by That is a perfect project! The Classic Granny Square is the foundational crochet motif and is the easiest way for a beginner to learn essential skills like working in the round, creating clusters, and shaping corners.
Here is a detailed, step-by-step tutorial for the Classic Granny Square Motif.
🟩 Classic Granny Square Motif Tutorial
This motif is built using simple clusters of three double crochet (dc) stitches separated by chain spaces, making its structure intuitive and easy to follow.
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Medium-weight yarn (worsted/size 4) is highly recommended, as it is easy to handle and the stitches are clearly visible.
- Crochet Hook: The size appropriate for your yarn (e.g., 5.0 mm or H/8).
- 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 and First Sides
We establish the center ring and the first four clusters that define the sides.
- Start the Ring: Make a Magic Ring (or chain 4 and sl st into the first chain to form a ring).
- First Cluster: ch 3 (This counts as your first dc). Work 2 dc into the center ring (First Cluster is 3 sts total).
- Corner Space: ch 2.
- Repeat: Work [3 dc into the ring, ch 2] 3 more times. (You will have 4 clusters and 4 corner spaces).
- Finish: Pull the yarn tail tight to close the center hole. Join the round with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 2: Expanding the Square and Defining Corners
In this and all subsequent rounds, you will only work into the chain spaces from the previous round—never into the top of the double crochet stitches.
- Move to Corner: You need to move your hook to the first corner space. sl st into the next 2 dc stitches and then sl st into the ch-2 corner space (this centers you for the next round).
- First Corner: ch 3 (counts as dc). Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the same corner space (This is a complete Corner: Cluster, ch 2, Cluster).
- Side Space: ch 1 (this separates the clusters along the side).
- Repeat: Work [Corner (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 space, ch 1 (Side Space)] 3 more times.
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 3: Continuing to Grow the Sides
The sides of the square now begin to grow by adding a new cluster into the side space created in the previous round.
- Move to Corner: sl st over the next 2 dc stitches and sl st into the ch-2 corner space.
- First Corner: ch 3. Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the corner space.
- First Side: ch 1. Work 3 dc into the next ch-1 side space.
- Repeat: Continue the sequence [ch 1, Corner (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 side sp] 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 Round 3.
- Corners: Always work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the ch-2 corner space.
- Sides: Always work (ch 1, 3 dc) into every ch-1 space along the side. The number of side clusters increases by one in every round.
Finishing the Motif
- Fasten Off: Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail, and pull the loop completely through the last stitch to knot it.
- Weave in Ends: Thread the tails onto a tapestry needle and weave them securely into the back of the corresponding stitches to hide them.
Your classic Granny Square Motif is complete! Would you like to know how to join these squares together?
Video tutorial:
