Crochet Rectangles - How to Crochet a Rectangle the Easy Way

So you have mastered crocheting squares, but what about crochet rectangles? A rectangle base is extremely versatile, and can be used to make so many items! Think of shawls, rugs, blankets, bags, cushion or pillow covers, scarves and placemats. These are all formed from a basic rectangle base. You can make your item from one large rectangle, or from lots of small rectangles stitched together. You can make a firm rectangle base for the bottom of a bag or a crocheted storage basket.

Crochet Rectangles

Materials

• Yarn in the thickness and color of your choice.
• Crochet hook in a suitable size for your yarn. 
• Scissors.
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends after color changes.
• Stitch markers.

Abbreviations

All instructions are written in US terminology.

• sc= single crochet
• dc= double crochet
• ch= chain stitch
• sk=skip
• st(s) stitch(es)
• sl st= slip stitch
• Granny cluster = the name given to a group of 3 double crochet all worked into the same space.

How To Crochet Rectangles In The Round

Doing Crochet rectangles in the round really sounds silly, doesn’t it?

What it means is to work around a central chain stitch base. You can use any basic crochet stitch you prefer. If you want a firm and solid rectangle, use single crochet, if you want a loose and lacy rectangle, use a treble, or even a double treble stitch.

My example is made using single crochet stitches, which gives a lovely firm and stable crochet rectangle.    

Foundation:

Make a slip knot, and chain stitch 11.

Round 1:

• Work 1 single crochet into the 2^nd chain from hook.        
• Work 1 single crochet into the rest of the chain stitches, until the last stitch.

• Work 3 single crochet into the last chain stitch. (Not into the slip stitch!)

• Now continue working along the other side of the foundation chain. (This means you will be crocheting into the other side of the chain)
• Work 1 single crochet into each stitch, until the last stitch.

• 3 single crochet into the last stitch.
• Join round with a sllip stitch into the top of the 1^st single crochet .

Round 2:

• Chain 1, 1 single crochet into the same stitch.
• 1 single crochet into each stitch until you reach the turning 3 single crochets.

• 3 single crochets, into the next single crochet stitches.
• Mark the 2^nd stitch with a stitch marker. This is so that you know which is your increase stitch in the following round.

• 1 single crochet into next stitch.
• 3 single crochet into next stitch.
• Mark the 2^nd stitch with a stitch marker again.

• Continue 1single crochet into each stitch until you reach the next turning 3 single crochets.
• 3 single crochets, mark the 2^nd.  (As before.)          
• 1 single crochet in next stitch.
• 3 single crochet in next stitch. Mark the 2^nd stitch.
•  Slip stich on top of 1^st single crochet.

Round 3:

• Keep repeating round 2 until your rectangle is the required size.
• Work your 3 single crochet corner stitches into each marked stitch.
• Keep moving the markers so that they are ready for the next round.

As your rectangle grows, you will be increasing the number of single crochet on each round. Each corner must have 3 single crochet in the marked stitches.

How To Crochet Rectangles - Granny Rectangle

If you don’t need such a solid rectangle, and would prefer something more decorative, how about a Granny Rectangle?  This is a quick and easy way to make a very large rectangle that will fit perfectly on a bed, like a blanket. You can also use it to make multiple small rectangles to stitch together for the blanket, or to make rectangular shapes for bags or purses.

• More Reading: How to Crochet a Granny Square

Foundation:

Start with a foundation ch in a multiple of 3+2. 

My example is just 9+2, but if you are wanting to make a large rectangle, you will need to start with a longer foundation ch. However many ch you start with, the method is the same!

• Chain 11

Round 1:

• Work 1 double crochet in the 3^rd chain from hook.
• Double crochet in each stitch to the end.
• Turn the work over. (Wrong side facing towards you).

• Chain 3. (counts as 1 double crochet)
• Work 2 double crochet into the first stitch. (First granny cluster.)

• *Skip 2 stitches, work 3 double crochet into the next stitch.
• Repeat from* until the final stitch.

• Work 3 double crochet into the space made by your starting chain.
• Chain 2, 3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet all into the same space.  You will see your corners forming.

• Skip 2 stitches, and work the next granny cluster (3 dc) in the next stitch. Your clusters must be exactly opposite each other.
• * Skip 2, 3 double crochet in the next stitch.
• Repeat from * to the last stitch.
• Work 3 double crochet into the last stitch.
• Chain 2, 3 double crochet into the side of the 1^st double crochet of the 1^st row.
• Chain 2, slip stitch into the top of the starting chain.
• End off that color. (How to change yarn in crochet)

Round 2:

• Attach a new color in any 2 chain corner spaces. Leave tails long enough for weaving in later.
• Chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet.)
• 2 double crochet into the same space.
• Work 3 doube crochet into each space all the way around.
• Each corner must be made up of 3 dc, ch2, 3 dc into the same space.
• Finish the round by working 3 double crochet in the starting corner, 2 chains, then slip stitch into the top of the starting chain.

Round 3:

• Change color and repeat round 2. You will have an extra cluster on each side of the rectangle, on each round.
• Keep working until your rectangle is the desired size.

Basic Crochet Rectangles

Of course, if you are not a fan of working in the round and keeping track of all those corners, the simplest way to make a rectangle is to work backward and forwards, starting with a long foundation chain if you want a large rectangle!

Basic Stitches

• Make your foundation chain the length or width that you would like your rectangle to be.
• Decide which crochet stitch you would like to use for your rectangle, and simply work backward and forwards using that stitch. You will need a suitable turning chain at the beginning of each row.

Variation Lacy Stitches

You can use any of the basic crochet stitches, but here I have included a crochet stitch pattern in case you would like to add more interest and texture to your rectangle. It is not a complicated stitch pattern, simply a mix of single crochet, double crochet and chain stitches.

Foundation:

• Your starting chain must be a multiple of 6 sts +2.

First Row:

(Right side)

• Work 1 sc into 2^nd ch from hook.
• * Miss 2 ch, 1 dc into next ch, 1 ch.
• Into same ch as last dc, work [1dc, 1 ch, 1 dc].

•  Miss 2 ch, 1 sc into next ch.

• Repeat from* to end, turn.

Second Row:

• 4 ch (counts as 1 dc 1 ch), 1 dc into first sc. Sk 1 dc,1sc into next dc.

• *1 dc into next sc. 1 ch.
• Into same st as last dc, work [1dc, 1ch, 1dc].
• Sk 1 dc, 1 sc into next dc.
• Repeat from * to last sc, into last sc, work [1dc, 1ch, 1dc.] Turn.

Third Row:

• 1 ch, 1 sc into first dc.
• *1 dc into next sc, 1 ch.
•  Into same st as last dc, work [1dc, 1 ch, 1 dc}.
• Sk 1 dc, 1 sc into next dc.
• Repeat from * to end.
• Place last sc into 3^rd of 4 ch at beginning of previous row. Turn.
• Repeat 2^nd and 3^rd rows until you have reached your required length.

Crochet Rectangles - In Conclusion

So what are you planning to make with your crochet rectangles? Are you inspired to create something new and different? Will you choose a single color or stripes? Will you work back and forth, or in the round? Whichever options you choose, enjoy the creative process!