So you want to learn how to crochet a granny square. Good news: it's much simpler than the videos and posts full of "advanced tips" might have you believe. A granny square uses just three stitches, worked in a small, repeating pattern, in rounds that build outward from the centre. Once you've made one round, every round that follows works the same way.
This guide walks you through your first granny square from slip knot to fastened-off corner, with everything written in UK terms. We'll also cover the three things that trip up almost every beginner: curling, rippling, and the dreaded round-shaped 'square'. There's no need to be a confident crocheter to follow along. If you can hold a hook and a ball of yarn, you can make a granny square.
If you'd rather have everything ready to go in one box, our crochet kits include the yarn, pattern and video tutorial you'll need for your first project. We'll come back to those further down. For now, let's get into the basics.
What Is a Granny Square?
A granny square is a small square of crochet made by working in the round, traditionally with colour changes between each round. They're built from clusters of three treble crochets, separated by chain spaces that form the corners. Each round adds one more cluster to every side.
Granny squares have been around for well over 100 years and have gone in and out of fashion plenty of times. Right now they're very much back. You'll spot them on bags, jumpers, cushions and blankets all over Instagram and Pinterest. They're a beginner-friendly project, a satisfying use for scraps of yarn, and an easy stepping stone to bigger crochet ambitions.
A Quick Word on UK vs US Crochet Terms
Before we go any further, there's one thing that catches every new crocheter out, especially if you're learning from YouTube videos. The same stitches have different names in the UK and the US. They look identical, they work exactly the same way, they're just labelled differently.
This tutorial is written entirely in UK terms. If you find a pattern or video online and the stitch heights don't match what's described, check whether the creator is in the US. A quick conversion:
|
UK term |
UK abbreviation |
US term |
US abbreviation |
|
Chain |
ch |
Chain |
ch |
|
Slip stitch |
ss |
Slip stitch |
sl st |
|
Double crochet |
dc |
Single crochet |
sc |
|
Treble crochet |
tr |
Double crochet |
dc |
The most important one to remember: when a US tutorial says "double crochet", they mean what we call a treble crochet. It's the main stitch of a granny square.
What You'll Need
Keep it simple for your first attempt. You don't need a haul of supplies.
- DK weight yarn (sometimes labelled light worsted) in a smooth, light colour. Acrylic is fine for practising. Cotton holds its shape well if you want a neater finish.
- A 4mm crochet hook. This suits DK yarn nicely. If your hook came without a recommendation, check the yarn label.
- Scissors
- A yarn needle (also called a tapestry needle) for weaving in your ends
- A stitch marker, optional but useful for marking the start of each round
If you'd rather skip the trip to the craft shop, our Granny Squares Bag Crochet Kit is a beginner-friendly project that comes with the yarn, pattern booklet and a video tutorial all in one box. You can browse our full crochet kit range if you'd like to see what else is available.
A quick tip on yarn colour for your first square: pick something pale and solid. Fluffy yarns hide your stitches, and very dark colours make it hard to see where the hook needs to go.
The Three Stitches You'll Use
A granny square uses just three stitches. If you're brand new to crochet, take a few minutes to practise each one on a scrap piece of yarn before you start the square itself.
Chain Stitch (ch)
The most basic stitch in crochet. Yarn over your hook, then pull through the loop already on the hook. That's one chain. Chains form your starting ring at the centre of the square and the corner spaces between clusters.
Slip Stitch (ss)
Used to join the end of a round back to the beginning, and to travel along your work without adding any height. Insert your hook into the stitch or space, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion.
Treble Crochet (tr)
The main stitch of a granny square. Three of these worked together is what gives the square its little 'shells' or clusters. Yarn over, insert your hook where the pattern tells you to, yarn over again and pull up a loop (you now have three loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through two loops (two left on the hook), then yarn over again and pull through the last two loops. One treble crochet is now made.
Don't worry if it feels clunky at first. After 10 or 15 of them, your hands start to remember the rhythm.
Getting started
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Make a slip knot and place it on your hook.
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Chain 4.
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Slip stitch into the very first chain you made to form a small ring. This is your foundation ring.
Round 1
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Chain 3. This counts as your first treble crochet for the round.
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Work 2 more trebles into the centre of the ring. You now have your first cluster of 3 trebles (the chain-3 counts as one of them).
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Chain 2. This forms your first corner space.
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Work 3 trebles into the ring, then chain 2. Repeat this twice more. You'll end up with four clusters of 3 trebles and four corner spaces.
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Slip stitch into the top of the chain-3 you started with. Round 1 done.
Round 2
If you want to change colour for Round 2, fasten off your first colour now and join the new one with a slip stitch into any chain-2 corner space. If you're sticking with one colour, slip stitch your way along to the nearest corner space and carry on.
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Chain 3 (counts as first treble). In the same corner space, work 2 trebles, chain 2, then 3 trebles. That's your first corner of Round 2 complete.
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Chain 1. Then in the next corner space, work 3 trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles. Chain 1.
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Repeat around the square. Each corner gets 3 trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles. Each side gets a chain 1 between corners.
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Slip stitch into the top of the chain-3 you started with. Round 2 done.
Round 3 and beyond
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Round 3 follows the same logic as Round 2, but now you have one extra cluster on each side. So between two corners, you'll work: chain 1, 3 trebles into the side chain-space, chain 1, then on to the next corner.
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Each new round adds one more 3-treble cluster on every side. Round 4 has two side clusters per side, Round 5 has three, and so on.
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Most beginner granny squares stop at 3 to 5 rounds. Anything bigger and you might want to start a second square instead.
Fastening off
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After your final slip stitch, chain 1 and cut the yarn, leaving a tail about 15cm long. Pull the tail all the way through the last loop on your hook to secure it.
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Thread the tail through your yarn needle and weave it through 4 or 5 stitches on the back of your work. Trim the end close to the fabric.
If you'd prefer to follow along visually, our YouTube channel has video tutorials that show every step in real time.
Common Beginner Problems (and How to Fix Them)
Almost every new crocheter runs into one of these. None of them mean you're doing it wrong. They just mean a small adjustment will help.
"My square is curling up like a bowl."
Your tension is probably too tight, or your hook is too small for the yarn. Try going up half a hook size, so a 4.5mm if you were using a 4mm. Keep your grip relaxed and let the yarn slide through your fingers rather than gripping it tight after each stitch.
"My square is rippling and won't lie flat."
The opposite problem. Your tension is too loose, or your hook is too big for the yarn. Drop down half a hook size and see if it sits flatter.
"It looks more like a circle than a square."
You're probably adding too many chains between your clusters on the sides. For a classic granny square, the side chains should be smaller than the corner chains. Try chain 1 between side clusters and chain 2 at the corners only. If the corners still look soft, the chain-2 at each corner is what gives the square its right-angle shape, so make sure you're not skipping those.
"The sides are wonky and uneven."
Almost always tension. Your first few squares will probably have one side tighter than the others because your hand grips differently as you go round. Keep going. Block your finished square (lay it flat, mist it with water, gently shape it square and leave it to dry) and most of the unevenness will settle out.
"I keep losing count of where I am."
A stitch marker in your starting chain-3 of each round helps you find the join. Count your clusters as you go: Round 1 has 4 clusters, Round 2 has 8, Round 3 has 12. If your count is off, undo to the last point you were sure of and rework from there. Pulling stitches out is called frogging (because you 'rip it, rip it'), and every crocheter does it.
"I don't know where to put the hook."
For a classic granny square, your trebles always go into the chain space, not through the top of the previous stitches. The chain space is the little gap between clusters. Pop your hook through that gap so the stitches sit either side of it.
What to Do With Your Granny Square Once It's Finished
This is where the fun starts. A single granny square doesn't have to stay a single granny square.
The classic option is to make a stack of them and join them into a blanket. A small lap blanket of around 100cm x 100cm takes roughly 25 to 36 squares, depending on the finished size of each. Joining methods are a topic of their own, but the simplest is to whip stitch them together with a yarn needle.
You can also sew a few squares together to make a bag, using a small number of squares stitched together with a lining and handles.
For something smaller, a single larger granny square (around 10 rounds) makes a lovely cushion cover front or wall hanging. You can also stitch them onto plain tote bags, jumpers or scarves as patches.
Tips for Your First Granny Square
A few things we've learned from teaching beginners and from chatting with new crocheters in our community.
- Start with one colour. Colour changes are much easier once the basic shape is muscle memory. You can practise switching colours on your second or third square.
- Pick a light, smooth yarn so you can see your stitches clearly. Fluffy or textured yarns hide mistakes and make it harder to spot the chain spaces.
- Frogging is normal. Pulling stitches out and starting over isn't failure. Most crocheters frog something every single project.
- Make three or four practice squares before judging your skills. Your fourth square will look noticeably better than your first.
- If you get stuck, our Facebook community is full of friendly stitchers who are happy to help with crochet questions as well as cross stitch ones.
- Watch a video alongside the written pattern if you're a visual learner. Sometimes seeing the hook move is the thing that makes the written words click.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a granny square hard to crochet for beginners?
Honestly, no. If you can chain and treble crochet, you can make a granny square. Most people get the basic shape within an hour, though making it look neat takes a few attempts. The pattern is repetitive in a good way, which means the moment it clicks, it really clicks.
How long does a granny square take to make?
A small three-round square takes around 15 to 20 minutes once you've got the hang of it. Your first one will take longer because you're learning the rhythm. Don't be surprised if your first square takes the best part of an hour with stops to check the pattern.
What size hook do I need for a granny square?
A 4mm hook suits DK weight yarn, which is the most common beginner choice. If you're using a different yarn weight, check the recommended hook size on the yarn label. The hook size affects how tightly your stitches sit, so the right pairing matters more than you might think.
Can I make a granny square with leftover scrap yarn?
Yes, and it's one of the classic uses for granny squares. The one rule is to keep the yarn weight consistent throughout the square so it sits flat. Mixing a DK with a chunky in the same square will leave you with a wonky shape.
How many granny squares do I need for a blanket?
A small lap blanket of around 100cm x 100cm takes roughly 25 to 36 squares, depending on the finished size of each one. A larger single-bed throw is closer to 80 to 100 squares. Stitching a few practice squares first will give you a clearer idea of your own square size.
Why is my granny square curling up?
Your tension is probably too tight, or your hook is too small for the yarn. Try going up half a hook size and keep your grip relaxed. Blocking the finished square (a light mist of water and pinning it flat to dry) will also help it sit properly.
What's the difference between UK and US granny square patterns?
The stitches are the same, but the names are different. A UK treble crochet is a US double crochet. Always check which terminology your pattern uses before you start, especially if you're mixing a written pattern with a video tutorial.
Do I need to block a granny square?
Not strictly, but it does help. A quick spritz with water and a few minutes pinned into shape will neaten up wonky edges and give your finished work a more polished look. For blankets where you want all your squares matching, blocking is well worth the few extra minutes.
Ready to Try Your First Granny Square?
Your first square will probably be a bit wonky, and that's exactly how it should be. Every crocheter has a slightly squiffy first square somewhere in their history. The fourth one is when it starts to feel easy, and by the time you've made ten, you'll be making them without looking at the pattern.
If crochet is brand new to you and you'd like to compare it to other crafts before you commit, our guide on crochet vs cross stitch covers the differences in cost, time and learning curve.
And whenever you get stuck, our Facebook community is one message away.
Happy crocheting!
