How to Crochet a Granny Square for Beginners (Step by Step)

AI-generated illustration made from our chart, not a photo of a square made from this page. It shows the same 4 rounds, the same colors and 4 groups on each side; the yarn looks a little thicker than worsted. Every stitch is in the charts below.

Free pattern · Beginner · about 5 in · about 30-45 minutes for a first square · worsted yarn in 2 colors, US H-8 hook. One chart per round below.

This is how to crochet a granny square, step by step: the classic square made of little groups of 3 double crochet, worked in the round from a magic ring. Once you can make it, you can make blankets, bags, cardigans and Christmas ornaments — they are all this same square, repeated or folded.

You need only 3 stitches: chain, slip stitch and double crochet, each explained below. You work every group into a space, never into a stitch, which makes the granny square very forgiving.

Every round was checked by our stitch simulator. Tick each round as you go — your progress stays saved in this browser.

Finished size: About 5 in (approximate, depends on your tension)
Level: Beginner: ch, sl st and dc
Time: About 30-45 minutes for a first square, estimated, not timed
Yarn: Worsted weight (#4), 2 colors: about 10 yd of A and 15 yd of B
Hook: US H-8 (5.0 mm)
Rounds: 4 rounds: 12, 24, 36 and 48 dc

✓ CookZya original design · Stitch counts checked round by round — All 4 rounds were replayed by our stitch simulator; your tension decides the final size.

Materials

Color A — color A (terracotta in our drawings), about 10 yd
Color B — color B (cream in our drawings), about 15 yd
Pick a smooth, light-colored acrylic or cotton for your first square: you can see the stitches and the spaces clearly.
Yarn needle, scissors.

Notes

US crochet terms. ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, dc = double crochet, sp = space, st(s) = stitch(es), rep = repeat, Rnd = round.
Chain (ch): yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
Slip stitch (sl st): insert the hook, yarn over and pull through the stitch and the loop on the hook in one go. It joins a round and moves you without adding height.
Double crochet (dc): yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops.
Magic ring: wrap the yarn twice around two fingers, insert the hook under the strands, pull up a loop and ch 1 to lock it. Work Round 1 over the ring. To close it: pull the tail a little, see which of the 2 loops moves, pull that loop tight, then pull the tail again. Prefer a chain ring? Ch 4, sl st in the first ch, and work Round 1 into that ring.
Ch 3 (counts as a dc): the 3 chains at the start of a round stand in for the first dc. "The top of the beginning ch-3" is the 3rd of those chains: that is where you join with a sl st.
A group = 3 dc in the same space. A corner = (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in a ch-2 corner space. A side space = the ch-1 space between two groups.
*…; rep from * 2 more times means: work the part after the * 3 times in all.
Joining a new color: make a slip knot with the new color, insert the hook in the corner space, yarn over and pull through the space and the slip knot.

Step by step: one picture per round

The whole square — a computer drawing, not a photo: each box is a group of 3 double crochet, the little rings in the corners are the ch-2 corner spaces.

Round 1: Make a magic ring and work 4 groups of 3 dc into it, with ch 2 between them. Pull the tail: the hole closes. — a computer drawing.

Round 2: Move to a corner with slip stitches. In each corner space, work 2 groups (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc), with ch 1 between the corners. — a computer drawing.

Round 3: Change color. From now on you work a group into each ch-1 side space, and 2 groups in each corner. — a computer drawing.

Round 4: Same as Round 3, with one more group on each side. That is the whole secret: every round adds one group per side. — a computer drawing.

The 3 words you need: corner space, side space, group — a computer drawing.

Granny square

Work with the right side facing you; you never turn the square.

Rnd 1 With A, make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as the first dc), 2 dc in the ring: your first group. Ch 2: your first corner. *3 dc in the ring, ch 2; rep from * 2 more times. Pull the tail to close the ring. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (12 dc in 4 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps). 12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps
Rnd 2 Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in the next ch-2 sp, to move to a corner without adding height. Ch 3 (counts as a dc, so only 2 more dc complete the group), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same ch-2 sp: your first corner, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (24 dc in 8 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps, 4 ch-1 sps). 24 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 3 Fasten off A, leaving a 6-inch tail. Join B with sl st in any ch-2 corner sp. Ch 3 (counts as a dc, so only 2 more dc complete the group), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp: your first corner, ch 1, *3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Last side: 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (36 dc in 12 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps, 8 ch-1 sps). 36 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 8 ch-1 sps
Rnd 4 Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in the next ch-2 sp, to move to a corner without adding height. Ch 3 (counts as a dc, so only 2 more dc complete the group), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same ch-2 sp: your first corner, ch 1, *[3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 2 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Last side: [3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 2 times. Join with sl st in the top of the beginning ch-3 (48 dc in 16 groups, 4 ch-2 corner sps, 12 ch-1 sps). Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. 48 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 12 ch-1 sps

Finishing

Weave in the ends: thread each tail on a yarn needle and run it through 2 inches of stitches of the same color on the back, then back the other way. Trim close. Block the square flat if you will join it to others.

Design notes

Each round adds one group of 3 dc on every side: Round n has n groups per side, 12 x n dc in all.
The ch 1 between groups keeps the square flat; the ch 2 in the corners lets it turn the corner.
Rounds without a color change start with slip stitches over to a corner, so the joins stay in a corner.

Beginner tips for your first granny square

Count the groups after every round: 4, 8, 12, 16.
If your square cups like a bowl, you forgot a ch 1 or a ch 2; if it ripples, check for an extra group.
Put a stitch marker in the top of the beginning ch-3: it shows exactly where to join.
Make 5 squares the same day: by the 5th one you will not need the pattern any more.

Common mistakes

Working a group into the top of a stitch instead of into the space: the square grows crooked.
Forgetting the ch 1 between groups: the square cups.
Forgetting the ch 2 in a corner: the corner pulls into a dome.
Joining in the wrong place: always join in the top of the beginning ch-3.

Make it your own

One color: skip the color change and work Round 3 in A, starting with slip stitches like Round 2.
Bigger square: keep going — every round adds one group per side (Round 5 has 60 dc and is about 6 in).
Blanket: make many squares and join them; see our Easy Granny Square Blanket for sizes and joining.

Care

Follow the yarn label; most acrylic squares can go in the washing machine in a laundry bag.

More crochet patterns for your table

Easy Granny Square Blanket — turn your squares into a blanket, with sizes and the joining steps
Christmas Granny Square Blanket — the same square in red, green and gold
Granny Square Christmas Tree Ornament — fold 3 little squares into a tree: a perfect second project
Granny Heart Ornament — another small granny project

FAQ

Is a granny square good for a total beginner?

Yes. It uses only chains, slip stitches and double crochet, and you always work into spaces, which are easy to see. Count on about 30-45 minutes for a first square (an estimate).

Why is my granny square not flat?

Cupping usually means a missing ch 1 between groups or a missing ch 2 in a corner; rippling means an extra group or chains that are too long. Count the groups after each round: 4, 8, 12, 16.

How big is a granny square?

This 4-round square is about 5 in with worsted yarn and a US H-8 hook. Each extra round adds about 1 in.

How many granny squares do I need for a blanket?

It depends on the square and the blanket size. With 5-round squares of about 6 in (one more round than this one, see Variations), a baby blanket takes about 30 squares and a throw about 80; our Easy Granny Square Blanket lists the counts for 3 sizes.

Can I sell what I make with this square?

Yes, you may sell the things you crochet. Please don't sell or repost this page; link to it instead.

How to Crochet a Granny Square: Step by Step for Beginners (Free Pattern)