There is a particular kind of magic in the quiet hours of the evening when the house settles down and the only sound is the rhythmic click of the hook. You pull a small batch of yarn from your basket, count the stitches with practiced ease, and settle into the relaxing repeat of the round. It is in these moments that a simple motif transforms into something special. This Snowman Granny Square captures that cozy ritual perfectly, offering a charming holiday project that feels as good to make as it looks to display.
Small Details That Make It Better
What makes this snowman square truly delightful is how it balances structure with illustration. By utilizing the back loop only (BLO) technique, the pattern creates intentional “skipped” loops that serve a dual purpose: they build the dimensional shape of the snowman’s face and hat brim, and they provide the foundation for the embroidered details. This layered construction gives the square a finished look that feels more like a piece of art than a standard motif. It is the kind of project that rewards patience, resulting in a crisp, defined character that stands out beautifully in a holiday blanket or wall hanging.
Project Overview
This Snowman Granny Square Crochet Pattern is a compact, self-contained motif that works up quickly. It is designed to coordinate seamlessly with the Snowflake, Santa, and Tree squares in the collection, making it an ideal choice for creating a cohesive holiday set. The construction combines standard granny square techniques with surface embroidery details, resulting in a finished piece that feels illustrated and festive.
Project Info
- Project Type: Hat / Granny Square Motif
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Finished Size: Fits with Snowflake, Santa & Tree squares
- Yarn Weight: 3 Light / DK
- Terminology: US Terms
Materials
DK weight yarn is the perfect choice for this small square. It provides enough stitch definition to see the colorwork clearly without the fabric becoming stiff or bulky. This project is also an excellent way to use up leftover DK scraps.
- Yarn: DK Weight Yarn (Weight 3 Light), Five Colors.
- White: Main color. Plan on roughly 10 to 20 meters.
- Orange: For the nose. A few meters.
- Black: For the hat and face details. A few meters.
- Red or Blue: Optional accent colors for the border. A few meters each.
- Hook: 4.00 mm Crochet Hook. This size pairs well with DK weight yarn and keeps the fabric firm enough that the square holds its shape.
- Notions: Yarn needle, scissors.
Gauge and Finished Size
Gauge is not critical for this project. Use the stated hook size and yarn weight, and work consistent stitches so the square matches other themed squares in the set. The finished square is designed to fit alongside the Snowflake, Santa, and Tree squares.
Abbreviations
All standard stitches are used here, nothing unusual.
- beg = beginning
- ch = chain
- ch-sp = chain space
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- rep = repeat
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- tog = together
- TURN = turn work
- BLO = back loop only
- FLO = front loop only
- ea = each
Pattern Notes
This pattern uses US terminology throughout. The ch 1 at the start of a row or round does not count as a stitch here or anywhere else in the pattern, so do not work into it at the end of the row. The main square colors are white, orange, and black. Red and blue are listed as optional, so grab those if you want to add a scarf or buttons in color rather than black. The square is designed to sit alongside the Snowflake, Santa, and Tree squares, so keeping your tension consistent across the set matters more than hitting a specific gauge number.
Pattern Instructions
Granny Square Base
This is where the square starts. The first two rounds build the snowman’s face center in white, and the BLO work in Round 2 is intentional — those skipped front loops are what you’ll come back to for the nose.
Round 1: Using white, crochet 10 hdc into a ch-4 loop, sl st in 1st hdc to join. [10 hdc]
Round 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st here or throughout), 2 dc in 1st st, 2 dc in next 2 sts BLO, 2 dc in ea st to end, sl st in 1st dc to join. [20 dc]
Note: The stitches worked BLO here leave exposed front loops that you’ll pick up for the nose right after this round — don’t skip past them.
Nose (worked after Round 2)
Before moving on to Round 3, work the nose by picking up those front loops left behind in Round 2. It’s a small detail but it sits right in the center of the face, so do it now while those loops are easy to find.
Step 1: Join orange in 1st FLO skipped from Round 2, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next skipped FLO, fasten off and tie in tails on back.
Round 3
Round 3 begins shaping the square and introduces another BLO section — this time for the hat brim, which you’ll work next. The round has three distinct repeat zones, so read through it once before you start.
Round 3: Ch 1, starting in 1st st crochet *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st* rep from * to * 3 more times, 1 dc in next st, then in BLO 2 dc in next BLO, 1 dc in next BLO rep from to twice more, 2 dc in next BLO, now crochet normally with * 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st * rep from * to * until end, sl st in 1st dc to join. [30 dc]
Note: The BLO section in the middle of this round marks the hat placement — those front loops stay free for the hat step coming right up.
Hat (worked after Round 3)
Just like the nose, the hat is worked off the skipped front loops from Round 3 before continuing the main square. Join black into those FLOs and build the hat shape with a few short rows — there are turns involved, so keep your place carefully.
Step 1: Join black in 1st FLO skipped from Round 3, and starting in 1st st crochet *2 dc in next FLO, 1 dc in next FLO* rep from * to * twice more, 2 dc in next FLO, ch 1, TURN, sl st in 1st 3 sts, ch 1, 1 dc in same st as last sl st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, sk last 3 sts, ch 1, TURN, 1 dc in 1st 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in last st, fasten off and tie in all tails on back.
Note: The sl st at the start of the second row narrows the hat in at the sides — that’s what gives it the tapered look.
Rounds 4–6
These final rounds complete the granny square with the colorwork border — red, blue, and white work together across Rounds 4 through 6 to frame the snowman. Round 4 is worked entirely in BLO. Color changes happen mid-round, so have all three colors ready before you start.
Round 4: Join red in ch 1, and in BLO for this whole round, and starting in 1st st, crochet *1 dc in next 2 BLO, 2 dc in next BLO* rep from * to * once more, 1 dc in next BLO joining blue at end of st, 1 dc in next BLO, 2 dc in next BLO, rep from * to * until end, sl st in 1st dc to join.
Note: The color joins mid-round here, so carry or drop your yarns as you prefer — just make sure the join is clean on the right side.
Round 5: Join white in ch 1, and starting in 1st st, crochet *1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next 5 sts joining red at end of last st, 1 hdc in next 2 sts joining white at end of last st, 1 dc in next st joining blue at end of st, [1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc] in next ch-3 sp* rep from * to * until end, but don’t change colors—instead just work 1 hdc in next 7 sts, sl st in 1st dc to join.
Note: The ch-3 spaces here form the corner loops that define the square’s shape going into Round 6.
Round 6: Join white in ch 1, and starting in 1st st, crochet 1 dc in 1st 10 sts joining blue at end of last st, [1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc] in next ch-3 sp, *1 dc in next 11 sts, [1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc] in next ch-3 sp* rep from * to * until end, 1 dc in last st, sl st to join.
Fasten off and tie in all tails. Using black, sew on a face.
Assembly
Using black, sew on a face.
Tips
Granny squares really do benefit from a light blocking, and this one is no different. Since the fiber isn’t specified, check your yarn label before you do anything. If it’s acrylic, wet blocking won’t do much. What I’d do instead is pin the square to your blocking mat while it’s dry, give it a steam from a few inches above with your iron, and let it cool completely before unpinning. If you’re making a set with the Snowflake, Santa, and Tree squares, blocking them all at once to the same dimensions saves a lot of frustration when you go to join them.
Care Instructions
Since the fiber isn’t specified on this pattern, your yarn label is the first place to look for washing guidance. For a decorative square like this, I’d keep things simple: hand wash cold if needed, press out the water gently without wringing, and lay it flat to dry so the shape holds. If you’re joining multiple squares into a larger piece, that flat-dry step matters even more, since hanging it wet can stretch the joins out of shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the optional colors for and do I have to use them?
Red and blue are optional accent colors used in Rounds 4, 5, and 6 for color changes and joins. You can work the whole square in white if you want a simpler look, or swap in any colors you like. The core construction doesn’t change either way.
How is the snowman’s nose made?
The nose is worked after Round 2. You join orange yarn into the front loops (FLO) that were skipped during the back loop only (BLO) stitches of Round 2. You then chain 3, slip stitch into the second chain from the hook, single crochet into the next chain, and slip stitch into the next skipped FLO before fastening off.
How is the hat worked?
Similar to the nose, the hat is worked off the skipped front loops from Round 3. You join black yarn into these FLOs and work a series of double crochet stitches, including a turn and slip stitches to narrow the sides, creating a tapered hat shape.
How does the face get added?
The face details are added at the very end of the project. Using black yarn, you simply sew the facial features onto the square.
What does BLO mean and why does this pattern use it so much?
BLO stands for back loop only. Working into only the back loop leaves the front loop free. This pattern uses that technique deliberately so you can come back later and join into those skipped loops to build the nose and hat. It’s what gives the square its layered, dimensional look.
Does this square match the other squares in the series?
Yes, it’s designed to pair with the Snowflake, Santa, and Tree squares. If you’re planning to join them into a larger project, blocking all four squares to the same finished size before joining will make everything line up much more cleanly.
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