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How to crochet a granny square..it really is simple!

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When you think of crochet, you may think “granny square”.  Whilst there are a lot of other things you can do with crochet, the granny square is still (in my opinion!) one of the simplest ways to create something beautiful! Ever wondered how to crochet a granny square?

The Granny Square is surprisingly simple and in this quick photo tutorial, I’m going to show you step by step how to make a granny square!

How to Crochet a Granny Square

I’m English so I’m using English crochet terms but have also put the US terms in too.

To make a granny square like this, you will need to know the following stitches:

The Set-up

Step 1, grab some yarn, a crochet hook and a darning needle.  I’m using this DK weight yarn and a size 4mm crochet hook.  Choose a hook that’s appropriate to your yarn.  The ball-band will show you what size you should be using.

Step 2, create a magic loop.  If you’re not sure how, I’ve put a quick tutorial on how I like to make a magic loop here.  You will need to chain 3 stitches to start this granny square

Step 3, some additional info…Throughout this tutorial I will refer to “single-clusters” and “double clusters”.

Right, lets get started with round 1!

Round 1

UK Terms: 2tr, ch2, 3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch2, 3tr, ch2

US Terms: 2dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2

If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry, I’ve described the steps below..

You will already have worked a chain 3 as part of the magic loop above.  This counts as a stitch.

Working into the magic loop, make

Remember to work over both your loop and your working yarn to make sure that the magic loop is secure.

Round 1 should look like this:

Next, pull on the tail yarn to pull the middle of the circle tight and then join the “live” stitch on the hook to the top of the first chain 3 by using a slip stitch.

That’s the end of round 1!

Your first round should now look like this:

Round 2 

UK Terms: ch3 and turn work, 2tr, ch2, 3tr in same ch-sp, ch2, [3tr, ch2, 3tr in same ch-sp, ch2] x3, ss through 1st tr to join

US Terms:ch3 and turn work, 2dc, ch2, 3dc in same ch-sp, ch2, [3dc, ch2, 3dc in same ch-sp, ch2] x3, ss through 1st tr to join

On this round you will be working into the corner chain spaces from the round before.  You will be creating a “double-cluster” in each corner, separated by a chain 2.

Step 1 – Turn work over.  I read that if you had trouble with granny squares “twisting” then this really helps, so I do it!

Step 2 – Chain 3 (counts as one treble) then make 2 treble crochets into the corner chain space on the round below, Chain 2 then make 3 more treble crochets into the same corner space (that’s one “double-cluster” completed)

Step 3 – Chain 2 then, in the next “corner” chain space make 3 treble crochets, then chain 2 and then another 3 treble crochets into the same “corner” chain space (that’s your second “double-cluster”)

Step 4 – Repeat Step 3 twice more until you have made all four corners.

Step 5 – Join the “live” stitch on the hook to the top of the first chain of this round 2 by using a slip stitch.

That’s round 2 done.  It should look like this:

Round 3

UK Terms: ch2, 2tr, ch2, *[3tr, ch2, 3tr] in same ch-sp, ch2, 3tr, ch2, repeat from * until end of round.  ss through 1st tr to join

US Terms: ch2, 2dc, ch2, *[3dc, ch2, 3dc] in same ch-sp, ch2, 3dc, ch2, repeat from * until end of round.  ss through 1st tr to join

On this any any further rounds, you will be working into all the chain spaces from the round below.  Making a “double-cluster” in each corner space and a “single-cluster” in any spaces in the middle of the round.

Step 1 – Turn work over.  Really, try this every round to see if it helps you…

Step 2 – Chain 3 (this counts as one treble crochet) then make 2 treble crochets into the middle chain space on the round below. (that’s a “single-cluster”)

Step 3 – Chain 2 then, in the corner space, make a “double-cluster” (that’s, 3 treble crochet, chain 2, 3 treble crochet in the same space)

Step 4 – Repeat Steps 2 and 3, making a “single-cluster” in each “middle” chain space and a “double-cluster” each time you get to a corner.

Step 5– Once you have got to the end of the round, join the “live” stitch on the hook to the top of the first chain of this round 3 by using a slip stitch.

At the end of round 3, your granny square should look like this:

Round 4 to infinity (you really can make a granny square as big as you want!)

UK Terms: ch2, 2tr, ch2, *3tr, ch2 in each ch-sp from round below to corner ch-sp [3tr, ch2, 3tr] in same corner ch-sp, ch2, repeat from * until end of round.  ss through 1st tr to join

US Terms: ch2, 2dc, ch2, *3dc, ch2 in each ch-sp from round below to corner ch-sp [3dc, ch2, 3dc] in same corner ch-sp, ch2, repeat from * until end of round.  ss through 1st tr to join

Round 4 is identical to step three, however you’ll see that you start getting more “Middle” spaces.  Follow the steps above, making a “single-cluster” in each middle space and a “double cluster” in each corner space.  As shown in the picture below:

Repeat this “Round 4 to infinity” section until your granny square is as big as you want it to be.

You could keep on getting bigger and bigger using this technique, maybe changing colours sometimes to create a huge granny-square blanket like this “Granny Square Baby Blanket” by Lauren Brown.

Or you could make lots of small granny squares and join them to make a blanket like this “Colourful granny square blanket” by Kirsten Ballering

Once your granny square is as big as you want, fasten off and use a needle to darn in the ends.  I find that to make the centre extra secure, I go round and round under those stitches a few time as I’m darning in the ends.

Now, let your imagination go wild with colours!!

Happy Granny Squaring!

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