The Little Square of Plenty
A Stash-Busting Granny Square Pattern
There’s something really satisfying about turning a tangle of leftover yarn into something beautiful—and that is exactly where this granny square variation was born. If you have a yarn stash that you want to use up, this stash-busting granny square pattern design might be perfect for you.
For this stash-buster project there are no strict colour rules, no matching dye lots, and no pressure to be perfect – just go with the flow.
You can use whatever weight of yarn you choose. I decided to use up all my scraps of greens and pinks of my Stylecraft Special DK yarn. Each 5-round square used about 8g of DK yarn and measured approximately 11.5cm x 11.5cm.
While this square was designed with stash-busting in mind, it works just as beautifully in a single colour. Crocheting the square in one shade really allows the stitch pattern and texture to shine, making it a great option for more minimalist projects or when you want a calm, cohesive look. Whether you choose a bold statement colour or a soft neutral, the simple structure of the square gives plenty of interest without relying on colour changes.
Equipment
Yarn and Hook: Yarn of your choice and the appropriate crochet hook.
The example uses Stylecraft Special DK 100% Acrylic and a 4mm hook.
Other items: Scissors, darning needle, stitch markers (if required).
Crochet Skills Used
- A simple pattern using UK treble crochet, double crochet, half treble crochet and chains.
- Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques (including working in the round) and terminology is assumed.
- Using a magic ring to start the square (although not essential for the pattern).
Abbreviations/Crochet Terms
UK crochet terms are used throughout.
- beg-ch – beginning chain, the chain stitches worked at the start of the round
- ch – chain
- ss – slip stitch (only used in the alternative foundation)
- dc – double crochet
- htr – half treble crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
- […] – repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times stated
- (…) – all instructions inside the parentheses are worked into the same stitch or space
- 2-tr group – two UK treble crochet stitches worked into the same stitch or space
UK/US Stitch Conversion
UK term | US term | Description |
|---|---|---|
Treble Crochet (tr) | Double Crochet (dc) | Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
Half Treble Crochet (htr) | Half Double Crochet (hdc) | Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining three loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
Double Crochet (dc) | Single Crochet (sc) | Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
Slip Stitch (ss) | Slip Stitch (ss) | Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull yarn through the stitch and the loop on the hook |
Pattern Notes
- Please read through the notes and pattern thoroughly before starting.
- This pattern suggests that you turn the work over after each round – this helps to keep the square even and it helps to make the work reversible.
- This pattern uses a magic ring, but it is not essential to the pattern. An alternative is suggested. I have developed a video showing methods of starting a Granny Square including using the magic ring and double magic ring.
- Instead of closing each round by working the corner chains and then a slip stitch in the first stitch of the round, this pattern works a UK half treble crochet into the first stitch. This means that the loop is perfectly in the centre of the corner, so that you can turn and start the next round without needing to slip stitch into the corner. I have explained all about this in the Top Tips for Granny Squares post. The half treble crochet used to close each round counts as the ch-2 corner space for the next round.
- You may wish to mark the first stitch of the round with a stitch marker so you can easily identify where to work the UK half treble into when closing the round. For rounds 1, 3, 4 and 5 this is the beginning chain-3, for round 2 this is the first UK double crochet.
Written Pattern
Foundation Make a magic ring (alternatively, Ch4, join with ss in first ch to form a ring).
Round 1 (RS) Ch 3 (counts as first tr), 2 tr in ring, [ch 2, 3 tr] 3 times. Close the magic ring. Close the round with 1 htr in the top of beg-ch3. Turn.
Round 2 (WS) Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 dc in same corner sp, ch 1, [skip first tr, (1 dc, ch 1) in the next tr (this is the middle of the 3tr), skip next tr, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in ch-2 corner sp, ch 1] 3 times, skip next tr, (1 dc, ch 1) in the next tr, skip next tr, 1 dc in the ch-2 corner sp, then 1 htr in the first dc of the round. Turn.
Round 3 (RS) Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr in same corner sp, [skip 1 st, 2 tr in ch-1 sp, skip 1 st, 2 tr in ch-1 sp, skip next st, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch-2 corner sp] 3 times, skip 1 st, 2 tr in ch-1 sp, skip 1 st, 2 tr in ch-1 sp, skip 1 st, 2 tr in ch-2 corner sp, then 1 htr in the top of the beg-ch3. Turn.
Round 4 (WS) Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr in same corner sp, work 2 tr in each sp between 2-tr groups until the corner sp, [(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in corner sp, 2 tr in each sp between 2-tr groups to the next corner] three times, 2 tr in first corner sp, then 1 htr in the top of the beg-ch3. Turn.
Round 5 (RS) Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr in same corner sp, work 1 tr in each st until the corner sp, [(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in corner sp, 2 tr in each st to the next corner] three times, 2 tr in first corner sp, then 1 htr in the top of the beg-ch3. Fasten off yarn. Weave in the ends.
These squares are quick and easy to make, with little ends to sew in. Make as many as you need for your project. These squares can become quite addictive to make. I found that they did not need blocking – but I loved organising them on my blocking board, they looked so perfectly delightful!!
If you want to see what I did next, all the details are here: The Little Square of Plenty Blanket