The granny square is crochet's most versatile building block: make a pile of squares, join them, and you have a bag, a cardigan, a baby dress or a table runner. This collection gathers our free granny square patterns from across the site: totes and bags, a sweater and cardigans, baby rompers and dresses, a phone cover, a table runner, and individual squares such as a sunflower and a spiral heart.
Projects are grouped into bags, clothing, and squares and small projects. Each card lists the designer's skill level, hook and yarn, so you can choose a project that suits your experience.
Free granny square crochet patterns
Granny square bags
Perfect Granny Square Tote Bag: Easy Crochet Pattern
Beginner–Intermediate · 4 mm hook · DK / cotton yarn
Charming Berry Patch Granny Tote Bag Free Crochet Pattern
Intermediate · 4 mm hook · worsted / cotton yarn
Easy Spring Garden Granny Tote Bag Free Crochet Pattern
Intermediate · 6 mm hook · worsted / DK yarn
Charming Lavender Fields Granny Square Bag Crochet Pattern
Intermediate · 4.5 mm hook · worsted / DK yarn
Granny square clothing
Adorable Spring Garden Granny Square Baby Dress: 5 Easy Crochet Patterns
3.5 mm hook · worsted / DK yarn
Squares, decor and small projects
Easy Crochet Sunflower Granny Square – Perfect Beginner Pattern
Beginner–Intermediate · 4 mm hook · worsted / DK yarn · about 12.5 cm
Cozy Blue Daisy Granny Square Table Runner Pattern
Beginner–Intermediate · 2.25 mm hook · sport / cotton yarn · about 14 inches
Start with a single square
Before you start a whole bag or cardigan, practice one square. The sunflower granny square is about 12.5 cm on a 4 mm hook, and the spiral heart square in cotton is a fun variation. Once you can make the same square twice at the same size, you are ready for a project.
The quickest first project is the granny square phone cover rated beginner. It uses only a few squares, so you can practice joining without a big commitment.
From squares to finished projects
| Project type | Squares needed | Good first pick |
|---|---|---|
| Phone cover | A few | Granny square phone cover |
| Tote bag | 8–12 or more, plus base and handles | The granny square tote in DK cotton |
| Sweater or cardigan | Many, in two or more sizes | The beginner granny square sweater |
| Baby romper or dress | Several small squares | Sunset ombre romper |
| Table runner | As many as your table needs | Blue daisy runner |
The easy granny square sweater is rated beginner by its designer, which makes it one of the gentlest first garments on the site.
The secret to neat granny square projects
Consistent size. Squares that differ by even 1 cm make joins wavy. Check each square against the first one, and block them all before joining.
Weave in as you go. Granny squares create many yarn ends. Weave each square's ends in as soon as it is finished, or work over them as you crochet. It is much less daunting than facing a hundred ends at the end.
Plan the layout. Lay out all squares and take a photo before joining. It is easy to swap colors around at this stage.
Choose your join:
- Whipstitch through back loops: flat, simple, nearly invisible.
- Slip stitch join: quick and firm, with a small ridge.
- Join-as-you-go: connect squares on their final round, with no sewing at the end.
Yarn and color for granny squares
Cotton and cotton blends give crisp squares that hold their shape, which is ideal for bags and runners. Acrylic is softer and comes in every color, good for garments and baby projects. For a cohesive look, choose one background or border color for every square and vary only the centers.
Many projects here are perfect for scraps: each square can use small amounts of several colors. Keep a bag of leftover yarn just for squares.
Explore by project type
Granny squares appear in several of our collections. Find more totes in our crochet tote and shoulder bag patterns, more little outfits in the baby clothes collection, and more layers among the cardigans, shawls and capes. For a full view of each category, browse our bag and accessory patterns, clothing patterns and home decor patterns.
Frequently asked questions
Are granny squares good for beginners?
Yes. A granny square uses simple stitches worked in rounds, and each square is small and quick. The sweater and phone cover here are rated beginner.
How many granny squares do I need for a bag?
It depends on the design and the size of your squares. Each pattern lists the number of squares and their size, so check your square size against it first.
What is the best way to join granny squares?
A whipstitch through back loops gives a flat, almost invisible seam. Join-as-you-go is fastest if you do not want to sew at the end.
Why are my granny squares different sizes?
Small changes in tension make squares vary. Use the same hook for every square, check each one against the first, and block all squares before joining.
More collections to explore
- Crochet Bag Patterns (19 patterns)
- Crochet Baby Clothes Patterns (37 patterns)
- Crochet Cardigan, Shawl & Cape Patterns (11 patterns)