How to Crochet a Granny Rectangle

Granny squares are really common and very easy to make, but their shape may limit their use. There is a way to make rectangles from basically the same pattern. Here are the instructions.

Round 1
Chain 8, then join the last chain to the first with a slip stitch to make a ring. This ring will be bigger than the one you'd make for a square, but you're going to be putting more stitches in it, and you need that space to accommodate those extra stitches.

Chain 4 more stitches (to count as 1 double crochet and 1 chain).

Make 3 double crochets in the ring, then chain 1. Do this set (3 double crochets and a chain) 4 more times.

Make 2 double crochets in the ring right next to the "chain 5" loop. Then make a slip stitch to join that last double crochet to the first "chain 5." This will turn your last 2 doubles and the first 3 of those 5 chains into a block.

You've now finished round 1. You should have six blocks of 3 double crochets, each separated by a chain.

Round 2
Chain 5 (to count as 2 double crochets and 2 chains).

Make 3 double crochets and a chain in the space from the round below (right under where you just made the "chain 5"). This is the way you'll begin each round from now on.

Make 3 double crochets and a chain in the next space.

Then do a corner, consisting of 3 doubles, 2 chains, 3 more doubles, and 1 more chain, all in the next space.

In the next space make another corner.

In the space after that make 3 doubles and a chain.

Then make another corner (3 doubles, 2 chains, 3 doubles, 1 chain).

Finish the round by making 2 doubles next to the "chain 5" and then joining with a slip stitch to the "chain 5."

You've done only two rounds, but you should start to see the rectangle shape emerging. It will take another round for that shape to be really visible.

Round 3 and all successive rounds
Chain 5, then make 3 doubles and a chain in the space from the round below.

In every space that isn't a corner make 3 doubles and a chain. In the corner spaces make 3 doubles, 2 chains, 3 doubles, and 1 chain. (You should be able to see the corners fairly easily; they have 2 chains between the blocks, while the sides have only 1 chain between blocks.)

End every round with 2 doubles and a slip stitch into the chain 5.

In other words...
The very first round is what changes the shape from a square into a rectangle. In a granny square the first round has four blocks (of 3 double crochets each), one for each corner. In a rectangle it has six - four for the corners and two extra blocks for the sides.

As you complete each successive round you'll be adding one block to each side, just as you do with a granny square. But because you started out with one more block on two of the sides, those two sides will be longer than the other two. That's what makes the rectangle.

As with the granny square, remember that you will always be working only in the spaces between the blocks, not in the tops of the stitches.

And here's a bonus tip: If you find your rectangle - or even your square - turning into a pentagon, a hexagon, or something else, it's probably because you put in an extra corner somewhere. This could be because you got confused about where the corner actually was, or it could be that you put in an extra chain between side blocks on the round below. Remember - you want 1 chain between the side blocks and 2 at the corners.

Conclusion
Well, now you know how to make both granny squares and granny rectangles. This should really open up your options for things to make. And if you really want a rectangular afghan made from just one big piece, now you know how to do it. Enjoy!