11 Easy Granny Square Patterns and Ideas
If you can chain, slip stitch and double crochet, you can make a granny square. The hard part is finding a pattern that explains things clearly and does not jump into fancy stitches on round two.
This list is for beginners and for anyone who wants a relaxing, no-stress project. Every square below uses basic stitches, and many come with a video. You will find the classic square, a few solid versions with no holes, and some easy blocks that grow into blankets fast.
Easy Granny Square Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Smooth worsted weight yarn in light colors (easier to see your stitches)
- 5 mm (H) and 6 mm (J) crochet hooks
- Blunt yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape
1. Classic Granny Square Tutorial
Photo: RaeLynn Endicott / Itchin’ for Some Stitchin’
RaeLynn walks you through the traditional square step by step, starting from a magic circle or a chain loop. The first three rounds are explained in detail, then she shows how to keep growing the square. If you have never made a granny square, read this one first.
- Designer: RaeLynn Endicott / Itchin’ for Some Stitchin’
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) suggested
- Hook: 6 mm (J)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. No Cuss Granny Square
Photo: Helen / Sunflower Cottage Crochet
Helen’s tutorial fixes a common beginner problem: the center of the square slowly drifting to one side. She uses one slip stitch per round to keep everything lined up. It is a calm, clear walkthrough written with new crocheters in mind.
- Designer: Helen / Sunflower Cottage Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Easy Closed Granny Square
Photo: Crystal Martin / Marching North
This square has no chain spaces at all. You work double crochet into every stitch and put a treble at each corner, so the fabric closes up with no holes. Four rounds give you about a 5-inch square using around 22 yards of yarn. There is a video if you get stuck.
- Designer: Crystal Martin / Marching North
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Circle to Square Granny Square
Photo: Brittany / Just Be Crafty
You start with a little circle and slowly turn it into a solid square. It uses only basic stitches (single, half double and double crochet) and finishes around 5.5 inches. Brittany calls it beginner-friendly and fast to make, and the video makes the corner rounds easy to follow.
- Designer: Brittany / Just Be Crafty
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Circle of Hope Granny Square
Photo: Sarah-Jayne Fragola / Bella Coco Crochet
A rainbow square that begins as a circle and becomes a square by round five. It is about 5 inches and looks lovely in bright scraps. Sarah-Jayne includes a video tutorial, and the page shows how the squares look joined into a blanket.
- Designer: Sarah-Jayne Fragola / Bella Coco Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: 4 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Beginner Granny Square (Bulky)
Photo: Elena Navarro (Ravelry)
This pattern uses very thick yarn and a big hook, so each stitch is easy to see and count. Photos guide you through every step. Squares come out about 5 inches and work up fast, which is very motivating when you are still learning.
- Designer: Elena Navarro (Ravelry)
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky
- Hook: 8 mm (L)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. The Simple Square
Photo: Nilla K / Nilla K Creates
Nilla’s square is double crochet rounds with chain-3 spaces, plus a chart. Because the stitches are so simple, the colors do all the work. Her rainbow sample is about 12 cm after seven rounds. Great for playing with stripes.
- Designer: Nilla K / Nilla K Creates
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: 3.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Easy Lacy Granny Square
Photo: Veronika Cromwell / Blue Star Crochet
A pretty, open square that starts as a circle and turns into a 9-inch square. It uses puff stitches, double and treble crochet, and Veronika says it is suitable for beginners. Fewer, bigger squares mean a throw blanket comes together quicker.
- Designer: Veronika Cromwell / Blue Star Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Aran / worsted (#4)
- Hook: 6 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Granny Around the Block
Photo: Heidi Yates / Snappy Tots
The center is a striped panel of clusters worked back and forth in rows, then colorful rounds go around it to make a 12-inch block. It uses basic stitches and 100 to 125 yards of yarn. Nice if you want one bigger block instead of many small squares.
- Designer: Heidi Yates / Snappy Tots
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 6 mm (J)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Boxed In Granny Square
Photo: Michele Costa / Stitch & Hustle
Four small granny squares are joined in the middle, then framed with colorful border rounds to reach 12 inches. It is a smart way to practice joining and borders in one project. The stitches are half double, double and single crochet.
- Designer: Michele Costa / Stitch & Hustle
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: 6 mm (J)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Daisy Granny Square
Photo: Kimberly / Single Girl’s DIY
A classic granny square with a daisy in the center. You begin with 12 double crochet in a magic ring and build the flower before squaring it off. Use it in place of plain squares to make a blanket feel extra sweet.
- Designer: Kimberly / Single Girl’s DIY
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: 3.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Very first square? Start with #1, then try #2 to keep your center straight.
- Hate holes and gaps? Go for #3 or #4. Both make a solid square.
- Struggling to see your stitches? Try #6. The bulky yarn makes everything bigger and clearer.
- Want a blanket fast? Pick #8, #9 or #10. Bigger squares mean fewer squares to join.
- Ready for a little flower? Make #11.
FAQ
What is the easiest granny square for a beginner?
The classic granny square is the easiest. It uses chains, slip stitches and groups of three double crochet. Once you can do the first three rounds, the rest is just repeating. A gap-free square like #3 is also simple, because you only work double crochet into each stitch.
How long does it take to crochet a granny square?
A small four or five round square usually takes a beginner 20 to 45 minutes. After a few squares you will get faster. Bigger 12-inch blocks can take an hour or two, but you need far fewer of them for a blanket.
Can I use any yarn for an easy granny square?
Yes, but smooth worsted weight yarn in a light color is easiest to learn with. Dark, fuzzy or very thin yarn hides your stitches. Check the yarn label for a suggested hook size and start there.
Grab a hook and one color of yarn, and you can have your first square done tonight.