Lesson: How to Make a Granny Square
Learn how to crochet these versatile retro squares!
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PATTERN - CLASSIC GRANNY SQUARE
ABBREVIATION GUIDE:
Ch = chain
Dc = double crochet
FIRST ROUND:
Slip knot
Ch 5
Join chain to first stitch with slip stitch
Ch 3
2 dc into center. Try to crochet around loose tail from slip stitch. Do this as you go!
Ch 2
3 dc into center
Ch 2
3 dc into center
Ch 2
3 dc into center
Ch 2
Look at starting chain, count from bottom up to 3rd stitch. Enter into that stitch (bottom up through the front half of the stitch) with hook and pause. You should have two loops on your hook.
Now it’s time to change colors.
Slip knot on tail of new color - place slip knot onto hook and pull through both loops below (this is a slip stitch). Trim tail of last color an inch or two — we’ll get into cleaning this up later. You’re ready to begin your next round with your new color!
SECOND ROUND:
Ch 3
2 dc into corner, crocheting around the trim tail from last color AND tail of new color from slip knot. Be sure to keep these two tails together. (NOTE: Each corner will get 2 groups of 3 dc, however since the chain starts us at the middle of the corner, we’ll move onto new section after first group of 3 dc. We’ll add the second group of 3 dc at the end of the round.)
Ch 1
3 dc into next corner
Ch 2
3 dc into same corner. You can adjust your corner dc’s to make sure they look like you’ve turned a corner.
Ch 1
3 dc into next corner
Ch 2
3 dc into same corner
Ch 1
3 dc into next corner
Ch 2
Look at this round’s starting chain, then count from bottom up to 3rd stitch. Enter into that stitch (bottom up through the front half of the stitch) with hook and pause. You should have two loops on your hook.
Now it’s time to change colors.
Slip knot on tail of new color - place slip knot onto hook and pull through both loops below (this is a slip stitch). Trim tail of last color an inch or two — we’ll get into cleaning this up later. You’re ready to begin your next round with your new color!
THIRD ROUND:
Ch 3
2 dc into corner, crocheting around the trim tail from last color AND tail of new color from slip knot. Be sure to keep these two tails together, which will be cleaned up later.
Ch 1
3 dc into next space
Ch 1
3 dc into next space, which is a corner.
Ch 2
3 dc into same corner
Ch 1
Continue pattern: 3 dc in non-corner spaces; 2 groups of 3 dc separated by 2 ch in corners; and each “space” section separated by 1 ch until you get to beginning section again.
When you approach starting corner, again:
3 dc into next corner
Ch 2
Look at this round’s starting chain, then count from bottom up to 3rd stitch. Enter into that stitch (bottom up through the front half of the stitch) with hook and pause. You should have two loops on your hook.
Now it’s time to change colors.
Slip knot on tail of new color - place slip knot onto hook and pull through both loops below (this is a slip stitch). Trim tail of last color an inch or two — we’ll get into cleaning this up later. You’re ready to begin your next round with your new color!
ALL ROUNDS AFTER THAT:
Continue pattern until your square is your desired size!
TO FINISH:
When you finish your last round, slip stitch to close up final round, then cut long tail, yarn over and pull tail through to secure like a knot. Use a yarn need to hide tail underneath the outside round of chains.
Cleaning up your loose tails: Tie together each pair of tails with a double knot, pulling slowly as you knot to try to hide the knot under the crochet loops. Trim off excess.

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