How to block Granny Square quickly

If you’ve been wondering how to block granny square quickly, then this post is for you. Crochet blocking is a process of setting the shape and size of your crochet piece using water or steam. Blocking a granny square gives it an even and uniform shape and size. In this step by step tutorial, I’ll show you how to block granny square quickly in under 5 minutes without any fancy equipment. You can do this by using very simple and inexpensive items which you probably already have at home. You do not need any expensive/fancy equipment like a blocking station. I’ll show you how you can block it quickly with just 2 things which I’m sure you already have at home.

Granny square projects to try:

If you want to learn how to make a granny square then I have a step by step tutorial HERE. You can then make many projects using granny squares. Here are a few you can try:

Now let’s see how we can block a granny square easily and quickly.

Supplies:
  • Granny square pieces you want to block
  • Water
  • Blow dryer

Granny squares are so versatile , they can be made into blankets , bag, shawls and many more. Blocking them will make the final project even more beautiful. If you don’t believe read till the end and see the end result for yourself in the last image 🙂

Granny square details:

I have made this granny square using cotton yarn in green colour. It’s the same thickness as worsted weight yarn and I’ve used a 4.5mm crochet hook to make it. If. you want to learn how to make this granny square, you can find a step by step photo tutorial HERE .

Blocking process:

This is how the granny square looks before blocking. Do you see how the corners aren’t sharp, the edges aren’t even. All of this can be fixed with just water.

A crochet granny square made with green colour cotton yarn before blocking lays flat on a ivory white background

Before blocking

I’m using a spray bottle to spray the water, you don’t really need that, because you can just sprinkle the water onto the granny square with your hands. I’m just my blow dryer, it’s not a fancy one. Any blow dryer will do, in fact you can do it without a blow dryer if you have more time. Just let the granny square air dry. but with a blow dryer, blocking will be done in under 5 minutes.

A crochet granny square made with green colour cotton yarn before blocking, a blue water spray bottle and black blow dryer lay flat on a ivory white background

Just sprinkle some water so its damp. You don’t want it to be dripping wet. That’s why I recommend spraying or sprinkling instead of immersing it in water. If it’s dripping wet then you will have to squeeze all the extra water out first for the blow dryer to dry it quickly.

A damp shapeless crochet granny square made with green colour cotton yarn before blocking lays flat on a ivory white background

Start the blow dryer on high speed and hot air setting. Be careful to not take the dryer too close to the granny square. 5- 6 inches away should be good. If you are using yarn made with material that is heat sensitive like polyester , nylon etc. then I’d recommend using low heat/cold air setting and keeping the dryer further away (more than 6 inches away) while drying. This will ensure that you don’t melt or ruin the yarn fibres.

A damp crochet granny square made with green colour cotton yarn lays flat on a ivory white background with a blowdryer blowing air on it

5 minutes later ….. Tadaaahhhhh!!!!

There you go! You have your even shaped and sized granny square with crisp corner, that looks perfect. 🙂 And how simple was that ?

A crochet granny square made with green colour cotton yarn after blocking lays flat on a ivory white background

After blocking

You can also use a peg board and some dowels to block multiple granny square at a time.  This could be very useful when you are making a blanket or bag or a shawl and have many granny to block. I have that in my DIY to-do list of projects , but I haven’t gotten around to do it. I think it will be a fun project by itself and be very useful too. But for now, I think I’m happy with this process as I can do it very easily. 🙂

So how easy was that ? With just water and a blow dryer/air drying you can easily make your granny square look crisp and beautiful.

Extra tips:
  • If you want to block it to a specific size, use a ruler or a quilting mat which has measurements printed on it.
  • If you have blocking pins (also called T-pins as they T shaped), you can use them to pin the edges while you let the granny square air dry. This makes the edges more pointy. They are easily available online or in all craft supply stores.
  • If you are using pins, then you will need a foam or a cork board (you can also use a cork trivet) to pin the granny square and let it air dry.
  • You can use a starch spray at the end of the above process to keep the granny square from losing its shape.