I have been very slowly learning how to crochet over the past few months. I have made a couple of oddly shaped hats, a hanging plant holder, a half-dozen wash cloths and some ear warmers. My skills have been improving with practice. My latest goal was to learn to crochet a granny square. Granny squares are an iconic crochet motif and the granny square pattern can be found in everything from afghans to pot holders.
Last week when I was on vacation with my family at the cabin in Salmon Arm I spent nearly the entire time practicing my crochet. Almost every moment was spent practicing my granny squares. I did so much crochet my arms hurt after I arrived back home.
I recently saw a pendant/ banner flag for sale on a website that shall not be named. They sell lovely things that I cannot afford. One thing they had for sale that caught my eye was a pendant banner made with crochet granny squares. It was beautiful but not worth the $80 it cost, especially considering I figured I could make it myself. And I did! And now you can too! Here is my simple crochet granny square banner tutorial. If you haven’t crocheted before you should take some time to learn the basic stitches: Chain, single crochet, double crochet and treble crochet. Then you can get started on fun little projects like these granny squares.
Supplies:
3 different colors of acrylic yarn
Size 4.5 mm crochet hook.
Step One: Chain 5
Loop the chain into a circle, chain 3 (this will act as your first double crochet) then double crochet two more times into the hole. Chain three again and then double crochet into the hole again three more times. Do this until you have a nice little square. Tie off the end and then start the next row with another color.
Start in the corner and double crochet three into the corner hole, chain three and then double crochet three into the same hole again. Chain three and move over to the next corner. Repeat until you have gone all the way around. Tie off the end and move on to your third color for the outside row.
This time start in the corner again and double crochet three and chain three and then double crochet three again in each corner. In the areas between the corners double crochet four. Once you have gone all the way around you can chain around the whole border to finish it off.
Weave the ends of your yarn into the square and start a long chain stitch to connect all the squares together. Chain about 20 and then start chaining directly into the top of one of your granny squares, then chain about 20 so that you have spaces between the granny squares.
Tie off the end and you are ready to hang it up! I put mine up in on the wall above the closet in my craft room. I think it would be fun to hang one in a kid’s room or even from your back porch!