Vickie Howell knows how to make crochet accessible for everybody. She’s authored books for everyone from the first-timer to the more seasoned crocheter and her experience instructing on TV and online make her an ideal instructor to teach the classic crochet project: the granny square.
For those who feel intimidated by making an entire blanket from scratch, Vickie recommends starting with a granny square. By crocheting one square at a time, Vickie finds that there is a sense of accomplishment with each completed block. Recently, Vickie walked CreativeLive students through the process of crocheting a granny square.
What You’ll Need
Yarn
Crochet hook
With a granny square, the crocheter starts from a circle in the center and works outward. With other crochet squares, stitchers traditionally start at the bottom and work upward, but granny squares are built differently. Watch the video to see the process in action and follow the steps below:
Step one
Create a slip knot as you would any time you make a foundation chain.
Step two
Chain six stitches.
Step three
Insert your hook in the first chain you made, yarn over, and pull it through those two loops. Now you’ve created your first circle. You’ll be working in the round from this point forward.
Step four
Chain three stitches.
Step five
Create two double crochets in the center of the ring. The first chain three you made will count as the first double crochet, so you’ll have a three double crotchet cluster.
Step six
Create the corner by crocheting three chains.
Step seven
Make three double crochets. You will see that you have your first corner.
Step eight
Repeat steps four through seven.
Step nine
Round the circle off by creating the last corner with three more double crochets.
Step ten
Join the last corner with a slip stitch. When you flatten your design, you’ll see that you have the center of your square.
The remainder of your design will build on that original square. You’ll always have corners, but you’ll find that you’re creating more of those same clusters, building row upon row, until you have your granny square.
Vickie has knitting and crocheting classes for stitchers at all levels. To learn more about her classes, check out creativelive.com/vickiehowell and be sure to RSVP for the FREE live broadcast of Crochet Maker: Skills and Technique on April 21st at 9:00 am PST.
