How to Make Granny Squares (and a Blanket!)

Baby, it's cold outside! At least, it is in Manitoba. One thing I love to do on a cold winter day is snuggle up under an afghan with a cup of tea. Even if it's warmer where you are, a nice crocheted afghan adds beautiful texture to any space. In this tutorial, as part of the Crochet Basics series, you'll learn how to make a classic granny square. I'll also show you how you can join your granny squares to create a cozy afghan of your own!

In this video, I demonstrate how to make a 3-row granny square. Choose any yarn you fancy! Check the yarn label to choose the appropriate size of crochet hook for your yarn.

Start with a slip knot on your hook. Ch 4, and insert your hook into the first ch. Slip stitch (sl st) to create a loop.

Ch 3, 2 dc in loop. *Ch 1, 3 dc in same loop. Repeat from * 3 times.

Ch 1, then connect to the third chain on the other side with a sl st into the top ch st. That's the first round!

For the second round, start by ch 4, and in the first space beside that chain, work 2 dc. Ch 1, skip 3 stitches, and work 3 dc in the next space. Ch 1, and work another 3 dc in the same open space.

Ch. 1, move on to the next open space. 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc. Repeat for each open space on the first round. Once you're back at the first corner, work 3 dc, ch 1, and then sl st into the top of the ch (4th stitch) to connect.

For the 3rd round, ch 4, 2 dc in the same space. *Ch 1, move on to the next open space on the side, 3 dc, ch 1. Move to the next corner, and work the corner as follows: 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc. Repeat from * around.

To complete the 3rd row in your granny square, once you've done the final 3 dc in the last corner, ch 1, then insert your hook into the top of the chain (in the 4th stitch). Cut the yarn and pull through. This completes a 3-row granny square!

To connect your squares, start by taking 2 granny squares and put them together with the nicer sides facing in. You can see how the stitches line up nicely.

Insert your hook into the corner of both squares.

With matching yarn, slip knot onto your hook, and pull the yarn through the corner. Work single crochet stitches in each stitch until you reach the other corner.

From here, you can decide whether you want to continue around the square, attaching 4 squares to the middle square to create a plus sign like in the afghan I made, or you can cut the yarn and attach your squares "end to end" in a long strip, creating rows of squares to later attach using the same sc method. Once all your squares and rows are joined, use a darning needle to weave in all the yarn ends.

One thing I love about making granny squares, is it's something you can start and finish in one sitting. Sometimes you have time to make one, other times you can make a bunch at one time. Stockpile your squares until you have enough to join them into a blanket! Small blankets make special baby gifts. Definitely something that takes time, but those are usually the gifts that get treasured for a long time. -Holly

Credits // Author: Holly Neufeld, Photography: Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.