by That is a wonderful and essential request! The Granny Square Motif is arguably the most famous and fundamental motif in crochet. Mastering this pattern opens the door to creating a huge variety of projects, from blankets and scarves to garments and bags.
Here is a detailed, step-by-step tutorial on how to crochet the classic version.
🟩 Classic Granny Square Motif Tutorial
The Granny Square is constructed using groups of three double crochet (dc) stitches, called “clusters,” separated by chain spaces, worked outward in rounds from the center.
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Medium-weight yarn (worsted/size 4). This is the easiest size for beginners to see and handle the stitches clearly.
- 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) |
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Round 1: Creating the Center
We establish the center ring and the first four sides/corners of the square.
- Start the Ring: Make a Magic Ring. (Alternatively, ch 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 now 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: Defining the Square
We only work into the chain spaces from the previous round.
- Move to Corner: You must 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).
- Side Separator: 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 Separator)] 3 more times.
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 3: Expanding the Sides
The sides of the square now grow by adding a new cluster into the chain-1 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 the full (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 change colors between rounds, or how to join these motifs together?
Video tutorial:
