How to crochet a Granny Square!

I love granny squares!  They are traditonally associated with the seventies when pretty much everything that was crocheted was a granny square.  This has led to the poor granny square being labeled as out of date and a bit naff.  However, granny squares can be so gorgeous and beautiful and make great blankets and bags whilst also being really easy and quick to make.

This tutorial has developed really for my friend, Jan, who at my recent Stitch 'n' Bitch asked me to teach her how to crochet a granny square.  So we sat down together and worked through one slowly and then she had a go on her own.  She took home my finished square to refer back to and I was going to email her the written pattern for a basic granny square but, sometimes things make much more sense when there are pretty pictures to show you what to do!

So, here it is.  My guide to crocheting a basic granny square.

How to Crochet a Granny Square

Chain 6

Join the chain with a slip stitch into the first stitch to make a ring

ROW 1

Chain 3 (This counts as the first treble stitch)

The next stitches are going to be worked into the ring not into the stitches.

We are going to start to make the square shape - 4 sides so 4 sets of stitches!
2 trebles, chain 1
3 trebles, chain 1
3 trebles, chain 1
3 trebles, chain 1


Join to the 3rd stitch of the chain 3.

So now you can see a square emerging. The 3 trebles make the sides of the square and the chain 1's make the corners of the square!

ROW 2

Slip stitch into the first chain 1 space

Chain 3 (This counts as the first treble)

Still working in the same chain 1 space;

2 trebles
Chain 2
3 trebles
Chain 1

Working in the next chain 1 space;

3 trebles
Chain 2
3 trebles
Chain 1

Repeat this set of stitches in the remaining 2 chain 1 spaces.

Join to the third stitch of the first chain 3 in this row with a slip stitch

ROW 3

So now it should be really easy to see the square shape and to spot the corner chain 2 spaces and the side chain 1 spaces. 

Slip stitch into the first corner chain 2  space.

Chain 3 (The first treble in this corner)

Working in the same chain 2 space;
2 trebles
Chain 2
3 trebles
Chain 1

SIDES

Working in the next chain 1 side space;

3 trebles

Chain 1

CORNERS

Working in the next chain 2 cornber space;

3 trebles

Chain 2

3 trebles

Chain 1

Repeat the sides and corners instructions above in the remaining spaces.

Join to the third stitch of the first chain 3 in this row to join.

And there it is, your granny square!  Now this is a really basic granny square but is so beautiful. 

To change the size of your square, just change the size of your hook or the thickness of your yarn.

For a multi-coloured square, fasten the yarn off at the end of the row and change your yarn colour at the start of the next row (slip stitch the new yarn into the corner space before chaining 3 stitches)

There are lots of different styles of granny squares out there.  Crochet Me has a great free downloadable book of patterns using granny squares, all you need to do is sign up for their free email newsletters to get your hands on the booklet.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and found it useful.  I would really appreciate any constructive feedback on how I could improve the tutorial or what you liked about it so my next ones can be even better. 

Keep tuned for a tutorial on different ways to join your squares together.