How to Crochet a Granny Square
The classic granny square is a perfect crochet pattern for blankets and loveys. These are so easy to customize and make wonderful baby gifts.
In crochet, a granny is a cluster of 3 double crochets. A granny square is worked from the center out using these stitches.
Granny squares are great for using up scrap yarn, and creating easy stripes. Crocheters love gifting granny square loveys and blankets.
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The Yarn for this Granny Square
I’m using Bernat Softee Baby Cotton* in this granny. It’s a #3 light weight yarn, so I pair it with a 4mm hook.
You can make granny squares with any weight yarn. It’s important that you match your hook to your yarn.
So if you want to make a #4 medium weight yarn granny square, then I might recommend a 5mm hook. Usually it will depend on your personal tension, or gauge.
Crochet Granny Patterns
The granny square here is lovey size and includes a sweet little amigurumi bear in the center.
Squares are not the only way to use grannies. You can also crochet granny triangles.
These make great triangle shawls, or little projects like crochet sandals.
Materials
You can use any weight yarn, #4 medium yarn is the most commonly used.
For this tutorial I use:
- Bernat Softee Baby Cotton in Feather Gray (Color A) and Soft Plum (Color B) this yarn is a #3 light weight yarn (254 yds/4.2oz), I used less than half a ball each.
- 4mm (G) hook
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- scissors
Stitches/Abbreviations {US Terms}
mc-magic circle or you can ch 3 and sl st to the first ch to form a circle.
sl st-slip stitch
Level
Beginner
Construction
This crochet granny square is worked in the round. This means you will crochet in a circle, and join the rounds with a slip stitch, and then continue crocheting in the same direction for the next round.
Adjustment
To adjust the size of your granny square you can crochet more or less rounds of the repeat. This will increase or decrease the overall size of your square.
Changing the weight of your yarn and hook will change the size of your individual stitches, and then also your granny square.
So usually a #3 light weight yarn will yield a smaller stitch and square than a #4 medium weight yarn. However, much depends on your personal tension.
How to Finish a Granny Square
You can just crochet the granny square as large as you would like, need or until you run out of yarn!
For this granny square lovey I include a border pattern. You can add a variety of different borders to get the look you want. They’re so fun!
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Granny Square Tutorial
How to Crochet a Granny Square
Learn how to crochet a simple granny square for crochet blankets or loveys.
Materials
- Bernat Softee Baby Cotton in Feather Gray (Color A) and Soft Plum (Color B) this yarn is a #3 light weight yarn (254 yds/4.2oz), I used less than half a ball each.
Tools
- 4mm (G) hook
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- scissors
Instructions
Start with a mc.
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the mc, ch 2, 3 dc in the mc, ch 2, 3 dc in the mc, ch 2, 3 dc in the mc, ch 2, sl st to 3rd ch to join round, sl st over to next ch 2 sp. (20 sts) If you want to change colors, cut the yarn and join with a sl st at the next corner ch 2 sp. - Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the same ch sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same ch sp, *{ch 1, sk next 3 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in the next ch sp} rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sk last 3 dc, sl st to 3rd ch to join, sl st over to next ch 2 sp. (36)
- Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the same ch sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same ch sp, *{ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in the next ch 2 sp} rep from * 3x, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, ch 1, sl st to 3rd ch to join,
sl st over to next ch 2 sp. (52) - Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the same ch sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same ch sp, *{ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in the next ch 2 sp} rep from * 3x, *{ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch sp} rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st to 3rd ch to join, sl st over to next ch 2 sp. (68)
- Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the same ch sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same ch sp, **[*{ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in the next ch sp} rep from * 3x, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in next corner ch 2 sp] rep from ** 3x, *{ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in the next ch sp} rep from * 3x, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, sl st to 3rd ch to join, sl st over the corner ch 2 sp. (84)
- Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the same ch sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same ch sp, {ch 1, sk 3 dc, 3 dc in each ch 1 sp along the sides}, when you come to a ch 2 corner, place (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in the ch 2 sp, then continue to {ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc into each ch 1 sp along the sides}, ch 1, sk the last 3 dc, sl st to the 3rd ch to join, sl st over to the ch 2 corner space. (100)
- Rounds 7-15:
Beginning in Color B and changing to Color A after two rounds, repeat round 6 nine times total (x9), continue changing colors every 2 rounds. End with 244 st.
16. In Color B, Rep Round 6. (260) On the last round sl st to the 3rd dc (just before the ch 2 corner sp), continue to Border below.
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the mc, ch 2, 
3 dc in the mc, ch 2, 
3 dc in the mc, ch 2, 
3 dc in the mc, 
ch 2, sl st to 3rd ch to join round, sl st over to next ch 2 sp. (20 sts) If you want to change colors, cut the yarn and join with a sl st at the next corner ch 2 sp. 
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the same ch sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same ch sp, *{ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 
(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in the next ch sp} rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sk last 3 dc, 
sl st to 3rd ch to join, 
sl st over to next ch 2 sp. (36) 
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the same ch sp, ch 2, 3 dc in the same ch sp, 
*{ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) all in the next ch 2 sp} 
rep from * 3x, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1, sk next 3 dc, ch 1, sl st to 3rd ch to join, 
sl st over to next ch 2 sp. (52)
Border
Start in the dc just before the ch 2 sp of the next corner, ch 1, sc in same, 5dc in corner ch sp, sk next two dcs, sc in next dc, 5dc in next ch sp, *{sk next two dc, sc in next dc, 5 dc in next ch sp} rep from * around, sk next two dc, sl st to first sc. 
Finishing
Cut yarn and weave in ends.
Block your blanket. Blocked size is 16’x16.5.”
Notes
You can continue the repeat for as large a blanket as you like.
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Video Tutorial
Watch the full step by step video tutorial on how to crochet a granny square on my YouTube.
