Crafting Custom Crochet: Exploring The Art Of Solid Granny Squares

Granny squares are a popular motif in the world of crochet, used for all sorts of projects, from blankets and scarves to clothing and decor. A solid granny square is a great filler design to have in your library, which can be used alongside more complex granny squares to make them stand out. The classic granny square is made with more gaps, but a solid granny square has minimal gaps, making it perfect for all types of crochet projects.

Solid granny squares are usually crocheted in the round, which means joining yarn to form a continuous round instead of working in rows. The stitches used to crochet a solid granny square include double crochet stitches, chain stitches, and slip stitches. The squares are worked in groups of double crochets to create the edges and chains which establish the corners.

There are many different types of granny square patterns, including classic granny squares, hexagon granny squares, puff stitch circle granny squares, and sunburst granny squares. The traditional granny square pattern is a great crochet project for beginners, as it is extremely easy to memorise.

Basic Solid Granny Square

A basic solid granny square is a popular crochet pattern. It is one of the easiest crochet patterns for beginners to follow.

To make a basic solid granny square, you will need yarn, a crochet hook, stitch markers (optional), and a ruler or tape measure (optional). You can use any yarn weight you like, with a corresponding crochet hook size.

Foundation Ring: Chain 5 and join with a slip stitch to make a ring. Alternatively, you can use the magic ring technique.

Round 1: Chain 3. Into the ring, work 1 double crochet, chain 2. Into the ring, work 3 double crochet, chain 2. Repeat two more times for a total of three times. 1 double crochet, and join with a slip stitch into the top of the starting chain. You should have 12 stitches and 4 chain-2 spaces.

Round 2: Chain 3. Work 1 double crochet, 2 chain, 2 double crochet in the next chain-2 space. Make 1 double crochet in each double crochet along the side. In the chain-2 space, work 2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet. Repeat for the next two sides. Double crochet in the last double crochet on the final side. Make 1 double crochet into each of the slip stitches from the previous round. Join with a slip stitch into the chain-2 space. You should now have 28 stitches and 4 chain-2 spaces.

Round 3: Chain 3. Work (1 double crochet, 2 chain, 2 double crochet) in the next chain-2 space. Make 1 double crochet in each double crochet along the side. Repeat the pattern in the chain-2 space and along the sides. Double crochet in the last double crochet on the final side. Make 1 double crochet into the slip stitch from the previous round. Join with a slip stitch into the top of the starting chain. You should now have 44 stitches and 4 chain-2 spaces.

To finish: When the granny square is your desired size, cut the yarn, fasten off, and weave in the ends. You can use the starting tail to close up the centre hole, if one remains.

You can experiment with different yarn weights and colours to create unique solid granny squares.

Modified Solid Granny Square

The Modified Solid Granny Square is a variation of the basic Solid Granny Square crochet pattern. It has one stitch lesser on each side of the square (four stitches in a round) compared to the basic solid square, making it unique in that it has an even number of stitches on each side. This modified pattern is great to pair with other square designs with the same number of stitches.

Round 1: Loop yarn on your finger to make a magic ring, then crochet the following in the magic ring: chain 3 (count as 1 double crochet stitch), double crochet, [chain 2, 2 double crochet] repeat 3 times. Pull the yarn end to close the magic ring. Join with a half double crochet in the first stitch. {16}

Round 2: Chain 3 (count as 1 double crochet stitch), double crochet in the half double crochet space, double crochet in the next 2 stitches, [(2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) in chain 2 space, double crochet in the next 2 stitches] repeat 3 times, 2 double crochet in half double crochet space. Join with a half double crochet in the first stitch. {32}

Round 3: Chain 3 (count as 1 double crochet stitch), double crochet in the half double crochet space, double crochet in the next 6 stitches, [(2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) in chain 2 space, double crochet in the next 6 stitches] repeat 3 times, 2 double crochet in half double crochet space. Join with a half double crochet in the first stitch. {48}

Round 4: Chain 3 (count as 1 double crochet stitch), double crochet in the half double crochet space, double crochet in the next 10 stitches, [(2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) in chain 2 space, double crochet in the next 10 stitches] repeat 3 times, 2 double crochet in half double crochet space. Join with a half double crochet in the first stitch. {64}

Round 5: Chain 3 (count as 1 double crochet stitch), double crochet in the half double crochet space, double crochet in the next 14 stitches, [(2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) in chain 2 space, double crochet in the next 14 stitches] repeat 3 times, 2 double crochet in half double crochet space. Join with a half double crochet in the first stitch. {80}

To change the size of the granny square, add more rounds following the pattern.

Small Circle Solid Granny Square

The small circle solid granny square is a variation of the basic solid granny square crochet pattern. It begins with a circle at the centre and develops into a square.

To make this pattern, you will need:

• Yarn (4 ply/sport weight milk cotton yarn is recommended)
• Crochet hook (3.5mm crochet hook is recommended)

Abbreviations:

• Ch = chain
• Ch2sp = chain 2 space
• Dc = double crochet
• Hdc = half double crochet
• Hdcsp = half double crochet space
• Fo = fasten off
• Mr = magic ring
• St = stitch
• Sl st = slip stitch
• Tr = treble crochet

Round 1: Loop yarn on your finger to make a magic ring, then crochet ch3 (count as 1 dc st), 15dc in the magic ring. Pull the yarn end to close the magic ring. Join with sl st in the first st. {16}

Round 2: ch4 (count as 1 tr st), (tr, ch2, 2tr) in the same st, dc in next 3 sts, [(2tr, ch2, 2tr) in next st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat 3 times. Join with sl st in the first st. {36}

Round 3: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in next st, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 7 sts] repeat 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 5 sts. Join with sl st in the first st. {52}

Round 4: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in next 3 sts, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 11 sts] repeat 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 7 sts. Join with sl st in the first st. {68}

Round 5: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in next 5 sts, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 15 sts] repeat 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 9 sts. Join with sl st in the first st. {84}

Big Circle Solid Granny Square

The big circle solid granny square is a variation of the solid granny square crochet pattern. It starts with a big circle in the centre and develops into a square. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to crochet a big circle solid granny square:

Materials:

• Yarn (4 ply/spot weight milk cotton yarn)
• Crochet hook (3.5 mm crochet hook)

Abbreviations:

• Ch = chain
• Ch2sp = chain 2 space
• Dc = double crochet
• Hdc = half double crochet
• Hdcsp = half double crochet space
• Fo = fasten off
• Mr = magic ring
• St = stitch
• Sl st = slip stitch
• Tr = treble crochet

Instructions:

Round 1: Loop yarn on your finger to make a magic ring, then crochet ch3 (count as 1 dc st), 15dc in the magic ring. Pull the yarn end to close the magic ring. Join with sl st in the first st. {16}

Round 2: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in the same st, 2dc in next 15 sts. Join with sl st in the first st. {32}

Round 3: ch4 (count as 1 tr st), (tr, ch2, 2tr) in the same st, dc in next 7 sts, [(2tr, ch2, 2tr) in next st, dc in next 7 sts] repeat 3 times. Join with sl st in the first st. {52}

Round 4: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in next st, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 11 sts] repeat 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 9 sts. Join with sl st in the first st. {68}

Round 5: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in next 3 sts, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 15 sts] repeat 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 11 sts. Join with sl st in the first st. {84}

No-Gap Solid Granny Square

To make a no-gap solid granny square, you will need the following:

• Yarn (any type, brand, fibre, or weight will work)
• A crochet hook (make sure the size matches your yarn)
• A pair of good yarn scissors
• A tapestry needle
• Blocking mat and pins (optional)

The basic steps for crocheting a no-gap solid granny square are as follows:

Start with a magic ring (also known as a foundation ring). You can also chain 3 and slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1: Chain 4 (counts as a treble crochet stitch), then work 3 double crochet stitches, followed by 1 treble crochet stitch and 3 double crochet stitches, repeating this sequence three times. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain to close the round. You should have 16 stitches in total.

Round 2: Chain 4, then work 2 double crochet stitches in the same stitch (the top of the previous round's turning chain). Next, work 1 double crochet stitch in each double crochet stitch on the first side of the square. In the corner treble crochet stitch, work 2 double crochet stitches, 1 treble crochet stitch, and 2 double crochet stitches. Repeat this sequence for each side. In the last corner, work 2 double crochet stitches in the base of the chain 4 to finish the corner. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain to close the round. You should have 32 stitches in total.

Repeat Round 2 until your square is the desired size.

To finish: Cut the yarn, fasten off, and weave in the ends. You can use the starting tail to close up any remaining centre hole.

You can make multiple solid granny squares and sew them together to create larger projects such as blankets, pillows, or garments.

Frequently asked questions