- LevelBeginner
- Time1 hour
- SizeAbout 5 in / 13 cm square after 4 rounds
- Hook5 mm
The square everyone learns sooner or later. It is groups of three double crochets with a chain between them, and once your hands know it you will want to make a whole stack of them.
What you need
- Yarn: Medium (4) worsted. About 30 yd / 27 m, 1 to 4 colours (change at the start of a round).
- Hook: 5 mm (H-8) hook
- Yarn needle
Gauge and size
Gauge: Round 1 is about 1.75 in / 4.5 cm across.
Finished size: About 5 in / 13 cm square after 4 rounds
Abbreviations used
| Pattern says | It means | UK pattern says |
|---|---|---|
MR | magic ring | MR |
ch | chain | ch |
dc | double crochet | tr |
sl st | slip stitch | sl st |
sp | space | sp |
rep | repeat | rep |
Before you start
- The ch 3 at the start of a round counts as the first dc.
- A "cluster" is 3 dc worked into the same space. Round n has 4 x n clusters.
- Corners are (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in one ch-2 space.
The pattern
Each step is in plain words first. The short pattern words are under it, so you can learn to read both. Written in US terms.
- Round 1In a magic ring, make 4 groups of 3 double crochets with chain 2 after each (the first chain 3 counts as a double crochet). Close the ring and slip stitch to the top of the chain 3. You should now have 4 groups.Pattern words:
Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, *3 dc in ring, ch 2; rep from * 2 more times. Pull closed, sl st to top of ch-3. (4 clusters, 4 corner spaces)UK terms
In a magic ring, make 4 groups of 3 treble crochets with chain 2 after each (the first chain 3 counts as a treble crochet). Close the ring and slip stitch to the top of the chain 3. You should now have 4 groups.Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 3, 2 tr in ring, ch 2, *3 tr in ring, ch 2; rep from * 2 more times. Pull closed, sl st to top of ch-3. (4 clusters, 4 corner spaces) - Round 2Slip stitch into the first gap. In every gap make a corner: 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets, then chain 1. Slip stitch to the start. You should now have 8 groups.Pattern words:
Round 2: Sl st in next 2 dc and into the ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Sl st to top of ch-3. (8 clusters)UK terms
Slip stitch into the first gap. In every gap make a corner: 3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets, then chain 1. Slip stitch to the start. You should now have 8 groups.Round 2: Sl st in next 2 tr and into the ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same sp, ch 1, *(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Sl st to top of ch-3. (8 clusters) - Round 3Make a corner in each corner gap, and 3 double crochets plus chain 1 in each small side gap. Slip stitch to the start. You should now have 12 groups, 3 on each side.Pattern words:
Round 3: Sl st in next 2 dc and into the corner sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Sl st to top of ch-3. (12 clusters)UK terms
Make a corner in each corner gap, and 3 treble crochets plus chain 1 in each small side gap. Slip stitch to the start. You should now have 12 groups, 3 on each side.Round 3: Sl st in next 2 tr and into the corner sp. Ch 3, (2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same sp, ch 1, 3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next corner sp, ch 1, 3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times. Sl st to top of ch-3. (12 clusters) - Round 4Same again: corners in the corner gaps, 3 double crochets plus chain 1 in each of the 2 side gaps. You should now have 16 groups, 4 on each side.Pattern words:
Round 4: Sl st in next 2 dc and into the corner sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, *(3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 2 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 2 times. Sl st to top of ch-3. (16 clusters)UK terms
Same again: corners in the corner gaps, 3 treble crochets plus chain 1 in each of the 2 side gaps. You should now have 16 groups, 4 on each side.Round 4: Sl st in next 2 tr and into the corner sp. Ch 3, (2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in same sp, ch 1, *(3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 2 times, (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) in next corner sp, ch 1; rep from * 2 more times, (3 tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 2 times. Sl st to top of ch-3. (16 clusters) - Cut the yarn and sew in the ends.Pattern words:
Fasten off and weave in the ends. For a bigger square keep going: each round adds one cluster to every side.
Stitches in this pattern
Not sure about one? Each link has plain steps.
ChainchSlip stitchsl stDouble crochetdcMagic ringMRGranny cluster3-dc clFasten offFOWeave in endsweave in
Questions
Is the First Granny Square pattern free?
Yes. The full pattern is on this page, and it is also free in the Crochet Counter app, where you can follow it with a row counter.
What yarn do I need for the first granny square?
Medium (4) worsted. You need about 30 yd / 27 m.
How long does it take?
About 1 hour for a relaxed beginner.
Is it written in US or UK terms?
The pattern is written in US terms. Tap "UK terms" under any step to see it with UK names. In the app you can switch the whole pattern to UK terms in Settings.
Keep count with Crochet Counter
First Granny Square is one of 14 free patterns in the app. Start it as a project and the row counter follows the steps for you. The core app is free, has no ads and needs no account. Pro is optional.
