Mini Crochet Squares

These Mini Crochet Squares are quick and simple to make, with each square worked in just three rounds using a single colour.

They are ideal for using up small amounts of leftover yarn, making them a great little stash-busting project. Each square uses approximately 3–4g of double knit (DK) weight yarn, so they are particularly useful for using up those small scraps that are too good to throw away.

I made my squares using scraps of Stylecraft Special DK in a variety of colours.

Handmade crochet blanket made from Mini Crochet Squares

This tutorial explains how to make the Mini Crochet Squares, including a join-as-you-go method for joining them together.

I used the squares to make a blanket, but you could use them for a variety of projects. Once made, the squares can either be sewn or crocheted together, or you can join them as you work using the join-as-you-go method described further down the page.

Abbreviations/Crochet Terminology

UK crochet terms are used throughout.

beg-ch – Beginning chain
ch – Chain
ch-sp – Chain space
htr – Half treble crochet
sp(s) – Space(s)
ss – Slip stitch
st(s) – Stitch(es)
tr – Treble crochet
[…] – Repeat the instructions inside the brackets the stated number of times
(…) – Work the instructions inside the brackets in the same stitch or space

Stitch Guide/UK – US Conversion Guide

UK term	US term	Description
Treble Crochet (tr)	Double Crochet (dc)	Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook and pull through stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over hook and pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), then yarn over hook and pull through the remaining two loops.
Half Treble Crochet (htr)	Half Double Crochet (hdc)	Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook and pull through stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over hook and pull through all three loops.
Slip Stitch (ss)	Slip Stitch (ss)	Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook and pull through the stitch and through the loop on the hook.

Materials

You can use any yarn for this project together with the corresponding crochet hook.

I used a 4mm crochet hook and scraps of Stylecraft Special DK from my stash. You will need approximately 3–4g of DK weight yarn for each Mini Crochet Square.

The Stylecraft Special DK colours I used were:

Mushroom, Parma Violet, Cream, Silver, Lincoln, Sage, Clematis, Candyfloss, Sherbet, Spearmint, Grape, Wisteria and Grey.

This is a great project for mixing and matching whatever colours you already have in your stash.

Skill Level

Suitable for beginners and intermediate crocheters.

Size/Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this project, although your tension will affect the finished size of the squares and the amount of yarn required.

Using Stylecraft Special DK and a 4mm crochet hook, each finished square measures approximately 6cm x 6cm (2.3in x 2.3in).

If you use a different yarn or hook size, your squares will be a different size.

Notes on the Pattern

Turn the work over after each round.
Stitches are worked between the stitches rather than into the usual top of the stitch. These spaces are referred to as the spaces in the pattern.
Each square is worked in three rounds using one colour.
If your square does not lie flat, you can adjust the number of chains worked in the corners slightly to suit your tension.
You can make all the squares individually and join them afterwards by sewing or crocheting them together.
Alternatively, you can use the join-as-you-go method, where the final round of each square is worked while joining it to the neighbouring squares. Instructions for this method are provided below.

Written Pattern for the Mini Crochet Squares

UK crochet terms are used throughout.

Round 1

Ch4; ss in first ch to form a ring (or make a magic ring).
Ch3 (counts as 1tr); 2tr into ring; ch2.
[3tr into ring; ch2] three times.
Ss into the top of beg-ch3 to close round. Turn over.
All subsequent rounds are worked in between the stitches of the round below. These spaces will be referred to as the spaces in the following instructions.

Making Mini Crochet Squares using yarn stash

Round 2

Ss back into the ch2 space you just formed.
Ch2 (counts as 1htr), 1htr into the same ch2 space to form the first part of the corner.
1htr in each of the next two spaces between the stitches of the round below.
*(2htr, ch1, 2htr) in the ch2 space to form a corner, 1htr in each of the next two spaces*.
Repeat from * to * twice more,
2htr into the first corner space, ch1, ss into the top of the beg-ch2 to complete the corner and close the round.
Turn the square over.

Round 3

Ss back into the ch1 space you just formed.
Ch2 (counts as 1htr), 1htr in same corner space.
Skip the first space between the htr stitches below, 2htr in the next space, skip the next space, 2htr in the next space.
*(2htr, ch1, 2htr) in the corner space, skip the next space, 2htr in the next space, skip the next space, 2htr in the next space*.
Repeat from * to * twice more.
(2htr, ch1) in the corner space, ss into top of beg-ch2 to close the round.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Your finished square should look something like this.

Mini Crochet Square made from yarn spares

Joining the Mini Crochet Squares using the Join-As-You-Go method

The Mini Crochet Squares can be joined as you work, using the final round of each square to attach it to the neighbouring square.

This method saves you from having to sew lots of small squares together at the end and creates a neat crocheted join.

Make Square 1 following the complete pattern above.

For Square 2, work Rounds 1 and 2 as normal. You will then work Round 3 slightly differently so that you can join the square to Square 1 as you go.

Round 3 for Square 2

Ss back into the ch1 space you just formed.
Ch2 (counts as 1htr), 1htr in same corner space.
Skip the first space between the htr stitches below, 2htr in the next space, skip the next space, 2htr in the next space.
When you reach the corner space, work 2htr into the corner space.
You are now ready to join Square 2 to Square 1.
Work a slip stitch into the corner space of Square 1, as shown by the needle in the photograph below.

The slip stitch replaces the ch1 normally worked between the two groups of 2htr at the corner.

If you find the join too tight, you can add a chain before and/or after the slip stitch to give yourself a little more flexibility.

Return to Square 2 and complete the corner by working 2htr into the corner space.

Next, work a slip stitch into the next space along the side of Square 1.

Continue in this way, working the stitches of Round 3 on Square 2 while joining to the corresponding spaces on Square 1 with slip stitches.

Complete the corner of Square 2 by working 2htr into the corner space.

You can then complete the remaining two sides of Square 2 as normal.

Joining More Squares

When you begin adding more squares in the same way, a square may need to be joined to more than one neighbouring square.

For example, when adding Square 3, you will join it to the squares already attached above.

I like to work the corner slip stitch into the diagonal square, as shown below. This means the first corner is joined to Square 2 before continuing to join the side to Square 1.

Some squares will need to be joined to two adjacent squares.

For example, Square 4 needs to be joined to both Square 2 and Square 3.

First join Square 4 to Square 2 in the same way.

When you reach the corner, join with a slip stitch to the diagonal corner (Square 1).

Then continue working around Square 4, joining to Square 3.

Keep adding your Mini Crochet Squares using these principles.

Mini Crochet Squares in pastel colours joined to form a beautiful blanket

If you’d like to see more of the finished blanket made using these Mini Crochet Squares, including details of the colours, construction and border, take a look at the Mini Crochet Squares Blanket.