Depending on the scale that you’re working with, they can be a simple decoration that you can hang on a small shelf or wall, a throw pillow that can be put on a bed, or, perhaps most impressively, can be used to make an excellent giant crochet blanket!
Three tries and a glance at the title of this piece to guess which one we’re most interested in here!
And that’s what we’re here to show you: An amazing crochet pattern and tutorial that you’ll be able to follow along with, as well as a few ideas and inspiration that you can draw on for your giant square project that you want to start!
What Makes Giant Granny Squares Great
We’ve already made it pretty clear that we’re kind of in love with the concept of a granny square crochet pattern.
Pretty much the only thing that separates the pillow granny square and the granny square (aside from the amount of yarn needed, of course) is the scale that you’ll be working at.
However, another reason that giant granny squares are such a great crochet project is their simplicity.
While the square themselves can get truly massive, the actual pattern need to start making one is incredibly simple, which also makes it a phenomenal learning tool when it comes to learning how to crochet.
Plus, in that simplicity, comes a lot of options for customization.
Once you have understood the basic pattern, you’ll be able to make a whole range of adjustments to make your giant granny square feel like your own, from using different colored yarns, to strands of different thicknesses for a different texture and look, to even switching up the patterning.
Basic Tutorial
Okay, we’ve ranted and raved about this crochet pattern long enough. Now comes the part that you’re probably here for: How to make one of these great granny square blankets for yourself
Necessary Tools
If you want to make a granny square Afghan pattern for yourself, you’re going to need the following items to get started:
Any yarn of choice. It can be whatever thickness and color you want, although you may want to start with a heavier yarn for better weight distribution to it.
Scissors
Stitch Markers
A good crochet hook. There are quite a few thicknesses that you can find out there, but for this tutorial, you’re probably going to want to stick with a 1 to 5.0 mm hook.
Stitches Needed For This Tutorial
Of course, you’re going to need a decent foundation for crocheting if you want to understand how to read not just these instructions, but other crochet patterns as well.
Every crochet pattern (see also: How To Read Crocheting Patterns)will use certain kinds of stitches to get the desired effect. These are the types that this granny square will use:
Making a giant granny square pattern will be impossible to do without understanding these core principles. Fortunately, we have linked tutorials for these types of stitches for you and will be very helpful for the task ahead.
Step 1: Starting Off
Firstly, you’re going to want to decide on what shape you want to use to start your granny square.
You can pick between either a circle or a square, using the Magic Circle/Ring/Loop stitch, a chain 4 method, or a slip stitch technique.
Step 2: Row 1
Once you have the center of the section figured out, make a circle, then do 2 double crochet stitches into the center of the circle, then 2 chain 3 double crochet stitches into the circle (see also: The Ultimate Guide To Crocheting A Flat Circle)again.
After this, you’re going to want to repeat the double crochet into the center of the section that you’re working on until you get back to the first double crochet stitch that you made.
Slip stitch into it, and you should have the first row completed
Step 3: Row 2
Chain 3, then do 2 double crochets in the same space on the section as the chain 3 that you just did.
After this, chain 1, then double crochet stitch into the corner space that you are working on, chain 2, then double crochet 3 more times in the same space.
After this, you can continue the chain around the section that you are building up, until your reach the first chain that you started at the beginning of this row.
All you need to do from here is slip stitch into the first chain and this row will be complete.
Step 4: Row 3
This row will start very similarly to the previous, starting with a 3 chain in the top right corner of the pattern, chain 1, then 3 double crochet stitches into the next open space.
From there, you’ll want to chain 1, double crochet 3, chain 2, and double crochet 3 again as you go into the next open corner.
From this point, repeat around the section again until you reach the first chain of the row, and slip stitch into it.
Step 5: Finishing Sections
This is a pattern that can be repeated for each section of the project, always starting with 3 double crochet stitches, with a single chain between any 3 double crochets, just as you will repeat 3 double crochets, 2 chains, and 3 double crochets in each corner.
And that’s the basics covered. From here, you simply repeat the previous steps until you get to the size that you’re looking for. It’s that simple!
Extra Notes
If you want to try and keep the granny square straight, make sure to flip over the work with every other row.
Also, try to keep in mind that 3 chains will often count as 1 double crochet(see also: How To Count Crochet Rows).
Other Amazing Giant Granny Square Designs
So, as we covered earlier in this guide, the actual basic concept for a granny square blanket is pretty simple and easy to add variations and spin on, as these examples show us!
Every season is berry season with this vibrant purple design, with plenty of extra colors for variety!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, we’ve given you all the tools you need to make your own incredible granny square crochet patterns (see also: 7 Cozy Crochet Hoodie Patterns to Make for Fall)to the biggest and best versions!
Crochet is one of the most calming and therapeutic crafts out there. It’s a simple dance of stitches, working in rounds, and forgetting the outside world as you create something beautiful.
Hi, my name is Nancy Adriane and I have been crocheting in my free time for almost 10 years.
I first picked up a hook when I was studying in college, stressed and frustrated with the pressures put on me by people around me. The workload got too much, and I desperately needed an outlet.
I tried everything – socializing, cooking, watching TV… nothing helped with the stress. I was too anxious to read a good book and quickly lost hope of keeping on track for the school year.
Enter, crochet. I fell in love as soon as I saw my holey, bobbly hat that I made on a whim. It was too loose to be warm, but I wore that hat every day the entire winter until I learned to make something of higher quality.
