DE Learn to crochet a granny square

Level: Beginner

Want to learn how to crochet a granny square? This simple tutorial (with videos!) will get you started and on your way to a snuggly blanket before you know it.

Granny squares are the matriarch of all crochet blankets: so much so that almost every sit-com on television features a granny square blanket at some point! Once you get the hang of them, it opens the door to fancier, more intricate squares that feature different textures like bobbles, chevrons, and shells. 

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to crochet a granny square, with the help of photos and some videos, too. 

To get started, you'll want to make a magic ring. If you are not sure how to do this, watch the video at the top of this article.

Now, chain 3 (functions as one UK treble crochet, AKA US double crochet), and do two UK double crochets into the ring. *Chain 2, 2 UK treble crochets.* Repeat between * and * twice, until you have four chain 2 spaces. These are your corners. Your work will look something like this:

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

You need to pull the magic ring closed! Like this:

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

Tug on that loose tail and draw the magic ring closed. It will look like this:

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

Hmm, that doesn't look much like a square yet, does it? Never fear: following rounds will square it off. Slip stitch into the first stitch of the last round to close the circle. You'll do this at the end of every round to secure it.

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

On our second round, we're going to start with a chain 3 again: we'll do that every round. Do 2 UK trebles into the 2 chain space directly underneath, like this:

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

Then *Chain 2, 3 UK trebles into the next space.* Repeat between * and * in each corner, and finish the round by slip stitching into the first stitch of the round. It will start to look a little bit more square now!

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

Round 3: Begin with a Chain 3 again, and just like the last round, do 2 UK trebles into the space right below. *Chain 2 and do 3 UK trebles into the next space. Chain 1 and do 3 more UK trebles into the same space.* Repeat in each of the next corners, until you reach the end of the round.

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

Hmm, wait: we only did 3 UK trebles into the first corner, didn't we? So now, Do 3 UK trebles into that same beginning space to create the corner. It will look like this:

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

And just like previous rounds, you'll have to slip stitch to end the round and close the gap.

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

See? Definitely more square now! 

Round 4: Begin with a Chain 3, and do 2 UK trebles into the space directly below. As you can see, we now have an extra space before the corner! Chain 2, and do 3 UK trebles into the space. It will look like this:

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

*Chain 2, 3 UK trebles into the corner space, Chain 2, 3 UK trebles into the same corner space, Chain 2, do 3 UK trebles into the next space.* Repeat between * and * for all sides until you reach the first cluster. Do 3 more UK trebles into that first space of the round, and slip stitch it closed.

Learn to crochet a granny square tutorial

Le voila! You have a completed granny square. At this point you can fasten off and weave in your ends, or you can keep going, repeating the same steps as before, being sure to work two clusters in every corner, and 3 UK trebles into each side space. If you wanted, you could make an enormous granny square blanket! 

Still having trouble? Have a peek at our learn to crochet post, with more video tutorials on the specific stitches, with tips and tricks to help you get started.

Looking for some yarn? We recommend a nice aran weight for a blanket. Have a look at our most popular yarns here.