For part 3 of Learn to Crochet, we are going to crochet some granny squares! Granny squares are one of my favorite things to crochet. The video tutorial is on YouTube, and the written pattern is below in case you would like to follow along with it.
There is also an additional short YouTube video for this part (linked at the end of this post) because the written pattern only includes the instructions for the first few rounds of the granny square. If you would like to make a larger granny square, this video will be helpful!
Stitch Abbreviations
In U.S. terms (translated to UK in parentheses)
st= stitch
sp= space
ch = chain (chain)
ss = slip stitch (slip stitch)
dc = double crochet (treble)
[ ] indicate that the stitches are worked into the same space
{ } indicate that the the stitches are repeated later in the pattern
How to Read the Pattern
At first, a crochet pattern looks like a bunch of random symbols! The important thing to remember is that stitches in [ ] are worked into the same space. For granny squares, the stitches are always worked into the spaces between two groups of 3 double crochet stitches or into the chain2-spaces.
The Pattern
Notes
- I call the groups of 3 double crochet stitches “shells.”
- The ch2-spaces are the corners of the granny square.
- The chain 3 at the beginning of a round counts as the first double crochet stitch.
Foundation ring: Ch 4, ss into the first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as first dc + ch2-sp). {3 dc into the ring, ch 2}. Repeat {} 2 more times. 2 dc into the ring. Ss into the third ch of the ch 5. (12 sts + 4 ch2-sps).
Round 2: Ss into the ch2-sp. Into the ch2-sp, [ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. Into each of the following ch2-sps, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. Ss into the third ch of the ch 3. (24 sts + 4 ch2-sps).
Round 3: Ch 3. Into the ch2-sp, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. {Into the space between the shells, [3 dc]. Into the ch2-sp, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] }. Repeat {} 2 more times. Into the space between the shells, [2 dc]. Ss into the top of the ch 3. (36 sts + 4 ch2-sps).
Round 4: Ss into the next space between the shells. Ch 3. Into the space, [2 dc]. Into the ch2-sp, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. {Into each of the next two spaces between shells, [3 dc]. Into the ch2-sp, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] }. Repeat {} 2 more times. Into the space between the shells, [3 dc]. Ss into the top of the ch 3. (48 sts + 4 ch2-sps).
Round 5: Ch 3. Into the space between the shells, [3 dc]. Into the ch2-sp, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. {Into each of the next three spaces between shells, [3 dc]. Into the ch2-sp, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] }. Repeat {} 2 more times. Into the space between shells, [3 dc]. Into the next space between shells, [2 dc]. Ss into the top of the ch 3. (60 sts + 4 ch2-sps).
To continue: Between shells, always work [3 dc]. Into the ch2-sps, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. If you need help beginning and ending the rounds, the link for the additional short video is below!
Additional Video
This video explains how to begin and end the rounds:
How to Weave in the Ends
This is everyone’s least favorite part!
Up next:
How to change color!