There’s something special about a traditional granny square blanket. It’s one of those crochet projects that never goes out of style, and it’s a lovely way to turn leftover yarn or a collection of favorite colors into something beautiful and useful.
The Traditional Granny Throw brings together the familiar granny square stitch and a colorful combination of yarn shades. Each square is worked in rounds, making it easy to see your progress as the blanket grows. You can choose colors that complement your home decor, create a cheerful mix of shades, or use your favorite yarn colors to make the design your own.
In this tutorial, you’ll find the materials, gauge, color combinations, step-by-step granny square instructions, joining method, and border details needed to make this classic crochet throw.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following supplies:
- Crochet hooks: 6.0 mm (US J-10) and 5.5 mm (US I-9). The smaller hook is used for the second round of the border.
- Yarn: Red Heart® With Love™ or a similar yarn in a selection of solid and multicolored shades.
- Scissors: For cutting the yarn after each color change.
- Yarn needle: For weaving in the loose ends and sewing the squares together if you choose that method.
Choose colors that work well together, or experiment with contrasting shades for a more playful look.
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Gauge and Finished Square Size
Getting the gauge close to the measurements below will help keep your granny squares consistent in size.
- Rounds 1–2: Approximately 3¼ inches in diameter.
- Finished square: Approximately 8 × 8 inches.
Everyone crochets a little differently, so it’s worth checking your first square before making the rest. If your square turns out noticeably larger or smaller, adjust your hook size as needed.
Understanding the Crochet Instructions
A few abbreviations and techniques will make the pattern easier to follow.
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Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp(s) = space(s)
- yo = yarn over
- RS = right side
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Unless otherwise indicated, begin Rounds 2–6 with a chain 3, which counts as the first double crochet.
If you prefer a neater beginning, you can use a beginning double crochet instead. To do this, wrap the yarn around your hook, insert the hook into the specified space, yarn over and draw up a loop, then complete the stitch as you would a regular double crochet.
Fasten off after each round where instructed, and weave in the ends when your work is complete.
Color Combinations for the Granny Squares
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This throw uses six different color arrangements to create a varied, coordinated look. Make 7 squares in each color combination, for a total of 42 squares.
The colors are identified by letters in the original pattern. Match each letter to its corresponding yarn shade before starting.
- Square 1: E, C, D, G, B
- Square 2: D, B, F, C, E
- Square 3: F, E, D, B, C
- Square 4: B, G, C, E, F
- Square 5: C, D, E, B, G
- Square 6: G, F, B, C, D
Arrange the completed squares before joining them so you can spread the different color combinations evenly throughout the throw.
How to Crochet the First Granny Square
Each square begins with a small ring and grows through six rounds. The first five rounds establish the traditional granny square pattern, while the sixth round prepares the square for joining.
Round 1: Create the Center
Using the first color and the 6.0 mm hook, chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Chain 3 (counts as the first double crochet), then work 2 dc into the ring. Chain 2.
Repeat the following sequence three times: 3 dc into the ring, ch 2.
Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3.
You should have 12 double crochet stitches and 4 chain-2 spaces. Fasten off.
Round 2: Form the First Four Corners
With the right side facing you, join the second color in any chain-2 space using the larger hook.
Chain 3, then work 2 dc, ch 2, and 3 dc in the same corner space.
Chain 1. In the next chain-2 space, work 3 dc, ch 2, and 3 dc.
Repeat the corner sequence around the square, placing ch 1 between the corner groups. After the final corner, chain 1 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3.
You should now have 24 double crochet stitches, 4 chain-2 corner spaces, and 4 chain-1 spaces. Fasten off.
Round 3: Add the Third Color
With the right side facing, join the third color in any chain-1 space using the larger hook.
Chain 3 and work 2 dc in the same space. Chain 1.
In the next chain-2 corner space, work 3 dc, ch 2, and 3 dc. Chain 1.
Work 3 dc in the next chain-1 space, then chain 1.
Continue around the square, working a 3-dc group in each side space and a corner group of 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in each corner space. Keep a chain 1 between the groups.
Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3.
You should have 36 double crochet stitches, 4 chain-2 spaces, and 8 chain-1 spaces. Fasten off.
Round 4: Continue Building the Square
With the right side facing, join the fourth color in the first chain-1 space to the left of any corner chain-2 space.
Chain 3 and work 2 dc in the same space. Chain 1.
Work 3 dc in the next chain-1 space, then chain 1.
In the corner space, work 3 dc, ch 2, and 3 dc. Chain 1.
Work 3 dc in the next chain-1 space and chain 1. Continue around, adding a 3-dc group in each side space and the usual corner group at each corner.
Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3.
At the end of this round, you should have 48 double crochet stitches, 4 chain-2 spaces, and 12 chain-1 spaces. Fasten off.
Round 5: Work the Fifth Color
With the right side facing, join the fifth color in the first chain-1 space to the left of any corner chain-2 space.
