How to Crochet a Granny Square

Here is how "Granny" made a quick and simple crocheted blanket. It is something most beginners can learn quickly, as the technique is the same for each row. Using Granny squares, you can crochet a blanket without having to carry the blanket-in-progress with you. You make the squares individually, then stitch them together.

1. Obtain yarn of your choice.
   
   
2. Obtain an appropriately sized crochet hook.
   
   
3. Chain six. Form a slip knot around the hook, wrap yarn around the hook, and pull it through the loop in the knot-this is one chain stitch. Now the yarn that you pulled through is wrapped around the hook, and you can pull another loop through that, making a second chain stitch. Be sure to leave at least 4 inches of yarn at the beginning in case it is needed later.
   
   
4. Slip stitch into first chain (to form a ring). Pull a new loop through the loop that's already on the hook, as well as through the chain stitch.
   
   
5. Chain three (equivalent of a double crochet stitch).
   
   
6. Make two double crochet into the center of the ring.
   
   
7. Chain two then make three double crochet into the center of the ring. Do this 3 times, for a total of 4 groups of 3 dc (double crochet).
   
   
8. Slip stitch into the top of the three chain to finish the round.
   
   
9. Add a new color for the next row if you like, simply start crocheting with the new color in any ch-sp (chain space).
   
   
10. Chain three (an equivalent of a first double crochet).
    
    
11. In the "corner," one of the spaces created by the chain two between sets of double, do 3 double (but don't forget that in your first set, the first dc is really a ch-3), chain two, and three more double. This begins to create the square.
    
    
12. Chain one to the next corner, and repeat. Do all 4 corners, and then slip stitch to the top of the ch-3 in the first corner to finish the round. Each corner should have two sets of three dc, each separated by one chain stitch.
    
    
13. Change colors again if you like.
    
    
14. Double crochet TWO bunches of three (separated by two chain stitches) into each corner... but only ONE bunch of three dc into each "flat side" ch 1-space from here on out.
    
    
15. Continue for as many rounds as you want. The number of side spaces will continue to increase. You can make a potholder by backing your square with sturdy cloth, an ornamental doily with a thinner yarn, or even a baby blanket. You can make an afghan by either making one huge square or by attaching a number of small squares together. (They can be attached by sewing or by crocheting together using slip stitch or single crochet.)
    
    
16. Finished.
    
    

• If you are making a potholder, be sure to use cotton or wool yarn, not acrylic. Acrylic will melt with heat.
• Granny squares can also make great scarves when sewn in a row - a project that requires fewer squares than a blanket.
• Darker yarns often make it harder to count your stitches. Try a lighter-colored yarn for your first try.
• When starting and ending alternating colors, always make sure that your ends are secure, tucked in, and hidden. You can do this by crocheting your ends into the square, or by weaving them in later with a tapestry needle. Do it carefully and be sure to leave long enough ends, as there is nothing worse than finishing a blanket and having it come apart, due to not securing ends and centers. But do not use knots, which feel hard and bumpy in your work and are not as secure as these other methods.
• Using a bigger needle/hook and thicker wool make a bigger project quicker.
• Try alternating yarn colors, switching off after completing a row or two.
• 

   Alternate pattern, very similar to granny squares.
  Alternate method, dc'ing into each loop, not into holes.
• Go slowly, so that you can prevent mistakes, and every few stitches check to make sure that's it's lined up properly.

• British stitches and American stitches have different names for the same stitch, so be sure to keep an eye out for where a pattern comes from.

• Crochet hook- any size, but size H is typically used for worsted weight yarn.
• Use a larger hook for bulky weight yarn (use the suggestion on the yarn label).
• Yarn- Red Heart is a good name brand for beginners as it is cheap, great quality, and readily available.