When I got back into crocheting a few years back, I realized I was shying away from a staple of the craft: granny squares. To be honest, I was a little scared of them. There were so many tutorials and they all looked so different. I had an analysis paralysis moment. But when I finally found an “easy” one, I realized my fear was silly.
That’s the beauty of granny crafts. From the outside looking in, they all seem too complicated. However, if you are ok with making a few mistakes and really spending the time to get the stitches right, you’ll be a “pro” in no time.
Now, ironically, when I have analysis paralysis, I turn to granny squares and simple crochet projects like scarves and hats to clear my head.
I’ve also learned the beauty of baby blankets. I am in that phase of my life where everyone is doing one of the following: getting married, buying homes, getting new jobs, running marathons or having babies. It started as a project for my first friend with a baby. But then the next announcement happened and I remembered how fun it was to make the first time, so I made another. And another. And so on. Now, every expecting parent in my life gets a custom blanket, and I get a new project to keep the squirrels at bay. And it all starts from a granny square.
Everything comes full circle!
🧶 Simple Granny Square Pattern
1. Start the center circle
- Slip knot.
- Chain 5.
- Attach the last stitch to the first to form a circle.
- Single crochet 8 times into the circle.
- Attach the final single crochet to the first to close the round.
2. Form the first round of the square
- Chain 3.
- In the same stitch, make 2 double crochets.
- Chain 1.
3. Create the first corner
- In the next stitch, make 3 double crochets, chain 2, then 3 more double crochets (in the same stitch).
- Chain 1.
4. Second side and corner
- In the next stitch (3rd), make 3 double crochets, chain 1.
- In the next stitch (4th), make 3 double crochets, chain 2, then 3 more double crochets (in the same stitch).
- Chain 1.
5. Third side and corner
- In the next stitch (5th), make 3 double crochets, chain 1.
- In the next stitch (6th), make 3 double crochets, chain 2, then 3 more double crochets (in the same stitch).
- Chain 1.
6. Fourth side and corner
- In the next stitch (7th), make 3 double crochets, chain 1.
- In the next stitch (8th), make 3 double crochets, chain 2, then 3 more double crochets (in the same stitch).
- Chain 1.
7. Finish the round
- Slip stitch into the top of the first group of 3 double crochets.
- Chain 3 and flip over your square.
8. Continue for additional rounds
- In each chain space, make 3 double crochets.
- At each corner (2-chain space): make 3 double crochets, chain 2, then 3 more double crochets in the same space.
- Separate each group of 3 double crochets with 1 chain.
9. To finish
- Stop after this round for a small square, or keep going to make your granny square as big as you’d like!
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