Granny Square Tutorial

One of my best friends Clair (@clads26 on instagram) is learning to crochet and I promised her a granny square tutorial to help her along.  I've been crocheting for a few years now and can hook up granny squares on a whim, in fact I often do and I have an ever growing pile of the little things made from scraps of leftover yarn from other projects.  One day they will be made into a huge multi-coloured blanket of some kind...but that's a whole other post. 

So, want to learn how to make a simple granny square?  Alrighty...

I like to start with a magic ring, like this...



(Alternatively, you can just as easily chain 4 and join with a slip stitch into the first chain to make a circle.) 

Hold the magic ring steady...

Now insert your hook into the centre and pull through a loop, then chain 3. It can be a little tricky and that first chain might look a little unstable to begin with, but keep going, it will all work out in a minute...

Work two dcs into the magic ring (I am using American terms here, if you are working in UK terms you are working two tr into the ring.)  So now you have a ch3 (which counts as 1dc) and 2dc in the ring...

 Now ch2 and work 3 more dc into the ring (at this point I like to catch the tail of the magic circle into the stitches as I go to keep it secured out of the way)...

Now repeat this twice more - ch2, 3 dc, ch2, 3 dc, then do another ch2.  Then make a slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the first ch3 you did at the beginning of this round.  In the below picture I am halfway through making the slip stitch, I photographed this to show you where the slip stitch should go...

Here's my wonderful Pointy Arrows to help show you the dc's and the chains...

Give that little tail a pull to close the hole in the middle and make it all nice and neat.

Slip stitch in the next 2dc, then slip stitch into the ch2 space.  Ch5 (this counts as 1dc and ch2) and work 3dc into the same space.  It will look like this...

 Next - *ch1, then work 3dc, ch2, 3dc into the next ch2 space. Repeat from * 2 more times.

Here's some Pointy Arrows to show you how the pattern works...

Once you have worked your way around you will see that you still need to complete the first corner...

 

Ch1 and work 2dc into the ch2 space where you started.  These 2 dc's will slightly overlap your first ch3, don't worry though, you can pull them about a bit to make them sit a bit better. 

Now slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the first ch5 you made, see where the "ch3" Pointy Arrow shows you below...

Then make another slip stitch into the next ch2 space, X marks the spot...

Now ch5 (counts as 1dc, ch2) and work 3dc into the same ch2 space. *Ch1, work 3dc into the next ch1 space, ch1, work 3dc, ch2, 3dc into the next ch2 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Ch1, 3dc into next ch1 space, ch1, 2dc into first ch2 space and join with a slip stitch into your original ch5. 

Here's some more Pointy Arrows to help show you the pattern you are working...

Now lets make it bigger! And while we're at it lets add some more colour!  Using your new colour make a slip knot on your hook...

Insert your hook into any ch2 corner space and make a slip stitch...

Ch5 (counts as 1dc, ch2)...

Work 3dc into the same space. Now work all the way around making 3dc, ch1 into each ch1 space and 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1 into each corner ch2 space. Finish with 2dc into the first ch2 space and a slip stich into the 3rd chain of your original ch5...

Voila! You have made a granny square!

It isn't until I just wrote that all down that I realise how complicated a granny square sounds, when really it's not complicated at all. After the first couple of rounds it is a simple repetitive and enjoyable thing to do.  And the best thing is you can either make a load of little squares to sew together and make blankets, scarfs, hats, bags, arm-warmers... Or you can just keep going - round and round - watching it get bigger and bigger, utter bliss :)

xxxx