by That is a fundamental skill in crochet! The Crochet Square Motif is the building block for blankets, garments, bags, and much more. The most classic and versatile version is the Granny Square, which is perfect for beginners to learn the structure of working in the round and defining corners.
Here is a detailed, beginner-friendly tutorial on how to crochet the Traditional Granny Square Motif.
🟩 Traditional Granny Square Motif Tutorial
This pattern is worked in rounds and uses clusters of double crochet (dc) stitches separated by chain spaces to create a flexible, geometric square.
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Medium-weight yarn (worsted/size 4) is highly recommended for beginners as the stitches are easy to see.
- Tip: Start with two contrasting colors (Color A and Color B) to help distinguish the rounds.
- Crochet Hook: The size appropriate for your yarn (e.g., 5.0 mm).
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends).
Key Crochet Terms
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name |
| ch | Chain |
| sl st | Slip Stitch |
| dc | Double Crochet |
| Cluster | 3 dc worked into the same space |
| Corner | (Cluster, ch 2, Cluster) |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Round 1: Creating the Center (Color A)
We establish the four corner spaces that define the square.
- Start: With Color A, make a Magic Ring (or ch 4, sl st to join).
- First Cluster: ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 2 dc into the ring. (3 dc total).
- First Corner: ch 2.
- Repeat: Work [3 dc into the ring (Cluster), ch 2 (Corner)] 3 more times. (You will have 4 clusters and 4 corner spaces).
- Finish: Pull the tail tight to close the center hole. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Fasten off Color A.
Round 2: Expanding the Corners (Color B)
In this round, we work the corners into the ch-2 spaces and begin the straight sides.
- Join: Join Color B into any ch-2 corner space with a sl st.
- First Corner: ch 3 (counts as dc). Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the same corner space. (This creates a full corner).
- Side Space: ch 1.
- Repeat: Skip the next 3 dc cluster. Work [Corner Shell (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 corner sp, ch 1] 3 more times.
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 3: Building the Sides (Color B)
The side spaces from the previous round are now filled with clusters.
- Move to Corner: sl st over to the next ch-2 corner space.
- First Corner: ch 3. Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the corner space.
- Side Cluster: ch 1. Work 3 dc into the next ch-1 side space. ch 1.
- Repeat: Work the [Corner Shell (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 side sp, ch 1] 3 more times.
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Continuing to Grow
To make the square larger, simply repeat the pattern established in Round 3.
- In Round 4, you will have two
(3 dc, ch 1)clusters along each side space. - In Round 5, you will have three clusters along each side space, and so on.
The rule remains constant: Corners are always worked into the ch-2 corner spaces, and side clusters are always worked into the ch-1 side spaces.
Finishing the Motif
- Fasten Off: Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail, and pull the loop through the last stitch to knot it.
- Weave in Ends: Use your tapestry needle to securely weave the yarn tails into the back of the corresponding colored stitches.
- Blocking (Recommended): To ensure your square is perfectly flat and its corners are crisp (especially important for joining projects), wet the square, pin it to a mat, and allow it to dry completely.
Your Traditional Granny Square Motif is complete!
Video tutorial:
