The Perfect Granny Square – video and written tutorials
The Crochet Granny Square; the bedrock of crochet handed down through generations.
Granny squares are a great fundamental in crochet and super easy to learn.
Once you have the technique down, you can use it as a building block to make all sorts of fantastic creations!
I’m all about keeping it simple here at Dora Does, so am going to get right to it! Read on for my pattern for the perfect granny square and some tips on how to keep it looking professional.
Stitches and Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- MR = magic ring
- sp = space
- ss = slip stitch
The crochet granny square – written instructions
Note that the instructions below are for a granny square where each round is a different colour. See modifications at the end of a pattern for tips on working in a single colour.
Make a magic ring or ch4 and ss to first ch to form a loop;
Round 1: Ch2 (does not count as st), work 3dc into MR, ch2 (this will make a corner space), continuing to work into MR, [3dc, ch2] three times, ss to the top of first st, turn.
Fasten off
Round 2: Join new colour in one of the corner ch2 spaces.
Ch2, 3dc in ch2-sp, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next 3 ch2 -sp, 3dc, ch2 in starting corner and ss to top of first st, turn.
Fasten off
Round 3. Join new colour to corner. Ch2, 3dc in corner. 3dc in the gap between the two 3dc clusters from the previous row. *(3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next corner, 3dc in gap between 3dc clusters from previous row. Repeat from * to the last corner, 3dc in starting corner, ch2 and ss to top of first st, turn.
Fasten off
You can continue in this way round after round. The increase always happens in the corners and you will work more 3dc clusters in the gaps between the ones in the previous row.
Left handed granny square video tutorial
Below is the the left handed video tutorial I created in honour of Granny Square Day!.
How to stop your granny square from twisting
There are various ways to work a granny square and everyone develops their own techniques and tips. These are mine!
You might have noticed that I turn at the end of each round. This is what stops the granny square from leaning and, as it grows, starting to twist.
Turned granny squares do not have a right and wrong side. They may look a little different to squares worked all in one direction but I actually prefer the look!
How to start every granny round in the corner without fastening off
When you work granny square rounds in different colours, you get to start each round in the corner space because you fasten off and rejoin your yarn at the end of every round.
When working in a single colour, you don’t need to fasten off and there are many different ways to start the new round. In order to keep your granny to keep starting each round in the corner, this is my hack:
Lets say we are carrying on from the end of round 3 which finished by chaining 2 for the corner, then slip stitching to the top of the first stitch to join the round.
To start the next round in the corner, turn your work, slip stitch into the ch 2 space loosely, then ch2 to start the new round. You will then work the pattern repeat in the opposite direction to the previous round.
When you get to the end of the round work your last 3dc cluster into the ch2 space – over the slip stitch your worked right at the start of the round. Ch2 and ss to the top of the first st.
Turn and repeat!
Happy Hooking!
Dx