Crochet Basics: Your First Granny Square in 5 Easy Steps

Why Start with a Granny Square?

The granny square is one of the most iconic crochet motifs. It teaches you the fundamental stitches (chain, treble crochet, and slip stitch) while producing something genuinely useful. Join enough squares together and you have a blanket, bag, or cushion cover.

What You'll Need

• A 4mm or 5mm crochet hook
• DK weight yarn in 1 to 3 colours
• Scissors
• A yarn needle for weaving in ends

Step 1: The Magic Ring

Wrap yarn around your finger twice, insert hook, pull up a loop, and chain 3 (this counts as your first treble). The magic ring lets you pull the centre hole closed for a neat finish.

Step 2: Round 1

Work 2 treble crochets into the ring, chain 2, then work 3 treble crochets into the ring. Repeat this three more times (chain 2, 3 trebles) so you have 4 groups of 3 trebles separated by chain-2 spaces. Slip stitch to the top of your starting chain-3 to join.

Step 3: Round 2

Slip stitch into the next chain-2 corner space. Chain 3, work 2 trebles, chain 2, then 3 more trebles into the same corner space. This creates your first corner. Chain 1, then work (3 trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles) into each remaining corner space with chain 1 between each group.

Step 4: Round 3 and Beyond

Each round adds one more group of 3 trebles along each side. Corners always get (3 trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles). Sides get groups of 3 trebles separated by chain 1, with one more group per side on each round.

Step 5: Finishing

Cut your yarn leaving a 15cm tail. Pull through the last loop and weave in all ends with your yarn needle.

Colour Ideas

• Classic: cream centre, dusty rose round 2, sage green round 3
• Bold: mustard centre, teal round 2, burgundy round 3
• Scrappy: use a different colour for every round to use up oddments

What Next?

Make 12 squares and join them for a cushion cover, or keep going for a full blanket. Our DK yarn range has dozens of colours to mix and match.