A granny square is the single most useful motif in crochet: three basic stitches, worked in rounds, that scale from a coaster to a full blanket. The six tutorials below cover the classic construction from a few different real teachers, so you can pick the explanation style (video, written, photo heavy) that clicks for you.
Whichever teaching style clicks for you, you’ll be using the same hook and yarn needle by the end of round one.
Granny square tutorials to explore
1. How to Crochet a Granny Square
This is a video tutorial titled “Easy, Slow, Beginners”, so it moves at a beginner’s pace and shows each stitch as it is made. It is video only, with no written pattern.
Free pattern: View the pattern.
2. The Traditional Granny Square
Tamara Kelly says the term granny square applies to any motif worked from the center outward, and that the traditional square is just one of many. Her post has a video, and notes that gauge and yarn change the size a lot: her blue and yellow examples were both worsted weight on an H hook, but different fibers gave very different sizes.
Free pattern: View the pattern.
3. How to Crochet Granny Squares Step by Step
Claire Ortega-Reyes wrote this as a step-by-step version of an earlier Crochet Spot post, with more pictures, and you can mouse over the images for explanations. The comments show a common beginner question, whether to turn the work after each round, and a commenter replies that many patterns just keep the right side facing.
Free pattern: View the pattern.
4. How to Crochet a Granny Square
Gathered (Simply Crochet) uses UK terms: it starts with a chain 4 loop or a magic loop, and each round uses trebles, so the first round has 12 trebles. It says DK or chunky yarn with a 3.5 or 4 mm hook is best for beginners. Because it is UK terms, check that your other patterns use the same ones.
Free pattern: View the pattern.
5. How to Crochet a Granny Square
Cheryl Bennett says the granny square is simple and timeless, and that basic granny know-how is all you need for a throw blanket, a pillow or almost any other make. It is a written tutorial, and you can keep going for a bigger square.
Free pattern: View the pattern.
6. Easy & Free Basic Crochet Granny Square
This Is Crochet’s tutorial makes a classic granny square that finishes 4 by 4 inches, in a small three round pattern with detailed photos. The page lists supplies and stitches first, then what to make with finished squares, and links to a free granny blanket pattern if you want to go on.
Free pattern: View the pattern.