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How to crochet a Granny Square (multicolour) – a beginner tutorial

Granny Square tutorial

The granny square is one of the most classic and beloved crochet patterns—and it’s just as popular today as it was generations ago. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to crochet a multicolour granny square, changing yarn colours after each round to create a vibrant and modern look. Below you’ll find the written granny square pattern, a step-by-step photo tutorial for beginners, and a video tutorial.

Examples of the multicolour Granny Squares

In this tutorial, you’ll find:

  • A written multicolour Granny Square pattern using UK crochet terms
  • A step-by-step photo tutorial
  • A stitch guide with UK and US crochet terms
  • A beginner-friendly video tutorial
  • Examples of crochet blankets made using this Granny Square pattern

Looking for a single-colour Granny Square Pattern?

This tutorial shows you how to crochet a multicolour Granny Square, changing yarn colour after each round. If you prefer a simpler look, I also have a single-colour granny square tutorial  that uses the same basic method but works the entire square in one colour. It’s a great option for beginners or for projects where you want a more uniform look.

How to crochet a single colour granny square
Single Colour Granny Square

Notes on the Granny Square

  • The pattern recommends turning your work over after each round – it keeps the square even and makes the blanket reversible.
  • Each round is worked into the chain spaces between the treble clusters of the previous round.
  • The Granny Square uses treble clusters (groups of 3 UK treble stitches).
  • The pattern uses 2 chains for each corner space. You can experiment with 1 or 3 chains if you prefer a tighter or more open corner.

Crochet Level

Suitable for beginners.

Abbreviations/Crochet terminology

UK terms are used throughout. 

tr

Treble crochet

ss

Slip stitch

ch

Chain

*to*

Instructions between asterisks will be repeated as specified

Beg-ch

Beginning chain

st(s)

Stitch(es)

sp(s)

Space(s)

Treble Cluster

3 treble crochet stitches worked in the same stitch or space

[…]

Repeat pattern stated number of times

(…)

Important notes

Stitch Conversion Guide

UK term

US term

Treble crochet (tr)

Double crochet (dc)

Slip stitch (ss)

Slip stitch (sl st)

Chain (ch

Chain (ch)

Written Pattern for the Granny Square

UK terms used.

Foundation: With yarn A, ch4, ss in 1st ch to form a ring (or make a magic ring).

Round 1: Ch3 (counts as tr), 2tr into ring, ch2, [3tr, ch2] three times. Join with ss in top of beg-ch3. Fasten off yarn A.

Round structure – 4 sides with 3tr each, separated by ch-2 corners

Round 1 of Granny Square
Round 1

Round 2: Turn. With yarn B, join in any ch-2 sp. Ch3, 2tr in same sp, [(3tr, ch2, 3tr) in next ch-2 sp] three times, (3tr, ch2) in first corner sp. Join with ss in top of beg-ch3. Fasten off yarn B.

Round structure – 4 sides each with two groups of 3tr, ch-2 in each corner.

round 2 of the Granny Square
Round 2

Round 3: Turn. With yarn C, join in any ch-2 sp. Ch3, 2tr in same sp, 3tr in sp between treble clusters in the round below, [(3tr, ch2, 3tr) in corner sp, 3tr in sp between treble clusters] three times, (3tr, ch2) in first corner sp. Join with ss in top of beg-ch3. Fasten off yarn C.

Round structure – 4 sides each with three groups of 3tr, ch-2 in each corner.

round 3 of the granny square
Round 3

Round 4: Turn. With yarn D, join in any ch-2 sp. Ch3, 2tr in same sp, 3tr in each sp between treble clusters, [(3tr, ch2, 3tr) in corner sp, 3tr in each sp between treble clusters] three times, (3tr, ch2) in first corner sp. Join with ss in top of beg-ch3. Fasten off yarn D.

Round Structure – 4 sides each with four groups of 3tr, ch-2 in each corner.

round 4 of the granny square
Round 4

Subsequent rounds: Repeat Round 4 with colour changes as desired until square is size required. 

Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial

Foundation: 

  • Make a slip knot (Fig 1)
  • Chain 4 (Fig 2)
  • Slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring (indicated by needle in Fig 3) (Fig 4)

Round 1 

  • Chain 3 (counts as first treble) (Fig 5)
  • Work 2 treble crochets into the ring (needle indicates the ring in Fig 6) (Fig 7)
  • Chain 2, then work 3 treble crochet into the ring (Fig 8)
  • Chain 2, 3 treble crochets into the ring (Fig 9)
  • Chain 2, another 3 treble crochets into the ring (Fig 10)
  • Chain 2 and slip stitch into the top of the chain 3 worked at the start of the round (shown by needle placement in Fig 11) (Fig 12)

Round structure – 4 sides with 3tr each, separated by ch-2 corners.

Round 2 

  • Turn over (Fig 13)
  • Using new colour, pull up a loop in any chain-2 corner space (Fig 14)
  • Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble crochet), 2 treble crochet in the same corner space (Fig 15)
  • Work 3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets in the next chain-2 corner space (Fig 17)
  • Work 3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets in the next chain-2 corner space (Fig 19)
  • Work 3 treble crochets, chain 2 in the corner space where you started the round (Fig 21)
  • Slip stitch into the top of the chain-3 that was worked at the start of the round (Fig 22)

Round structure – 4 sides each with two groups of 3tr, ch-2 in each corner.

Round 3

  • Turn over. Using new colour pull up a loop in any chain-2 corner space (Fig 23)
  • Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble crochet) (Fig 24)
  • 2 treble crochets in the same chain-2 corner space (Fig 25)
  • 3 treble crochets in the next space (these are gaps between the treble clusters in the round below) (Fig 26)
  • Work 3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets in the next chain-2 corner space (Fig 27)
  • 3 treble crochets in the next space (Fig 28)
  • Work 3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets in the next chain-2 corner space (Fig 29)
  • 3 treble crochets in the next space (Fig 30)
  • Work 3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets in the next chain-2 corner space (Fig 31)
  • 3 treble crochets in the next space (Fig 32)
  • Work 3 treble crochets, chain 2 in the chain-2 corner space where you started the round (Fig 33)
  • Slip stitch into the top of the chain-3 that was worked at the start of the round (Fig 34)

Round structure – 4 sides each with three groups of 3tr, ch-2 in each corner.

Round 4 

  • Turn over (Fig 35)
  • Using new colour pull up a loop in any chain-2 corner space (Fig 36)
  • Chain 3 (counts as 1 treble crochet) (Fig 37)
  • 2 treble crochets in the same chain-2 corner space (Fig 38)
  • 3 treble crochets in the next space (there are gaps between the treble clusters in the round below) (Fig 39)
  • 3 treble crochets in the next space (Fig 40)
  • Work 3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets in the next chain-2 corner space (Fig 41)
  • Continue working around the square with 3tr in each space along the sides and (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in each chain-2 corner space (Fig 42)

Round structure – 4 sides each with four groups of 3tr, ch-2 in each corner.

Subsequent rounds: Repeat Round 4 with colour changes as desired until square is size required.

Video Tutorial

Prefer to crochet along with a video? Watch my step-by-step video tutorial for the multicolour Granny Square below.

Blanket Projects Using This Multicolour Granny Square

Once you’ve made a few Granny Squares, you might be wondering what you can make with them. This simple motif is incredibly versatile and is particularly well suited to crochet blankets. Here are some of my blanket projects that use this multicolour Granny Square.