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Easy granny square crochet pattern ideas (15 free!)
The cornerstone of so many beautiful crochet designs, square patterns are also often called granny squares. Whatever you call them, finding square designs you can’t wait to start making is step one. Whether you’re planning to make crochet granny squares to join together into a blanket, cushion, hat – really anything you can imagine – I have pulled together my favourite designs including solid granny square, classic granny square, sunburst granny square and other square variations.
I hope you find some inspiration here and are soon stitching away with your next square based project. There are 15 free crochet pattern ideas as well as a few of my favourites to buy. Granny squares are the perfect way for crochet beginners to get started as they are easy and quick to make. It’s so encouraging to see the squares building up into colourful – and cosy – piles. Be warned though – making them can become addictive. As can finding new designs to try. Which is how this post came into being…. I’m not an expert myself by any means. I’d class myself as a keen beginner with a tendency to rush (and therefore make lots of mistakes).
The joy of squares
The joy, for me, of making squares is that the stakes are never that high. Because you take every squares-based project just one square at a time. So it’s easy to rectify mistakes or to just start again on a new square.
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to make some throws for my sofas (I have pale linen washable covers that seem to be always either in the wash or newly wrestled back on.. and are like catnip to my – often muddy – spaniel Woody). The time I was still jostling with the last of the seat covers to go on as Woody vaulted past me, fully loaded with mud is probably the record. The whole lot had to be stripped off again before I’d even finished putting them on.
I do know it’s possible to have a dog that stays obediently on the floor and wouldn’t dream of jumping on the furniture. But it finally dawned on me recently that I’d be much better off leaning into the fact that we have a joyfully messy dog who we let up on the sofa because we love to cuddle him. So maintaining pale linen covers is always going to be a world of pain.
Plain linen and muddy paw prints
I love those magazine interiors showing families living organised, clean and calm lives. With plenty of plain linen and not a reddy brown muddy paw print to be seen anywhere. I do recognise that we’re really not that kind of family however and, actually, I wouldn’t really want to be would you? I’ve decided the best way forward is to protect the clean covers with lots of cosy blankets and throws which can be whipped off when people come. Or not, depending on who those people are. My best friends will cuddle up to Woody on/under the blanket and that’s why they’re my best friends.
Anyway, all of that preamble is really just to explain why I’ve been looking for blanket patterns. I found so many lovely ones that I thought the very least I could do was share my finds with you. Welcome to the wonderful world of crochet squares and happy crocheting – whatever your skill level! By the way, making square shapes is the perfect way to use up leftover yarn too. Just keep an eye on the relative yarn weight as you go.
So idea number one is this essential book by Susan Pinner.
Granny Squares by Susan Pinner
This book is full of imaginative ideas including 20 project ideas from storage baskets to throws and plenty more in between.
Favourite granny square crochet patterns on Etsy
Etsy is a great place for finding individual granny square patterns as well as easy crochet patterns. I’ve picked out my favourites of all the ones I found on there.
Hygge Burst Blanket pattern
How beautiful is this pattern by Mallory Krall? You can buy it on Etsy as a printable download without the ads, or get the pattern for free on Mallory’s website.
Island Time crochet sunburst granny square blanket pattern
Again, this is a pattern by Mallory Krall and available to buy as a printable PDF on etsy without the ads, or get it for free on her website.
I love the pom pom border – and that Mallory has put lovely colourwork suggestions together so you can achieve the same look.
Easy crochet square pattern
I’ve included this one as it looks super easy and good for beginners upwards. Perfect for making blankets, cushions or simply coasters.
Fairground granny square blanket pattern
Inspired by the colours of the fairground and worked on a 4mm hook (the square) and 4.4mm (the border), this pattern is easily adapted to make whatever size blanket you like. Skill level is beginner to intermediate. You will need to be familiar with the following stitches, double crochet (US sc), treble (US dc ), chain and double crochet (US sc) and half treble ( US half double crochet)
Roses and Daisies granny square pattern
How pretty is this Roses and Daisies pattern? .
Featuring two beautiful floral motifs – one a Rose and one a Daisy design. Required materials:
DK/ light worsted weight yarn – preferably cotton; 2.50mm and 3.50mm crochet hook.
Solid granny square pattern
This solid colour traditional granny square pattern would make a pared back textural variation, and this option is easy to make.
Free granny pattern ideas
One love free granny pattern
There’s a delicate, almost lacy feel to this one that I like.
Free granny square blanket pattern
Eloth flower granny square pattern
I love the way the flowers almost sit 3D in the centre of this pattern. Would make a really pretty blanket.
Lemon square crochet pattern free
If it’s something different you’re after, how about this citrussy design? The surface crochet gives a 3D feel. This might be nice as a garden throw or cushion cover.
Cute granny square tote bag pattern
This is super quick and easy to make, with a modern-vintage feel.
Granny square pillow
Free crochet square blanket pattern by Rowan
Lovely pattern, made in pure worsted weight yarn, so it’s also very warm and cosy
Cute contemporary tote bag pattern
Quick and easy to make, this shoulder bag is a great way to use crochet squares creatively.
Granny blanket
Simply beautiful granny square blanket pattern that would look great in a nursery or child’s room too. Love this chequer board use of colour – mixing solid colour squares in white with bright colours
Granny square tea cosy pattern
I couldn’t resist including this pattern just in case you could do with a cheerful new tea cosy…
Peach flower cushion cover
Butterflies crochet cushion cover
Simple granny squares with pretty butterflies sitting on top as though 3D
Bunny tail granny square pattern
So cute and perfect for a nursery or push chair.
Flower granny squares
It just wouldn’t be right to talk about flower patterns without mentioning the creative crochet genius that is Janie Crow. She is well-known for her exquisite Frida’s Flowers blanket pattern, but her website is a treasure trove of creative ideas.
My favourite pattern of Janie’s right now is her Spirit of Flora crochet along project inspired by the ceramic designs of William De Morgan. You could choose to make a large blanket using 48 crochet squares, or you might want to make a smaller one, or a shawl, cushion, bag… whatever takes your fancy. I love that Janie says she wants want to encourage you to release a little of your own design potential to create a unique and personal project.
The patterns are being released from April 24th until the end of August. You can download the getting starting directions, notes on layout planning, finishing and blocking and three plain motif patterns now: https://www.janiecrow.com/spirit-of-flora.html
I do recognise that right now my crochet skills are probably not quite up to the level required for this, but I know that many of you are more than capable. And anyway, as I said at the start, the joy of working with squares is that you only have to take on one square at a time. Don’t you find that when there’s something you’d really love to make, it can be just the spur you need to up your game?
Sunflower granny square
Daffodil flower granny crochet pattern
Daisy field granny square
I love this – just so pretty!
Unusual granny square patterns
Horse granny square pattern
Christmas wreath
Information
A few terms explained:
Basic crochet stitches
Find step by step information on basic crochet stitches in our blog post: crochet basics – a beginner’s guide
I cover chain stiitch, double crochet stitches and treble crochet stitches. There’s also a helpful video tutorial and step by step tutorial to making a simple granny square
Materials needed:
Crochet hook – the size will vary depending on your pattern and the yarn you choose to use. If you’re using a medium weight yarn, a 5, 5.5 or 6mm hook would probably work well but best to check on your yarn label. You could always make a sample square first and go up a hook size if it feels too tight.
Type of yarn to choose The good news is that granny squares are an easy way to use of scrap yarn, so you can use up any yarn you have in theory. Most popular choice for granny squares is medium weight, or worsted weight yarn.
Magic ring or magic circle
The patterns I’ve shared should include directions to create a magic ring or magic circle. It’s basically a technique for starting the granny square with an adjustable ‘ring’ of yarn that can be pulled tight to get rid of the hole that would otherwise sit at the centre. If you need help, this video tutorial is super helpful.
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Some squares will require you to master the sl st or slip stitch. This video tutorial talks you through everything you need to know before starting on a square project.
