by I see you’re looking for a detailed guide on how to crochet the classic granny square! This is the perfect motif for beginners, as it uses simple stitches and a highly repetitive pattern.
Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial designed to get you started easily.
🧶 Classic Granny Square Tutorial for Beginners
The granny square is worked in rounds from the center outward, primarily using the double crochet (dc) stitch and chain spaces.
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Medium-weight yarn (worsted or size 4). A lighter color is often easiest for seeing the stitches.
- Crochet Hook: The size recommended for your yarn (usually found on the yarn label).
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in the yarn tails.
Key Crochet Terms
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name |
| ch | Chain |
| sl st | Slip Stitch (used to join rounds) |
| dc | Double Crochet |
| sp | Space (refers to a chain space, e.g., ch-2 sp) |
| Cluster | A group of 3 dc stitches |
Step-by-Step Guide
Round 1: Creating the Center and First Clusters
This round establishes the center and the four corners of your square.
- Start the Ring: Make a slip knot, then ch 4. Join with a sl st into the first chain to form a ring. (This will be the center hole.)
- First Side and Corner:
- ch 3 (This counts as your first dc).
- Work 2 dc into the center ring. (First 3-dc “cluster” made).
- ch 2 (This creates your first corner space).
- Repeat Three Times:
- Work 3 dc into the ring.
- ch 2.
- Finish the Round: You should have four 3-dc clusters and four ch-2 corner spaces. Gently pull the tail of your starting ring to cinch the center hole tight. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 2: Building the Square Shape
In this round, you work into the chain spaces from the previous round, not into the tops of the individual stitches.
- Move to the Corner: sl st into the next two dc’s, and then sl st into the first ch-2 corner space. This places your hook correctly to start the new cluster.
- First Full Corner:
- ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc into the same corner space.
- ch 2.
- Work 3 dc into the same corner space. (Complete corner: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).)
- First Side Space:
- ch 1 (This chain separates the clusters along the sides).
- Repeat Three Times: Move to the next ch-2 corner space.
- Work the full corner cluster: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into that space.
- ch 1.
- Finish the Round: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 3 and Beyond: Making it Bigger
This is the repeating formula. You will always work a full corner cluster into every corner space and a simple cluster into every side space.
- Move to the Corner: sl st over to the next ch-2 corner space.
- Corner: Work the full corner cluster: (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the corner space.
- Sides:
- ch 1.
- Work the simple cluster: 3 dc into the next ch-1 side space.
- ch 1.
- (If your square had more than one side space, you would repeat the (3 dc, ch 1) sequence for every side space.)
- Next Corner: Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the next ch-2 corner space.
- Repeat the side and corner sequence around the square.
- Finish the Round: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Continue repeating the pattern of Round 3 until your granny square is the size you desire!
Finishing Your Square
- Weave in Ends: Cut your yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread this tail onto your tapestry needle and weave it securely into the back stitches of your square. Trim the excess.
- Blocking (Optional): If your finished square looks uneven, pinning it flat, lightly steaming it, and letting it dry will make the edges straight and the shape perfectly defined.
Congratulations on crocheting your first granny square! What project do you plan to make with it—a coaster, a bag, or maybe a blanket?
Video tutorial:
