Are you ready to dive into the glorious world of crochet granny square patterns? In this complete guide to grannies, I share my favorite unique crochet granny square patterns. Plus, you’ll learn my top tips for crocheting your best squares.
So whether you’re looking for a beginner pattern or fun granny squares to mix things up, I’ve got you covered.
Jump to:
- What are different types of granny square patterns?
- Granny Square Patterns for Beginners
- What Can You Make With a Granny Square?
- What’s the Best Yarn for Granny Squares?
- Free Crochet Granny Square Patterns
- How do you join two granny squares together?
- Borders, Blocking, and Other Granny Square FAQs
- Invitation to our Facebook group
- More Crochet Techniques and Tutorials
What are different types of granny square patterns?
Crochet granny squares can range from basic double crochet stitches to complex lace. There are popcorn stitch squares, heart granny squares, modern granny squares and even cupcake grannies.
Here are a few types of patterns many crocheters enjoy.
- Classic Granny Squares
- Solid Granny Square
Granny Square Patterns for Beginners
The traditional granny square pattern is a great crochet project for beginners. Because each cluster of double crochet is worked into a space in the previous round, it's an extremely easy pattern to memorize.
If you're just learning how to crochet though, you can still experiment with many of the unique granny squares below. Check out the section of Easy Patterns for Beginners below for the best squares to start with if you're new to crochet.
What Can You Make With a Granny Square?
Part of the reason you’ll find so many crochet projects made with granny squares is that they're a super versatile motif!
You can use granny squares to crochet bags, sweaters, blankets, cardigans, bucket hats and so much more. You can even use the granny stitch to crochet a hexagon cardigan.
You might also fall in love with these free patterns:
- Granny Square Bucket Hat
- Modern Granny Square Cardigan
- Scrap Yarn Granny Square Blanket
- Large Granny Square Blanket with Hood
What’s the Best Yarn for Granny Squares?
If you’re following a crochet pattern using granny squares, you’ll want to use the same yarn weight as listed in the pattern.
Many granny squares are crocheted using worsted weight yarn, but you can also use dk or sport weight for more delicate stitches.
Choosing a bulky or super bulky weight yarn will make your squares larger and is best used for a giant granny square blanket or similar large-scale pattern.
TIP: If you’d like to make a multi-color granny square project without buying a lot of yarn, try using a self-striping yarn like Lion Brand Mandala and crocheting several squares with each color contained in the skein (pictured below).
Related: How to Shop Your Stash: The Best Patterns for Using the Yarn You Have
Free Crochet Granny Square Patterns
The following is a collection of my favorite free granny square patterns to crochet. Whether you're looking for easy patterns or more unique granny square variations, you'll find something to try here!
Easy Patterns for Beginners
If you're just learning how to crochet, the following simple granny square patterns are a great place to start. Each uses easy crochet skills like double crochet (dc) and slip stitching (sl st) to create unique designs.
Mitered Granny Square Pattern for Beginners
Rainbow Puff Granny Square Pattern
Primrose Granny Square
Solid Two Color Squares
Crochet Granny Square Triangle Pattern
Sunburst Granny Squares
The sunburst granny square is a classic in its own right. Use specific colors for the center and "petals" to create a floral look. Or simply grab your favorite scraps and make beautiful granny squares filled with texture and charm.
Puff Stitch Sunburst Square
Sunburst Granny Stitch Heart
Sunflower Granny Squares
Create a garden of sunflower grannies using yellow scrap yarn that you have lying around. The sunflower is a symbol of loyalty, adoration, and longevity, so it makes a wonderful gift for loved ones and friends.
Crochet Sunflower Appliqué Square
Sunflower Granny Square Pattern
Fun + Unique Granny Squares
Looking for something different? You'll love these unusual granny square patterns that feature everything from cupcakes to pizza to peacock feathers.
Strawberry Granny Square Pattern
Granny Square Cupcake Pattern
Crochet Pear Granny Square
Crochet Peacock Feather Square
Textured Round Crochet Square
Crochet Pizza Square
Fruit Granny Squares Patterns
Little Lamb Blanket Block
Bunny Granny Square Pattern
Puff + Popcorn Stitch Granny Squares
Add texture and extra squish to your grannies with puff stitches and popcorn stitches.
Puff Stitch Circle Granny Square
Puff Stitch Square Pattern
Modern Granny Squares
Modern granny square patterns are the perfect combination of a classic crochet technique with a contemporary twist.
Lunar Halo Granny Square
Sun and Stars Granny Square Pattern
Star Cross Square
Fancy Granny Squares
Would you like to take your granny square pattern to the next level? Once you've mastered the basic square, these unique patterns will help you expand your crochet skills.
Two Color Swirl Granny Square Video Tutorial
Easy Lacy Granny Square Pattern
Iris Stitch Continuous Rounds Square
Fancy Granny Hexagon Pattern
Floral Granny Squares
Use several of these flower granny square patterns to create your own handmade garden! Choose between peonies, roses, and vintage fall patterns based on the vibe you're going for.
Floral Granny Square Pattern
Peony Flower Granny Square Video Tutorial
Vintage Granny Square Pattern
Floral Crochet Square for Fall
Flower Square
Daisy Square Pattern
Hexagon Granny Square
One of the most fun and versatile patterns, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with a granny hexagon, whether it's classic, geometric, or modern. Transform your scrap yarn into afghans, pillows, and my personal favorite, hexagon crochet afghans.
Basic Solid Hexagon
Classic Granny Hexagon
Basic Granny Hexagon Pattern
How do you join two granny squares together?
Granny squares can be joined together with an invisible seam using a tapestry needle and stitch like the mattress stitch.
READ: How to Join Crochet with Invisible Seam
If you like to avoid seaming at all costs though, you definitely want to try joining crochet granny squares as you go. This technique avoids sewing your squares and instead allows you to crochet them together.
Borders, Blocking, and Other Granny Square FAQs
Before you put effort into your crochet granny square project, you might be wondering if they’re in style now. The answer is an enthusiastic yes!
From runways and fashion mags to mainstream box stores, you’ll see granny square clothes everywhere. Read more from Interweave about granny squares in fashion.
The easiest crochet granny square pattern for beginners is a solid square. It requires very little counting or paying attention. You’ll probably find it only slightly more complex than crocheting back and forth in rows of double crochet.
If your granny squares are crocked or wonky, simply blocking them can do wonders to straighten them out. Pin them to a blocking board or other piece of foam, spritz them with some steam from an iron and leave them to set overnight.
Granny squares can be really satisfying projects because they often only take 15-30 minutes to finish a complete square. Of course, it depends on the size of granny square you’re crocheting and your skill level.
You will likely get faster at any granny square pattern after you’ve made a few of them.
Adding a border around a granny square can be as simple as placing one single or double crochet in each stitch and three in each corner. Reverse single crochet is also one of my favorite minimalist borders for modern granny squares and C2C crochet patterns.
The number of granny squares needed to crochet a blanket depends on both the size of your granny squares and what size blanket you want. Divide your desired blanket width by the width of your granny square to get an idea of how many squares you need. (Same goes for the height.)
Example:
- Size of granny squares: 5x5"
- Desired blanket size: 40x50"
- Width = 40" ÷ 5" = 8 squares
- Height = 50" ÷ 5" = 10 squares
- Total squares needed = 8 x 10 = 80
The best hook size will depend on the yarn you’re using and how tight you want your stitches to be.
For crocheting granny square sweaters, generally you can use one-two sizes up from the hook suggested on the yarn label. For granny square bags or purses, use one-two hook sizes smaller than what’s listed on your yarn label.
In any case, be sure to check your gauge if following a specific crochet pattern!
There are so many fun variations of fancy granny squares to try! In the collection above, some of the most unique patterns are the sunburst granny square, the hexagon granny square and the sunflower granny square.
The crochet granny stitch uses sets of three double crochets that are worked into the cluster spaces in the row below. Granny squares are a type of motif that often use the granny stitch.
They can look very similar, but a granny squares are always square and worked in the round. Whereas the granny stitch can also be worked in turned rows to make a variety of shapes.
No, by definition, granny squares are crocheted. There are ways to sort of replicate the look of a classic granny square with knitting, but it's much slower than crocheting them.
Most crochet granny squares are worked in four to five rounds. You can make them bigger by increasing your hook size or yarn gauge, or by adding more rounds.
There are several ways to join granny squares together. You can use single crochet, slip stitches, whip stitch, or reverse mattress stitch. Follow along with our detailed video tutorial to learn how to seamlessly join granny squares.
Invitation to our Facebook group
Come discuss unique granny squares and lots of other crochet projects and techniques in our Make & Do Crew Facebook group. Here thousands of helpful crocheters answer each others questions and share their stitches. Join us!
That was so fun! Now what?
More Crochet Techniques and Tutorials
Do you love learning new crochet skills as much as I do? If you found this guide to granny squares useful, I think you'll love these in-depth guides too.
more free crochet techniques and tutorials →
Learn a New Skill
When you're ready to master a new skill, check out our detailed guides that include everything you need to know to level up your crochet game.
- How to Corner to Corner (C2C) Crochet for Beginners - with video tutorials to get you started
- How to Crochet a Beginner Hat - make an entire beanie in 1.5 hours!
- How to Crochet Amigurumi for Beginners - the ultimate guide to making your own toys and plushies
- How to Tunisian Crochet - learn with this video and a standard hook
Laura says
Many thanks for such a complete introduction to granny squares! I found several I had not seen before!
Trish says
Thank you very much for this session about Granny Squares. You have put a lot of effort into this in order to come up with such a variety of granny 'squares' . I appreciate the inclusion of circles, triangles and hexagons as well as the bicolour squares that were put together to form a heart. I could see this being made into a blanket, or to start off, a pillow. {best to start small and complete it 🙂 rather than feel it turn into a job 🙁 }
I also want to thank you for including joining instructions and edgings...everything is here in one complete package!
Now all I have to do is to decide on size and colour, type of 'square' and raid my yarn stash. The long dark days will soon be here and that's when all I want to do is curl up in my chair and play with yarn.
Thank you for the inspiration you have given me.