How to: Traditional Granny Square
When I first started to learn to crochet I, like many others, was introduced to the granny square. I started to crochet after having surgery that left me less active while I recovered. I am not that great at staying still or keeping myself busy - crocheting in front of the TV is quite possibly my favourite pastime.....ever. (See how I didn't say 'watching TV'. Crocheters are great listeners of their favourite TV programmes).
As a result, I pretty much drove my mother mad from being bored but not being able to do much about it. My mother was taught by her grandmother how to crochet, but is also a great knitter. I have been termed an angry knitter by my mother-in-law (another fabulous lady in my life who loves a good craft!) as my tension is so incredibly tight - yet with crochet, not an issue it seems.
Anyway, the humble granny square. It's a treat and a treasure and the crochet pattern that I always revert to when I'm uncertain what to crochet but know I want to/need to. (Calms the mind etc. I'm like the snickers ad - I'm cranky when I don't crochet.) It also then lends itself to being a brilliant and reliable stitch when not in the round - but that's a different post!
For now, we will focus on how to crochet the traditional granny square.
For this tutorial you will need;-
*Wool (whichever you feel comfortable using)
*A crochet hook (a size that is recommended for the wool you have chosen.) For this tutorial I am using a size 4 mm hook
*Scissors (or snips – but scissors exactly the job they were meant to)
*Darning needle - optional - (if you feel you need this to weave in ends, I tend to use the crochet hook to do this depending on what I am making.)
You will need to have knowledge of 3 things before being able to complete a traditional granny square;-
*How to create a slip knot to place your crochet hook in to start a chain
*How to create a chain - for the starting ring
*How to complete a treble crochet stitch (UK Terminology)/ Double Crochet (US terminology) I will be using UK terminology throughout so the stitch will be referred to as a treble crochet.
This blog post may contain ads - however, the ad free version is available for a small price on my website here
So - let's get started.
Abbreviations used;-
Ch - Chain
Sl St;- Slip stitch
Tr – treble crochet
Ch Sp – Chain Space
Total amount of stitches will be placed in brackets at the end of each row.
Round 1- Ch 3 and Sl St into first Ch creating a ring. Ch 3, this counts as your first treble. 2 Tr into the ring created. *Ch 2, 3 Tr* repeat pattern between * 2 more times. Ch 2 then Sl St into last Ch of stitch first created. First round completed.
To grow the square, the following is not necessarily the ‘traditional’ method used, but it is my preferred method. The traditional method can be found in the pdf from the link above. There will be photos at the end of this pattern, it involves removing the crochet hook from the loop created via the slip stitch to end Row 1 and turning your work/square.
Round 2- remove hook from loop created with the Sl St. Place in opposite side of hoop and turn work. Now Ch 3, when chaining 3 at the start of each row, this will always count as your first treble for the first cluster of trebles you create. This will act as the first treble for all subsequent rounds. 2 further Tr into Ch Sp, Ch 2, 3 Tr into same corner space. *Ch 1, 3 Tr into next corner space, Ch 2, 3 Tr into same corner space. * Repeat pattern between * 2 more times. Sl St into the top of the Ch made to start the first cluster in the row.
Round 3- As before, remove hook from the loop created from the Sl St. Place in opposite side of hoop and turn work. Now Ch 3, this will act as the first Tr for all subsequent rows. 2 further Tr into chain space. Ch 1, 3 Tr into corner space, Ch 2, 3 Tr into same corner space. Ch 1, 3 Tr into Ch Sp, Ch 1, 3 Tr into same corner space, Ch 2, 3 Tr into same corner space. * Repeat pattern between * 2 more times. Sl St into the top of the original Ch 3 that created first round to begin the row.
Round 4- As before, remove hook from the loop created from the Sl St. Place in opposite side of hoop and turn work. Now Ch 3, this will act as the first Tr for all subsequent rows. 2 further Tr into chain space. Ch 1, 3 Tr into corner space, Ch 2, 3 Tr into same corner space. *Ch 1, 3 Tr into Ch Sp, Ch 1, 3 Tr into next Ch Sp, Ch 1, 3 Tr into next Ch Sp, Ch 1, 3 Tr into corner space, Ch 2, 3 Tr into same corner space.*
Repeat pattern between * 2 more times. Ch1, 3 Tr into next Ch Sp, Ch 1, Sl St to the last chain of original ‘stitch’ created. Fasten off and weave in end.
Tips-
– If you want a tighter square, you can omit the Ch 1 space between each Treble Cluster created. As the granny square builds, the space will continue because of the previous placing of the Treble Cluster.
-You do not have to stop at Round 4, the granny square can grow by continuing the treble clusters into the chain spaces and chain 2 with 2 Treble clusters in the corner spaces. You can grow this to whichever size you wish. For example, this can be used as one large blanket or even adapted to make a shrug when connected in the right manner.
-You can fold in 3 corners and sew up the seams to create a Granny Square pouch. For instance, I have done this to create a pouch for my passport.
-You can sew multiple granny squares together – there are multiple methods for this – joining them together can make a traditional granny square blanket, or even make something to wear, such as a vest or even a cardigan.
As you can see the granny square is a versatile pattern that can be adapted in many ways
I hope you enjoy making them, I continue to regularly make a granny square as a go to pattern
If you do make a granny square from this pattern I would love to see them! Tag me in them on my instagram @bettyandthebrood
Enjoy!!