African Flower Granny Square: 7 Easy Rounds for a Stunning Hexagonal Motif
Whether you are just starting out or looking to try something new, this tutorial covers everything you need — from materials to the final stitch.
\nAfrican Flower Granny Square at a Glance
- Topic: african flower granny square
- Skill level: beginner to intermediate
- Main goal: help the reader crochet a colorful hexagonal flower motif with 7 rounds using basic stitches and 4 colors of yarn
- Related topics: granny square patterns, hexagonal motifs, magic ring, double crochet, color changes in crochet
Quick Answer
The African flower granny square is a popular hexagonal crochet motif that features a gorgeous flower center surrounded by layered petals and a square border. You will work 7 rounds using double crochet, half double crochet, single crochet, and treble stitches with 4 different yarn colors. The finished square measures approximately 5.5 inches and is perfect for blankets, bags, and cushion covers.
\nTip: Use a stitch marker at the start of each round to keep your place — this pattern changes stitch types frequently, so tracking your rounds is essential for a clean result.
At a Glance
- Skill level: beginner to intermediate
- Time needed: 45-60 minutes per motif
- Best yarn: DK or sport weight yarn in 4 colors
- Hook size: 3.50mm (US E/4)
Common Mistakes to Quick Fixes
- Losing count in round 6: the stitch pattern changes between sc, hdc, dc, and tr — count each petal section individually and use a stitch marker
- Uneven tension between color changes: pull the joining yarn snugly when starting a new color to prevent gaps between rounds
- Skipped chain spaces: after every petal group, make sure you work into the chain space before moving to the next petal
Mini Glossary
ch (chain), sc (single crochet), dc (double crochet), hdc (half double crochet), tr (treble crochet), sl st (slip stitch), ch-sp (chain space), yo (yarn over), sk (skip), st (stitch), rep (repeat)
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The african flower granny square is one of the most beloved motifs in the crochet world, and once you try it, you will understand exactly why. This gorgeous hexagonal flower motif features a gorgeous layered center with petal-like rounds that build up into a bold, colorful design. Whether you are making a single square for practice or planning a full blanket with dozens of motifs, this pattern is incredibly rewarding to work on.
What sets the african flower granny square apart from other granny square patterns is its unique construction. Unlike traditional granny squares that build in straight rows from the center, this motif creates a true hexagonal shape with a flower center that is then squared off in the final round. The way the colors layer on top of each other gives the finished piece a dimensional, almost three-dimensional appearance that looks far more complex than it actually is to make.
The african flower granny square was originally designed by Heidi Bears, a South African designer who drew inspiration from the vibrant colors and natural beauty of African wildlife and landscapes. Since then, the design has spread through the online crochet community and become a modern classic that crafters around the world have fallen in love with. If you are new to working in the round, our magic ring guide will help you master the starting technique used in round one.
What Can You Make With African Flower Motifs
The versatility of the african flower granny square is one of the biggest reasons for its popularity. Because these motifs tessellate beautifully — meaning they fit together like puzzle pieces — you can join multiple squares to create larger projects with gorgeous results.
Blankets and throws are the most popular project for these motifs. When you join multiple african flower granny square motifs together, the way the flowers interlock creates a mesmerizing, almost kaleidoscopic pattern across the entire surface. You can use a consistent color scheme for a cohesive look, or mix and match colors for a playful scrap-busting blanket.
Beyond blankets, crafters have used these motifs for bags, cushion covers, table runners, wall hangings, and even garments like vests and cardigans. The motif works particularly well in home decor projects because of its bold geometric shape and the ability to customize colors to match any room or seasonal theme. For more granny square inspiration, check out our granny square pattern collection.
Materials You Will Need
Gather your supplies before starting this african flower granny square. Having everything organized will make the process smoother and help you focus on the stitch work.
- Yarn: 4 colors of DK or sport weight yarn. The sample uses bright pink, dark blue, light blue, yellow, and white — choose any color combination you love
- Crochet hook: 3.50mm (US E/4)
- Darning needle: for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch marker: optional, but recommended for keeping track of rounds
For help understanding yarn weights and hook sizing, our best yarn for beginner crochet guide breaks down all the options. If you need a refresher on crochet abbreviations, the crochet abbreviations for beginners guide covers everything you will encounter in this pattern.
Gauge and Finished Size
The finished african flower granny square measures approximately 5.5 inches by 5.5 inches when made with DK weight yarn and a 3.50mm hook. Exact gauge is not critical for this motif since each square is an independent piece, but if you are planning a large project like a blanket, consistent tension across all your motifs will help them line up evenly when joined.
Color Suggestions
One of the best things about the african flower granny square is how customizable the color palette is. The sample uses a bold combination of dark blue, light blue, yellow, pink, and white, but you can make it your own with any four colors that speak to you.
For a soft, spring-themed look, try a lavender flower with a dark purple base, bright yellow center, and sage green border. For a warm, autumn palette, combine rust orange, mustard yellow, deep red, and cream. Pastel combinations work beautifully for baby blankets, while bold jewel tones create gorgeous throw pillows and afghans for living room decor.
African Flower Granny Square Pattern — Round by Round
Follow these step-by-step instructions to crochet your african flower granny square. Each round builds on the previous one, and the pattern uses a combination of chain stitches, double crochet, half double crochet, single crochet, and treble crochet. Take your time with each round and count your stitches before moving on.
Round 1 — The Center Ring
Start with a magic ring. Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet), then work 1 double crochet into the ring, chain 1. Now repeat [2 double crochet, chain 1] seven more times. You should have 8 groups of stitches separated by chain-1 spaces. Slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain-3, then fasten off.
Round 1 complete: 16 dc total, 8 ch-1 spaces
If you are new to the magic ring technique, our complete magic ring tutorial walks you through the process step by step with photos.
Round 2 — First Petal Layer
Join your second color (dark blue in the sample) in any chain-1 space from round 1. Chain 3 (counts as dc), work 2 double crochet in the same chain space, then chain 1. Now repeat [3 double crochet in the next chain space, chain 1] seven times. Slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain-3 and fasten off.
Round 2 complete: 24 dc total, 8 ch-1 spaces
Round 3 — Shell Stitches
Join your third color (light blue in the sample) by pulling the yarn through any chain-1 space. Chain 3 (counts as dc), then work [1 dc, chain 1, 2 dc] all in the same chain space — this creates a shell stitch. Chain 1, then repeat [(2 dc, chain 1, 2 dc) in the next chain space, chain 1] seven times. Slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain-3.
Round 3 complete: 32 dc total, 8 ch-1 spaces, 8 shell groups
Round 4 — Full Petals
Using the same light blue yarn, chain 3 (counts as dc), then work 6 more double crochet in the same chain space from the previous round. Chain 1, then repeat [7 double crochet, chain 1] seven times. Slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain-3 and fasten off.
Round 4 complete: 56 dc total, 8 ch-1 spaces
This round fills in each shell from round 3 with a full petal shape. Each petal should look like a rounded, puffy cluster of double crochet stitches. If you need help with double crochet technique, our double crochet stitch guide covers the fundamentals.
Round 5 — Encasing Round
Join your fourth color (yellow in the sample) at the top of any chain-3 from round 4. Chain 1 (standing stitch, counts as sc), then work 6 single crochet. Now insert your hook into the chain space between two shell groups from round 3 and work a single crochet — this “encases” rounds 3 and 4 together, creating a defined petal edge. Repeat [7 single crochet, encasing single crochet] seven times. Slip stitch into the first single crochet and fasten off.
Round 5 complete: 64 sc total, 8 encasing stitches
Round 6 — The Pointed Border
Join white yarn in the gap between a normal single crochet and an encasing single crochet of any petal. Chain 3 (counts as dc), work 1 dc, 1 hdc, 4 sc, 1 hdc, 4 sc, 1 hdc, then 2 dc. Now work (treble crochet, chain 3, treble crochet) into the next treble stitch to create a pointed corner. Repeat [2 dc, 1 hdc, 4 sc, 1 hdc, 4 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next stitch] three more times. Slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain-3.
Round 6 complete: 4 corner points with ch-3 spaces, detailed edge stitches
This is the most detailed round in the entire african flower granny square. Take your time and count each section. The pointed corners are what give the hexagonal shape its distinctive geometric look. For a refresher on treble crochet, our half double crochet guide covers related tall stitch techniques.
Round 7 — Squaring Off
Chain 2 (standing stitch, counts as hdc), then work 13 single crochet, 2 hdc. In the next corner chain-3 space, work (2 hdc, chain 2, 2 hdc). Continue with [2 hdc, 13 sc, 2 hdc, (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in next corner space] three more times. Slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain-2, fasten off, and weave in all ends.
Round 7 complete: 4 sides of 17 stitches each, 4 corner ch-2 spaces
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This final round transforms the hexagonal shape into a proper square by filling in the pointed corners with straight sides. The result is a beautifully square motif with the flower design centered inside, framed by a clean border.
Tips for Your Best African Flower Granny Square
Here are some practical tips to help your african flower granny square turn out beautifully every time.
Tighten your color joins. When you join a new color at the start of any round, pull the loop snug before making your first stitch. Loose joins create visible gaps between color bands that can detract from the clean, layered look of the finished motif.
Count your stitches in each round. This pattern has 7 rounds with different stitch counts, and it is easy to miss a stitch or add an extra one, especially in the more complex rounds like 6 and 7. Taking 30 seconds to count before moving to the next round saves a lot of frustration later.
Block your finished squares. After completing each motif, wet block or steam block it to 5.5 inches square. Blocking evens out your tension, flattens any curling edges, and ensures all your squares are the same size for easy joining. This step is especially important if you plan to make a blanket with multiple motifs.
Consistent yarn weight matters for large projects. If you are making multiple squares for a blanket, use the same yarn brand and weight for all of them. Even slight differences in yarn thickness can result in squares that are noticeably different sizes, which makes joining them cleanly much more difficult. For more tips on achieving even stitches, our guide on how to fix crochet tension is a great resource.
Joining African Flower Squares
Once you have a collection of african flower granny square motifs, you will need to join them together. There are several popular methods for joining granny squares, and the best choice depends on your project and personal preference.
The whip stitch method is the simplest — place two squares right sides together and work a whip stitch through both loops along the edge. The slip stitch join creates a visible ridge between squares that some crafters actually like as a design element. For an invisible join, the mattress stitch or the join-as-you-go method both produce seamless results that let the flower motifs take center stage.
For more granny square joining techniques and project ideas, the solid granny square pattern article includes a section on joining methods that works for any granny square variant. You can also explore the classic granny square crochet pattern for additional tips on working with multiple motifs.
This african flower granny square pattern draws on techniques shared across the crochet community. For more resources and inspiration, the Craft Yarn Council is an excellent reference for crochet standards, and you can find beautiful yarn and project ideas on LoveCrafts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the African flower granny square suitable for beginners?
Yes, this pattern is beginner-friendly once you understand the basic stitches. It uses chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet — all of which are covered in our beginner crochet guide. The main challenge is keeping track of stitch counts across 7 rounds, but using a stitch marker and counting after each round makes it very manageable.
Can I use a different yarn weight for this African flower granny square?
Absolutely. While the pattern sample uses DK weight yarn with a 3.50mm hook, you can use any yarn weight you prefer. Thinner yarns like fingering will produce smaller, more delicate motifs, while worsted or bulky yarns will create larger, bolder squares. Just remember to adjust your hook size accordingly — typically one to two sizes smaller than the yarn label recommends so your stitches are tight enough to hold the motif shape.
How many African flower granny squares do I need for a blanket?
The number of squares you need depends on your desired blanket size and the finished size of each motif. At 5.5 inches per square, a throw blanket measuring approximately 55 inches by 66 inches would require roughly 120 squares arranged in a 10 by 12 grid. A baby blanket at 33 inches by 44 inches would need about 48 squares in a 6 by 8 arrangement.
Why does my African flower granny square look wavy or uneven?
Wavy or uneven edges usually come from inconsistent tension, especially between different stitch types in the same round. Make sure your single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches are all worked at a similar tightness. Blocking your finished squares by pinning them to 5.5 inches and steaming or wetting them will also smooth out most unevenness and give you crisp, professional-looking results.
How do I change colors without leaving gaps in my African flower granny square?
The key to clean color changes is pulling the new yarn tight when you join it. After completing a round and fastening off, insert your hook into the designated stitch or space, pull the new color through with a firm tug, and then make your first stitch. This snug join prevents the small gap that often appears between color bands. Weaving in the tail of the old color firmly also helps close any remaining space.
