Everyone loves a granny square. You may have seen this time-honored classic multiplied to make an afghan, featured on a retro-chic cardigan or used by itself as a stylish coaster. As one of the oldest and most recognizable forms of crochet, the granny square is a staple in every crocheter’s skill set. Use this section to become a master!
how to crochet a basic granny square
1. With the first color, ch 4. Join ch with a sl st forming a ring. For round 1, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) working in the ring, work two more dc for the first 3-dc group as shown, then ch 2 for the first corner ch-2 sp.
3. From the RS, join the next color in any corner ch-2 sp with a sl st. (Note: Always alternate what corner you join the color in, so joins are evenly distributed.)
4. For round 2, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work 2 dc in same ch-2 sp (this forms the first half of the first corner), ch 1, [work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1] 3 times, at the end work 3 dc in beg ch-2 sp, ch 2 (this forms the second half of the first corner). Join the rnd with a sl st in the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off. You now have four ch-2 corner sps and four ch-1 sps (one on each side).
5. Join the next color with a sl st in any corner ch-2 sp. For round 3, ch 3, work 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, ch 1, [work 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1] 3 times, end work 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, work 3 dc in beg ch-2 sp, ch 2. Join rnd with a sl st in top of beg ch-3. Fasten off. You still have four ch-2 corner sps, but now you have eight ch-1 sps (two on each side). For every round that follows, you will increase one ch-1 sp on each side.