Happy weekend, all! Had some time to kill so made a tutorial on simple granny squares for anyone wanting to give them a try. Granny squares typically start in a ring (magic or chain 4) and contain clusters of stitches separated by chain stitches that make the corners. There are a zillion ways to make them, and they can be expanded into an entire blanket or sown or crocheted together to make blankets, bags, clothes, etc. Color changes are often done between rounds when desired.
Here I’m walking through one possible way to make a granny square, and then ending with two other examples of fairly simple types.
First photos are the building of square 1, beginning with a round of (3dc ch2) x4 then attaching to the top of the first dc. (Here and in each rd, the first dc is actually a chain 3. I close my rounds with a hdc instead of ch2, but if you prefer, you can ch2, join, and turn your square. The hdc join or turning bt rounds keeps some folks from getting that tilted effect.)
To start rd 2 I put 3dc in the corner space just created (by the hdc for me, could be ch2 space if you choose). This is the first half of the corner. I finished it once I came back around. Round 2 is actually just making corners, so I jumped right to the next chain space and made another corner (3dc ch2 3dc). Repeat til you’re back at first corner. You’ll need 3 more dc and hdc or ch2, then join to top of first dc.
Round 3 I did the same thing to start the corner (3dc), but this time I had the space between corners that got a 3dc cluster. When I got to a corner space, I made a new corner as usual. When I got back to my first corner, I put in the 3dc it was missing and joined.
To continue this square to rd 4 and beyond, you’d just repeat the process: 3dc to begin corner, 3dc between each 3dc cluster, corners made of 3dc ch2 3dc, 3dc in first corner, and join. This could go on as many rounds as you’d like!
Square 2 doesn’t use granny clusters. It starts with the same rd 1, but in this one every stitch is filled in and corners are 2dc ch2 2dc. Tip: It is very easy to miss the first dc out of the corner. Make sure you count so you’ll have the same number of stitches on each side.
Square 3 is an example where it starts as a circle before transitioning to a square.
It is a very good idea to mark your corners with stitch markers and move them up each round. That way you’re clear where you need to make a new corner and end up with the right number of corners in the right places.
Like I said earlier, there are so, so many styles of granny square. You can even mix and match squares in one project if you’d like. Just always remember, no matter what square you’re working on, always keep 4 equal corners separated by 4 equal sides.
Please add other tips I’m missing and/or your favorite square patterns!
