« Granny Squares Step by Step! »
Thursday, September 27, 2012 
When I was still pretty small, my Mimmie taught me how to crochet. She was constantly knocking out afghan after afghan if she wasn't quilting and I watched them constantly being made. Being a nosy kind of a kid I wanted to watch what she was doing up close and personal.
She wound up busting out a hook and some variegated yarn (it was red, blue and yellow) and showing me how to chain. I made chain after chain after chain and would wear and gift them as necklaces and bracelets. Later we moved onto single crochets, then double, then triple and finally she taught me how to granny square.
So I guess I have been into crochet off and on since I was about 7 or so. That's a long, long time and a whole bunch of yarn.
I wanted to work on a project that used granny squares and I'll be sharing that tomorrow, but today i thought I would show you the basics of making a granny square. Hopefully you have the basics, like making the loop, what a chain is and all of that down, because I jump right into it. If you don't have this knowledge, youtube has tons and tons of crochet help videos.
Be warned, however... My grandmother taught me and she taught herself and some of the methods may not be text book, but they do work. We've tried to pick up the lingo from pattern books and whatnot but for the most part she just shows me how to do what I've asked and I mimic her. So, if you're a seasoned and well trained crochet artist, please feel free to add any help in the comments!
Chain in between 5 or 10 times (depending on how large or small you want the hole in the center of the square to be). I like a larger size so I always chain 10. Use a slip stitch in the first chain to turn the chain into a circle.
After you've made your circle, chain three.
Then make two double crochets by going through the inside of the hole.
Chain three.
Double crochet three times through the hole and then chain three.
Again, double crochet three times and chain three.
Use a slip stitch into the top your first chain of three to finish the round. (A round is each pass all the way around the granny square).
To start the next round, chain three.
Double crochet twice. Chain one.
Double crochet three times. Chain three.
Double crochet three times and continue the pattern. On the corners you will chain three. When going through a hole that is not on the corner, only chain one before starting your next set of three double crochets.
At any point you can include your tail with your yarn as it comes from the skein to weave it into the square so you have no loose end dangling and don't have to worry about your knots coming apart.
To change colors, use a slip stitch to finish your current round. Clip your yarn so that you have about two inches and make a slip stitch that will become a knot when you pull all of the way through. Weave what is left of the tail through the granny square using your hook to hide the unfinished end.
Start your loop on your crochet hook with your new color. Pull through one of the holes as shown and begin your round all over again.
Double crochet three. Chain one. Double crochet three. Chain three (for the corner). and so on and so forth.
Continue the process using as many rounds and as many colors as you would like.
You can continue on one humongous granny square to make an afghan. Just continue round after round on the one square.
The most common application is to make a whole bunch of squares of the same size (same number of rounds) and attach them together, which I will be showing you tomorrow.
Also, I believe that it is technically correct to alternate the number in your chains for your corners at 3 and 4 but I can't ever keep track of that so I just do 3 to save myself the stress!
If you learn better by video, I'd like to recommend the one below. I've scoured youtube in search of a crochet artist who doesn't seem to like to hear herself speak! (or one that every other step references another video of theirs you need to watch to understand that particular step). This gal gets in there and shows you how to get it done, so check it out!
Reader Comments (16)
I SO needed this about three months ago...better late than never! I'm glad I stumbled upon your blog through your win at A Creative Being.
Jessica
Thanks Jessica! Glad to see you here :)
Hi! Stumbled upon your blog through a link from Tipnut. Really love your cushion cover made with granny squares, and have been trying to follow how to make a granny square above; I used to be able to crochet when I was at Uni (about 20 years ago!) but only recently picked up a crochet hook again and can't seem to get past chains! Practice, practice and more practice needed I think! Jill
When I haven't crocheted for a while my chains are totally random. I wind up chaining for a good long while until I get back into the habit and they start to look uniform again. I understand 100%! Best of luck with it, Jill!
My project is focused around working with colleagues at my library and fellow crochet hookers to collect as many granny squares as I can. With these granny squares I'll be making scarves, and if I get enough I'll be making baby blankets as well, to donate to a battered women's shelter. I'll be posting about this project on my blog at crochet-hooker.com this week so if you'd like more information about it or would like to add to the granny square collection, please check it out! Thank you!
thank you, this is the first time I really learn how to do it!!!
Love
Lauren
currumichuti.blogspot.com
That is so awesome, Lauren. and I love, love, LOVE that you came back to tell me. Thanks much!
How do you make the circle for the granny square Thank you for the great directions but not sure how to start
Hi, Helen - see the second pic in the post (first of the diy)? That is how you will make the circle. Chain between 5-10 times. Insert your hook in the first chain (furthest from your hook) and make a slip stitch. This forms the circle.
Thank you Allison it just came to me and I was just ready to email you back Thanks Again
No problem. Have fun granny squarin' up the place :)
this is beautiful! do you think you could do a tutorial on how to make slippers? :) i have always wanted to!
I could try to make a slipper pattern! Thanks for the inspiration. ;)
Hello, I stopped in to see your teaching method and it looked easy to me. I basically taught myself to crochet the granny square and thats all I really know. I can't read a pattern at all so really I can't make things that I'd like to so I'm going to learn:>)
Do you happen to know how to crochet the "Jelly Rolls" of fabric with an extra large hook? I saw a craft to do that but then lost the instructions but bought the items needed so I don't know if you have to sew all the lengths of material together or tie into knots...(doesn't seem right) but anyway if you know great! Thanks so much!!! Deanna
Fantastic blog/ site. I have never been able to knit / crochet until two days ago when I followed your instructions and photos. I have just finished my first granny square and feel so pleased with it! Thank you so much.
Thanks so much, Kirsty. I'm really glad that you've been bitten by the crochet bug and I'm even more glad that I was able to assist in that!