Granny Squares

When I was younger my Mum tried to teach me to crochet and to knit. Neither really stuck to start with then all of a sudden knitting stuck and I could do it. Crochet took a little longer but then it stuck and I could do it. A while back I started teaching my friend to crochet so I sat down and started to write down the instructions to do a granny square the way I do them, the instructions are written out the long way round as my friend is a beginner – if you like them but would like them in a condensed version (or something doesn’t make sense – please let me know). Granny squares are fairly simple and easy to start with.

I use a 4mm crochet hook and DK wool. In theory any size would work. This is the version of a granny square that I do but there are many different versions out there. (And even in writing the instructions I think I’ve tweaked what I do!)

Starting and Round 1

1. Tie on. Wrap the thread around your finger and tie the knot.
2. Chain 5 stitches.
3. Insert the hook through the chain stitch nearest the knot. Bring the working thread over the hook. Pull the stitch back through the chain stitch and then through the second stitch. This leaves you with one stitch on your hook and a ring of your 5 chain stitches.
4. Chain 3 stitches – this counts as your first treble (tr) stitch
5. Complete 2 trebles (See the instructions below).
6. Chain 2 stitches (to make the corner)
7. Complete 3 trebles
8. Chain 2 stitches (to make corner number 2)
9. Complete 3 trebles
10. Chain 2 stitches (to make corner number 3)
11. Complete 3 trebles
12. Chain 2 stitches (to make corner number 4)
13. To finish the round, push the hook between the first chain of three (that created the treble) and the first treble.
14. Bring the working thread forward.
15. Pull the working thread through between the stitches – you then have two loops on your crochet hook.
16. Bring the working thread towards you, pull the loop through the two that are on your hook. This completes the first round.

Round 2

1. Chain 3 stitches
2. Create 2 trebles into the hole that your chain comes from.
3. Create 3 trebles into the next hole
4. Chain 2 stitches to create the corner.
5. Create 3 trebles into the same hole (Creating 6 trebles in the corner)
6. Create 3 trebles into the next hole
7. Chain 2 stitches to create the corner
8. Create 3 trebles into the same hole (6 trebles in the corner)
9. Create 3 trebles into the next hole
10. Chain 2 stitches to create the corner
11. Create 3 trebles into the same hole (6 trebles in the corner)
12. Create 3 trebles into the next hole
13. Chain 2 stitches to create the corner.
14. Pull the working thread through between the stitches – you then have two loops on your crochet hook.
15. Bring the working thread towards you, pull the loop through the two that are on your hook. This completes the first round.

For Round 3 and further, create 3 trebles in each “gap” apart from the corners where you do 3 trebles followed by 2 chain stitches followed by 3 trebles. Go round as many times as you like.

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Chain (ch)
This is a basic stitch. Starting with one loop on your hook, bring the working thread over the hook towards you, pull the loop back through your first loo

Treble (tr)
You’ll have one loop on your hook. Bring your working thread towards you over the hook. Then bring the hook towards you and throught the centre ring (the 5 stitches you did at the beginning). Bring the working thread towards you again, then pull the hook back through the ring. You should have three small loops on your crochet hook. Bring the working thread over the hook so that you have four loops on the hook. Bring the first loop through the second, this will leave you with two loops on the hook. Bring the working thread forward again, then pull through the next two loops. Bring the working thread forward again and through the next two loops – this should leave you with one loop over the hook and a completed treble.

I think the numbering was misbehaving so if it’s not clear please let me know.