crochetHow to crochet a granny square
Make a classic three-round square. Learn where the clusters go and check your count at every round.
Before you start
Chain, slip stitch and US double crochet.
New to holding the hook or making a slip knot? Start there, then return to this lesson.
Work the three rounds
- Start: chain 4 and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring.
- Round 1: chain 3; make 2 double crochet into the ring, chain 2. Repeat [3 double crochet into the ring, chain 2] three times. Join with a slip stitch to the top of chain 3.
- Round 2: slip stitch across to the next corner space. In that space make chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet. Chain 1. In each of the other three corner spaces make [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet], with chain 1 between corners. Chain 1 after the last corner, then join to the top of the starting chain 3.
- Round 3: slip stitch across to the next corner space. In it make chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet. Repeat [chain 1, 3 double crochet in the next side chain-1 space, chain 1, then 3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet in the next corner] three times. For the last side, chain 1, make 3 double crochet in its chain-1 space, chain 1, then join to the top of the starting chain 3.
Count check: Starting chain 3 counts as one double crochet. Round 1: 12 dc, four ch-2 corners. Round 2: 24 dc, four ch-2 corners, four side ch-1 spaces. Round 3: 36 dc, four ch-2 corners, eight side ch-1 spaces.
Finish and check your square
After Round 3, cut the yarn leaving a tail long enough to thread and weave through several stitches. Pull the tail through the active loop. Weave it through the backs of stitches in more than one direction without tightening the edge. You should have four corners and three 3-stitch clusters along each side when corner clusters are included. Each corner contains two clusters.
The diagram shows where clusters belong, not a guaranteed finished size. Your yarn, hook and tension determine dimensions. Wash and dry the square according to the yarn label before measuring if you plan to join several squares.
Common mistakes to catch
- Turning the square when these instructions are written for unturned rounds. Keep the same face toward you for every round in this version.
- Missing a chain-1 separator between neighboring clusters. Chain 1 between groups along each side; reserve chain 2 for the corners.
- Putting only one 3-double-crochet cluster in a corner. Work two 3-dc groups into each corner, separated by chain 2.
- Counting the starting chain 3 separately from its cluster. Count the starting chain 3 as one of the three stitches in its group.
Keep going
Join two matching granny squares with whipstitch.
Calculate from your pattern’s yarn requirement →
Before making a sized project, learn to measure a swatch. If a pattern uses a different hook label, convert the hook size.