Free Granny Circles Crochet Pattern for Beginners

Today, we are going to explore how to make granny circles because every granny square deserves a little twist! This is a really rewarding project to make because it adds such a different look to your normal granny squares. Granny circle squares begin with a small center circle, which gets larger with each round. You can construct corners onto the circle and continue crocheting as a square.

Crochet Granny Circles Tutorial

Crochet Granny squares are extremely popular for crochet projects, and this technique allows you to create a whole new spin on these old favorites. In this article, we will explore how to make these granny circle squares step by step.

This crochet circle shape lets you get really creative with colors, as you can work in complementary colors or different shades of one color, and you can swap the color of the circle with the color of the outer square, and so on.

Difficulty Level

These are easy to make as long as you know the basic crochet stitches.

Supplies for Granny Circles

• Yarn of your choice. You will need two colors for each square, either blending colors or contrasting colors. This is also a good project for stash-busting! Just be sure to choose yarns with the same or similar thickness.
• Crochet hook suitable for your yarn.
• Scissors.
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

I used a worsted weight cotton yarn with a 4.5 mm hook for these samples.

Abbreviations

All instructions for this granny circles pattern are written in US terms:

• ch = chain stitch
• dc = double crochet stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• st = stitch
• sl st = slip stitch

Crochet Granny Circles Pattern, Step-by-step Instructions

This tutorial will show you how to make 3 styles of granny circles

1. Cluster-style large granny circle
2. Cluster-style granny circle in a square
3. Solid granny circle in a square

1. Cluster Style Circle Granny Square

If you prefer the cluster style of granny circles, with its more lacy look, you can still create the circle in a square design.

Round 1:

1. Using color A, begin by creating a magic ring (magic circle), or make a 4-stitch foundation chain, then link with a slip stitch to the beginning to form a ring.
2.  Chain 3 (forms first dc), dc into ring, chain 1 (this is the first of our clusters).
3. Then, repeat *2dc, ch1* 5 times more, and finish the circle with a slip stitch to the top of the original chain 3 (6 clusters).

CHANGING COLORS: If you wish to change colors between rounds, instead of slip stitching to the next chain space in the next round, fasten off and join the new color in the next space.

Round 2: 

1. Sl st to next ch1 sp.
2. Ch 3 (this counts as the first dc)
3. (dc, ch 1, 2dc, ch1) into same chain 1 space.
4. *2dc, ch1, 2dc, ch1, into each ch 1 sp.
5. Repeat from * 5 times, then finish with a slip stitch to the top of the first chain 3 (12 clusters).

Round 3:

1. Sl st to ch1 1 sp.
2. Ch 3 again, this makes up our first double crochet. (2dc, ch 1) into this ch 1 space as before.
3. *3dc, ch1, into each ch1 sp.
4. Repeat from * 11 times, then finish with a slip stitch to the top of the first chain 3. (You will still have 12 clusters, but each cluster is now made up of 3 dc instead of 2.)

Round 4:

1. Sl st to ch1 1 sp.
2. Ch3 2 dc (first granny cluster), ch2.
3. *3dc, ch2, into each ch1 sp.
4. Repeat from * 11 times, then finish with a slip stitch to the top of the first chain 3. (12 clusters, but now each cluster is made up of 3 dc with ch2 in between.)

Round 5:

1. Sl st to ch1 sp.
2. Ch3, 2 dc, ch1, 3 dc into same ch2 space.
3. *Ch1, 3 dc, ch1, 3 dc into same ch2 space.
4. Repeat from * all the way round. Sl st to top of 1^st ch.

Where you have worked the two clusters into one space, it may start to look like you have formed a corner, but the next row will smooth that out.

Round 6:

1. Sl st to ch1 sp.
2. Ch3 2 dc (first granny cluster), ch1.
3. 3 dc, ch1 into each space all the way around. Sl st to top of 1^st ch.

Round 7 and Beyond:

• Round 7 - Repeat round 6
• Round 8 - Repeat round 5
• Round 9-10 - Repeat round 6
• Round 11 - Reapeat round 5
• Continue repeating round 6 twice and round 5 once.

2. Granny Circle in a Square Cluster Style

Rounds 1-3:

1. Crochet rounds 1-3 as above.

Round 4:

1. Insert hook and slip stitch into any ch space of your circle, then Ch3 (counts as a dc).
2. 2dc, ch2, 3dc into the same ch space. This is the square's initial corner.
3. Next, ch1, 3dc into next ch sp of circle twice more.
4. Second corner: Into the next ch space,ch1, 3dc, ch 2, 3dc. (You will have two clusters of 3 dcs - one cluster for each side of the square while the ch2 forms the neat corner.)
5. Continue around your circle, working 2 clusters along each side of the square, then a corner, all the way around.
6. Finish with sl st into top of first ch3.

Your circle has now become a square! You can choose to stop here, or continue to form another square ‘round’ to make your squares a little larger.

Round 5:

1. Sl st to ch2 corner.
2. Create a corner again: ch3 (first dc), 2 dc, ch2, 3 dc into the corner space.
3. *(Ch1, 3 dc into next ch1 sp.) Repeat 2 more times. Ch1.
4. Create corner.
5. Repeat from * 3 times, which will bring you round to that first corner again.
6. Join to the top of the first ch 3 with a slip stitch.

And there you have cluster-style granny circles in a square! Again, you can increase the size of your square by making either the center circle or the outer square larger. Or both!

This style of “circle square” actually looks very good, changing colors on every round. But of course, it depends on the finished look you are aiming for!

3. Solid Circle Granny Squares

Here is a free pattern for making granny circles that are solid.

Round 1:

1. Using color a, create a magic ring, or ch4, sl st into 1^st ch to make a ring.
2. Ch3 (counts as dc), 11 dc into the ring,
3. sl st to top of starting chain. (12 stitches)

Round 2:

1. Ch3, dc into the same st, 2 dc into each st around.
2. Sl st to the top of the starting ch to join up the circle (24 stitches).

Round 3:

1. Ch3, 2 dc into the next st,
2. * dc into next st, 2 dc into following st.
3. Repeat from * all the way around.
4. Change yarn color by stopping before the last yarn over of the last st, and pulling a loop of color B through, then attaching it to the top of the starting ch with a sl st (36 stitches).

Round 4:

1. Using color B, you are now forming the square part of this motif.
2. Ch 3, (dc, ch2, dc) all into same st, (Creating your first corner of the square)
3. Dc into next st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc into next 2 sts, dc into next st.
4. * (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc ) all into next st, [corner]
5. dc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next st.
6. Repeat from * all the way around.
7. Join with sl st to top of first ch 3 (48 crochet stitches, 4 ch 2 corners).

Round 5:

1. Ch 3, dc in the next stitch,
2. *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next ch 2 space [corner], dc in the following 12 stitches*
3. repeat from * to * around, joining with sl st to top of first ch 3 (64 dc)
4. Finish by fastening off and weaving in the ends.

If you would like to make larger granny circles, you can make the central circle larger by adding more rounds or the outer square larger by adding more rounds, following the same “formula”.

To increase in rounds, for the circle part, continue working in rounds as you have already done, working 1 more stitch between each increase stitch. Keep this sequence until your circle is the required size.

Your Granny Square Circle block is complete, and you can now enjoy producing these in large quantities! I love how you can mix and match your favorite colors to create your own unique circle granny square patterns.

What Can I Make with these Granny Circle Squares?

These squares are obviously ideal for producing blankets or wraps of any size. However, they would also look great as pillow coverings or totes. You could even use them to make a scarf or a shawl!

Your color choices will definitely influence the final appearance of your finished item. Decide whether you like the look of all the center granny circles the same color with a different color for the outer square.

Or reverse the colors of the squares and circles and place them alternately. You may prefer a bright rainbow look of random colors for each section! Give it some consideration before you begin.

Crochet Granny Circles - In Conclusion

The beauty of granny circles is not just in how they look but also in the feeling of accomplishment when you finish them. They are so satisfying to make!

I hope you have been inspired to start your own granny circle projects. This craft is all about the joy of making things and the happiness of learning new skills. The world of crochet is a really large place, and it is growing all the time.