Granny Square Crochet: Classic Pattern for Beginners

A granny square is a small square of crochet worked in rounds from the center out, and a friendly way to practice the double crochet stitch. Once you know how to crochet a granny square, you can join several into coasters, bags and blankets. This guide gives the classic granny square pattern in US terms, with a stitch count for every round.

What you need

• Smooth medium (worsted) weight yarn in a light color.
• A 5 mm hook is a comfortable size for practice. See our hook sizes chart if you are unsure.
• Scissors and a yarn needle.

The main stitch is the double crochet, abbreviated dc, which is explained in our double crochet guide. All terms below are US terms. If a pattern uses UK terms, check the US and UK chart first.

Corners and sides

Every granny square has two kinds of places. A corner is a space where you work 3 dc, chain 2, then 3 dc, and it is what turns the work into a square. A side is the stretch between two corners, where you work a plain group of 3 dc. Groups are separated by a chain 1, which gives the square its small gaps. Round 2 has no side groups, and each new round adds one side group to every side.

Round 1: the center

1. Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to the first chain to make a ring.
2. Chain 3. This counts as your first double crochet.
3. Work 2 dc into the ring. You now have 3 dc, counting the chain 3.
4. Chain 2. This is the first corner space.
5. Work 3 dc into the ring, then chain 2. Repeat this 3 more times, so there are 4 groups of 3 dc and 4 corner spaces. The last chain 2 is the fourth corner.
6. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3.

Count check: 4 groups of 3 dc is 12 dc, with 4 chain-2 corner spaces. The starting chain 3 is one of the 12.

Round 2: your first real corners

1. Slip stitch across the next 2 dc and into the first corner space, so the hook sits in the gap.
2. Chain 3 (counts as the first dc), work 2 dc in the same corner space, chain 2, then 3 dc in the same corner space. This is your first corner.
3. Chain 1. This is the space between corners.
4. In the next corner space work 3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc. Chain 1.
5. Repeat for the next two corners, working 3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc in each, with a chain 1 after each.
6. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3.

Count check: each corner holds 6 dc, so 4 x 6 = 24 dc, with 4 chain-1 spaces.

Round 3: adding a side group

Slip stitch across the next 2 dc and into the first corner space. Chain 3, work 2 dc, chain 2, 3 dc in the same corner. Chain 1, then work 3 dc into the chain-1 space on the side and chain 1. Work the next corner as 3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc, chain 1. Repeat around, working 3 dc in each side space, and join to the top of the starting chain 3.

Count check: 4 corners x 6 dc = 24, plus 4 side groups x 3 dc = 12, so 24 + 12 = 36 dc.

Round 4 and beyond

Work round 4 the same way, but each side now has two chain-1 spaces, so work 3 dc in each, with a chain 1 after every group.

Each round adds 12 dc, which is 4 more groups of 3. A finished 4-round square has 12 dc along each edge, counting half of each corner, which helps when you join squares.

Changing colors between rounds

Change color at the end of a round. After the final slip stitch, fasten off, join the new yarn in a corner space and chain 3. Our guide to changing colors in crochet shows the neat way to do this. Leave tails of about 6 inches to weave in later.

To turn or not to turn

Most classic patterns work every round on the same side and do not turn, so the right side always faces you. Some patterns turn the work at the end of each round and work back the other way, which gives a slightly flatter, more even fabric but changes where you start. Follow your pattern, and if it does not say, do not turn.

Common problems and fixes

Two ways to join granny squares

Lay your squares out first so the sides line up.

• Slip stitch seam: place two squares together, either wrong sides together for a raised ridge on the front, or right sides together for a ridge on the back. Put the hook through both layers at the corner, then slip stitch along the edge, working into the matching stitches or spaces of both squares.
• Whip stitch: with a yarn needle and matching yarn, lay two squares side by side, right sides up, edges touching. Pass the needle through the outer loop of a stitch on one square and the matching stitch on the other, and repeat along the edge. This gives a flat, almost invisible seam.

For a larger project, our simple crochet blanket guide is a good next step.

Practice and next steps

Make three squares of four rounds each, counting 12, 24, 36 and 48 stitches as you go. Then try a new color on each round. For more beginner projects, browse our crochet patterns for beginners or pick up a free crochet pattern.