If you have felt the call to get involved with charity, 12" x 12" granny squares are usually in the mix when people or organizations are in need of help.
There are two methods of making granny squares, and it really depends on your personal choice, but the yarn colouring can also impact the design. Option 1 Method is continuous, and Option 2 Method is back-and-forth. You decide.
There are several organizations and initiatives usually in motion, some with full-time operations as well. I'm a big believer, though: if your own community has a need, take care of it as well.
The Differences of Crochet Granny Methods
Yarn that I have been over-collecting and crocheting samples used from my tutorial work stays local to my community, as the need here is significant. Other initiatives where a community is rocked by a natural environment issue or other human-related tragic events may speak to your heart and prompt you to participate.
In This Article
- The Differences of Crochet Granny Methods
- Your Squares
- Materials
- Abbreviations
- Option 1 Method
- Instructions - Option 1 Continuous Rounds
- Watch Method 1 - Tutorial
- Option 2 Method
- Instructions - Option 2 Back and Forth Method
- Watch Option 2 - Tutorial
- Printable Pattern
- Why Do Half Double Crochet Joins
- Watch A Different Granny Square Tutorial
- Crochet A Maple Leaf
- Watch How to Sew On Motifs
Your Squares
- When creating crochet granny squares, if the organization is requesting colours or styles, be sure to honour their requests to make their collections cohesive in the submissions.
- They need to be as close to 12" x 12" as possible. Your square(s) will connect with other squares that others are crocheting.
- Suggest using 4-ply #4 medium-weight acrylic yarn.
- You can choose the hook size, but for 4-ply Medium Weight #4 yarn, I recommend a 5 mm / H/8 or 5.5 mm / I/9 hook.
Materials
Acrylic 4 Ply #4 Medium Worsted Yarn (usually value-oriented yarn)
- A - Colour of your choice.
One square takes approximately 54 grams. In Red Heart Super Saver or Bernat Premium, you can get 3 ½ squares out of one ball.
Hook: 5 mm / H/8
Size: 12” x 12”Gauge: 14 sc and 15 rows = 4” [10 cm]
Abbreviations
- Approx = Approximately
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- Ch = Chain(s)
- Dc = Double crochet
- Hdc = Half Double Crochet
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- RS = Right Side
- Sk = Skip
- Sl st = Slip stitch
- Sp(s) = Space(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
Option 1 Method
This method has us doing traditional granny squares in a continuous round. The only issue with this concept is that the squares can have a slight twist in the middle that cannot be fixed. However, even though there is a twist, for colour transitioning yarn or self-striping yarn, this is the better option.
Instructions - Option 1 Continuous Rounds
Ch 4. Join with sl st to the first ch to form a ring.
1st rnd: RS. Ch 3 (count as dc here and throughout) 2 dc in ring. [Ch 2. 3 dc in ring] 3 times. Join with hdc to the top of beg ch-3.
2nd rnd: Ch 3. 2 dc in same beg corner sp. Ch 1. [3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc in next corner sp, ch 1] 3 times. 3 dc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc to the top of beg ch-3.
3rd rnd: Ch 3. 2 dc in same beg corner 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] 3 times. 3 dc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc to the top of the beg ch-3.
4th rnd: Ch 3. 2 dc in same beg corner sp. Ch 1. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1.) Rep ( ) to the next corner. *[3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc in next corner sp, ch 1. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1.) Rep ( ) to the next corner. Rep from * around. 3 dc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc to the top of beg ch-3.
5th to 9th rnds: Rep 4th round. If doing another size, stop at any time.
Final corner when the size is good, instead of joining with an hdc to the top of beg ch-3. Ch 2 instead, then join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3.
Weave in your ends with a tapestry needle.
Watch Method 1 - Tutorial
Option 2 Method
This method goes back and forth instead of doing continuous rounds. As mentioned in the tutorial, for colour transitioning yarn, it can be a deal breaker, though this method solves the problem of granny squares twisting in the middle.
Instructions - Option 2 Back and Forth Method
Ch 4. Join with sl st to the first ch to form a ring.
1st rnd: RS. Ch 3 (count as dc here and throughout) 2 dc in ring. [Ch 2. 3 dc in ring] 3 times. Join with hdc to the top of beg ch-3. Turn.
NOTE: You will turn at the end of each round, so it doesn’t make the center spin.
2nd rnd: Ch 3. 2 dc in same beg corner sp. Ch 1. [3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc in next corner sp, ch 1] 3 times. 3 dc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc to the top of beg ch-3. Turn.
3rd rnd: Ch 3. 2 dc in same beg corner 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] 3 times. 3 dc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc to the top of the beg ch-3. Turn.
4th rnd: Ch 3. 2 dc in same beg corner sp. Ch 1. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1.) Rep ( ) to the next corner. *[3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc in next corner sp, ch 1. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1.) Rep ( ) to the next corner. Rep from * around. 3 dc in beg corner sp. Join with hdc to the top of beg ch-3. Turn.
5th to 9th rnds: Rep 4th round. If doing another size, stop at any time.
Final corner when the size is good, instead of joining with an hdc to the top of beg ch-3. Ch 2 instead, then join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3.
Weave in your ends with a tapestry needle.
Watch Option 2 - Tutorial
Printable Pattern
For my square, shown above, I chose Bernat Premium because I had it in my collection, and I used just a basic white in Red Heart Super Saver for the maple leaf. Notice below, you don't see the sewing strands I used to connect the leaf to the front of the square. I have tips on this below.
Why Do Half Double Crochet Joins
Watch A Different Granny Square Tutorial
The tutorials below are used for charity causes like this, as you can stop growing the square at any time.
Please note that the tutorial is done slightly differently from the written pattern. Follow one or the other.
Crochet A Maple Leaf
You can sew on any type of motif. I already chose something from our collection.
For the final stem instructions, I chained 10 only and slip-stitched back to the main leaf, without creating a loop at the end to hang it from a bunting.
Watch How to Sew On Motifs
If you are sewing motifs, below are tips on how to do it. You will notice the back of my crochet granny motif; there are no sewing strands, even though I used a long strand from the leaf to attach it. It makes the motif's back very clean-looking.
Have you completed this project. Show me!