Willow Granny Square Pattern (Free PDF + VIDEO!)

With these simple instructions, you will learn how to crochet the appealing Willow granny square, which you can combine to make a gorgeous vintage-style blanket, a bag, a sweater, or something quite different. Additionally, there are quite a number of great projects you could create with these lovely Willow Granny Squares.

Here is the full video of the Willow granny square. Please be patient with the beginning ads, they fund my site, so you get free content.

Willow Granny Square Tutorial

The name “willow” in crochet squares usually refers to a specific stitch pattern used to make the square. There are slight variations to the pattern, but this one is a fairly standard version and, indeed, very pretty!

Willow granny squares are exceptionally charming and delicate, giving a whole new meaning to “Granny Square”! The Willow granny square is a slightly more difficult granny square to create, but with this Willow granny square written pattern, even a beginner can follow along.

Download Printable Pattern

Pattern Notes

Difficulty Level

The crochet skills needed for the Willow granny square are a confident beginner. Thankfully, there are no complicated stitches, just different ways of putting the stitches together!

Therefore to create this crochet Willow square pattern, you only need to know how to work double crochet stitches, single crochet stitches, chains, and slip stitches. Keep reading to see how to combine these basics to craft these beautiful, lacy willow granny squares.

These squares look their best when made in one color, but feel free to mix and match colors for each square to create a larger project.

Willow Granny Square Size

My samples were 5 inches square after blocking when crocheted with DK yarn and a 3.5mm hook. You can vary the size by using a heavier yarn or larger hook. Adding more single crochet rows at the end can also make the square larger.

How to Crochet the Willow Granny Square (Step by Step)

Starting Round 1

1. Start by making a magic ring, or ch4, and join with a sl st to make a circle.
2. Ch3 (works as 1st dc) 15 dc into a circle. (16 stitches)
3. Finish the round with a slip stitch into the top of the initial ch 3.

Round 2: Dc and Chains

1. Ch 4 (counts as 1st dc + ch1),
2. *Dc into next dc, ch 1.
3. Repeat from * all the way around.
4. Finish with sl st into top of ch 3 (16 sts with 16 ch 1 sps).

Round 3: Dc

1. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc).
2. * 2 dc into ch 1 sp, 1 dc into dc from the previous round.
3. Rep from * all the way around until last ch sp. 2 dc into ch sp.
4. Finish with sl st into top of ch 3 (48 stitches).

Starting Corners Round 4

1. Ch1, 1 sc into same st,
2. * 5 ch, sk 2, sc into next st.
3. [Ch 2, sk 2, sc into next st.] 3 times.
4. Rep from * 3 more times.
5. Finish round with sl st into first ch.

Your Willow granny circle will be turning into a square now!

Round 5: Dc Clusters

1. Ch3 (1st dc), 4 dc into 5 ch sp. Ch3, 5 dc into same 5 ch sp (first corner).
2. *Sc into 1st 2 ch sp. 5 dc into 2nd 2 ch sp. Sc into 3rd ch sp (side).
3. 5 dc, ch3, 5 dc into next 5 ch sp (corner).
4. Rep from* until you reach your first corner again, sl st into the top of 3 ch.

Round 6

1. Sl st to get to the ch 3 corner, Ch1,
2. * sc into ch 3 space. Ch3, sc into the same space.
3. Ch5, sk 5 dc, dc into the sc from the previous round.
4. Ch3, sk 2 dc, sc into the third dc of that cluster.
5. Ch 3 sk 2 dc, dc into next sc. Ch 5, sk 5 dc.
6. Rep from * 3 times, and then you will be back at the start of this round.
7. Sl st into first ch.

Final Round 7

This is your outer border round of the willow granny square. Some people prefer to change colors for this round to make a definite, separate border, but it is not essential. It just binds off the outer round of your square with a nice solid outline.

1. Ch 3 (first dc). Work 2 dc, ch 2, and 3 dc into corner space.
2. *5 dc into 5 ch space, [3 dc into 3 ch sp] twice, 5 dc into 5 ch sp.
3. 3 dc, ch2, 3 dc into corner sp.
4. Rep from *3 more times, leaving out the last corner. Join the round with a slip stitch into the top of the 3 ch.
5. Finish off your yarn and weave in the ends.

Your delightful Willow granny square crochet pattern is complete!

Optional Round 8

If you want the edges to be a little firmer, add a row of single crochet for round 8. There will be 3 sc into each corner.

What Can I Make With My Willow Squares?

Anything that can be made with basic granny squares can also be made with Willow squares! The most popular granny square projects include blankets, bags, scarves, and pillows, but these versatile crochet squares may be used for many more!

Because these are pretty and almost lacy in their effect, they could also make a very attractive waistcoat. You could construct a lightweight cardigan; I’ve seen a lot of “granny square” cardigan patterns that I think would look nice with these instead of conventional granny squares. 

See the Willow Poncho Pattern for this lightweight poncho you can later for any season.

These beautiful Willow granny squares are not fragile and have a wonderful drape. If you made them from fine cotton yarn, you could craft a lacy tablecloth, or if that’s too ambitious, how about a couple of placemats? Of course, if you have made only one as a sample and are not keen to crochet more of these, a single square would make a sweet little crochet coaster pattern!

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Willow Granny Square – In Conclusion

This is the method to use to create these adorable willow granny squares. Remember that crochet is all about being creative and making it your own by experimenting with different kinds of yarn, colors, and square sizes. You could work each round in a different color or make your squares bigger by adding more rounds. These willow squares are certain to make a statement, because of their lovely texture and appealing look.