This article is a tutorial will cover the basics of crocheting and also the basics of how to crochet a basic granny square. We will cover:

1. How to start a granny square
2. How to make a granny square corner
3. How to change yarn colors while crocheting
4. How to make a heart granny square

We will also be covering the basic stitches and techniques used to create a granny square cluster and the larger granny square.

• How to yarn over
• How to pull up a loop
• How to create a slip knot (sl kt)
• How to make a slip stitch (sl st)
• How to chain (ch)
• How to double crochet (dc)

Crochet Tools for Making Granny Squares

To get started crocheting, all you need is five items:

1. Hook
2. Stitch Markers
3. Scissors
4. Darning Needle
5. Yarn

Get all of these materials in one on amazon.com .

Yarns for Making Granny Squares

You can use any yarn to create a granny square. However, for beginners, I recommend using a medium weight yarn made of acrylic or cotton.

Basic rules of crocheting in the round

Crocheting in the round is crocheting around in a circle rather than crocheting from right to left and turning after each row.

When do I crochet in the round?

You crochet in the round if you are trying to make a circle or granny square.

What projects crochet in the round?

There are so many crochet patterns that are done in the round.

• Granny Squares
• Round Baskets
• Pillows
• Dowlies
• Round Placemats
• Amigurumi
• Mittens
• Sweaters

Basic crochet moves

Most crochet projects only involve 4 basic crochet moves. These are important to understand before moving to more advanced patterns.

• Slip knot
• Chain
• Slip stitch
• Double crochet or single crochet

If you are more advanced and are crocheting in the round, you can start with a magic circle.

How to start a granny square

Making a granny square is simple once you get the basics of the slip knot, chain, and double crochet.

Types of granny squares

There are tons of variations of granny squares. This article will cover the basic granny square but there are other types that give you a different look.

• Classic Granny Square
• Solid Granny Square
• Hexagon Granny Square
• Sunburt Granny Square
• Two Color Granny Square
• Four Color Granny Square

What is a granny square?

A granny square is a square crochet shape that is like a building block. These blocks can be made in different shapes and styles then crocheted together to make a larger project.

What can I make with granny squares?

There are endless possibilities when it comes to granny square projects. Here is an example of some projects you can make:

• Bag
• Blanket
• Hat
• Sweater

How do I start a basic granny square?

To start a granny square, most have the following steps:

1. Slip knot (sl kt)
2. Chain (ch)
3. Slip stitch (sl st) to create a circle
4. Create a starting chain
5. Double crochet (dc) in the circle

Let's break down the basics to start a granny square.

How to make a slip knot:

1. Place yarn in your left hand
2. Loop the yarn behind your index finger
3. Wrap the yarn back over your finger
4. Secure the yarn by holding it back behind your pointer finger
5. You should see two loops on your index finger
6. Drag the 1st loop over 2nd loop
7. Drag the 2nd loop over 1st loop
8. Drag the 1st loop over the 2nd loop again slowly slidinng it off your finger
9. Continue to pull on the 1st loop
10. Pull on the 1st loop slowly
11. Pull on the 1st loop until the knot is secure
12. Place the loop on the crochet hook

How to make a chain:

1. To yarn over: Wrap the yarn from back to front around the hook
2. To pull up a loop: Pull the hook down and through the loop on the hook to create a chain
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull the hook down through the loop on the hook to create another chain
4. Make a total of 4 chains

How to make a circle:

1. Hold the 4 chains on the hook
2. To make a slip stitch: Insert the hook directly into the first chain made
3. Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook
4. Continue to pull through the last loop on the hook
5. You now have one loop on the hook and have created a circle
6. Push your finger in the center of the magic circle to see it better

How to make a double crochet:

1. To make a double crochet, start with a chain 3 or continue from a previous double crochet
2. Yarn over by wrapping your yarn from back to front around the hook
3. Insert your hook directly into the magic circle or space
4. Yarn over again
5. Pull up loop so there are three loop on the hook
6. Yarn over again
7. Pull through 2 loops
8. Yarn over again
9. Pull through last 2 loops

How to make a granny square cluster stitch:

1. Double crochet 3 together to create the granny square stitch. Chain 3 counts as a double crochet in this pattern.
2. Chain 1 after each dc 3 cluster to space out each cluster
3. If you are at the corner, you will place two granny square clusters in the same space, seperated by a ch 2.

Those are all of the basics of creating a granny square, now you just need to know how to make the corner.

How to crochet a granny square corner

A granny square corner is made by placing two double crochet 3 repeats

How to make a corner:

1. Double crochet (dc) 3

2. Chain (ch) 2 for the corner turn

3. Then dc 3 in the space space as the first dc 3

How to color change yarn in a granny square

Now it's time to discuss how to change yarn colors in a granny square.

How to change yarn color:

1. With color A, chain (ch) 1
2. Set down color A and fold color B over the hook
3. Pull up a loop with color B
4. Yarn over
5. Pull through the color B loop
6. Proceed with a regular double crochet (dc) and create a normal granny square cluster

How to make the crochet heart granny square

Now that we've discussed the basics of granny squares and color changes, we can start on the heart crochet granny square.

Circle

With color A make a slip knot (sl kt) then chain (ch) 4. Slip stitch (sl st) to the 1nd chain to join.

Row 1

Ch 3, dc 2 in the circle, ch 2 for the corner dc 3 in the same space, then ch 1. [dc 3, ch 2, dc 3] x 3 in the circle. Sl st to join.

Row 2

Sl st 3 to get to the corner chain space. Ch 3, dc 2 in the corner space. Ch 2 to make the corner. Dc 3 in the same corner space then ch 1. (Dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 1) x 3 in each of the corner spaces. Sl st to top of ch 3.

Row 3

Sl st 3 to get to the corner chain space. Ch 3, dc 2 in the corner space. Ch 2 to make the corner. Dc 3 in the same corner space then ch 1. Dc 3, ch1, then switch to color B. Dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 1 in the corner space. Switch to color A, dc 3, ch 1. Switch back to color B, dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 1 in the corner space. Switch to color A again, dc 3, ch1, then dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 1 in the corner space. Switch to color B and dc 3, ch 1, then sl st to top of ch 3.

Row 4

With color B, ch 3, dc 2 in the same space as the sl st from the last row. Ch 1, then dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 1 in the corner space. [ (Dc 3, ch 1) X 2 then dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 1 in the corner space ] X 3. Dc 3, ch 1 in the last space open, the sl st to the top of ch 3 and fasten off. Weave in all ends.