Solid Granny Square: A Beginner Crochet Tutorial

Do you love the idea of a granny square, but want a more modern look? The solid granny square is just what you need my friend. The solid granny square is just as easy to crochet as a traditional granny square, and all it takes is a magic ring, chains, double crochets, and a few slip stitches as well. This is a beginner friendly pattern that shows and explains how to create the solid granny square. What will you use it for?

Traditional granny squares are a classic crochet design, but they are not for everyone and don’t work for every pattern idea. That’s where granny square variations come into play. Variations on the classic granny square allow you as a crocheter to infuse your own style into the original granny square design and then put it to use in whatever way you desire!

Now, while there are many possible variations, the solid granny square is a simple way to start out. The solid granny square is a more modern version of this classic design, and it uses the same stitches for the base: chains and double crochets. You will also need to know how to join with a slip stitch and how to create a magic ring, but if you know how to crochet a classic granny square, you will have no problem crocheting the solid granny square.

Personally, I love using solid granny squares for creating home decor, like my Cute as a Button Hanger pattern, or tote bags, like my Beach Vibes Tote. Also, you could mix and match solid and classic granny squares together to create a granny square blanket. There are so many options, but you have to learn how to create your first solid granny square. So let’s get started!

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What do you need:

All you need to crochet a solid granny square is:

-Yarn &

-A Crochet Hook

I recommend that you use the hook designated by the yarn label, but you are welcome to experiment and try out whatever combination works best for you!

What you need to know:

To crochet a solid granny square, you will need to know how to complete the following:

–Magic Ring

–Chain

–Double Crochet

–Slip Stitch

Before beginning, make sure you have a solid understanding of how to complete these well. If you need help or a refresher, click on the link to find the tutorial from my blog.

Tips and Notes:

Why is my solid granny square wavy?

There are a few reasons why your solid granny square is wavy. One reason your granny square becomes wavy is because there are not the same number of stitches on each side of your granny square, which makes the sides no longer square. Also, you may be trying to increase too much in the corners, so the square starts to get a wavy shape to it. Finally, it could be your tension. If you are holding onto the yarn too tightly, it can make the stitches tighter than they should be, which can make the square curl in. You can always try out a larger hook if this is what happens to you.

How long does it take to make a granny square?

In my experience, the time it takes to crochet a solid granny square depends on the size hook and yarn weight you are using and what size of granny square you hope to create. However, if you are using a H/8 5mm hook and worsted weight yarn to make a 4 inch by 4 inch granny square, you could probably crochet the square in anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. Just keep in mind, the larger the square, the longer it will take to crochet.

How many solid granny squares does it take to make a blanket?

The number of squares needed to make a blanket of solid granny squares depends on the size of the granny squares you are making and the size of the blanket you are hoping to create. Assuming you have granny squares that are 4 inches on all sides, you could make a baby blanket with 56 to 63 squares, a lapghan with 108 squares, and a throw with 180 to 195 squares. The biggest thing to remember is that the larger the granny square, the fewer you will need to create your blanket.

Written Instructions for Solid Granny Square:

The solid granny square is a simple pattern to learn as long as you can complete the basics well. The first two rows are as follows:

1. Start with a magic ring, and chain 4. Double crochet 3 times into the ring. *Chain 2, and double crochet 3 more times into the ring*; repeat from * to * again. Chain 2 more, double crochet 2 more times into the ring, and slip stitch to the second chain in the chain 4 from the beginning of the row. Slip stitch into the chain space.
2. Chain 2 (counts as a double crochet stitch), and double crochet into the chain space. *Chain 2 for the corner, and double crochet 2 more stitches into the same corner chain space. Double crochet once into the top of each stitch on that side of the granny square, and then double crochet 2 more times into the corner chain space.* Repeat from * to * on the next two sides. For the final side, chain 2, double crochet 2 stitches into the corner space, double crochet into each stitch on that side of the square, and slip stitch into the top of the chain 2 from the beginning of the round. Slip stitch into the chain space to end the row.

Repeat Row 2 as many times as you desire to create the size of granny square you desire. Remember that each of your sides should be increasing in stitch count by 4 stitches per row (e.g. Row 1 has 3 stitches per side, Row 2 has 7 stitches per side, etc.)

Remember:

-The chain 2 at the beginning of Row 2 and every row afterwards counts as a double crochet stitch. The other chain 2’s are for the corners.

-As you are crocheting your solid granny square, try to keep an even tension throughout the process to avoid curling!

-If you are wanting to create a blanket with your solid granny squares, think ahead of time about how many you want to crochet. The larger each individual granny square, the fewer granny squares you need to make to complete the blanket.

Solid Granny Square Video Tutorial: