Why is my granny square twisting or turning into a circle?

Two common causes: working the corner clusters into the wrong space, or turning your work between rounds. Classic granny squares are worked with the right side facing you the whole time, and every corner must be (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in a chain-2 space.

Does the chain 3 at the start of a round count as a stitch?

Yes. In this pattern the ch 3 counts as the first double crochet of the round, which is why you only work 2 more dc to complete that first cluster.

How many granny squares do I need for a blanket?

With 4-round squares (about 11 cm), a baby blanket needs about 48 (6 × 8), a lap throw about 80 (8 × 10), and a single bed about 150. Bigger squares with more rounds mean fewer squares to join.

What's the best yarn for granny squares?

Worsted-weight acrylic or a wool blend for blankets (soft, washable, affordable), and cotton for bags and summer tops (crisp and structured). Stick to one yarn weight across the whole project so squares come out the same size.

How do I make a bigger granny square?

Just keep going. Every new round adds one more side cluster per side: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each corner, and [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] along each side. A 'giant granny square' blanket is one square worked until it's the size you want.

Classic Granny Square Crochet Pattern (Free & Beginner-Friendly)

The granny square crochet pattern is the most famous design in crochet for good reason: it’s easy to memorize, it uses scraps beautifully, and the same little square becomes a blanket, a tote bag, a pillow, or that granny-square cardigan filling your Pinterest feed. This free pattern walks through all four rounds with a tracker, then shows how to change colors, block, and join your squares.

What You’ll Need

Four small balls of worsted yarn in berry, lilac, butter, and cream with a 5 mm hook. — One square uses about 10 g of worsted yarn. Pick four colors that make you happy.

Worsted-weight yarn and a 5 mm hook give a squishy, classic square. You’ll use ch, sl st, and dc, plus two pattern terms: sp (the chain space) and the “cluster,” which here simply means 3 dc worked into the same space.

Before you start: the ch 3 at the beginning of each round counts as the first dc. Granny squares are worked in joined rounds, and you don’t turn between rounds.

Round 1: The Center

Start with a small chain ring (or a MR if you prefer a closed center).

Round 1 of a granny square: four clusters of three double crochet around a small ring. — Round 1: four clusters of 3 dc separated by chain-2 corners. It already looks square.

Work four clusters of 3 dc into the ring, separated by chain-2 spaces. Those four ch-2 spaces are your four corners, forever.

Round 2: Building the Corners

Slip stitch across to the first corner so you start in the right place, then work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into each corner space, with a ch 1 between corners.

Round 2 of a granny square with two clusters in each corner space. — Round 2: two clusters in each corner, with a chain 1 between corners.

Hands working three double crochet into the corner chain space of a granny square. — Every corner is (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same space. That's the whole secret of the square shape.

Rounds 3 and 4: The Rhythm

From here, every round follows the same rhythm:

Corners: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each ch-2 corner space.
Sides: 3 dc in each ch-1 space along the side.
Between every cluster: ch 1.

Each round adds one more cluster to every side. Once you see it, you’ll never need the pattern again.

The Full Pattern

Tick off each round as you finish it. The tracker saves your progress.

Tick as you go

Classic Granny Square

0 / 6 done

Ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring (or make a magic ring).
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2. [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (4 clusters)
Rnd 2: Sl st in next 2 dc and into ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1. [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1] 3 times. Join. (8 clusters)
Rnd 3: Sl st in next 2 dc and into ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1. [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times. Join. (12 clusters)
Rnd 4: Sl st in next 2 dc and into ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice. *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice; rep from * 2 more times. Join. (16 clusters)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Cluster count check: 4, 8, 12, 16. Each round adds one cluster per side (4 per round).

A finished four-round granny square in berry, lilac, butter, and cream. — Four rounds, four colors: a finished classic granny square.

How to Change Colors

For a multicolor square, fasten off at the end of a round, then join the new color in a corner space with a slip stitch, ch 3, and continue as normal. (You’ll skip the slip stitches across to the corner, because you’re already there.)

Close-up of a new yarn color being joined into a corner space of a granny square. — Change colors in a corner: the join hides inside the cluster and the ends are easy to weave in.

Tip: work over the old and new tails for the first few stitches of the round. They get trapped inside the stitches, which leaves far fewer ends to weave in later.

Block Your Squares

Blocking makes every square the same size and gives them crisp corners, which matters a lot when you join dozens together.

Granny squares pinned flat on a blocking board to square them up. — Blocking turns slightly wonky squares into perfectly matching ones. Pin, mist, and let them dry.

Pin each square to a foam board or a folded towel using your measured size, mist with water until damp, and let it dry completely. For acrylic, a light steam (hovering, never pressing) works better than water.

How to Join Granny Squares

Whip stitch through the back loops: flat, soft, nearly invisible. It’s the best for blankets.

Two granny squares being joined with a whip stitch through the back loops. — Whip stitch through the back loops for a flat, nearly invisible join.

Slip stitch join on the right side: a raised, decorative ridge that frames each square.
Join-as-you-go: connect squares during their final round, so there’s no sewing at the end. Once you’re comfortable with the basic square, it’s worth learning.

Granny squares joined with a raised slip stitch seam as a decorative ridge. — Or join with slip stitches on the right side for a raised ridge that frames each square.

What to Make With Granny Squares

Bags: two large squares make a tote. See the pattern in crochet bag ideas.

A granny square tote bag made from two large squares with sturdy straps. — Two big granny squares and two straps make a tote. It's the classic next step.

Tops and cardigans: granny squares are the base of many Pinterest-favorite crochet tops and cardigans.

A granny square cardigan in pastel squares worn by a woman in soft natural light. — The granny square cardigan: the most-saved crochet garment on Pinterest, built from this exact square.

Pillows and home decor: two squares seamed together, or four joined into one cover. More in crochet home decor ideas.
Blankets: the classic. See layouts and yarn estimates in crochet blanket ideas.

A finished granny square blanket draped over a bed in a bright bedroom. — And eventually, a whole blanket. Around 48 squares covers a single bed.

New to reading patterns like this one? Our pattern-reading lesson breaks down Round 2 of this exact square line by line.