Granny Square Pattern for Beginners Learn to Crochet

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We are big fan of Granny Squares here at Red Ted Art HQ, as Granny Squares is how we all learnt to crochet. And from the humble Granny Square, you can of course make many fabolous Granny Square Bags, but also great other Granny Square Projects (from Christmas stockings to slippers!). Once you have mastered the Granny Square, you are a skip and hop away from mastering Amigurumis!

how to crochet a granny square for beginners

Please note: this project has been reproduced with permission from the publisher and is not allowed to be republished in any way, without their consent. It is for personal use only.

Also note: affiliate links have been added to this post – should you choose to purchase via these, I will earn a small commission that goes towards the upkeep of this site!

Mindful Crochet Book

mindfulness in crochet

Mindfulness in Crochet is a wonderful book by the oh so talented Emma Friedlander-Collins, who you may also know on instagram as Stitch and Steel. But she is not just a social media genius, she is actually an other of SEVERAL (not just) crochet books. I especially love her Crochet Hacking Book, but that is a whole nother story! Today we are here for her new book Mindfulness in Crochet!

If you know us here at Red Ted Art HQ, you will know that we don’t just LOVE crochet, but that crochet as always been a big part of mindfulness for us. The kids learnt to crochet during the pandemic, a time where mindfulness was indeed key.. and do you know what we started with? The humble Granny Square (more to that below). But I love love love that Emma has now written a book all about Mindfulness in Crochet, as there really is so much more to be gained from crochet than just the crochet itself. I love how the book devides into these sections:

  • Connect with the practise of mindfulness
  • Weave this craft into the busy pace of modern living,
  • Explore the roots of the practise in ancestral civilisations
  • Ground yourself by crafting in nature,
  • Build community and explore ‘craftivism’

All of these different chapters really speak to me in a life that is hectic and busy and I especially love the thoughts on community and craftivism.

So.. a little sample from her book for you today (as we do always love a small project) – the classic granny square. Now don’t just MAKE this granny square, but make this granny spare as concious choice to take a moment for yourself today.

Over to Emma!

MAKE A CLASSIC GRANNY SQUARE

by Emma Friedlander-Collins

Here is a classic granny pattern for you to use however you wish.

The beauty of this pattern lies in the fact you can follow it using any size of hook, and any type of yarn. However, if you are intending to join up these squares for another project – consistency is key.

Using the same size of hook and weight of yarn will make lining up and joining the squares much easier.

To make a granny square for a blanket which can be built up slowly over time, I’d recommend the following:

Materials

  • DK-weight yarn in a natural wool mix
  • Tools 4 or 4.5mm crochet hook, US size G-6 or 7
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle

Crochet abbreviations

Note: this uses the “Tr” abbreviation, which is a UK Crochet Abbreviation for UK treble crochet, which translates into the US double crochet terminology

  • ch – chain
  • tr – UK treble crochet, US double crochet
  • ss – slip stitchst(s) – stitch(es)
  • sp – space
  • Rpt – repeat
  • Rnd(s) – round(s)

Classic Granny Square Pattern

classic granny square pattern beginner crochet

Photo credit: Craft_Alotl

To start, ch 5 and join with ss.

Rnd 1: Ch3 (counts as 1 st tr). Working into the ring, 2tr, *ch2, 3tr*, rpt twice more, ch2, ss to top starting ch3. (four 3tr clusters and four ch2 sp).

Rnd 2: Ss to ch2 space. Ch3, 2tr, ch2, 3tr (1 st corner made), *ch1, [3tr, ch2, 3tr] in next ch2 sp*, rpt 2 more times, ch1. Join with a ss to the top of starting ch3.

Rnd 3: Ss to next ch2 sp, [ch3, 2tr, ch2, 3tr]

in sp for corner, *ch1,3tr in next sp, ch1, [3tr, ch2, 3tr] in next corner*, rpt two more times, ch1, 3tr, ch1, join with ss to top of starting ch3.

To work additional rounds, ss to next space. Follow Rnd 3 instructions: ss to next corner, work [3tr, ch2, 3tr] in corners and[ch1, 3tr] along sides

There’s so many ways to use granny squares – the possibilities are endless! Individual items can be purposed as pot protectors, dishcloths, coasters, mug rugs or decorative patches. If you find yourself with a large stack of squares, these can be joined up into a blanket, a cardigan or even a granny square tote bag and are wonderful longer term projects. For these types of projects, I’d recommend using a foundation colour to begin and end each granny square, using whatever combination of colours you’d like in between. Having the same colours at the centre and edge of each square will ensure cohesion in your project.

Sooo, if you enjoyed todays project: Why not grab yourself a copy of this lovely book Mindfulness in Crochet:

mindfulness in crochet