by That is a wonderful request! Starting with the Classic Granny Square is the absolute best way to learn the basics of crocheting motifs. It’s easy, versatile, and instantly rewarding.
Here is a detailed, step-by-step tutorial specifically designed for beginners.
🟩 Classic Granny Square Tutorial: Step-by-Step Guide
The Granny Square is built using groups of three double crochet (dc) stitches, called “clusters,” separated by chain spaces, worked outward in rounds.
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Medium-weight yarn (worsted/size 4). This is the easiest size for beginners to see and handle.
- Crochet Hook: The size recommended for your yarn (usually 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) |
Round 1: Creating the Center
We establish the center ring and the first four sides of the square.
- Start the Ring: Make a Magic Ring. (If the Magic Ring is too tricky, chain 4 and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring.)
- First Cluster (Side 1): ch 3 (This counts as your first dc). Work 2 dc into the center ring. (Total of 3 stitches).
- Corner Space: ch 2.
- Side 2: Work 3 dc into the ring.
- Corner Space: ch 2.
- Side 3 & 4: Repeat Steps 4 and 5 two more times. (You now have 4 clusters and 4 chain-2 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 puts you in the perfect starting position).
- 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 chain keeps the clusters separated 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 space created in Round 2.
- 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 & Finishing
- Growing: To make the square bigger, you simply repeat Round 3. The number of side clusters will increase by one in every round.
- Corners: Always get a full (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).
- Sides: Always work (ch 1, 3 dc) into every chain-1 space.
- Finishing: Cut the yarn, leaving a tail. Pull the loop completely through the last stitch to knot it. Use your tapestry needle to weave the tails securely into the back of the work.
Your classic Granny Square Motif is complete! Do you have a project in mind for your squares, or would you like to know how to join them?
Video tutorial:
