How to Crochet a Granny Square
The granny square is the most iconic crochet motif — and one of the easiest to learn. It uses just three stitches: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), and double crochet (dc). In this guide, you'll learn the basics and generate your own customizable granny square pattern.
What You Need
- Worsted weight yarn (1-4 colors)
- 5.0mm crochet hook (US H/8)
- Yarn needle for weaving ends
- Scissors
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Magic ring — Create a magic ring (or chain 4 and slip stitch to join).
- Round 1 — Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc into ring, ch 2. Repeat [3 dc, ch 2] three more times. To finish, sl st into the starting ch-2 corner space (not the top of ch-3) — this lands the join inside a corner so the seam stays hidden. You now have 4 clusters with 4 corner spaces.
- Round 2 — Sl st to next corner space. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same space (corner made). [Ch 1, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next corner space] three times. Ch 1, sl st to join.
- Round 3+ — Same pattern: 3 dc clusters in each space, with (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corners. Each round adds one more cluster per side.
- Fasten off — Cut yarn, pull through, weave in ends.
Tips for Beginners
- Count your stitches after each round — each side should have the same number of clusters.
- Use stitch markers in the corners to keep track.
- For a denser look without holes, see the Solid variation below — it uses individual dc stitches instead of clusters.
- Change colors at the start of each round for a striped effect.
Variations: Solid Granny & Sunburst
Once you've got the classic granny square down, two of the most popular variations are the solid granny (a tighter, modern look) and the sunburst (a textured, flower-like center). Both start the same way but diverge after the first round.
Solid Granny Square
Every stitch is a single double crochet — one dc into each stitch around. The only chain spaces are at the corners, where (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) creates the turn. The result is a dense, fabric-like square with no holes — ideal for blankets where you don't want light shining through.
Tip: keep your tension even — without chain spaces on the sides, uneven stitches show up much more than they do on a classic granny.
Sunburst (Sunflower) Granny Square
The first three rounds stay circular: round 1 makes 16 double crochets in a magic ring, round 2 turns each into a puff stitch (a raised, petal-like cluster), round 3 spaces them with chain-2 gaps. Round 4 is where the circle becomes a square — corners use treble crochet with chain-3 spaces, and the sides ease in with a mix of double and half-double crochet.
Tip: works best in two contrasting colors so the puff-stitch ring reads as petals against the background.
Want guided practice?
Lesson 4 teaches you to crochet a granny square step by step with row tips and a stitch counter.
Start Lesson 4: Your First Granny Square →Generate Your Own Granny Square
CrochetPop lets you customize your granny square — choose the number of rounds, stitch type, colors, and style. Get an interactive chart with row-by-row instructions.