Classic Granny Square pattern - Free crochet pattern

This Classic Granny square pattern provides step by step instructions as you learn how to make this classic motif pattern. Whether you’re at the park, on commuting to work, or just going for a walk you’re certain to see granny square purses and accessories passing by. Once you a have mastered this classic pattern, you can use them to make beautiful blankets, purses, baskets, cardigans, pillows or cushion covers for decorating your home. This tutorial is very easy to follow because I walk you through the pattern with lots of step by step pictures. Granny squares are so versatile that they add style and colour to your wardrobe as well as home decor.

If you like this Classic Granny square pattern, then you might also like the following patterns:

Understanding the pattern:

There are many kinds of granny squares and a lot of people refer to any crochet square as a granny square, but a classic granny square looks like the one shown in the below picture. A classic granny square pattern consists of only 2 crochet stitches, namely chain and double crochet (commonly referred to as dc). The dc stitches are worked in sets of 3 with 2 chains separating them. It is a very repetitive pattern which makes it easy to remember after a few rounds of crocheting in turn making it a perfect candidate for mindless crochet.

A crochet granny square with crisp edges and sharp corners made with green colour cotton yarn after blocking lays flat on a ivory white background

Supplies:

Any yarn of your choice, I’ve used Red Heart soft which is worsted weight yarn in teal colour here. I recommend worsted weight yarn if you are a beginner.
5mm crochet hook or a suitable hook for your yarn
Large eye tapestry needle and scissors
Stitch markers (optional)

Abbreviations:

Ch – chain
Sl St – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
Dc cluster – (3dc, ch2, 3dc)
PM – place marker

Pattern Notes:

Read the abbreviations section to get familiar with the stitches used in this classic granny square free crochet pattern.
This post assumes you know how to make a ch, sl st and a dc in crochet.
Ch2 in the beginning of each round is the equivalent of a dc. I prefer to ch2 as I find ch3 a bit too tall for a dc.
Mark the top of ch2 at the beginning of each round with a stitch marker if you are a beginner. You will find it easily when you have to work a stitch in it.
We will be working dc cluster in all the corners of each round. This gives it the square shape.
Blocking the square at the end gives it a perfect square shape with even corners and edges. I have a very simple tutorial for it HERE.
If you want to start with a magic circle instead of a ch4 in the beginning then watch th HERE.

Pattern:

R1: Ch4, Sl St into the first ch to form a loop as will be working inside this loop in the next round. (1-2)

R2: Ch2, PM, 2 dc, ch2 into the magic circle, *(3dc, ch2); rep 3 times into the magic circle.

Sl St into the top of ch2. (3-6)

The square is becoming more prominent in the below picture.

R3: Slip St in the next dc and ch2 space, (Ch2,2dc, ch2, 3dc) in the ch2 space corner, ch2, *(dc cluster in the next ch2 space corner, ch2) ; rep 3 more times. Sl St into the top of beginning ch2. (8-12)

classic granny square pattern - a 1 round unfinished classic granny square is seen from the top view laying flat on a mahogany table.

R4: Sl St in the next dc and ch2 space, (Ch2,2dc, ch2, 3dc) in the first ch2 space corner, ch2, 3dc in the next ch2 space, ch2,*(dc cluster in the next ch2 space corner , ch2, 3dc in the next ch2 space, ch2) ; rep 3 more times. Sl St into the top of beginning ch2. (14-16)

classic granny square pattern - a 3 round unfinished classic granny square is seen from the top view laying flat on a mahogany table.

You should end up with this at end of R3.

You have successfully made a classic granny square. To make a bigger square, you should continue with the pattern making 3dcs in the chain spaces and dc clusters in the corner spaces until you reach the desired square size. Keep in mind that the number of chain spaces keeps increasing after each round and this is what makes the square grow in size.