The very first item that I ever crocheted was a granny square. This iconic square became really popular in the 1970’s as Stitch and Bitch series author Debbie Stoller describes:
If you grew up in the seventies, as I did, you might fear the granny square–if only because, for a while, clothing was made of nothing else. Granny square vests, granny square shorts, granny square hats. Heck, I bet there was some kid out there who was forced to go to school wearing granny square underwear.
I may (or may not) have made a granny square poncho during the 80’s which i proudly wore with my handmade patchwork flares. Don’t ask!
Nevertheless, the granny square is a great beginner project to learn. It is simple, has instant gratification and can be made in a multitude of colours.
So if you are a beginner, have a go at the pattern below and see how addictive they can be.
You will need:
- yarn of your choice - DK or thicker is better. I’m using KPC yarn of course
- crochet hook appropriate to your yarn
Please note that I use English crochet terms so for our American friends, a dc in English terms is a tr in American terms.
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sp - space
sl st - slip stitch
Let’s start!
Base ring: 4ch, join with sl st.
1st round: 5ch (count as 1dc and 2ch), [3dc into ring, 2ch] 3 times, 2dc into ring, sl st to 3rd of 5ch.
2nd round: sl st into the next sp, 5ch (count sa 1dc and 2ch), 3dc into the same sp, *1ch, miss 3dc, [3dc, 2ch, 3dc] into next sp; rep from * twice more, 1ch, miss 3 sts, 2dc into the same sp as 5ch at beg of round, sl st to 3rd of 5ch.
3rd round: sl st into next sp, 5ch (count as 1dc and 2ch), 3dc into the same sp, *1ch, miss 3dc, 3dc into the next sp, 1ch, miss 3dc**, [3dc, 2ch, 3dc] into the next sp, rep from * twice more and from * to ** again, 2dc into the same sp as 5ch, sl st to 3rd of the 5ch.
4th round: sl st into the next sp, 5ch (count as 1dc and 2ch), 3dc into same sp, *[1ch, miss 3dc, 3dc into the next sp] twice, 1ch, miss 3dc**, [3dc, 2ch, 3dc] into next sp; rep from * twice more and from * to ** again, 2dc into the same sp as 5ch, sl st to 3rd of 5ch.
Cast off.
And you’re done! Now when you are brave enough, you can take it up a notch and switch colours ever row, or every other row, or as you wish! The beauty of granny squares are that they are quick, are easy to carry around with you for a project-on-the-go and can be made into a number of different things.