40+ Granny Square Projects
Not sure what to do with granny squares? Then check out our favourite granny square projects – from cosy footwear to vintage kitchen chic.
So you've whipped up a beautiful batch of granny squares, and now you're not sure what to do with them? Well we're here to help with tons of granny square ideas! To celebrate Granny Square Day, we've rounded up these fun granny square projects to show you how to turn your granny squares into cosy homewares and must-wear accessories. If you're only just starting out on your crochet journey, catch up with the basics with our guide to How to make a granny square. And if you're looking for individual square patterns, you can find loads of them in our Free Granny Squares Patterns post!
What to make with granny squares?
The most common granny square projects are blankets, bags, scarves and cushions - but there's so much more you can do with these fun crochet squares! From jewellery to slippers, coats to curtains - once you can make a basic granny square there's a world of patterns for you to try!
3 Quick projects to make with granny squares!
To celebrate Granny Square Day 2022, we've enlisted the help of designer Marianne Rawlins to help us make a quick video of 3 things you can make with granny squares! (p.s you'll find the full pattern for the slippers just little bit further down in this post!)
Can I use different Granny Squares in a pattern?
Yes! You can absolutely mix and match your favourite granny squares to create a unique result. The most important thing is to make sure that your granny square is the same size as the ones in your pattern. Patterns that use granny squares will normally include the measurements for each square, so it's easy to check. If your square is slightly bigger or smaller, you may need to adjust your hook size or add or remove a round, or possibly even add an extra round of dc stitches if you just need to add a small amount to the size.
How to make perfect granny squares
There are a few techniques that people use to get their granny squares looking perfect, such as turning the work on each round or finishing each round with an invisible join. But by far the most important thing is to block your crochet squares. Blocking will help to make your edges nice and straight and ensure that your square is perfectly... square! Check out our tutorial on How to block crochet
Granny Square Projects to make today!
Free Granny Square market bag crochet pattern
Join a bunch of granny squares and add a strap for this handy out-and-about bag – use it for storing your latest crochet project or taking with you to the shops. Whether you use it as a crochet handbag or crochet market bag, your belongings will be safe with granny square style!
More like this
find the Free granny square market bag crochet pattern here
Free Granny Square Slippers crochet pattern
All you need is six squares per foot to make these cosiest of homespun slippers. This fab design by Fran Morgan is a great project for crochet beginners who want to practice getting their granny squares perfect as well as ending up with a fabulous finished item!
Find the Free Granny Square Slippers Pattern here
Granny square cardigan crochet pattern
Regular readers of Simply Crochet will remember this epic crochet cardigan from issue 90, but if you missed out then you can still buy the pattern on Etsy! This super-popular design by Cassie Ward uses a combination of super-size granny squares and fun fringing to create a cardigan that you'll love to wear!
Find the Granny Square cardigan crochet pattern on Etsy
Free Granny Square Scarf crochet pattern
Carmen Heffernan's All Squared Away Scarf mixes all the vintage granny square vibes with a bold colour palette for the cosiest of Autumn-ready crochet patterns.
Find the free granny square scarf crochet pattern here.
Free baby blanket granny square crochet pattern
Crochet a rainbow-full of colour to instantly cheer up nurseries, sofas and picnics with our free granny square baby blanket crochet pattern designed by Becky Skuse.
Find the free granny square baby blanket crochet pattern here
Free Granny Cardigan pattern
This free granny cardigan pattern is a great project for practicing those classic 3-treble granny clusters, as well as making an easy garment that you'll love wearing all year round! It's a granny square project that surprisingly doesn't involve any squares!
Check out the Free Granny Cardigan Crochet Pattern
Granny square necklace crochet pattern
Gwen Buttke McGannon's granny square necklace pattern is a must-make for those of you who love teeny tiny crochet! It's hooked up using Scheepjes maxi sweet treat crochet thread and a 1.6mm hook, so get ready for some intricate crochet stitches that create a real showstopper of a necklace!
Find the granny square necklace crochet pattern on Ravelry
Free granny square fringed top crochet pattern
If you fancy using your love of granny squares to make a super-special garment, then you'll love this fabulous fringed top by Emma Leith. If you're felling confident you could even incorporate your favourite granny square in place of the main granny motif.
You can find the free granny square fringed top crochet pattern here.
Free granny square blanket cardigan crochet pattern
Is it a blanket? Is it a cardigan? Actually, it's both! This fab free pattern by HanJanCrochet transforms the classic granny square blanket into a super-comfy cardigan, perfect for cool summer evenings!
You can find the Free Granny Square Blanket Cardigan Pattern here.
Mini motif granny square crochet backpack pattern
Our very own Matt Spiers shows you how to whip up a batch of mini squares and join them into a one-of-a-kind backpack with his Mini Motif Backpack. The raised colourful circles in the centre of the squares help to create a fun polkadot effect, and the backpack even has a handy zipped pocket on the front too!
Find the Mini Motif Backpack Crochet Pattern on Ravelry
Free Granny Square jumper embellishment crochet pattern
This amazing crochet-hacking pattern by Emma Friedlander-Collins is a great way of using up any squares you've made while practicing for Granny Square Day, but also helps to reuse an old worn-out jumper and give it a new lease of life! We do love an eco-concious crochet project!
Why not try this Free granny square crochet jumper embellishment project
Free granny square potholder crochet pattern
Give your kitchen an instant hit of vintage vibes with this modern crochet potholder by Mama in a Stitch - hook it up in monochrome yarns or mix it up with your favourite colours!
Find the Free granny square potholder crochet pattern here.
Free crochet earrings granny square project
This design has got to be one of our favourite granny square ideas. Whip up these mini squares and turn them into DIY crochet earrings with this free pattern by Whistle & Ivy.
Find the free crochet earrings granny square pattern here
Granny square poncho crochet pattern
If you're looking for an epic project that is made (almost) entirely from granny squares, then you'll love this funky granny square poncho pattern by Marianne Rawlins! A range of different sizes of squares, brilliant colours, some spectacular stripes and of course that super-cool tassels edging makes this a project that you'll love wearing almost as much as you'll love making!
Find the Granny square poncho crochet pattern on Ravelry
Free granny triangle bunting crochet pattern
Whether you're hosting a garden party or off on a road trip in your camper fan, nothing says 'party' quite like this fab free bunting pattern. Take a break from squares with these simple granny triangle motifs, which can be made in solid shades or stripes, and are topped off with some pretty popcorn stitch edging!
Find the Free Granny crochet bunting pattern here
Granny square pouch crochet pattern
When it comes to granny square ideas, this design is simple but oh so effective! Turn your grannies into cute pouches to store earphones and notions with this fabulous pattern by Mikaela Bates!
Find the Granny square crochet pouch pattern on Etsy
Free granny square dog bed and bandana crochet patterns
Who doesn't want to make their very own matching dog bed and bandana out of granny squares? Joann are offering this free downloadable PDF pattern by Lily Sugar and Cream to show you how it's done.
Find the Free granny square dog bed and bandana crochet patterns here
Free granny square pincushion crochet pattern
We're loving the whimsical vintage vibes of Lulu Loves' granny square pincushion topped off with a flower motif. It makes a lovely handmade gift idea or stocking filler or use up odds and ends of yarn to make one for your own sewing stash.
Find the free granny square pincushion crochet pattern here
Vintage granny square cardigan crochet pattern
We've known that crochet cardie were cool for years, so we're glad to see social media is catching on. Want to make your own on trend cardi - then check out this amazing granny square cardigan by Maggie Weldon!
Find the Vintage granny square cardigan crochet pattern on Etsy
Supersize granny square cushion pattern
So you've mastered the basic granny square and are looking for ways to show off your squares around your home? Go classic with this beginner-friendly pattern for making a granny square cushion from You Say I Crochet.
Find the Supersize granny square cushion pattern on Etsy
Free granny square cushion pattern
If you're looking for the perfect first project, then this cute granny square cushion by Debora Bradley is a simple make that you can hook up in no time. You can also master your crochet joins using our how to join crochet shapes tutorial.
You can find the free granny square cushion pattern here.
Free puff stitch granny square blanket crochet pattern
We all love a classic granny square blanket, but sometimes you wanna mix things up! This fabulous blanket pattern by Esme Crick says goodbye to the traditional granny square and hello to a gorgeous puff stitch square with a circular sun-burst style motif in the centre - fancy!
Get hooking the Free puff stitch granny square blanket crochet patterntoday!
Retro granny square beaded curtain crochet pattern
Evoke Seventies vibes and hippy chic with Emma Leith's Beaded Curtain Crochet Pattern– topped with row-upon-row of (you guessed it)... colour-popping granny squares!
Find the Beaded Curtain Crochet Pattern on Ravelry
Free granny square bag crochet pattern
Carry all your purchases back from the shops in your very own colourful, crochet bag for life. This free pattern is designed by Ali Campbell who was a guest blogger on the Gartur Stitch Farm website.
Find the Free granny square crochet bag pattern here
Deck the halls with granny round baubles
Oh ho ho we couldn't resist throwing a little festive make into this round-up! If you're looking to switch up your basic squares, try granny rounds and turn them into unique Christmas baubles with this pattern by Sew Silly Lily.
Find this Granny Christmas Bauble pattern on Ravelry.
Free granny square lampshade pattern
Nothing beats granny square designs for easy ways to add warm touches to any room, and we love this simple but cosy idea of making a Granny Collage Lampshade by Carmen Jorissen.
Find the free granny square lampshade pattern here
Cropped granny square jacket pattern
We've found a lot of awesome garments made out of granny squares on our quest for the perfect Granny Square Project but this stylish cropped jacket by Theodora Goes Wild is one of our absolute favourites. We're not sure if it's the sleeves, the pom pom trim or the yarn shades she's used but the whole combo makes this a deserving addition to our Granny Square DIY round-up.
Find the cropped granny square jacket pattern on Etsy
Simple granny square scarf crochet pattern
If you're not quite ready to brave a full garment, Sara Huntington has got the perfect beginner solution for how to show off your squares in style. Her easy Granny Square Scarf is a project that is perfect for crochet beginners and turns your finished squares into a scarf that wows.
Find the Simple granny square scarf crochet pattern on Ravelry
Free rectangle granny square baby blanket crochet pattern
No Granny Square inspiration round up would be complete without the ultimate in crochet projects (and ultimate family heirloom) – a baby blanket.
Find the Free rectangle granny square baby blanket crochet pattern at Yarnspirations.
Granny square pencil case crochet pattern
This granny square pencil case pattern by Hilde Ropstad is the perfect way to add a homespun touch to your desk or school supplies.
Find granny square pencil case pattern on Etsy.
Granny square sweater crochet pattern
Hannah Cross's Square Flair jumper was first featured in Simply Crochet magazine and is the ultimate in Granny Square fashion.
Find the Granny square sweater crochet patternon Ravelry
Free Leo the Lion granny square toy crochet pattern
Look closely and you'll see there's something a bit different about Leo the Lion by Mary's Cute & Cozy Crochet- he's made almost entirely of crochet granny squares (42, to be exact).
Find the Free Leo the Lion granny square toy crochet pattern here
Free granny square child's dress crochet pattern
Test out your granny square and sewing skills with this dress - the ideal treat for a little one. Opt for a fabric skirt section or make it in crochet too. After all, you can never have too much crochet, right?
Find the Free granny square child's dress crochet pattern here
Free granny square pincushion crochet pattern
Fancy a quick make? You can create a crochet granny square pincushion in a mere hour (tops). Give it away as a sweet little prezzie or - even better - keep it for yourself.
Find the Free granny square pincushion crochet pattern here
Free granny square dishcloth crochet pattern
It's fair to say washing the dishes is way down there on our fave activity list, kind of around the painting the walls and taking out the bins mark. We think we can make it just that teeny bit more exciting with these easy granny square dishcloths though, or at least a bit more colourful.
Find the Free granny square dishcloth crochet pattern here
Free Bear hug granny square comforter crochet pattern
With the combination of a simple granny square and a little bit of super-cute amigurumi, you can give a little one an epic bear hug with this sweet comforter from Paintbox Yarn.
Find the Free Bear hug granny square comforter crochet pattern here.
Free granny square vest top crochet pattern
Why not combine simple granny squares and elegant stitches to create a crochet top that you can wear all summer long! This beautiful vest design by Anne Egan uses cool cottons and a flattering empire waist-line to ensure you can show off your crochet in comfort!
Find the Free granny square vest top crochet pattern here
Free granny square beach bag crochet pattern
This awesome drawstring style crochet bag is just what you need to keep your belongings safe when you're at the seaside. The beach bag crochet pattern is made in super-chunky yarn and is constructed from 8 simple squares (plus the base and top), so you'll be able to hook it up super quick!
Find the free granny square beach bag crochet pattern here
Granny Square mini skirt crochet pattern
For a granny square pattern that is perfect for summer fun, then how about this mini skirt crochet pattern by You Say I Crochet. Bright colours help to make it a skirt that really stands out, and although it comes in size small (8-10) the use of simple squares and a drawstring waistline means it can easily be customised to fit any size.
Find the Granny square mini skirt crochet pattern on Etsy
Granny square tote bag crochet pattern
In our opinion you can never have enough crochet bags, and this granny square tote bag is a stunning design that your friends won't believe you made yourself! We love the way the strap is made in the same stitches as the edging to create a really professional finish to this design!
Find the Granny square tote bag crochet pattern on Etsy
Granny square mitts crochet pattern
Keep your hands nice and toasty while still leaving your fingers free to crochet with these fabulous mitts by LullabyLodge. All you'll need is to hook up 4 lovely granny squares, then a little bit of extra crochet and ribbed edging transforms those simple squares into these gorgeous mitts - and if you really want to show off your crochet while out on a walk there's also a matching boot cuff pattern too!
Find the Granny square mitts crochet pattern on Etsy
Picking the right granny square project for you
Now that you've seen loads of inspiring granny square projects, all you have to do is decide which one to start first. If you get easily bored of making the same thing over and over again, pick a project that has different motifs involved, or mix them up yourself. If you're not a huge fan of that final assembly stage, maybe you'd be better picking a project with a small amount of squares rather than one that requires loads of joins.
Get the perfect finish for your projects
Once you've hooked up all your granny squares, you need to join them together. There are different ways of doing this (some easier than others), each with their own different style. Learn how to join crochet pieces together in five different ways with Gathered
Authors
Matt Spiers is a crochet artist and designer who has been overseeing Gathered's crochet articles for over 2 years. He previously worked as Digital Assistant for Simply Crochet magazine and is our in house video editing pro. What started as a hobby a decade ago led to Matt developing a passion (and then a career) with crochet. As well as still regularly writing and designing for Simply Crochet magazine, Matt is a crochet artist in his own right, having displayed and created crochet installations at festivals and fibre events across the UK. You can keep up to date with Matt at @onemancrochet on Instagram.
