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How to crochet a granny square

Photo credit: junpinzon - Getty Images
Photo credit: junpinzon - Getty Images

Always wanted to learn to crochet, but not sure where to start? Prima is here to help. Rather than diving in at the deep end with an unnecessarily complicated project, start small with a granny square. Granny squares are quick and easy to make, and an attractive way to use up oddments of yarn. You can experiment with changing colours for different effects, or make a single-coloured square.

Granny squares form the basis for many crochet patterns. And once you've mastered the granny square, which is also known as an ‘afghan square’ in the US, you'll be able to crochet your own blanket or cushion.

"Granny squares are adored all over the world, for their versatility, their planet-saving stash busting nature, and because they're such fun to make!," a LoveCrafts spokesperson tells Prima.

"We're told that they first appeared around the 1890s, and they've become a favourite ever since. You can create a granny square from your stash, or choose a colour scheme for a modular blanket; you can work one giant granny square as a blanket - or you can use your granny squares to create garments and accessories."

Top tips from the LoveCrafts team include:

- Sew in your ends as you go along: "You really don't want to be faced with a huge pile of ends to sew at the end of a multicoloured blanket!"

- Check your tension: "If you're making several squares, you want to keep them all the same size, so make sure you regularly measure them to make sure you're not getting tighter or loosening up with your hook.

- Experiment with colour: "Be bold with your colour choices! Everything works in a granny square."

Crocheted granny squares are made in rounds from the centre outwards. Try our free granny square pattern below – a perfect choice if you’re just starting to learn to crochet.

Instructions are in UK abbreviations. For a breakdown of stitches, see our how to crochet guide.

How to crochet a granny square

Photo credit: Frederica Patmore
Photo credit: Frederica Patmore

Make 4ch and join with a ss to form a ring.

Round 1: 3ch, 2tr in ring, 3ch, [3tr in ring, 3ch] 3 times, join with a ss to 3rd of 3ch at beginning of round. Fasten off.

To join a new colour, make a slipknot and put in on your hook in your right hand, insert your hook into the instructed space or stitch, and bring a loop of your new yarn through this stitch, like a ss.

Round 2: Join your new yarn into any 3ch space (one of the corners of your square), make 3ch, work [2tr, 3ch, 3 tr] all into this same space, 1ch, work *[3tr, 3ch, 3tr] all into same space, 1ch; repeat from * twice, join with a ss to 3rd of 3ch at beginning of round. Fasten off.

Round 3: Join your new yarn into any 3ch space (this is always going to be the corner of your square), make 3ch, [2tr, 3ch, 3tr] all into this same space, 1ch, *3tr into next 1ch space, 1ch, work [3tr, 3ch, 3tr] into next 3ch space, 1ch, rep from * twice, 3tr in next 1ch space, 1ch, join with a ss to 3rd of 3ch from beginning of round. Fasten off.

The granny square shown above ends here. But you can keep going if you wish, for a bumper-sized square! You will begin to see the pattern form.

Alternatively, check out this crochet video tutorial with LoveCrafts which promises to turn you into a "crochet master". We like the sound of that!

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