How to Crochet a Granny Square

Granny squares were very popular in the 1970s, and have now made at least a partial comeback. They may look hard to make, but they really aren't. Here are instructions for crocheting a 70s-style granny square, with some variations to the basic pattern.

Instructions - Round 1
Chain 5 stitches, then join the last chain to the first with a slip stitch. You now have a "ring" made out of chain stitches.

Chain 5 more stitches. This counts as a double crochet and 2 chains.

Make 3 double crochets in the ring, then 2 chains. Then do this (3 double crochets and 2 chains) twice more.

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." You'll see how this turns your last 2 doubles and the first 3 of those 5 chains into a group. Those 3 chains may not look much like a double crochet right now, but they fill the space just fine, and as your square grows they won't be noticeable. This is good, since you'll be making them at the beginning of every round.

Congratulations! You've just finished your first round. Things may look a little crowded in that ring, but don't worry. They'll straighten out soon.

Instructions - Round 2
Chain 5 more stitches (once again counting as 2 chains and a double crochet).

Your hook should be sitting right over a "chain 2" space from the round below. Into this space make 3 double crochets and chain.

Into the next space make 3 double crochets, 2 chains, 3 more double crochets, and another chain. Do this (3 doubles, 2 chains, 3 doubles, 1 chain) twice more.

You are now back at the beginning of the round. There should be a big loop there - your "chain 5" from the beginning of the round. Ignore the loop for a moment and make 2 double crochets in the space from the round below (not in the space made by the big loop).

Now slip stitch into the big loop - and round 2 is finished!

Instructions - round 3 and all successive rounds
Chain 5, then make 3 double crochets and a chain in the space (just as you did on round 2).

Into the next space make 3 double crochets and a chain. This is how you work all the spaces on the round until you get to the corners. (On the third round you'll have only one of these to make, but as you keep adding rounds you'll keep adding groups. That's what makes the square grow.)

When you get to a corner turn it by making 3 doubles, 2 chains, 3 more doubles, and a chain.

When you get to the end of the round make 2 double crochets and then a slip stitch in the "chain 5" loop to join the end to the beginning.

In other words...
When you're making this basic granny square it's best to think in terms of blocks and spaces (rather than stitches). You make all the blocks in the current round in the spaces between the blocks on the round below. This is what makes granny squares so easy - you don't have to count stitches.

All the "regular" blocks in the round will consist of 3 double crochets separated by a chain. All the corners have 2 groups of 3 doubles separated by a "chain 2." You need those 2 chains to turn the corner.

Variations
Try doing different rows in different colors. To change colors, fasten off after you've joined the round with the slip stitch, then join the new color in the same space, chain 5, and continue as before.

These instructions are for a basic 70s-style granny square. It is possible to make a granny rectangle and other shapes as well. I'll cover those in future articles.

Granny squares aren't complicated. All they need is a little yarn, a crochet hook and some basic skills. If you have all of those and a little bit of time you have the beginnings of some really interesting articles.