Granny squares can be traditional and open, solid, sunburst shaped, or turned after each round for a reversible result. These seven original tutorials explain the different stitch placement and construction choices.
A hook you are comfortable holding is really the only tool these seven tutorials assume you already have.
Granny square patterns to explore
1. Traditional Granny Square
Tamara Kelly’s traditional granny square tutorial (originally published in 2013) starts round 1 with a chain 5 that counts as the first double crochet and chain 2, and then each round works clusters of three double crochets into the chain spaces. The page has a video and full written instructions. She describes the traditional square as a perfect blend of old and new when made in modern colors. The sample uses worsted weight yarn and an H hook, with four rounds coming to roughly 4 to 5 inches.
2. Solid Granny Square
Tamara Kelly’s solid granny square starts with a chain 4 ring and round 1 begins with a chain 5, and the corners are worked as a double crochet, chain 2, double crochet group. You work a double crochet into each double crochet from the previous round and a corner group in each corner, so the pattern is easy to see after a few rounds. You can fasten off at any point or keep going, and there is a video plus written instructions. Her sample uses I Love This Cotton on an I hook.
3. Sunburst Granny Square
Cheryl Bennett’s sunburst square is a good scrap-yarn project: four colors of worsted weight yarn on a US G/4 mm hook, finishing at about 4 by 4 inches, though she says your gauge may vary. Her page explains the two things that affect the size of a granny square, which are gauge (hook size and yarn weight) and the number of rounds, and links to a post on how much yarn a blanket needs. The 16 double crochet center becomes puff stitches, then bobbles.
4. Easy Crochet Granny Square
Sarah Stearns’ granny square uses 3 chain stitches in the corners for clean, sharp corners, which makes the squares easier to sew together later, and it turns the work after each round. It is written for worsted weight yarn and a 5 mm (H) hook, with a magic ring or a chain ring start. The page shows how to make a single-color and a multi-color square, and the sample uses Lion Brand Basic Stitch acrylic.
5. Solid Crochet Granny Square, No Gaps
Carmen’s solid square is a no-gaps version that skips the chain spaces and uses treble stitches in the corners for a sturdy, flat fabric. The tutorial covers 4 rounds, finishing at 4 by 4 inches in DK yarn on a 4.5 mm hook, and you can keep adding rounds for a bigger square, or use any yarn weight with a matching hook. She also has a blocking tip, since blocking gives the squares a neater look. A PDF is available on Ravelry and Etsy.
6. Crochet Puff Stitch Square
Robin’s puff stitch square is written with a repeated puff stitch, a starting puff stitch (with a special version at the start of the round) and 7 loops on the hook for each puff. She recommends using a slightly larger hook than your yarn label suggests so the puffs stay squishy. Her samples use Papatya Batik and Stylecraft Wondersoft Merry Go Round, both with a 4.5 mm hook. The page has a video tutorial and written pattern.
7. Crochet Perfect Granny Square (No Twisting)
Viv designed her granny square so it doesn’t twist or warp, which she says happened with an earlier granny square pattern. It is reversible and both sides look good, though she prefers the last round facing forward. It uses about 14 g (24 yards) of medium weight yarn (Red Heart Super Saver in white and green) and a 5.5 mm Clover Amour hook, and finishes at 12.5 by 12.5 cm. A YouTube video with timestamps is included. The chain 3 at the beginning of every round counts as a double crochet.
Gaps in the corners
Granny squares often leave gaps at the corners, so Annie Design Crochet’s solid version, worked mostly in double crochet with no gaps, is worth knowing about. VivCrochets’ version has no twisting. For the traditional look, start with Moogly’s or Sarah Maker’s.
[…] more project inspiration, browse our collection of granny square patterns and solid granny square designs that pair beautifully with floral motifs like this […]