Granny Square Crochet Patterns, Free PDFs

The granny square: one motif, endless projects

At its simplest, a granny square is three trebles, chain one, worked repeatedly around a growing motif so it expands by one round at a time. That single idea has produced more finished crochet than any other in the craft's history. This collection gathers free granny square patterns to download as PDFs alongside paid designs — classic four-round motifs, solid squares with no gaps, flower-centred and sunburst variations, unusual textured and overlay squares, and modern minimal versions built for garments rather than blankets.

Learning the basic square

Start with a magic ring or a chain-four ring. Round one is four clusters of three trebles separated by chain-one spaces, forming the corners. Every round after that repeats the same logic: two clusters into each corner space with a chain between them, one cluster into each side space. That's the whole thing. Once it's in your hands, you never lose it, and you can work one in the dark, on a train, or during a film without looking down. If you want it broken down stitch by stitch, follow our guide to how to crochet a granny square.

Variations worth trying

• Solid granny square: no chain spaces between clusters, giving a dense fabric that's better for garments and bags.
• Sunburst and flower centre: a puff-stitch or petal first round for a vintage look.
• Continuous granny: worked in a spiral with no joining slip stitch, so there's only one end to weave in.
• Overlay and textured squares: raised front-post stitches and surface work for depth.
• Modern colour-block squares: two or three shades only, generous plain rounds, no fussy edging.

Yarn, hook and how many you need

DK on a 4mm hook is the standard, and gives a square of roughly 10cm after four rounds. Aran on 5mm gets you to the same size in three rounds and makes a heavier, warmer blanket. Cotton gives crisp corners and suits bags and cushions; wool blooms after blocking and closes up the gaps. To work out quantities, make one square in your chosen yarn and hook, block it, and measure. Divide your target width and length by that measurement: a 120 x 150cm throw from 10cm squares is 12 across by 15 down, so 180 squares — plus a border. Weigh a single square too, and multiply, to estimate how much yarn to buy.

Joining methods

Join-as-you-go connects each new square to its neighbours on the final round, so the blanket grows as you work and there's no mountain of sewing at the end. Slip-stitch joining creates a visible ridge on one side, which can look deliberate and attractive. Double-crochet joining produces a flatter, sturdier seam. Whip stitch with a yarn needle is the most invisible. Whichever you choose, block every square to the same size first — a blanket made from squares between 9.5 and 11cm will never lie flat, however carefully you sew it.

Beyond blankets

Squares join into cardigans, waistcoats, summer tops, tote bags, cushion covers, bunting, patchwork skirts, market bags, pot holders, and Christmas garlands. For a garment, use fewer, larger squares and a firmer tension so the fabric doesn't sag. For a bag, use cotton and line it. Rectangles and triangles made using the same rhythm let you fill awkward shapes without breaking the look.

Managing ends and finishing

Colour changes are the price of a good granny square, and each one leaves two ends. Weave them in as you go rather than saving them all for a grim final afternoon, and split the yarn to weave in opposite directions along the stitch so nothing comes loose. Finish a blanket with two or three rounds of double crochet or a shell edging, and block the whole piece once assembled.

Granny square questions

Are these granny square patterns free to download? Yes, free PDFs sit alongside paid designs and can be printed at home.

How many squares make a blanket? Measure one blocked square and divide your target dimensions by it — that's the only reliable method.

Why is my square not square? Usually, uneven corner clusters or a tension shift between rounds. Count the clusters on each side as you finish every round.

What can I make next? Try granny square blankets or crochet cushions.