Super Easy Granny Square for Beginners: A Colorful Crochet Adventure!
Have you ever wanted to create something beautiful and unique with your own two hands? Crocheting a granny square is a fantastic way to start! It’s beginner-friendly, and with this guide from The Secret Yarnery, you'll learn how to make a super square granny square that doesn’t twist. Plus, the holes are as small as they can be, creating a solid design with minimal ends to sew in. Best of all, we’ll be changing colors to make it a vibrant and eye-catching project.
Why This Granny Square is Perfect for Beginners
If you're just starting your crochet journey, this granny square pattern is tailor-made for you. I know how daunting it can be to pick up a hook and yarn for the first time. That's why I've designed this tutorial to be super clear and easy to follow. I'll guide you through each step, and the video tutorial provides a helpful visual aid. Forget about twisted squares and complicated patterns! This method ensures your square stays straight, and changing colors is a breeze.
Materials You'll Need
Before we dive in, let's gather our materials. Having everything ready will make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Yarn: Choose your favorite colors! I used five different colors for my project, but you can use as many or as few as you like. Experiment with different yarn weights too.
- Crochet Hook: A 5mm hook is a great starting point, but the best hook size will depend on your yarn weight.
- Scissors: You'll need these to cut the yarn when changing colors.
- Yarn Needle: This will help you weave in the ends for a neat and tidy finish.
Choosing Your Colors
Color selection is a fun and important part of any crochet project. The colors you choose can dramatically change the look and feel of your granny square. Here are a few tips to help you pick harmonious color combinations:
- Complementary Colors: Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel (like blue and orange) create a vibrant contrast.
- Analogous Colors: Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel (like blue, blue-green, and green) create a more harmonious and subtle effect.
- Monochromatic Colors: Using different shades of the same color can create a sophisticated and modern look.
Before you start, lay out your yarn colors in the order you want to use them. This will give you a good idea of how the finished square will look. I chose five colors for my project to create a rainbow effect. Feel free to check out a color palette generator, or read more about color theory for crafting, to help you decide.
Getting Started: The Slip Knot
Now, let's get started! The first step is making a slip knot. There are a couple of ways to do this:
- Method 1: Place the yarn tail over your palm and hold it down with your thumb and ring finger. Wrap the yarn around your fingers, then poke the hook underneath the ring you just made and pull the yarn through.
- Method 2: Make a loop with your yarn, cross the yarn over, insert your hook, grab the working yarn and pull it through.
No matter which method you choose, make sure the yarn coming from the ball adjusts the loop's size. Place the loop onto your hook and pull it down to secure.
Creating the Center Ring: Chain 3 and Slip Stitch
Next, we'll create the center ring. Chain 3 by wrapping the yarn over your hook and pulling it through the loop on your hook. Repeat this three times. If you're unsure about your stitches, check out the crochet tutorials on The Secret Yarnery YouTube channel for a refresher.
Now, insert your hook into the first chain you made. Hold the tail down alongside the ring to secure it. Slip stitch by grabbing the yarn, pulling it through the loop, and then pulling it through the loop on your hook. This turns your chain into a ring.
After slip stitching, chain 3 right away. Remember to keep holding the center open so you know where to work your stitches. This chain 3 counts as a double crochet in this pattern.
Row 1: Building the First Round
It's time to build the first round of our granny square. Wrap your yarn and insert your hook into the center of the ring. Grab the yarn, bring it back, wrap your yarn, and pull through two loops. Then, wrap your yarn again and pull through the remaining two loops. That’s a double crochet!
Since your initial chain 3 counts as a double crochet, make one more double crochet into the center. Now, chain 2 for your corner. Then, make three more double crochets into the center ring, working over the tail to secure it. Be sure you are going straight back into that exact center.
You've now completed two sides of your square! Pinch the ring and pull those stitches to create more space for your next set of stitches.
Completing the First Round: Sides and Corners
Let's continue building the first round. Chain 2 for your corner. Then, wrap your yarn and go back into the center of the ring, working over the tail. Make three more double crochets. That’s one side done!
Remember to chain 2 to get around your corner. Push those stitches back again to give yourself more room. Now, make your last three double crochets of this round. You should now have four sides.
Joining the First Round: Changing Colors
Now we're ready to join the first round and change colors. Chain 2, as always, and slip stitch to the top of your initial chain 3. If you move your stitches back, you can count your chains – it's the third chain up.
Insert your hook into the top of the chain 3, making sure to get two loops on your hook. Slip stitch to join by bringing your yarn through and then through the loop on your hook. This secures the round. Now, chain 1 to secure your yarn, and cut your yarn, leaving a decent tail. Pull your hook up and your yarn through, then snug it down to secure. I like to get the free pattern here: Granny Squares.
Weaving in the End (First Color)
I'm not a fan of sewing in ends, so I'm going to work this tail back along the side of the square. After the next round, I'll be able to cut it off.
Insert your hook into just the back loop of the stitch. Grab your yarn and pull it through. Do this for the next two stitches as well, working in the back loop only. Stretch it out, making sure it's not pulling anything. Bring it over to the center of that next shell.
Now, bring it back the other way. Insert your hook from the back side and pull it through. Then, bring it back towards the front on the other side. When you work around this corner and put six double crochets in there, it will really pinch it down, and you can cut it off when you're finished. Since you worked over your tail where you started, you can cut that one off already!
Starting the Second Round: Flipping the Work
To start your second round, grab your next color. Remember to flip your work! You want to work into the backside. The front of your work has pretty little twisty stitches, and you can see the Vs facing you. The backside (what I call the macaroni side) doesn't show the Vs.
Working into the back side for each round helps keep your square square and prevents twisting.
Joining the New Color (Round 2)
Grab your hook and find a corner that's not the same place you joined last time. Joining in the same place adds bulk. Insert your hook into that corner space. Grab a loop of your yarn, leaving a tail (you'll need to sew this one in a little bit with a needle). Bring it through and slip stitch with both strands to secure.
Drop your tail (you'll work over it a tiny bit now) and chain 2. This, along with how you joined your yarn, looks and counts as a chain 3, which counts as your double crochet. Now, wrap your yarn and go into that same corner space, working over your tail, and make one double crochet and a second double crochet.
You'll always start this way with a chain 3 (or a slip stitch and a chain 2) and two double crochets. Now, jump over into your corner, making sure you're working over that tail you worked in.
Working Around the Second Round: Corners and Sides
Wrap your yarn and go straight over to that corner. Make three double crochets. Push your stitches back and chain 2 for your corner. Then, make three more double crochets into that same corner.
You're going to do this same corner in each of the corners. Wrap your yarn and go into the next corner space, making three double crochets. Chain 2, and then make three more double crochets. Do that again in the next corner.
Grab that corner and push those stitches back because you want more space for your next set of three double crochets. You don't want them going on top of each other. Chain 2, and make three more double crochets into that same spot.
To finish this round, you're just going to finish your corner where you started because you always start and stop in the center of a corner. Wrap your yarn and make three double crochets into this last corner spot. I love finding beginner crochet patterns like this at Secret Yarnery.
Finishing Round 2: Joining and Securing
Now that you're finished with this color, chain 2 and slip stitch to the top of the chain, the third v-up, to join. Chain 1 to secure your yarn, cut your yarn, and pull your hook up and your yarn through.
Weaving in the End (Second Color)
Weave in this tail along this corner, just like you did last time. Go into the back loop first, then into the second loop. Poke your hook into that back loop only and drag it through. Drag it through all the way to the center of the first shell over there.
Now, bring it back. Bring it through, and then bring it forward. There's no real science to it. You just want it around this corner, so it's handy when you are working over that to make another corner.
You can cut off the orange one because you worked over it. You could also take your needle, thread it, and skip one of these loops. Work it underneath that fat part, underneath all those stitches, working your way back through there. Now, you can cut off that purple one as well.
Starting Round 3: Choosing a New Corner
Now, you're not going to join in this corner. Flip it and pick a different corner. Join into that corner. My next color is going to be blue.
Attaching the New Color (Round 3)
Put your hook into that corner, the same as you did for the last round. Put a loop of yarn on your hook, bring it through, and slip stitch with both to join. Drop your tail and chain 2. That counts as your chain 3. If you join your yarn in a different way, then join your yarn and do a chain 3. Wrap your yarn and make two double crochets into that corner space.
Working Around Round 3: Shells and Corners
Along into the side space, you're just going to do three double crochets. Remember to be working into the back of your last round. You want to make sure you have the macaroni up.
Into the corner space, make a corner, which is three double crochets and a chain 2. Push your stitches back, and make three more double crochets into that corner. The side, the side space, three double crochets.
Making sure we're going to go over that tail. Into the corner space, do your corner. Corners are three double crochets, a chain 2, and three more double crochets. If you're running out of space in that corner, remember you can always push those stitches back to get some more space. You want to make sure your stitches are flat and side by side, laying down flat beside each other. Now, keep going around, doing three double crochets into the ones on the side. Corners, where it's pointy, are three double crochets, chain 2, three double crochets.
Completing the Round: Fastening off (Round 3)
Do your last two three double crochets. To join, chain 2 and slip stitch to the top of that chain to join. Put your hook in, bring your yarn through, turn your hook, and bring your hook through again for a slip stitch. Chain 1 to knock your yarn, cut your yarn, pull your hook up, and your yarn through. Snug that down to secure.
Weaving in the Ends (Round 3)
Work this tail back and forth around this corner. Now, you can cut off the purple one because you worked over it. You can do the blue one as well. Just bring it back along that side. You're ready to join your next color.
Starting Round 4: Remember to Flip!
Green is my next color. Remember to flip your work over. That keeps it squared. If you don't turn your work, your square kind of turns all your rows start twisting. It stops it looks kind of like a church window or something. It does not look like a total perfect square. Flipping your work fixes that problem.
Attaching the New Color (Round 4)
Flip it over. You want to have these macaronis looking at you, not this cute little edge. Cute little edge down, macaroni up. Find a corner that you haven't worked into lately. You just don't want to put them all in the same edge at the same corner. Put your hook into that corner spot, loop of yarn on your hook.
Working Around Round 4: Shells and Corners
You are going to do a shell in this side spot, and a shell in that side spot. Corners in your corners. Corners are three double crochets, chain 2, three double crochets. Work your way along each side, putting three double into each of these side spots all the way around. Sides are three double crochets in the next one. Corners, make sure you go over that tail that you wove in, so you will go over it.
Completing the Round: Fastening off (Round 4)
Finish with this color as well. I will chain 2 and slip stitch to the top of that chain to join. Just slip stitch, chain 1 to secure your yarn, cut your yarn, pull your hook, pull your hook up, and your loop through. Snug it down.
Weaving in the Ends (Round 4)
Weave in this tail as well. I have written patterns here.
Starting Round 5: Last Color
My next and last color is going to be this yellow. Flip your work. Remember to flip your work. That keeps it squared. If you don't turn your work, your square kind of turns all your rows start twisting. Flipping your work fixes that problem.
Attaching the New Color (Round 5)
Flip it over. You want to work into the macaroni of the very last round, or you want to be seeing the macaroni from the very last round. Pick a corner to work into. Find one that you haven't worked into lately. Put your hook into the corner space, loop of your new yarn on your hook.
Working Around Round 5: Shells and Corners
We're doing this exactly the same way. Pull the loop through, slip stitch with both strands to join, drop your tail, and chain two more. That counts as our first double crochet, and two more double crochets into that corner space.
Working over your tail, you want to be holding that behind and working over only for these two stitches here. Now, you're dropping your tail and working along, doing three double crochets into each of these corner or each of these side spots. Corners into corners, which are three double crochets, chain 2, and three double crochets all the way around.
Completing the Round: Fastening off (Round 5)
We're finished with this color as well. I will chain 2 and slip stitch to join. Slip stitch, chain 1, cut my yarn, hook up, yarn through, and snug it down to secure.
Blocking Your Granny Square
Once you've finished your granny square, blocking is a great way to give it a professional finish. Blocking helps to even out the stitches and make the square perfectly square. Here's how to do it:
- Wet Blocking: Soak your granny square in lukewarm water for about 20 minutes. Gently squeeze out the excess water (don't twist!). Lay the square on a blocking mat and pin it into shape. Let it dry completely.
- Steam Blocking: Pin your granny square to a blocking mat. Hover a steam iron over the square, being careful not to touch the fabric. The steam will relax the fibers and help the square hold its shape.
Ideas for Using Your Granny Squares
Now that you've made your granny square, what can you do with it? The possibilities are endless! Here are a few ideas:
- Blankets: Join multiple granny squares together to create a cozy and colorful blanket.
- Scarves: Make a long, skinny rectangle of granny squares for a unique scarf.
- Pillows: Sew a granny square to the front of a pillow for a pop of color.
- Bags: Create a stylish tote bag by joining granny squares together.
- Sweaters: Design a one-of-a-kind sweater using granny squares.
Tips for Perfect Granny Squares
Here are a few extra tips to help you achieve perfect granny squares:
- Maintain Consistent Tension: Keeping your tension consistent will help your stitches look even and uniform.
- Count Your Stitches: Make sure you have the correct number of stitches in each row and corner.
- Use the Same Hook Size: Stick with the same hook size throughout the project to avoid variations in stitch size.
Practice makes perfect! Don't be discouraged if your first few granny squares aren't perfect. Keep trying, and you'll get the hang of it.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Here are some solutions to common problems that beginners might encounter:
- Twisting Squares: Make sure you're flipping your work at the end of each round.
- Uneven Edges: Pay attention to your tension and stitch count.
- Holes in the Center: Pull the center ring tight when you start.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Granny Square Techniques
Once you've mastered the basic granny square, you can explore more advanced techniques:
- Different Granny Square Designs: Try a solid granny square or a circle granny square.
- Joining Methods: Learn the join-as-you-go method for seamless joining.
- Surface Crochet: Add decorative elements to your finished granny square with surface crochet.
Caring for Your Granny Square Projects
To keep your granny square projects looking their best, follow these care instructions:
- Hand wash or use a gentle cycle in the washing machine.
- Lay flat to dry.
Share Your Projects!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I love seeing what you create! Share your finished granny squares on social media using the hashtag #TheSecretYarneryGrannySquare and tag The Secret Yarnery's social media accounts.
More from The Secret Yarnery
Looking for more crochet inspiration? Check out other beginner-friendly crochet patterns and free patterns available on The Secret Yarnery website. Subscribe to the newsletter and follow on social media for the latest updates!
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've learned how to crochet a super easy granny square with color changes. With a little practice, you'll be creating beautiful and unique projects in no time. So grab your hook and yarn, and let your creativity flow!
FAQs
1. What is a granny square?
A granny square is a small crocheted square made by working in rounds. It's one of the most popular crochet patterns, often used in blankets, scarves, bags, and more.
2. Is this granny square tutorial suitable for absolute beginners?
Yes! This tutorial is specifically designed for beginners. The step-by-step instructions and video from The Secret Yarnery make it easy to follow, even if it’s your first time crocheting.
3. What kind of yarn is best for granny squares?
You can use any type of yarn you prefer. However, a medium-weight yarn (worsted weight) is ideal for beginners because it's easier to work with. Choose colors that make you happy or follow a specific color palette for your project.
4. Which hook size should I use?
A 5mm crochet hook is a great starting point and works well with medium-weight yarn. Adjust your hook size depending on your chosen yarn's thickness.
5. Why is it important to flip the work after each round?
Flipping your work after each round helps keep the granny square from twisting and ensures the square remains flat and even.
6. Do I need to block my granny square?
Blocking is optional but helps to even out stitches and make your granny square perfectly square. It’s especially useful if you plan to join multiple squares for larger projects.
7. How do I choose harmonious colors for my granny square?
Experiment with complementary, analogous, or monochromatic color schemes. Tools like color wheel apps or palette generators can help you pick the best combinations.
8. What can I use my granny squares for?
Granny squares can be used to make blankets, scarves, bags, pillow covers, clothing, and so much more. Just join multiple squares based on your project.
9. How can I prevent holes in the center of the square?
Make sure to pull the center ring tightly when starting. This will minimize any gaps.
10. Where can I find more crochet patterns and tutorials?
The Secret Yarnery offers a variety of free crochet patterns and beginner-friendly tutorials on their website and YouTube channel.
Christa Patel is the creative mastermind behind The Secret Yarnery, a beloved crochet community providing accessible tutorials and free patterns for crafters of all skill levels. Based in sunny Nairobi, Kenya, Christa blends vibrant colors and easy-to-follow instructions to inspire crocheters worldwide.
With over a decade of experience in crochet, Christa is passionate about teaching others how to master the art of yarn and hook. Her mission is to make crochet simple, fun, and approachable for everyone, whether you're an absolute beginner or a seasoned crafter exploring new techniques.
Through her engaging YouTube channel and comprehensive online store, Christa provides a welcoming space for crochet enthusiasts. Be it a granny square, amigurumi project, or bold blanket pattern, her tutorials are packed with personality, creative tips, and a deep love of crochet.
When she’s not crocheting, Christa enjoys spending time with her family, experimenting with color palettes, and connecting with her online followers. You can find more of her work, patterns, and community updates at The Secret Yarnery.
Connect with Christa Patel:
- Website: The Secret Yarnery
- YouTube Channel: The Secret Yarnery
- Instagram: @secretyarnery
- Hashtag: #TheSecretYarneryGrannySquare
Let Christa guide you through your crochet journey with her fun, fresh approach to crafting!