Hi, Thanks for reading. Todays “How To” is How to Crochet a Granny Square for Absolute Beginners.
This is the PERFECT Beginners crochet project, and I teach this as lesson one in my “In person” crochet workshops. So I thought I’d share my tips and techniques here for you all to learn (and there is a video tutorial too – jump to it here!)
I’ve wanted to write this post for so long – as I know the frustration of trying to learn to crochet – and not getting it……(Yes I’ve sat in front of YouTube for a day trying to make a flower……. So I’ve made that as a simple guide too which you can read about here.)
Why is the Granny Square the Perfect Absolute Beginners crochet project?
Granny squares are the perfect place to start with crochet for a number of reasons.
- They are very repetitive, meaning you get really good, really quickly!
- They only use 3 stitches. (Chain, Double Crochet (USA terms) and a Slip Stitch)
- New stitches are made into “Spaces” rather than other stitches, so it’s really easy to see where you need to place them
- They teach about the “Height” of the stitches
- They can be used for a number of different projects when you have the made them from Coasters, to Blankets, Sweaters and Bags to name few.
If you are looking for ideas on how to teach a child to crochet – a granny square is brilliant – but I have whole post here with some great tips>>>
If you want to save this for later – Please Pin it Below
I’ve been teaching how to make granny squares to beginner crochets for 6 years now, and EVERYONE has made at lease one granny square in the workshop, usually more.
BUT it takes everyone a different amount of time to learn – so don’t be disheartened if it doesn’t “click” immediately – it might be for a number of reasons – little tweaks here and there make a huge difference.
But don’t give up – any famous painter, musician, sports person practices for hours and hours before being “amazing” – and crochet is just the same.
The more you practice the better you’ll get.
What you need to Learn How to Crochet Granny Squares
Not much!
A crochet hook, some yarn, a pair of scissors, and a yarn needle
Top tip – choose a “normal bulk standard yarn” something you’d find in a local craft shop, or a supermarket.
UK readers – a Double knit from Wilko is perfect for learning. If you want something a little more upmarket – go for another DK – Either a Stylecraft special DK or Scheepjes Color Crafter would be perfect.
You will also need a 4mm crochet hook.
USA readers – Grab any worsted weight yarn from HobbyLobby, Joanns, or Walmart!
You will also need an H hook (5.0mm)
Yarn Needles – I love these ones – as they are perfect for any type of yarn – including Super bulky (we’ll get onto that soon).
Scissors – any will do!
How to crochet a Granny Square Video
I’ve recorded a video showing all the steps below. At a super slow pace – to get you started. Scroll to the end to see it – but you might like the words too – as they explain everything too
I show you during the video:
How to choose what yarn and hook size
How to make a slip knot
How to hold yarn, and “feed your yarn”
How to chain, and how to make a USA double crochet
How to carry on in one colour
How to change colour, and very importantly
How to finish off (You can’t just cut the ends!!!) Watch the video here
>>>If you are looking for your next project – try this hat – I teach as week 2 of my course
Starting to crochet a Granny Square
There are 2 main ways you will start to crochet – either a chain or a magic ring.
Chains
This is the easiest way of starting – but not all projects will use this way (Most crochet toys you’ll have seen won’t – they use the magic ring). But luckily for us a granny square does!
To start a chain – you need a slip knot.
When I teach this – I say to everyone “Make a slip knot”. Half the class will just do it – as they can- the other half will wait for me to demonstrate.
“So make a slip knot” If you need help – head to the video at the bottom of this post.
I make a number 6, go through the centre of the loop, pull the tail back through – and grab both ends.
Now you need to synch the loop of the slip knot so it’s not too loose or tight around you hook – we’re talking about 0.5cm or 1/4 inch – so it can move freely (but isn’t too loopy).
Chaining – for a Granny Square.
We need to chain 4. (Honestly I’d watch the video now as it will be so much better than words…. but if you are still here)
If right handed – you will have the hook in your right yarn, and the yarn ready in your left hand – which will also be holding onto the tail (the end by your slip knot).
THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO HOLD YOUR YARN.
You need it so it’s comfortable, and you are able to get you hook underneath it to “grab it”.
I hold my yarn in my left hand, going around my little finger, then back over the top of hand – so I can “grab” it quickly.
You can also wrap around the hook like in knitting.
To Chain
You are going to move your hook going from the front underneath the yarn and over “hooking the Yarn”, over the back, and then using your left hand to get some tension, make the bottom loop on your hook go over the top loop – producing a “Chain”
And for a granny square -you need to do this 4 times (The Slip knot doesn’t count).
Slip stitching
This is used to join bits of crochet together “without adding any height” to the stitches.
For a granny square we need to make a circle for all of your stitches to go in.
To make the circle poke your hook through the first chain you made – which is the one furthest away from the hook.
You’ll grab your yarn, and then make both the loop from the chain, and the bottom loop on the hook over the top.
You’ll have a circle now. (Again the video shows this very slowly).
Height of the crochet Stitches
This is a big thing, and what makes crochet different to knitting (apart from 2 needles and a lot actually…..but).
The more times you wrap the yarn around you hook – the “taller” the crochet stitches will be.
To crochet a Granny Square, we used a US Double crochet (a UK Treble crochet). They are exactly the same thing – we just chose to call them different things to confuse crocheters!
From this point on – I will US the USA Term of Double Crochet (or DC).
The height of a DC is the same as a chain 3 (I got there eventually……..).
So the next thing you need to do is a chain 3.
The Double Crochet Stitch
This I think is the most common stitch used in crochet. It’s works up super quickly and isn’t too holey!
To make a Double crochet, put your hook under the yarn, from front to back (2 loops now on your hook), put you hook through the stitch/ space (front to back), grab the yarn, and pull it back through the stitch/ space (3 loops now on your hook), put your hook under the Yarn again (4 loops), and pull the 2nd and 3rd loop over the top of the hook (loop 4 needs to stay under the hook) (2 loops left now). Put you hook under the yarn again (3 loops), and pull the bottom 2 loops over the top of the hook leaving 1 loop left.
Thats one double crochet!
Now we need to do one more.
Followed by 2 chains (for the corner space).
3 double crochet, chain 2 – do this 3 times.
Now slip stitch into the top of the chain 3. Use the end of your hook to push through the top of the chain, then “grab” the yarn and pull back through the stitch, and over the top of the bottom loop.
That is round one of a granny square complete.
Round 2 of a Granny Square.
We are going to continue with the same colour yarn. So need to move the yarn from where its joined to the top of the chain 3.
You’ll do this by Slip Stitching across the top of the 2 Double crochets to your left to end up in the gap at the end.
Now you are in a “Corner Space”
Round 2 of a granny square needs you to :
Chain 3 (Counts as the first stitch), 2 double crochet, Chain 2 (To give you the corner for the next round), 3 more double crochet in the same hole.
Ch 1 (This moves you along to the next hole – and makes a space for some stitchs on round 3)
*3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 more double crochet in the same space. Chain 1
Repeat from the * twice more.
Slip stitch to the top of the chain 3, to “join the square”
In my video – I change colour here, so we are going to fasten off. I make the loop on the hook nice and big, then cut my “working yarn” about 4 inches/ 10cm to the left. I then post the yarn through the loop and pull it tight.
Now you MUST Weave/ Sew in your ends.
>>>See here why you need to sew in your ends and how to do it
(If you don’t all your hard work will be lost as it’ll fall apart – believe me – I stupidly did this once!)
Using your yarn needle, thread the end, and sew up and down the stitches about 4 times. (Again this is in the video).
Round 3 of a granny square
To change colour
Changing colour is easy, and really chance the look of a granny square which is great (But I will leave you more ends to sew in)
Make a slip knot (scroll up again if needed).
Join in a corner space by slip stitching – going through the whole, front to back, and grabbing the yarn, and putting both loops over the top of the hook (Leaving one loop).
You are now ready to go.
Chain 3 (to get to the height – and it counts as the first stitch), 2 double crochet, chain 2 3 double crochet – chain 1.
In the next space along (as it’s a side) 3 double crochet, chain 1
Now you’ll be in a corner again.
*3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet and chain 1.
Moving to the next space, 3 double crochet chain 1
Repeat from the * twice more (3 times in total).
Then you need to join your square again, with a Slip Stitch.
>>>for a free blanket pattern using 3 round granny squares – Click here
How to make your granny square bigger
This is really simple now.
All you to remember is that
In every corner space you make 3 double crochet chain 2, 3 double crochet – chain 1
In every side space it’s 3 double crochet chain 1.
Thats it – make your granny squares as big or small as you like!
If you want to learn how to join them together – check out this post>>>
So you’ve learnt a granny square – next – try this super easy quick beanie>>>
How about learning a Starburst Granny square next>>>
Video – how to make a Granny Square for absolute beginners
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