Summer Garden Granny Square

  

  I love making Granny Squares. There's just something about creating little stacks of them that is hugely satisfying. They are versatile, and easy for beginners to learn because the basic stitches and method of working "in the round" are simple to get to grips with. It's how I first learnt to crochet 18 months ago, and I still get a huge amount of pleasure from making granny squares.

This particular square, which I am calling my Summer Garden Granny Square, is my own pattern. It came about after I had an idea of making squares for a blanket, which when all assembled together would resemble a garden blooming with summer flowers. I couldn't find a pattern which was simple enough to make, or produced the effect I was after, so I experimented and created my own. And to be perfectly honest with you all, I am thrilled with how it turned out.

So :: For my blanket squares (pictured above) I'm using a DK weight pure wool, with a 4mm hook. I've also made them with Rowan DK cotton and they are equally lovely, they come out slightly larger when made with the cotton yarn.

I'm going to write the pattern in UK crochet terms where the main stitch is a UK Treble. For those in the US, this is the same as a dc stitch.

Stitches used are as follows:

 

 

sl st (slip stitch) :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

Bobble :: yarn over, insert hook through next stitch, yarn over, hook back through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops left on hook). Then yarn over and insert hook through SAME STITCH, yarn over, hook back through stitch (4 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Bobble Stitch  is not a difficult stitch even though it may sound complicated. Try watching the little Bobble Stitch video I've linked to above, it might help if you see the stitch being made.

Tr :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops. (NB this is equivalent to US dc stitch)

To Start ::

chain 4 and join to form a ring. The ring will be small, so wiggle it with your fingers to make sure you know where the centre of the ring is, because for the first round you will be working out of this hole.

ROUND 1 ::

chain 3 , then work 1 tr into the ring (this effectively counts as your first "bobble"), chain 1.

*Work 1 bobble stitch (as described above) into the ring, chain 1*

Repeat between ** 6 more times, until you have 8 "bobble spokes" in total.

It may feel as if you can't quite fit them all in towards the end because the hole in the central ring is small, but you want it to be tight so the hole almost disappears.

Make a sl st into the 3rd chain of your initial chain-3 to join, finish off (picture below)

ROUND 2 ::

You will be working out of the chain-1 spaces between the bobbles for this round.

Join in your new colour by making a secure knot close to the stitches. Insert hook through nearest chain-1 space of the previous round and draw the new colour yarn through to the front (picture below).

Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2tr into the same space, chain 1. This forms a "tr cluster" (picture below).

 

Into the next space between bobbles, *work 3tr, chain 1*.

Repeat between ** 6 more times, working your way round the circle, making a total of 8 "tr clusters".

Make a sl st into the 3rd chain of your initial chain-3 to join, finish off (picture below)
 

And thats your flowery circle made! Was that fun and easy?

You can stitch a pretty button in the centre, attach them to whatever tickles your fancy.

Or you can carry on and turn the circles into squares....

ROUND 3 ::

You will be working out of the chain-1 spaces between the tr clusters of the previous round.

Join in new colour by knotting close to the work. Insert hook into the nearest space between clusters and pull the new colour yarn through to the front.

chain 4 (counts as 1 tr + chain-1 space)

Into the same space, work 3tr, chain-1 (picture below). This forms part of a corner cluster :: you will come back round to complete this corner at the end of the round.

Into the next space, work 3 tr, chain-1. This forms a side cluster.

Into the next space work 3 tr, chain-2, 3 tr, chain-1. This forms your second corner cluster.

Into the next space work 3 tr, chain-1. this forms your second side cluster.

Continue working your way round as follows ::

Into the next space work 3 tr, chain-2, 3 tr, chain-1. This forms your third corner cluster.

Into the next space work 3 tr, chain-1. this forms your third side cluster.

Into the next space work 3 tr, chain-2, 3 tr, chain-.1 This forms your fourth corner cluster.

Into the next space work 3 tr, chain-1. this forms your fourth side cluster.

Lastly, work 2 tr into the very first space you started out in.This effectively joins with your initial chain-3 to complete that part of the first corner cluster (picture below)

Make a sl st into the 3rd chain of your initial chain-3, finish off (picture below)

ROUND 4 ::

You will be working out of the chain-1 spaces between the tr clusters of the previous round.

Join in new colour by knotting close to the work. Insert hook into the  space between the corner clusters of the previous round  and pull the new colour yarn through to the front (picture below)

chain 4 (counts as 1 tr + chain-1 space)

Into the same space, work 3 tr, chain-1. This forms part of a corner cluster :: you will come back round to complete this corner at the end of the round.

*Into the next space, work 3 tr, chain-1. This forms a side cluster.

Into the next space, work 3 tr, chain-1. This forms an additional side cluster.

Into the next space work 3 tr, chain-2, 3 tr, chain-1. This forms your second corner cluster.*

Repeat between ** twice more.

Into the next space, work 3 tr, chain-1. This forms a side cluster.

Into the next space, work 3 tr, chain-1. This forms an additional side cluster.

Lastly, work 2t r into the very first space you started out in.This effectively joins with your initial chain-3 to complete that part of the first corner cluster.

Make a sl st into the 3rd chain of your initial chain-3, finish off (picture below)

 

And there you have it :: one Summer Garden Granny Square.

I always think that crochet patterns can sometimes come across as quite daunting and slightly off putting. My hope is that by using plenty of photos and by being more wordy than usual patterns, that you will be able to follow it successfully, even if you are relatively new to crochet.

Incidentally, you don't have to make 4 rounds if you don't want to (you can stick with 3 as in the top photo), or you can carry on making more rounds to produce bigger squares, it is up to you.

If you carry on adding more rounds, just keep an eye on the pattern and on where you're at as you work round. Remember that with each extra round you do, you will be increasing the number of tr clusters round each side. Each side cluster of 3tr's should be separated by a chain-1 space. And make sure that when you get to the corner space you make two lots of tr-clusters in the same hole, separated by a chain-2 space. Once you get going it'll be easy to get this and you'll find that very quickly you won't be needing to read the pattern at all, you'll just get what to do. Yes, honestly, it'll happen!

I tell you, these little squares are super-addictive. You will be treble-clustering in every spare moment of your day, sneaking them in, building little piles of them.

I know. Because I do it. And I love it.

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All my tutorials are created for you to use and enjoy for free. However, if you would like to make a donation you can do so using the button below (all donations are gratefully received and will be used to fund future projects).

 

xx Thank you xx

Comments

[Online Nursery]

A big thank you for motivating me to begin to crochet. l have just finished my first gran rectangle. l really like your website as it is complete of motivation and the colors you use are truly amazing.
Thank you.

[Beccie Bradshaw]

This is my favourite granny square pattern. I taught myself to crochet a fortnight ago and I'm totally addicted.
This square takes five minutes, so I've built a nice little pile. Just waiting for my colourful new DK yarn to arrive so I can start my first project.
Thank you so much for sharing!!

[Kandis]

This is a great tutorial! Thank you! How do you join these little pieces together?

[Moon]

Thaank u soo much :D I found dis pattern and tried my first Granny Square and it turned out great :D My mom was really happy !! Thaanks again :D Keep posting more :)

[misty]

http://hachiyarns.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/granny-squares-step-by-step-tutorial.-with-pictures/ maybe you're affiliated with them but the picture tutorial is yours

[Mike]

I didn't know Granny Squares were easy to knit. I will try to make some as I'm still a newbie to knitting.

[Els WC]

hi
im a complete newbie at crochet and really enjoying it. a friend recommended your blog and i particulary love these granny squares. ive been trying them this afternoon and they look fab with bright colours but i did wonder. when you join the new colour you say to chain 4 to make the 1tr and chain space than do 3 tr but then the 3 other corners have 2 ch to make space between the 3 tr clusters. shouldnt therefore the first colour join be ch 5, 3 for the first 1tr and 2 for the corner space? or am i getting confused somewhere? which really is quite possible and i think i have confused myself just typing this! lol! thanks for a reply if possible,
KRgds Els

[Emma]

Thank so much fr this! I was wondering why on the 3rd and 4th rounds you dont start with chain 5 since in all of th other corners there are 2 chains between each set of tr.

[beth]

aw, man...i'm crying and crying; every stitch i try to learn i have to discard YET another project. i've already encountered really rude people who don't like that i just can't understand their tutorials because i'm deaf and can't follow written instructions, PERIOD, i don't understand the terminology yet, and their videos are clear except when they don't show how many chains they're making in a certain step.

i did everything for the first round and the slip stitch, and joined my yarns...but that doesn't work! the slip stitch just slips right out! you say "join three, finish off," and that it shows how to in the photo below your instructions, but all the photo shows is that you're about to join the circle with the slip stitch. i can't find anything online that explains how to "join three" and "finish off," and your photo with the blue yarn doesn't show any extra stitches or bulk within the chain.

i hate that i just spent an hour and a half doing this and can't move any further with YET another project. the complex stitches are much easier to learn but not starting new rows...help! i'm just so mad...i can't get anything done and i've spent about $350.00 on yarn.

[Emily]

Thank you so much for posting this. It was a great tutorial and I finally go a granny square for the first time.

Emily H.
Mary Jane Farm Farmgirl of the Year 2012
simpileeliving.blogspot.com

[Eva]

After less than 3 months crocheting, today I made my very first granny square and you're right! It's fast, easy, just perfect for beginners and it turns out so lovely that I think I'll make one every day!! You are such an inspiration, thanks again, and keep up creating these beautiful wonders :-)
Eva from Athens, Greece

[Manisha Paul Arora]

I started crocheting a fortnight ago. I just tried your square and did it! Yeah! I had only one colour of yarn so it was monochromatic, I can't wait to get more colours and try out your vibrant combinations. Thank you so much.

[Patricia]

I found a picture of your granny squares on a search engine and think they're so pretty! I recently discovered crocheting for me and was looking for something to practice. This was a few weeks ago and the squares are piling up already! It's so much fun! Thank you very much for the pictured tutorial.

[SINRY CACERES]

Hi Lucy thank for the pattern I just want to know how many yars I need ufor a queen size bed thank you

[Mary Kearns]

Hi Lucy, Thank you for such an inspiring website. I love your Garden Squares such cheerful colours like Summer Days.
My daughter Katharine ,who is now 41, has just made her first square using your design.She is very excited and is taking her crochet on holiday as relaxsation. She never learnt to crochet or knit for her own children, as I did and hopes ( when learnt) to pass these wonderful skills onto her own three children.
You sound very much like my daughter.Great website.
Keeping creativity alive!!!!!! Mary

[Nel]

HOOKED literally! Thank you so much for sharing. Your colours are inspiring. x

[Vicki Gray]

Thank you so much for the beautiful pics and patterns. I just finished the Summer Garden Granny afghan for my daughter...I am so inspired by your designs!!

[Ingrid]

I just started a blanket and was going to ask the same question as Joanne re:round 3. Shouldn't it be chain 5 to equal 2 chain spaces? I'd love to know before I get too far along in my project :)

[Joanne Pavone]

Pretty granny square pattern. I may be wrong but in row 3 shouldn't it be chain 5 to equal one tr and chain 2 space as the other 3 corners? I actually joined the yarn, ch 3, 3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr, all in same space as joined ch 1, 3 tr in next space, ch 1.

[Sue]

Thank you for this idiot-proof tutorial. I see it is 3 years old now and still going strong. It rocks!

Sue-a perpetual beginner

[Kim Kaos]

Thanks so much for this tutorial.
I have known a few basic crochet stitches but have found patterns incomprehensible in the past.
Attracted by your use of colour, my daughter and I attempted these while I was recovering from surgery.
Success! Your instructions are so clear.
I then hunted for other granny square patterns but have yet to find one that I understand. So, for now I will keep making these lovely squares in new colour combos.
Thanks so much. Kim & Lilikoi

[Amy]

Tr :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops. (NB this is equivalent to US dc stitch)

I'm new to this crocheting world. I still am trying to understand how to read crochet's language. What is Tr? I don't understand how to do tr? Please help me understand. Thanks! Amy

[Ankita]

Hi Lucy....Ur work is awsome...the color combinations, designs settings everything...u have inspired me so much...Thanks...And now me too working on a blanket with hexagons...hope it turns out half as good as yours :)...once again thanks...

[sumaia kassab]

dear lucy , thank you so much for sharing your idea about granny squares , actually i breathe crochet all my day .

[patricia stephenson]

hi lucy thankyou for your lovely photo,s lm so delighted xxx