Introduction: Easy Granny Square for Beginners!

Hi Y'all! In this Instructable, I'm going to show you how to
crochet an easy Granny Square for semi-beginners. A granny Square is a simple square using only a few stitches so it will to be fairly easy to learn. I am going to show you how to crochet all stitches needed for this step-by-step tutorial in close-up detail so you will hopefully not be confused. So lets get started!

Supplies

You will need:

One ball of yarn, any size

A crocheting hook that corresponds to the size of yarn you have available

A pair of scissors

Step 1: Forming a Slip Knot

A slip knot is usually a first step in most crochet projects you will come
across, so this is a very important skill to know.

Step One: Hold your strand of yarn so that the end is dangling over your pinkie and the end attached to the ball of yarn is in-between your thumb and index finger.

Step Two: Wrap the long end around your index and middle finger in an x (look at the picture for help).

Step Three: Push your hook under the top right arm of the x and then over the top left arm of the x.

Step Four: Pull the top left arm of the x under the top right arm of the x.

Step Five: Now, making sure to hold the loop on the hook so it doesn't fall off, pull your hand out of the other loop from Step Two.

Step Six: While still holding the loop on the hook, pull on the short and the long end of your yarn at the same time to tighten the knot onto the hook.

Step 2: Holding Your Hook and Yarn

To correctly hold your hook, grab the long end of your yarn with your pinkie and ring finger of your left hand. Now move your index finger so that it is on top of the strand of yarn. This keeps slight tension in your yarn so it is easier to form stitches. Just make sure not to hold the yarn too tightly, but keep it loose so it can slide through your hand as you use it. The last thing you need to do is pinch the short end of your yarn in-between you middle finger and thumb(as shown in the picture).

Step 3: Forming a Chain

The first step of our project is forming a 3 link chain. To do this, wrap the long end of your yarn over the back of your hook by dipping your hook underneath it and back up again. Keep holding your hook and yarn in the correct position! Now twist your hook so the hooked part is facing down at your left palm. Then carefully slide your hook out of the slip knot you formed in Step 1, pulling the second loop through. Repeat this twice more, wrapping the yarn around and pulling it through the first loop. Now you have a chain!

Step 4: Forming a Loop to Start 1st Round

Now we are going make the 3 link chain into a loop. First, stick the tip of your hook through the first stitch, the one that was the slip knot. Once your hook is all the way through, your hook connects the two ends of the chain to form a circle. To connect them with yarn, wrap your yarn over the hook as if you were going to start a chain. Now pull it through both the loops on your hook. To finish this step, chain 3.

Step 5: Learning a Double Crochet Stitch

Now for the first round, you need to form 12 double crochet stitches in the middle of the loop you made in the last step. To do this, wrap your yarn over your hook, then stick the end of your hook in the middle of the loop. Now, with your hook poking through the loop, wrap your yarn around the end of the hook. Then pull you hook through JUST THE CHAIN LOOP! Now you have three pieces of yarn wrapped around your hook. Next, wrap your yarn around the hook and pull it through ONLY TWO HOOPS on your hook. Wrap again, and pull through two again. Now you have one double crochet stitch!

Step 6: Finishing Round 1

To finish round 1, start by making 11 more double crochet stitches into the middle of the chain loop like i showed you in the last step. Next, you have to join the last double crochet stitch with the chain of three that you made before. To do this, stick the end of your hook in-between the chain of three and the first double crochet link. Once its sticking out the other side, wrap your yarn over your hook and pull it through both loops on your hook. Now you have one loop left, make a chain of three.

Step 7: Forming Round 2

To start round 2, wrap your yarn over your hook and form 6 double crochet stitches like i showed you in-between the double crochet under the chain of three and the one to the left of it. Once you've finished them, form a chain of one. Now count three double crochet stitches to the left of the one you just put stitches in-between. Skip over those three with your hook and form six more double crochet stitches in-between the third and the fourth one to the left. Chain one, skip over three, and form six double crochet stitches two more times. Now join your last stitch with the chain three at the beginning of the round by sticking your hook under it, wrapping yarn around your hook, and then pulling it through both loops on the hook, leaving one on the hook. Next, chain three.

Step 8: Forming Round 3

To form round 3, make 6 double crochet stitches under the chain of one in from the previous round(shown in picture). When the double crochets are formed, crochet a chain of 2. Now repeat 3 more times, making 6 double crochets in the chain of one from the last round, and forming a chain of 2. When you are done forming the last 6 double crochets, stick your hook under the chain of 3, wrap your yarn around the hook, and pull it through both loops on your hook. This finishes round 3.

Step 9: Tying It Off

Now we have to tie it off so it doesn't unravel. Make a chain of one and then pull your long end of yarn really hard to tighten the last chain link. Now make another chain of one and tighten it the same way. Next, cut the end of the yarn, leaving about an inch attached to your Granny square. Pull the loop bigger and bigger until the end of the yarn where you cut it slips out and it left hanging.

Step 10: Hiding the Ends of Yarn to Finish

Now your project is almost done. In order for it to look perfect, you have to weave the ends of the yarn into your piece. Simply cutting the ends off risks the project unraveling. To weave the ends it, just stick your hook under and over existing stitches and then pull the ends of yarn back through. The pictures will help.

Step 11: Done!

Now it's finished! Use your granny square for a coaster, a decoration, or anything you think of!

Please comment with any problems you had during the tutorial and I will try and modify it for you. Happy Crafting, GoofyStuff

Knitting and Crochet Speed Challenge

Participated in the
Knitting and Crochet Speed Challenge