc in each of next 7 sts,
4. (2 dc, ch1) in next corner sp.

5. Change to color B. 2 dc in same corner sp.
6. Dc in each of next 7 sts.
7. (2 dc, ch2, 2 dc) into 3^rd  corner sp.       
8. Dc into next 7 sts, (2 dc, ch1) into next corner, change to color B.
9. 2 dc into same corner sp,
10. dc into next 7 sts, sl st into 3^rd ch of initial ch.

Round 4 :

1. sl st into next st, sl st in next 2 ch sp, ch3. [Counts as dc].
2. (Dc, ch2, dc) into same 2 ch sp, dc into next 11 sts.
3. (2dc, ch1) in next corner sp, change to color B.
4. 2 dc into same corner sp, dc into next 11 sts.
5. (2 dc, ch2, 2 dc) into next corner sp. Dc into next 11 sts.
6. (2 dc, ch1) into next corner sp, change to color A
7. 2 dc into same sp, dc into next 11 sts, sl st into 3^rd ch of initial ch.

Larger 2 Tone Granny Squares

You can alter the size of this block by adding or subtracting rounds. It is simple to construct a lot of squares or to continue adding rounds to make a larger square. As you will see, these squares lend themselves to creating lots of small squares and then joining them together.

If you want a larger 2 color granny square, continue using this pattern. Each corner is made up of dc, ch2, dc, each straight section is made by crocheting into each dc of the previous round.

Your dc count will increase by 4 on each side with each round. Change the color on the 1^st and 3^rd corners. Finish off the yarn and weave in the ends of both yarns at the beginning and at the end of the square.

Two-Color Granny Square Blanket Patterns

Well done, you have completed your two-color solid granny square! Now comes the really fun, creative part! Once you have made a number of these squares, along with a few solid colored squares, you can start arranging them into interesting patterns for your final creation! Here are some design examples to try out, but keep changing them up and shuffling them around until you find your perfect combination!

Simple square within a square arrangement.

Diagonal stripes made with a careful arrangement of 2 color granny square pieces.

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In Conclusion

These 2 color granny squares may be small, but they can be used in so many different ways and are a lot of fun to experiment with. Two tone granny squares are great if you want a quick and enjoyable project, a way to use up your yarn scraps, or a different and unusual design element to add to your crochet projects. These squares are fantastic as building blocks for larger items or even as decorative accents on smaller projects. Enjoy experimenting with all the different patterns you can make with two color solid granny squares!