Classic granny square pattern, round by round

The classic granny square is built from clusters of three double crochet with small gaps between them. Each round, you work a new cluster into every gap and an extra pair of clusters into every corner. Once you can see the gaps, you can stop counting and just follow them.

#Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in 1–4 colours (about 25 yd per 4-round square)
• 5 mm (H-8) hook
• Yarn needle

#Stitches and terms

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• dc: double crochet (see our basic stitches guide)
• sp: space, the gap between clusters
• cluster: 3 dc worked into the same space
• corner: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) worked into one ch-2 space

#The pattern

Start with a magic ring, or ch 4 and sl st into the first chain to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2. *3 dc in ring, ch 2. Repeat from * 2 more times. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. (4 clusters, 4 ch-2 corner spaces)

Rnd 2: Sl st in the next 2 dc and into the ch-2 corner space. Ch 3 (counts as dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same space. *Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner space. Repeat from * 2 more times. Ch 1, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. (8 clusters)

Rnd 3: Sl st in the next 2 dc and into the corner space. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same space. *Ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 space, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner space. Repeat from * 2 more times. Ch 1, 3 dc in the last ch-1 space, ch 1, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. (12 clusters)

Rnd 4: Work as Rnd 3, but with 2 side clusters between corners: corner, then (ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 space) to the next corner, ch 1. (16 clusters)

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

#Changing colours

To start a new colour on any round, fasten off the old colour. Then insert your hook into a corner space, pull up a loop of the new colour, and begin with ch 3 as usual. Starting in a different corner each round spreads the joins out so they don't stack up.

#Make it any size

Keep repeating Rnd 4, adding one more side cluster per side each round. Common sizes in worsted weight:

#Block before joining

Pin each square to the same measurement on a towel or blocking mat, spritz it with water and let it dry. Squares that are all the same size are much easier to join, which is the next step: how to join granny squares.