Step by Step Granny Square Tutorial

A granny square is a simple and colorful crochet project that’s rewarding for beginners and advanced crochet artists alike. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll guide you through an entire granny square pattern step by step (or, rather, stitch by stitch), so you can work at your own pace. Need a refresher on some basic stitches and techniques as you go? Head to this section for a quick review. Once you’ve finished making your first granny square, feel free to make more and build them into an even bigger crochet project, like a blanket.

Granny Square Pattern: A Quick Tutorial

Initial circle: Ch(ain) 6, sl(ip) st(itch) to join
Round 1: Ch 3, 2 d(ouble) c(rochet), ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st
Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st
Round 3: ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st
Finishing: Cut yarn and pull tail through loop.

Section 1 of 7:

Granny Square: Round 1

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1
Create a slip knot. If you make your initial loop too large, pull on either the yarn tail or the working yarn to make it smaller. Slide the loop of this knot onto your crochet hook to get started.
- The yarn tail is the short strand of yarn hanging off your hook, while the working yarn is the length of yarn connected to the yarn ball.
Wrap yarn around the hook, and pull it through the loop attached to the slip knot--this is one chain stitch. After the new loop is wrapped around the hook, pull another loop through that, making a second chain stitch. Repeat this until you have 6 chains.

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This forms a ring, which will be the very center of your granny square. You’ll notice a gap in the middle of the ring, which is supposed to be there.
These 3 stitches will act as your first double crochet stitch.
5
Complete 2 double crochet stitches. As you double crochet for the first time, you’ll be yarning over the 3 stitches you just chained, and the resulting stitch will create the illusion of 2 double crochets. Double crochet one more time to create a cluster of 3 stitches.
- As you make the stitches, slide your hook into the center of the ring, not in any of the ring’s stitches.
These 3 stitches will create the first corner in the round.^{[1]
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Create your second batch of double crochet stitches by working into the center of the ring. As you did before, yarn over the 3 chains you made as you stitch the first double-crochet stitch of the cluster.
To finish the first round of your granny square, you’ll need 2 more clusters of 3 double crochet stitches. Chain 3 stitches before each triple cluster to create an identical pattern around the granny square.
Do a final set of 3 chains to form the last corner of the round.
Slide your crochet hook into the very top of the 3 chained stitches that you used at the very beginning of the round and slip-stitch everything together.

Section 2 of 7:

Round 2

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As you did in Round 1, chain 3 at the start of this new round.^{[2]
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2
Double-crochet 2 times in the last corner chain of the previous round. Find the third stitch of the chain 3 that you just used to connect and finish off round 2. Work your new chain 3 and 2 double crochet stitches into this stitch to create the first cluster of round 2.
- This cluster will be close to the corner of the square.
This stitch will bridge the gap above the cluster of double crochets below it (in round 1).
Remember how you chained 3 stitches between each cluster of 3 double crochets in round 1? These 3 chains essentially created a corner shape between all 4 double-crochet clusters, giving it the appearance of a square. To continue the pattern (and square shape), do another cluster of 3 double crochet stitches in the first stitch of this chain.
These 3 chains will help form the first corner in the current round you’re working on.
You know how you just did 3 double crochets in the first corner space of round 1? It’s now time to do the same thing in the third chain of the corner in round 1. This helps solidify the corner of round 2.
Using round 1 as your guide, continue to chain once, double-crochet 3 times in the first stitch of the round 1 corner chain, chain 3 times, and double-crochet 3 times in the third stitch of the round 1 corner chain. Once you finish this, you’ll have 3 of the 4 corners in round 2 complete.^{[3]
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This goes over the fourth cluster of double crochet stitches at the end of round 1.
This is the last cluster of double crochet stitches that you need to do for round 2.
This helps form the final corner for round 2.
Make sure that you’re slip-stitching into the top chain of the original 3 stitches you chained in round 2. Now, your granny square looks even bigger.

Section 3 of 7:

Round 3

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Like before, these first 3 stitches will serve as 1 double crochet stitch.^{[4]
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2
Double-crochet 2 times in the last corner space of the previous round. You know how you ended the previous round with 3 chains, which you just slip-stitched? Work your double crochet stitches (including the chain 3) into the third chain of this previous round.
- This cluster should sit to the right of the first double crochet cluster in round 2.
This chain stitch stretches over the first double crochet cluster in round 2, immediately beneath where you’re currently working the yarn.
Remember how you chained a single stitch between the 2 double crochet clusters along the edge of round 2? Now, work your next double crochet cluster into this exact stitch.
This chain goes over the top of the second cluster along the first edge of round 2.
Like you did before, find the first of the 3 chains that make up the corner in round 2. Work 3 double crochets into this stitch to finish off the first edge of round 3.
This creates the first corner for round 3.
To start off the second edge of round 3, find the third chain of round 2’s first corner. Then, work the double crochet cluster into this stitch.
Once you finish, you’ll be starting on the fourth edge of round 3.
This creates the second cluster along this edge of the granny square.
This chain goes over the second double crochet cluster of the previous row.
This will finish off round 3, and be very close to the original cluster you started the round with.
This creates the fourth and final corner for round 3.
Remember how you started the round by chaining 3 and double-crocheting twice to make your first cluster? Slip-stitch into the third chain of this chain 3 to complete the round (and the granny square, if you so please).

Section 4 of 7:

Additional Rows (Optional)

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No matter how many rounds you add to your granny square, you’ll always need to start the first cluster in the final third chain of the previous round.^{[5]
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Just as you did in the previous rows, find the gap stitch between each double crochet cluster and work 3 double crochet stitches into it. Repeat this process until you reach the corner. Make sure to chain 1 over each double crochet cluster you pass over!
As before, work a double crochet cluster into the first chain of the corner in the previous round. Chain 3 times to create a new corner for your current round, and then double-crochet 3 times again into the third chain of the previous round’s corner.
After you finish your last cluster of the round, chain 3 and slip-stitch into the third chain of the chain 3 that you started the round with.

Section 5 of 7:

Finishing the Square

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Whenever you’re ready to finish your granny square, cut the yarn (leaving a 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) tail) and thread it through the loop. Pull on the tail to tighten the knot and secure the square.
Work the yarn tails into the square with a yarn needle. Now that the square is finished, you’ll notice 2 yarn tails hanging off your project: 1 where you finished off the square, and 1 from the loop at the very center. Thread these tails through a yarn needle (a special needle with a large eyelet) and work them into the existing loops and stitches of the square. This helps your granny square look a lot more polished.

Section 6 of 7:

Switching Colors

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Whenever you switch colors, you’ll have another yarn tail from the new yarn color.
In this pattern, every row starts in the third chain of the previous round’s final corner.
Once you’ve completed the first double crochet cluster (by chaining 3 and double-crocheting twice into the third chain space), continue with the round as you normally would.
To help your granny square look extra polished, use a yarn needle to tuck these loose yarn tails into the existing loops/stitches of the square. Just be sure to hide these tails within a matching yarn color; otherwise, they’ll stand out.

Section 7 of 7:

Basic Stitches and Techniques

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1
Slip knot A slip knot is used to create a foundation stitch at the very beginning of the pattern so you can start building up your granny square. Here’s how you do it:
- Loop the end of your yarn around your pointer and middle finger so it forms an “X” on the inside of your fingers.
- Slide your crochet hook underneath the outer portion of the loop (the portion that’s touching the backs of your fingers).
- Hook through the working yarn and pull it beneath the loop, forming a new circle of yarn with the hook.
- Remove your fingers from the loop.
- Hold on to the new loop you created with the hook and tighten everything.
2
Yarn over Yarning over is used to form chains and different types of crochet stitches (e.g., single crochet, double crochet). All you have to do is cross your working yarn over the front of your crochet hook.
- You sometimes have to yarn over multiple times when doing certain stitches, like the double crochet stitch.
3
Chain Crochet chains are used to create a foundation row or circle for a pattern, or to create stylistic gaps within a crochet pattern. Here’s how you do it:^{[6]
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- Slip your crochet hook through your initial slip-knot chain.
- Yarn over your hook with your working yarn.
- Slide your crochet hook down through the chain, hooking your working yarn in the process.
- Pull this hooked yarn in and out of the loop to create a new chain.
4
Double crochet Double crochet stitches are used to build up a pattern with more height than a regular single crochet stitch. Here’s how you do it:^{[7]
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- Yarn over your hook first.
- Slip the head of your crochet hook beneath a stitch.
- Yarn over again so the working yarn is on top of the existing loops on the hook.
- Pull the hook and working yarn through the first loop on the hook (there will be 3 loops left on the hook).
- Yarn over and pull the hook through 2 more stitches (there will be 2 loops left on the look).
- Yarn over and pull the hook through the last 2 stitches (there will be 1 loop left on the hook).
5
Slip stitch Slip stitches are used to connect elements of your crochet work without forming a new stitch in the process. Here’s how to do it:^{[8]
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- Slip the crochet hook head through a stitch (without yarning over first).
- Pull the hook through all 3 loops on the hook.

Community Q&A

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How do I join granny squares together?

Community Answer

Using the slip stitch method is easiest. You can also simply "sew" them together using yarn and a yarn needle. For more tips, read How to Attach Granny Squares.

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How thin does the yarn need to be?

Jenny Marie

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The size of the yarn isn't really important, but you should make sure that the yarn and the hook fit together nicely. When you gently lay the yarn in the hook, the yarn should sit just inside without "puffing" or "bulging" out beyond the "inside" of the hook. At the same time, the yarn should not make the inside of the hook look large.

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Why are my corners looking round and not square?

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Make sure you chain 3 in the same section. Also, this is a more roundish square.

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Check the label on the yarn ball you’re using to see what size crochet hook is best to use. Look for a measurement in millimeters or an alphabetical label, depending on where you live.

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