How to Crochet a Granny Rectangle {+Chain Calculator}

A granny rectangle is a variation of the traditional granny square that begins with a foundation chain rather than a center ring. This simple adjustment creates a rectangular shape that is perfect for crochet blankets, scarves, shawls, table runners, and baby blankets. If you’ve ever wondered how to crochet a granny rectangle, this beginner-friendly tutorial will show you several easy methods, including a traditional granny rectangle, an alternative center-start version, and a solid granny rectangle pattern.

What is a Granny Rectangle?

Granny rectangles are one of the easiest crochet shapes to master. They use the same granny stitch clusters found in traditional granny squares, but create a more practical shape for many projects. Because you can control the starting chain length, granny rectangles are particularly popular for blankets, baby blankets, table runners, and wrap-style garments.

The most challenging part of learning how to make a rectangle granny square is just getting started, and even that is pretty easy! To make the granny rectangle, instead of starting with a magic circle or a chain ring, you will start with a straight foundation chain. But more about that later!

Granny Rectangle vs Granny Square

While granny squares are worked evenly from the center outward, granny rectangles begin with a foundation chain that determines the shape of the project. This makes granny rectangles ideal for blankets and scarves because you can create the desired length and width from the very beginning.

Feature	Granny Rectangle	Granny Square
Starting Method	Foundation chain	Magic ring or chain loop
Shape	Rectangle	Square
Best For	Blankets, scarves, shawls	Motifs, cushions, garments
Beginner Friendly	Yes	Yes

How to Make A Granny Rectangle (Step by Step)

The size of your foundation chain will depend on the rectangle’s size and shape. You may want to make many small rectangles to join together to make a big blanket, or you may want to just keep going around and around in one piece until your rectangle is a lap blanket size.

Here is your basic granny rectangle pattern and photo tutorial for this crochet technique:

Foundation Rectangle Granny Square

Whatever you choose, your foundation chain must always be a multiple of 3,+2. For demonstration, I am going for a starting chain of 12 +2 =14 stitches, and multiple colors. If you want to make a large rectangle, you will need to start with a longer foundation chain. However many chains you start with, the method is the same!

Granny Rectangle Calculator

Use this calculator to work out how many chains you will need for the center of your granny rectangle.

Now you have your granny rectangle chains, it is time to start crochet!

Round 1

1. Work into the 4^th chain from the hook. (This is a turning chain)
2. Into this chain, work 2 double crochets.

3.  *Chain 1, Skip 2 chains.
4. Work 3 double crochets into the next chain. (this is a granny stitch)

5. Repeat from * to the end of the foundation chain row.
6. You will have worked 3 double crochets into your last chain.

Now you need to create the corners of the rectangle.

7. Work 2 chains.
8. Work another 3 double crochet into the same chain as the last cluster.

9. Chain 2.
10. Work another 3 double crochet into that same chain again.

You will have worked 3 clusters all into the same chain, which is stretching things a bit, (literally!), but this only happens in the first round.

11. So far, you have formed your first 2 corners. Now continue with the sequence of (ch1, sk2, 3 dc) into the next chain around the other side of the foundation chain.

Your clusters should be mirrored exactly, so each 3 dc cluster will be worked into the same chain of the first side.

When you work to the end of the chain again, you will need to create the next 2 corners.

12. (2 ch, 3 dc) into the same stitch again for the corner.
13. Chain 2, slip stitch into the top of your first turning chain.

Round 2

1. If working in a single color, slip stitch into the first 2dc of the first cluster. This moves your yarn along to the next space.
2. Change to a new color if desired. Join the new color to the corner space.
3. Chain 3. (turning ch, counts as 1 dc)
4. Work 2 dc into this same corner space.

5. Keep working (3dc, ch1) into each chain space along the first side.

6. When you get to the first corner: (3dc, 2ch, 3dc), all into the corner space.
7. Chain 1, then work the second corner in exactly the same way.

8. Work along the other long side of your rectangle, working (1ch, 3dc) into each space.
9. 3^rd corner:  (1ch, 3dc, ch2, 3dc) into the corner space.
10. 4^th corner: You should already have half of your corner made at the start of this round. So just work (1ch, 3dc, 2ch) into that space from the previous round, then join to the top of the turning chain with a slip stitch.

Round 3

Continue working in the same way around all subsequent rounds. Make the corners, in the same way, each time. You will have more spaces and clusters in each round.

Lots of ends still to be woven in here! Keep working as long as you like, until the rectangle is the size you want it to be.

You can use your practice rounds as a neat little bookmark!

Granny Square Rectangle Variations

Single Crochet Center

The method given above is the simplest version of a granny rectangle. However, some crocheters don’t like working so many stitches into the foundation chain!

If this is you, here is the written pattern for how to work the rectangle with a more substantial middle.

1. You will still start with a foundation chain of a multiple of 3 +2.
2. Turn your work, work into 3^rd chain from hook, and crochet a row of one sc into each chain, all the way along. This gives you a firmer central foundation.

3. Chain 3 (equal to 1^st dc),
4. 2 double crochet into the first single crochet stitch below.

5. * Skip 2, chain 1,  3 dc into next stitch.*
6. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row.
7. 3 dc into the space formed by the 2 chains at the start.

8. (Ch2, 3 dc, ch2, 3dc) all into the same space. (Corners formed.)

9. Work back along the foundation row of sc, working clusters into the same stitches as before to create a perfect mirror image.

10. 3 dc into the last stitch.
11. (Ch 2, 3 dc) into the same space as 1^st cluster.
12. Chain 2, slip stitch into the top of the 3 chains you worked at the start of this round.

13. Change colors if desired, and continue in rounds, in the same way, working 3 dc, 1 ch into each space all the way, then 3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc into each corner space.

Solid Granny Rectangle Crochet Pattern

For those of you who are not fans of that distinctive granny cluster look, it is possible to make more solid granny square rectangles, with spaces only in the corners.

1. Start, with a foundation chain.
2. Ch3, (turning ch= 1 dc), then 1 dc into each chain to the end.
3. To turn and create a corner, work *(2 dc, ch2, 2dc) into the last chain.
4. Ch2, 2dc, still working into the same chain.
5. Then dc into each chain along the other side of the foundation chain, keeping stitches symmetrical.
6. Create a corner by working (2dc, 2ch) twice. Then close the round by working a slip stitch into the top of your turning chain.
7. Continue in rounds like this until your rectangle is the required size.

It will be stiffer and firmer than a traditional granny rectangle because it has fewer spaces in between stitches. You will still have corner gaps, though, as you need those to turn corners and still let the fabric lie flat,

Troubleshooting Granny Rectangles

Because these are so simple, not very much can go wrong! But here are some problems you may encounter:

What Can I Make With Granny Rectangles?

With granny square rectangles, you can make absolutely anything which is based on a rectangle shape!

• Crochet shawl patterns
• Crochet blanket patterns, and Afghan patterns
• Crochet bag patterns
• Crochet scarf patterns
• Crochet headband patterns
• Crochet baby blanket pattern

Even crochet top patterns! Use 1 rectangle for the front and 1 for the back for a sleeveless top, or crochet 2 more rectangles to form sleeves. Here is the pattern to make a rectangle blanket and a granny stripe scarf.

Granny Rectangle Blankets

Many of you will be asking how long should my chain be for a granny rectangle blanket. You subtract the blanket width from the blanket length and this will be the chain length.

How many chains for a granny rectangle blanket?

This formula works for yarn in any weight.

FORMULA: Blanket length – width = chain length*

*IMPORTANT: You will need to round the number of chains to a multiple of 3 plus 2 for turning.

EXAMPLE: A blanket 60×40″ would be a 20″ starting chain length. So if that 20″ starting chain length had 58 chains, you would round it to 60 chains (multiple of 3) and add 2 turning chains to make it 62.

If you have a custom size you would like to make, see my article on the rectangle crochet blanket pattern, which includes a custom calculator for any size or gauge of yarn.

Granny Rectangle FAQs

Granny Rectangle – In Conclusion

A granny rectangle is one of the most useful variations of the traditional granny square. By starting with a simple foundation chain, you can create blankets, scarves, shawls, bags, and home décor projects in almost any size. Whether you choose the classic granny rectangle, the alternate version, or the solid granny rectangle pattern, the technique is easy to learn and perfect for beginners. Once you’ve mastered this pattern, learn how to make a granny square, solid granny square, or join granny squares to expand your crochet skills.

More Granny Crochet Articles

• How to Join Granny Squares
• Granny Square
• Solid Granny Squares
• Solid Granny Squares