How to Crochet a Granny Square

There are several good instructables on how to use granny squares, such as: making afghans, hats, scarves, bags etc.  However, I did not see one on how to make a granny square.  I hope this instructable will fill the bill.  There will be lots of pictures as well as a detailed video describing the process.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Good luck!

If this feels a little over whelming, you may want to start here.  This is an instructable I made for complete newbies to crocheting.

Step 1 Making the First Round - From Slipknot to Joining

Make a slipknot with your yarn and insert the hook into the knot.

Chain 4 stitches.

Insert your hook into the first stitch (closest to the slipknot).

Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch.  Slip the stitch through the loop on your hook.

This creates the ring (center of the granny square), take note of the hole in the center of the ring, this is where all the work will be done for the first round.

Chain 3 stitches.

Double crochet into the ring

Double crochet into the ring again. 

This set of stitches is the first "shell" of the granny square.  a shell consists of three double crochets together in the same space.  Please note that the chain 3 takes the place of a double crochet.

The first round will consist of four shells.  You will need to chain 2 stitches between each shell in the first round.

Chain 2 and make another shell by doing three double crochets into the ring.  (This is shell number 2).

Chain 2 again, make another shell by doing three double crochets into the ring.  (This is shell number 3).

Chain 2, yet again, and make the last shell for round one.

You know how have 4 shells and are ready to join them together.

Chain 2 stitches then insert your hook into the second stitch of the first shell you made.  (The second stitch on the chain 3 we did directly after making the ring).

With your hook through the stitch, yarn over and pull through.  slip stitch through the loop on your hook. 

That concludes the first round.  All subsequent rounds are just a repeat of this round.  The only difference is the number of shells you will make and the amount of chain stitches between shells.

Comments

[Poo0909]

Wonderful. I am trying my best to do a Granny Square. I have the wool, I have the crochet hook, I have my hands and I have your instructable. It can't be so hard now, can it?
Here I go.........

[melodicmetallove]

I've attempted learning to crochet before, but no dice. Thanks to this Instructable, I can now make granny squares! Thank you very much!

[lakramer]

I've never crocheted before, but your step-by-step pictures make it look so easy! I'm definitely going to try this now that I have clear instructions on how to crochet. Thank you for the help! <3

[russm313]

That sounds great! Please let me know how it goes and if I can help along the way.

[Iridium7]

 made 2 squares today. 138 more to go.

[russm313]

Awesome!  Hope they go well.

[acexkeikai]

Thank you I never understood where you inserted the hook to join :) now I know Thank you very much :)

[russm313]

I am very glad it was helpful.  You are welcome.

[Kiteman]

Years before I was born, my grandmother made a whole double-bed sized blanket out of these squares - she made them with scraps (she did a lot of knitting), so every square was different.

I still have the blanket.

[russm313]

I love stories like that.  I bet it is a unique blanket, for sure.  I will have an instructable coming soon on a creative way to use these squares. 

[Kiteman]

It's really warm over a quilt, but it weighs a ton, which Kitewife finds uncomfortable.