Granny Square for Absolute Beginners: Your First Square in One Weekend

What you’ll need (15 minutes)
5.0–5.5 mm hook; Worsted/Medium (4) light, smooth yarn; 8–10 stitch markers; scissors; yarn needle; good lighting + comfy chair.

Accessibility: high-contrast yarn; ergonomic hook. Left-handed? Mirror photos and read “left→right.”

Learn three stitches (20 minutes)
Slipknot & chain (ch): loop, yarn over (yo), pull through.
Slip stitch (sl st): insert, yo, pull through stitch and loop.
Double crochet (dc): yo, insert, yo, pull up loop (3 on hook), yo pull through 2, yo pull through 2.
Practice 10 chains and 4–6 dc.

Start the center ring (5 minutes)
Magic ring: wrap yarn, insert under front strand, yo, pull up a loop, ch 1 to secure.
or Chain-4 ring: ch 4, sl st to first ch. Place a marker in your first corner.

Round 1 (10 minutes)

1. Ch 3 (counts as dc) 2) 2 dc in ring 3) Ch 2 (corner)

2. (3 dc, ch 2) ×3 more 5) Sl st to top of ch-3 to join.

Round 2 (12–15 minutes)

1. Sl st to nearest ch-2 corner

2. Corner: Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc

3. Each next corner: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc)

4. Sl st to join.

Round 3 (15 minutes)

1. Sl st to corner

2. Corner: Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc

3. Side space: 3 dc

4. Repeat Corner → Side around

5. Sl st to join; fasten off with 6–8 in (15–20 cm) tail.

For bigger squares: each new round adds one side space per side. Work 3 dc in each side space and (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corners.

Weave in ends (5 minutes)
Weave 2 in (5 cm), change direction, weave another 2 in. Trim.

Quick fixes
Center tight → use chain-4 ring next time.
Wavy/ruffled → smaller hook or tighter chains.
Pulled corners → relax chains; try ch-3 in corners.
Twisted join → join to top of ch-3.

Block (optional, 10 minutes)
Pin to 90° corners. Lightly steam (acrylic) or wet block (wool/cotton). Dry flat.

What’s next?
Make four squares and seam for a coaster set. Track your WIP + earn a “First Square” badge in A Frayed Knot by Nesh.