This is a beginner friendly tutorial on how to crochet a basic granny square. The basics of crochet, including how to do the stitches, are included. There are written instructions and a video. You’ll be making granny squares in no time!

Granny Squares are so versatile! Once you’ve mastered the basic technique, you can mix it up by changing colours, and playing with size and motifs. When you’re ready to get more advanced, there are so many patterns out there that take the humble Granny Square to the next level with different stitches and techniques for the middle. When you’re ready for expert level Granny check out some advanced techniques including mosaic and brioche crochet techniques! The possibilities are endless!

I originally created this tutorial for a group of students on the campus where I have my ‘day job’. They are taking part in a Yarn Bombing event in our city but some of them didn’t know how to crochet. So I spent a couple of hours with them sharing my knowledge and told them I would do a video to help them remember. I actually decided to also make some squares for them to take to the yarn bombing event. Watch out for photos on my Instagram and Facebook pages in June 2024!

Video

Watch this video to see how easy it is to crochet your first granny square. The video uses USA crochet terms and demonstrates how I hold my yarn and hook, as well as how to do each of the 3 stitches needed for a basic granny square: slip stitch, double crochet, and chain stitch.

How to Crochet a Granny Square

Use any yarn with the appropriate size hook for that yarn.

Abbreviations:

• ch – chain stitch
• chsp – chain space
• dc – double crochet
• slst – slip stitch

Notes:

Instructions in parenthesis mean to do all stitches between them in the same stitch or chain space. For example, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) means to do 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets in the same stitch or chain space.

An asterix represents the start of a repeat. If you see * it’s an indication that you’re going to repeat from that point of the pattern.

Square Brackets [ ] indicate extra information to clarify the instructions.

Instructions

To start, create a slip knot using any method you’re comfortable with.

Round 1: ch 5, slst to first ch to form a ring.

Round 2: ch 3 [counts as a double crochet here and throughout pattern], 2 dc in chsp just to the right of the ch3 [this is the only time in a round you will work to the right]., ch 2, *(*3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next chsp [corner made], ch 2, repeat from * twice more, 3dc in next chsp, ch 2, slst to first st of round.

[Hint: The 3 dc in the granny square is called a ‘cluster’. So (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) creates a corner out of two clusters of dc stitches. The beginning cluster of the round makes the second part of the corner; the final cluster of the round makes the start of the corner. ]

Round 3: ch 3, 2 dc in chsp to the right of the ch 3 you just made, ch 2, 3 dc in next chsp, ch 2, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next chsp, ch 2, 3 dc in next chsp, ch 2, repeat from * twice more, 3dc in next chsp, ch 2, slst to first st of round.

Continue working in this pattern until the square is the desired size. In future rounds, you always do (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the corners and just one cluster of 3dc in the chain spaces along the sides of the square. There is always a ch 2 between every cluster.

Remember, when you’re first starting to crochet, the way you hold the yarn and the hook may feel awkward and you may feel uncoordinated. It takes time and practice for it to feel normal and be coordinated. So just keep practicing and you will get there!

Happy hooking!