According to Apparelsearch.com, crochet is the "process of creating fabric from a length of cord, yarn, or thread with a hooked tool".http://www.apparelsearch.com/Definitions/Fabric/crochet_definition.htm There are many crochet structures that have become popular over the years, and one of them is the granny square. Despite the name, they can be made in various shapes such as the triangle, pentagon and hexagon. You can connect many granny squares together to make afghans, tablecloths and purses.

This How to Crochet a Granny Square Web page is appropriate for all skill levels. However, it is helpful if you are already comfortable crocheting the basic crochet stitches. You need to have a size G crochet hook, at least 2 balls of worsted weight yarn and a yarn needle. This would be a good opportunity to use up batches of leftover yarn that are too small for large projects as well. It should take around 30 minutes to 1 hour to finish either of the projects below.

In this article, you learn how to make a granny square in the common square shape as well as the hexagon shape. Beyond this, you also see how to easily change the color in a row of stitches. Also, this tutorial gives refresher instructions on how to make the foundation stitches needed to construct a granny square. These are the single, half double and double crochet stitches as well as the slip stitch.

• Slip Knot:

1. Make a loop with the yarn then hold the tail behind the loop.
2. Insert the hook through the loop on the right then bring it up under the bar created by the tail. It exits the loop on the left.
3. Pull the tail to tighten the loop. The tail should be around 6 inches so that it is easier to weave in at the end.

• Circle Chain:

You begin a granny square by making a circle foundation chain since they are made in the round.

1. Make a slip knot to secure the yarn to your hook.
2. With the hook in your right hand, wrap the working end of the yarn over the hook.
3. Pull through to make your first chain loop.
4. Continue this process until you have made the number of loops in the instructions. Remember not to count the loop still on the hook.
5. Then, slip stitch into the initial loop.
6. Work the tail in by holding it over the chain while you make your first double crochets.

• Slip Stitch:

1. Insert the crochet hook in the stitch indicated in the instructions.
2. Yarn over then pull the loop through the stitch and the loop on the hook.

• Making a Chain in Pattern:

1. With the yarn in a loop in the fabric, yarn over and pull a loop through the old one on the hook.
2. Repeat for the number listed in the instructions.

• Single Crochet:

1. Once you reach the end of a row, chain 1. This represents the first single crochet in the row.
2. Place the hook into the stitch then wrap the working yarn over.
3. Pull up a loop and yarn over again.
4. Finally, pull the loop through both of the previous loops on the hook. You have made a single crochet stitch.

• Half Double Crochet:

1. Chain 2. This is the first half double crochet.
2. Yarn over then insert the hook into the stitch indicated.
3. Wrap the yarn over again then pull up a loop.
4. Bring it through all 3 loops on the hook. You have made a half double crochet stitch.

Note: In this article, you will only use a half double to make a unique color change over. So, do not make the initial chain 2.

• Double Crochet:

1. Chain 3. This stands for the first double crochet.
2. Yarn over then place the hook through a stitch.
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull up a loop.
4. Take that loop through the first 2 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over once again then pull it through the 2 loops on the hook. Now, you have finished a double crochet stitch.

Note: When you make a double crochet stitch for the color change over, do not make the initial chain 2.

To learn more about the basics of crochet, read the How to Do Basic Crochet Stitches page.

This pattern has no color changes so it is well suited for someone that has never made a granny square before. It goes over 5 rounds. However, you can make as many rounds as you like. Mainly, you just have to remember to place (2) 3-dc shells and chain 3 in each corner while inserting (1) 3-dc shell in the chain 1 spaces. They should be flanked by a chain 1 on each side. This may sound complex right now. However, you will quickly see this pattern for yourself once you crochet a few rounds of the instructions below.

• Terms
• 3-Dc Shell: In this tutorial, this consists of making 3 double crochets in the same space.
• Chain-1 Space: This is a space made from chaining 1 loop.
• Chain-3 Space: This is a space made from chaining 3 loops.

Make a foundation circle with 6 loops and close it with a slip stitch.

• Round 1: Chain 3. This represents the first double crochet stitch for the row. Make 2 double crochets into the ring. Chain 3 to create a corner space. Sequence: Create a 3-dc shell in the ring then chain 3. Repeat that sequence twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3).
• 4 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces

• Round 2: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, a chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Sequence: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1. Repeat that sequence twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3).
• 8 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 4 chain-1 spaces

• Round 3: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, a chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Make a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space. Chain 1. Sequence: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1. Repeat that sequence twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3).
• 12 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 8 chain-1 spaces

• Round 4: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, a chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Sequence 1: Create a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space then Chain 1. Repeat sequence 1 once more to complete. Sequence 2: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1.

Sequence 1 and 2 make sequence 3. Repeat sequence 3 twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3).

• 16 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 12 chain-1 spaces

• Round 5: Slip stitch in the next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets, a chain 3 and a 3-dc shell into the same chain-3 space. Chain 1. Sequence 1: Create a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space then Chain 1. Repeat sequence 1 twice more to complete. Sequence 2: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1, 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space, chain 1.

Sequence 1 and 2 make sequence 3. Repeat sequence 3 twice more. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3).

• 20 3-dc shells, 4 chain-3 spaces, 16 chain-1 spaces

• Finishing: Chain 1 to represent the first single crochet. Make 1 single crochet in each stitch and chain-1 space. Insert 2 single crochet stitches in each chain-3 space. This will make a neat single crochet edge around the granny square.

• Changing Colors:

Once you get to the last double crochet stitch in the row, work the stitch until you have the last 2 loops on the hook. At this point, you yarn over with the new color. Pull the loop through. Now make one double crochet in the stitch indicated in the pattern. This double crochet will represent a chain-3 space. When you need to make a chain-1 space, you follow the same process but use a half double crochet instead of the double. When changing colors, leave a 6 inch tail so that you can comfortably weave it in with a yarn needle later.

• Directions:

Make a foundation circle with 8 loops and close it with a slip stitch.

• Round 1: Chain 3. This represents the first double crochet stitch for the row. Make 2 double crochets into the ring. Sequence: Chain 3 then create a 3-dc shell in the ring. Repeat that sequence four more times. Switch to your next color using the double crochet method.
• 6 3-dc shells, 6 chain-3 spaces

• Round 2: In the chain-3 space just created, make the following: chain 3, work 2 double crochets, chain 3 , make a 3-dc shell. Sequence: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: chain 1, 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell. Repeat that sequence four more times. Switch to your next color using the half double crochet method.
• 12 3-dc shells, 6 chain-3 spaces, 6 chain-1 spaces

• Round 3: In the chain-1 space just created, make the following: chain 3, work 2 double crochets, chain 1. Then move to the next chain-3 space, make a 3-dc shell, chain 3 and follow with another 3-dc shell all in the same space. Sequence: Create the following in the next chain-1 space: chain 1, 3-dc shell space, chain 1, 3-dc shell in next chain-3 space, chain 3, 3-dc shell in same chain-3 space. Repeat that sequence four more times. Switch to your next color using the half double crochet method.
• 18 3-dc shells, 6 chain-3 spaces, 12 chain-1 spaces

• Round 4: Slip stitch in next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets into the same chain-1 space. Chain 1. In the next chain-3 space, crochet a 3-dc shell, chain 3 and make a 3-dc shell. Sequence 1: Chain 1 then create a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space. Repeat sequence 1 once more to complete. Sequence 2: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: chain 1, 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell.

Sequence 1 and 2 make sequence 3. Repeat sequence 3 four more times. Chain 1. Create a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space. Chain 1. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3). '

• 24 3-dc shells, 6 chain-3 spaces, 18 chain-1 spaces'

• Round 5: Slip stitch in next double crochet stitch. Then, slip stitch into next chain-3 space. Chain 3 then work 2 double crochets into the same chain-1 space. Chain 1. In the next chain-3 space, crochet a 3-dc shell, chain 3 and make a 3-dc shell. Sequence 1: Chain 1 then create a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space. Repeat sequence 1 twice more to complete. Sequence 2: Create the following in the next chain-3 space: chain 1, 3-dc shell, chain 3, 3-dc shell.

Sequence 1 and 2 make sequence 3. Repeat sequence 3 four more times. Chain 1. Create a 3-dc shell in the next chain-1 space. Chain 1. Make a 3-dc shell in next chain 1 space. Chain 1. Slip stitch into the first double crochet stitch (which was a chain 3).

• 30 3-dc shells, 6 chain-3 spaces, 24 chain-1 spaces

• Finishing: Finish similar to the other granny square with a single crochet edge.