A few weeks ago I did a video tutorial of the Traditional Granny Square, but I also talked a little bit about how "officially" a granny square is any motif worked flat, in a square, from the center out. Nonetheless, there are a few squares that are considered typical, while the rest rarely get called "grannies." One of the better known simple squares is the Solid Granny Square, and here's how it's made!
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How to Crochet the Solid Granny Square:
Written Instructions for the Solid Granny Square:
Ch 4, join with a sl st to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as first dc and ch 2). [Dc 3 into ring, ch 2] 3 times. Dc 2 into ring, join with a sl st to 3rd ch of ch 5.
Round 2: Sl st into the ch sp. Ch 5, dc 2 into the same ch sp. *Dc into the next 3 sts, [dc 2, ch 2, dc 2] in the ch sp. Repeat from * three times, then dc into the last 3 sts, dc in the ch sp. Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of ch 5.
Round 3: Sl st into the ch sp. Ch 5, dc 2 into the same ch sp. *Dc into the next 7 sts, [dc 2, ch 2, dc 2] in the ch sp. Repeat from * three times, then dc into the last 7 sts, dc in the ch sp. Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of ch 5.
Round 4: Sl st into the ch sp. Ch 5, dc 2 into the same ch sp. *Dc into the next 11 sts, [dc 2, ch 2, dc 2] in the ch sp. Repeat from * three times, then dc into the last 11 sts, dc in the ch sp. Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of ch 5.
At this point you can fasten off, or you can just keep going! I think you can see how the pattern works by now – dc in each dc from a previous round, and work a set of dc 2, ch 2, dc 2 in each corner ch sp.
There are, of course, many variations on this square as well. To get a fully solid square, some patterns work 3 dc in each corner.. Others work a big chain 4 in each corner. This video shows a sort of middle ground with the ch 2 corners. Changing colors each row is another great way to change things up, and one of the reasons granny squares are so persistently popular - they're a great way to use up scraps and odds and ends of yarn!
I hope you've enjoyed this video, and if you have ideas for more videos you'd like to see from Moogly, please let me know in the comments! I love to take requests!
While the solid granny square is well known and not copyrighted, the written pattern here is in my own words and copyright Tamara Kelly 2013. Please do not reprint, or repost this blog post or written pattern, but please do link to this page or video to share the pattern with others. TamaraKelly@mooglyblog.com
Darlene Lehman says
I have to tell you, I sincerely appreciate the step-by-step instructions you provide for the various squares, stitches, etc. And, of course, the collections of ten -somethings, or round-ups of various designs. I think I've pinned quite a few of them for future reference! Anyways, just wanted to say thank you!!
moogly says
Thanks so much for saying so Darlene - you're very welcome!
Dee Turner says
OMG!!!! thank you for the step by step and the video.... You make this look so easy to do..I have tryed a few granny squares and i just cant do them, so i am going to try yours... BUt i was wondering instead of making a bunch of sqaures, can i jut make this 1 big square for a baby blanket??
Tamara Kelly says
Absolutely Dee! Just keep going and going and going... It's a fantastic way to make a fast square blanket!
Dee Turner says
Thank you so much.......I hope i do as good as you
Teresa says
Love this! Ty.........so....you do not turn? 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
Nope! Just spin lol.
Susan G. says
Love everything you post!! Thank you! I wanted to ask ...on the solid granny square here what needle and yarn did you use ?
Tamara Kelly says
I am 99% sure it was I Love This Cotton (Hobby Lobby) and an I hook, but it's been a while! And thanks! 😀
Lakshmi says
A very very wonderful and easy to follow set of instructions. Thank you very much. Enjoyed making the granny square.
Tamara Kelly says
So glad Lakshmi! Thank you for commenting!
Charmaine says
Thank you so much for this tutorial, I have been struggling with a few attempts and at last this one is just so easy to understand you certainly have a gift explaining the tutorials so we understand clearly.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Charmaine, so glad it worked for you!
Sharon Valvano says
I have to say this is the first granny square I have done (not tried ) and was able to do. I have been crocheting for over a yr now and never understood the granny square.
Thank you so much for your step by step instructions !
Sincerely ,
Sharon
Tamara Kelly says
😀 You're so welcome Sharon! I'm so glad it helped! I know people who crocheted for years before the granny square "clicked" for them, and then there are those who only made grannies for years! Such a funny thing!
Cheryl says
This is the granny square I've been looking for to make my son a blanket. He's 6'2 and wants a king size blanket for Christmas. He doesn't care what kind just nothing blue. This will be a great portable project and I can control the size. Thanks!
janet says
the sound on this page is so low, a person can't hear what your saying, have mine on as loud as it will go, can't hear you !!!!
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Janet! Have you tried turning up the volume on the video itself?
nimblefingers says
I love this granny square and in fact love everything on your site. I'm currently working on an afghan for a male in this design. You can see the beginnings here http://freecoolpatterns.com/ssimple-solid-granny-square-afghan-done-in-crochet/.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much! Looks like you've got your crocheting cut out for you!
Debbie D. says
I love making motifs and granny squares. However, the challenge for me is knowing how to join them together. What is the best way to join these together? Thanks for all the information you provide. It is much appreciated on my end!
Tamara Kelly says
There are lots of ways! Here are 12: http://www.bakingoutsidethebox.com/12-ways-join-granny-squares/ 🙂
Emma says
Thank you so much! took me a while to figure out purely because I'm left handed. But your videos made it so easy to understand! i'm using this square as a project for an afghan!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm glad to hear it, thank you Emma!
Marisa says
I like to crochet..... I am a beginner tho and am wandering if you could globalised in videos?
Marisa says
I mean go slower
Tamara Kelly says
Most of my videos are meant to go with the post, not stand alone. I'll try to go slower in the future though. 🙂
denise says
Ty so much tamare.I've been crocheting for over 50 yrs now.I have no problem doing complicated and challenging projects But the granny square seems like a."Why can't I do this".LOL.You really made this simple for me.TY again.
Tamara Kelly says
🙂 You are very welcome Denise!! Thank you!
Heather says
I've been crocheting for a few years but surprising this is my first granny square. Yours was easiest to follow instruction wise. I like the idea of making squares instead of long roqws also makes it more mobile if I want to make squareas in my bedroom, watching TV or even taking it to work to do during lunch. Thanks again 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Heather, I'm so glad to hear it!
Dee says
What would I need to do to make this with extended single crochet stitch? What changes/adjustments would need to be done to make it work out right?
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Dee! It should be about the same! 🙂
Barb says
Thanks for the video..trying to learn how to do the solid and yours was the easiest to understand...Thank you! ..got that down...but how do you change colors for this? Tie off then chain 5 and continue? Newby here and can't find anything on your blog...thank you making a blanket for the kids wedding and running out of time...
Tamara Kelly says
You can do it that way - it's probably the easiest! 🙂
Kathleen says
This is an excellent tutorial video. I like the solid granny square better than the traditional one. Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Kathleen! 🙂
Cindy kennedy says
Love your patterns and wondering if you have one for a cute puppy head to use for a lovey blanket, seen some but trying to find one with a floppier ear, thx so mch, have made several items from your great selections of free patterns, love this site!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Cindy! I'm afraid I don't have one myself, but two friends of mine have free patterns that might work for you! http://poshpoochdesignsdogclothes.blogspot.com/2014/01/crochet-long-starts-today-puppy-lovie.html and http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/08/puppy-dog-lovey-blanket-crochet-pattern.html And another idea would be to "borrow" ears from another project and sew them to a pattern you like otherwise!
jackie flesner says
Thank You so much, I:m stupid and i can do a Granny Square and i love this pattern, I'm going to make a blanket now, and what size needle do i use if i want to make a tablecloth, I will use thread. Thanks Again....I love the step by step, thats the only way i can get it.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Jackie! That's not a stupid question at all! For thread, you're going to want a small hook, probably a B if you are using the size 3 or 5 thread, and a steel thread hook if you are using a size 10 or smaller. If you look at the ball of thread, it will likely have a hook size suggestion on it. 🙂
Pat Shimrack says
I love this pattern. I'm a new old crocheter! Years ago my mom taught me how to crochet but she passed many years ago. I am again trying to pick up this craft & sometimes stumble on the directions. Is it possible to just keep making the square bigger to make a blanket or afghan? Just thought that might be a cute blanket for my granddaughter's bed. Thanks for your patience for an oldtimer!
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Pat! Yes, you can just keep going and going and going! 😀
Emma says
I think I am the only person who cannot see the video, where abouts is it on this page?
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Emma! I'm so sorry for the confusion (and thank you for letting me know)! It looks like some things on the back end broke the video embed, but it should be fixed now!
Norma says
I am having an issue with finishing off the row 4.
After you work the 11 dc then it says DC IN THE CH SP. I am not sure where that is. join with a sl st to the 3rd can of ch 5. I understand that part.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Norma! Ch sp is the abbreviation for chain space. So instead of working your stitch into the top of a specific stitch, you just work into the space underneath the stitch. Here's a video tutorial that might help: https://youtu.be/LLxQy5MIa9E?si=Jr1IYs6nvvQTIl4I
Norma says
I just don’t see where the ch sp is after you do the last 11 st.then it says doc in the ch sp, I don’t have a ch sp. I have been crocheting for over 50 years and can’t figure this out,
Norma says
I figured it out