Learn how to crochet a granny square with this easy tutorial on crochet granny squares for beginners. In this tutorial, you will get the easiest granny square pattern that any beginner crocheter will be able to follow. You will find step by step instructions and clear photos to help you in your journey.

How to Granny Squares Tutorial

Classic granny squares can be used for so many projects. Join them together to make a blanket, cardigan, bag and so much more! With the following granny square technique, you will have gain so much confidence.

What is a Granny Square?

A Granny Square crochet is a classic small square motif crochet design that is easy to learn. It uses the basic crochet stitches of double crochet and chain stitch to make a small square from scraps of yarn. Starting from the center, you will continue with similar rounds until your granny square if your desired size.

Brief History of Granny Squares

The name given to these lovely little motifs seems to come from the fact that the grannies have the time to sit and crochet! If one looks up the history of granny squares, it seems that this is not too far from the truth.

Long ago, when a person could not just order yarn on the Internet, thrifty women unraveled old sweaters, socks, and other yarn-based items. This resulted in small scraps of various colored yarns. They used this recycled yarn to crochet small squares, which they then sewed together to form larger items such as granny square blankets. Granny squares are the perfect combination of crochet and patchwork!

Supplies for Granny Squares

Crochet hook (Read about crochet hook sizes)
Yarn a suitable thickness. I like making granny squares with either a worsted weight yarn or DK yarn with a size H or 5 mm crochet hook. If you are an absolute beginner, use an acrylic type of yarn in a good quality that won't split.

Here are some suggested yarn and size crochet hooks for making crochet granny squares for beginners.

YARN WEIGHT	PLY	HOOK SIZE
DK	8 Ply	4.5-5.5mm
Worsted	10 Ply	5.5-6.5mm

Suggested yarn and size crochet hook for crochet granny squares for beginners.

Basic Granny Square Abbreviations

When working on these granny squares for beginners, we will be working with US terminology.

ch = crochet chain stitch
dc = double crochet stitches
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) - stitch (es)
sp = space
ch sp = chain space
Granny cluster = is the name given to a group of 3 double crochet all worked into the same space. (Also called a double crochet cluster or dc cluster)

How to Crochet a Granny Square for Beginners

This free crochet pattern will show you how to make classic crochet granny squares for beginners. Once you have mastered the basics, you can start on different shapes and variations.

Below will show give you a written pattern for how to crochet a granny square with step-by-step instructions. There is also an abbreviated printable pattern for granny squares at the end of this article.

Classic Crochet Granny Square Foundation:

Crochet 4 chain stitches. Join with a slip stitch in the 4^th chain from the hook. You will now have a circle.

This is the easiest way to start a granny square for beginners. However, it is not the only way. Here are 2 more methods to start your granny square that result in a smaller center hole.

Alternative Start Method #1:

This is quick and simple and leaves a smaller central hole than the foundation ring. But it can be a really tight squeeze fitting all 4 clusters into one chain loop.

Chain 3. Put the hook into the first chain.
Follow the instructions for round 1 below. All of the granny clusters in your first round are worked into your first chain stitch.

Alternative Start Method #2:

The 3rd way to start a granny square is to use a magic ring or magic circle. This creates an adjustable loop so you can make the hole in the middle invisible.

Round 1:

Chain 3. (This counts as the first double crochet)
Into the foundation ring, work 2 double crochet. Chain 3. (First granny cluster)
*Work 3 double crochet. Chain 3. (Second granny cluster)
Repeat from * twice more. You will be back to where you started, and your piece will be starting to look square.
Join with a slip stitch into the 3^rd chain of your starting chain. Your work should look like the one below.

In the first row of a simple granny square, there are 4 clusters of double crochet, with 3 chains between each cluster.

*How to Crochet a Granny Square - Round 1*

Round 2:

We are now ready for the second round of stitches. In my photos, I have changed the color of the yarn so round 2 was easier to distinguish - see further down this article for instructions on how to change colors in crochet granny squares for beginners.

When working a granny square, you don’t turn your work around. The right side must always face you.

If you are using the same color, slip stitch to the next corner. If you are changing the yarn color, join the yarn to any corner space.
Chain 4. (Counts as 1dc and 1ch). Into this same corner space, work another 2 double crochet. (First cluster)
*1 chain stitch. (This creates a small gap.)
3 double crochet into the next corner space. 3 chain stitch, 3 double crochet into the same space. (This forms the next corner.)
Repeat from the * twice more.
In the last corner space, work 3 double crochet and 3 chains.
Join with a slip stitch into the 3^rd chain of your starting stitches. (This forms the last corner.)

*How to Crochet a Granny Square - Round 2*

Round 3:

Round 3 is done much the same as round 2, except the work is getting a little larger. To make the instructions a little shorter, I will start using abbreviations. Refer to the abbreviation section if you need to. Ch means chain stitch, and dc means double crochet.

If you are using the same color, slip stitch to the next corner. If you are changing the yarn color, join the yarn to any corner space.
Ch3 (Counts as 1 dc). Into the same space, work 2dc and 1ch. (This makes the first cluster of round 3.)
Into the next ch1 space, work 3dc, 1 ch.
Into next 3ch space, work 3dc, 3ch, 3dc, (This forms a corner again), 1ch.
Repeat these steps all the way around to your starting ch. End with 3ch and join with a sl st into 3^rdch of the starting ch.

Round 4:

If you are using the same color, slip stitch to the next corner. If you are changing the yarn color, join the yarn to any corner space.
Ch3 (This acts as 1dc), into same ch space, work 2dc. 1ch.
Into next ch space work 3dc. 1ch
Into next ch space work 3dc. 1ch
Make a corner cluster of 3dc, 3ch, 3dc.
Repeat these steps all the way around.
In the last 1ch space, work 2dc.
Join with a sl st into the 3^rd chain.

Continue working around your classic granny square until you have reached the desired size for your granny square. Many crocheters like to complete their last round of every square in matching yarn. This forms a brightly contrasting frame for each square.

*Basic Crochet Granny - Rounds 3 and Beyond*

How to Make Crocheted Granny Squares Bigger (The Formula)

As you work, you will see how the pattern forms and repeats.

You have 1 granny cluster worked into each 1 chain space.
The corners have 2 granny clusters in each corner, with 3 chains in between them. Those 3 chains used for the corner form a sharper, more defined corner than if you only worked 1 chain in between the clusters.
Be certain that all your corners are lined up perfectly. If you work a corner too early or too late, your square will not be square!

How to Crochet a Granny Square, Finishing

1. Tail of the Granny Square Crochet

When your granny square crochet is large enough, complete that round, finish with your slip stitch, then cut your yarn leaving a tail of about 3 “(8 cm). Pull the yarn through your last stitch to tie it off and prevent your square from unraveling.

Finishing the Tail of the Granny Square Crochet.

2. Loose Ends in a Granny Square Crochet

To cover up your loose ends when changing colors, you can enclose them with your next cluster of double crochet, or if you prefer, you can sew them into the crochet stitches with a yarn needle.

Whichever method you choose, it is better to finish off loose ends as you go. It is really tedious to have to sew them all in at the end of a whole blanket!

3. How to Join Granny Squares

There are 2 main ways to join crochet granny squares for beginners. Either with a visible contrasting color or by stitching the squares to create invisible seams.

If you like seams that can be seen, then a single crochet stitch is best to join the crochet granny squares for beginners.

Put your 2 squares with wrong sides together.
Insert the hook under the outside loops and single crochet into both layers. (yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2 stitches)
Open up and you have a beautiful contrast seam.

For invisible seams, use a whip stitch or a crochet slip sitch with the squares right sides together. Read about another 6 methods of how to join granny squares.

How to Join Granny Square Crochet - With Single Crochet — How to Join Granny Squares - With Single Crochet

How to Change Color in a Granny Square

How about trying a multicolored granny square this time? Work your foundation chain and round 1 in one color. It is best not to just tie a knot, as these knots have a way of working themselves to the front of your work and spoiling the final appearance of the granny square.

To join in your new color yarn:

When finished with round 1, slip stitch along the work to the next ch space.
Pull the yarn through the last loop, to finish it off and prevent unraveling.
Add a new slip knot in your new color to the crochet hook.
Insert the hook into that chain space where the previous color ended.
Pull up a loop from behind and pull it through the slip knot on the hook. This is 1 chain.
Ch 2 more, to make the 3 ch, which is equal to the first dc stitch.
Continue making your rounds in the granny square sequence of stitches. You can change colors as often as you like, usually every one or two rounds.

How to Change Colors on a Granny Square Pattern — *How to Change Colors on a Granny Square*

How to Crochet a Granny Square Variations

Crochet granny squares for beginners don’t have to be square! Your shape just depends on how many 3 ch corners you create.

You can make Granny Mandalas (work in circles, don’t make any corners), granny triangles, (3 corners), granny pentagons, hexagons, or octagons. You could even make a granny rectangle or a solid granny square pattern. If you want to crochet granny clusters back and forth, read my article on the granny stripe.

What Can I Make With My Crochet Granny Squares for Beginners?

Now you have the building blocks to make whatever you fancy with these lovely little square motifs.

If you look back to fashion in the ’70s, you will see that you can make absolutely anything with crochet granny squares for beginners. Back then they made vests (waistcoats), skirts, bell-bottom trousers, ponchos, bags, anything at all with even the crochet granny squares for beginners. Now a basic granny square pattern is more likely to be used for scarves, cowls, tea cozies, coasters, pot holders, tote bags, and of course the old favorite, square blankets.

How to Crochet a Blanket
How to Crochet a Coaster
Crochet a Rectangle (includes a granny rectangle)

Granny Square Designs

Get the guide to the best free crochet granny square patterns.

How to Crochet a Granny Square - In Conclusion

I hope you found learning how to crochet a granny square with this granny square tutorial as much fun as I did writing it. If you continue making these crochet granny squares for beginners, whatever you choose to do with your granny squares, you are sure to find them easy, fun, and addictive to make.

They are perfect to have as a take-a-long project when waiting for children, or for an appointment. They can be packed in a small bag, you don’t have to lug a huge craft bag along with you. Get creative with your colors, and get creative making your granny square crochet projects. You are sure to enjoy them!

More Basic Crochet Stitches

Now you know how to crochet a granny square, why not try some more crochet stitches.