Granny Square Crochet for Beginners book review with 4 patterns

I’m sharing a book review of a beginner-friendly granny square book, along with excerpts for four basic granny square patterns for two squares, a half square, and a rectangle. As part of the Third Edition of Granny Square Month, you can also enter for your chance to win my review copy!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. New Shoe Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group, provided me with a free review copy of Granny Square Crochet for Beginners: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square by Margaret Hubert (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon). Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

This post is part of the Third Edition of Granny Square Month, a 30-day celebration of crochet motifs, granny stripes, and granny stitches. To follow along with Granny Square Month:

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Book Review: Granny Square Crochet for Beginners

Granny Square Crochet for Beginners: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square by Margaret Hubert (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is a beginner-friendly granny square guide that combines information and patterns from several of Margaret’s previous books with new content in an easy-to-read and portable format. I’ve previously reviewed several crochet books by Margaret, including:

In the Introduction, Margaret shares her love of granny squares, talks about some of her previous books, and shares what’s new and exciting in this book.

In Crochet Basics, Margaret shares tools and techniques you’ll need to master the granny square and other motifs. There is an overview of crochet hooks and written and photographed instructions for the slip knot, basic crochet stitches (chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, triple crochet, and double triple crochet), working through the back loop, decreases (sc2tog and dc2og), and several special stitches (front post double crochet, reverse single crochet, a shell stitch combination, popcorn, bullion, and picot). There are tips for reading crochet patterns using either abbreviations or international stitch symbols, a key to converting US and UK pattern abbreviations, a list of pattern abbreviations and symbols used in the book, and a note about gauge and how to check it and adjust it. Granny Square Techniques provides written and photographed instructions for different ways of starting crochet in the round (chain ring, slip knot, and adjustable loop/magic ring) and crocheting the classic granny square. In Details and Finishing, Margaret explains how beginning chains function in patterns in the row and in the round and shares written and photographed instructions for the invisible join, picking up stitches (working around edges), and seaming (with the whipstitch, weave, single crochet, or chain).

In 79 Granny Square Patterns, Margaret shares motif patterns with both US pattern abbreviations and international stitch symbol charts. Each pattern includes a skill level, a list of the number of colors needed (if more than one is used), indicates if it is not crocheted entirely in the round, and provides special stitch instructions, if necessary. Each pattern includes a flat lay photo of the motif on a white background so the details are clear. The patterns include the following skill levels:

  • Beginner: 5 patterns
  • Advanced Beginner: 1 pattern
  • Easy: 10 patterns
  • Intermediate: 56 patterns
  • Experienced: 7 patterns

While most patterns are squares, there are two squares with matching half square triangle patterns and one rectangle pattern.

In Designing With Granny Squares, Margaret provides an introduction to using granny squares in projects of your own design, as well in patterns. This section includes patterns for 2 blankets, a headband, a hat band for a straw hat, sleeve cuffs for a store-bought garment, coasters, a loop (infinity/circle) scarf, a shawl, a beach cover up/duster, a pullover, a bag, and a bolster pillow. Each pattern indicates the yarn weight used and patterns where sizing is important include the specific yarn(s) used, the hook size, and gauge. There is also a section called Graph It Out where Margaret provides charts that show how you could assemble your own pullover with a boat neck, square neck, or v-neck, a vest, a shawl, or a cardigan using squares and half square triangles. She also shares tips for adjusting your square size for garments. The book ends with an index.

Granny Square Crochet for Beginners: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square by Margaret Hubert (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is designed for a beginner who wants to dive into granny squares. There are more lacy squares than you will find in many granny square books, allowing for elegant uses in shawls and other accessories. While it is a paperback, which makes crocheting while reading challenging, the book is a portable height that would fit into many project bags, making it easy to take with you when you’re on the go. If you love working with motifs or are new-ish to crochet and want to make some lovely and lacy granny square projects, this may be the book for you. Don’t forget to stop by the main Granny Square Month blog post by July 6, 2025 to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of Granny Square Crochet for Beginners: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square by Margaret Hubert (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon)! Read on for excerpts of 4 basic granny square patterns from the book.

4 Basic Granny Square Patterns

by Margaret Hubert

Reprinted from Granny Square Crochet for Beginners: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square by Margaret Hubert (available online through independent booksellers or on Amazon) with permission from New Shoe Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group. © Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc. 2024.

Note from Underground Crafter

  • Below you’ll find 4 basic granny square patterns. These patterns use standard US crochet pattern abbreviations (complete list here) and international stitch symbol charts (complete list here).

Classic Granny

  • Skill Level: Easy
  • Made with 2 colors: A and B.
  • With A, ch 4, join with a Sl st to form a ring.
  • Rnd 1: With A, ch 3 (counts as a dc now and throughout), 2 dc in ring, *ch 3, 3 dc in ring, rep from * twice more, ch 3, join with a Sl st to top of beg ch-3 (four groups of 3 dc), drop A.
  • Rnd 2: Join B in any corner ch-3 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same ch-3 sp, (half corner made), *ch 2, sk 3 dc, [3 dc, ch3, 3 dc] in the next ch-3 sp (corner made), rep from * twice, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp as first half corner, ch 3, join with a Sl st to top of beg ch-3, drop B.
  • Rnd 3: Pull up a loop with A in corner ch-3 loop, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-3 sp (half corner made), *ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next corner sp, rep from * twice, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp as first half corner, ch 3, join with a Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off A.
  • Rnd 4: Pull up a loop with B in corner ch-3 loop, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-3 space (half corner made), *[ch 2, 3 dc] in each of next 2 ch-2 sps, ch 2**, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in corner sp, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, 3 dc in same sp as first half corner, ch 3, join with a Sl st to beg ch-3, fasten off B.

Classic Granny Half Square

  • Skill Level: Easy
  • Made with 2 colors: A and B. Worked in rows, not rounds.
  • With A, ch 4, join with with a Sl st to form a ring.
  • Row 1: Ch 3, 3 dc in ring, ch 3, 4 dc in ring, turn, pick up a loop with B, drop A.
  • Row 2: Ch 3, 3 dc in sp between the first two dc, ch 2 [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in sp between last dc and tch, 1 dc in tch, pick up a loop with A, drop B, turn.
  • Row 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in sp between first 2 dec, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in sp between the last dc and tch, 1 dc in tch, pick up a loop with B, drop A, turn.
  • Row 4: Ch 3, 3 dc in sp between first two dc (ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp) twice, ch 2, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-3 sp rep bet ( ) twice, ch 2, 3 dc in sp between last dc and tch, 1 dc in tch, fasten off.

Jeannine Square

  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Made with 4 colors: A, B, C, and D.
  • Double triple crochet (dtr): Yo 3 times, pick up a loop in designated place, [yo, draw through 2 loops on hook] 4 times. Note from Underground Crafter: A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.
  • If you can’t see the dtr video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
  • With A, ch 6, join with a Sl st to form a ring.
  • Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 3 dc in ring, ch 3, *4 dc in ring, ch 3, rep from * twice, join with Sl st in top of beg ch-3 (4 groups of 4 dc), fasten off A.
  • Rnd 2: Join B in any ch-3 sp, ch 3, *dc in same sp, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 dc in next ch-3 sp, 1 dtr, inserting hook from front to back, going in the beg ring and between the groups of dc, 2 dc in same corner ch-3 sp, rep from * around omitting last 2 dc, join with Sl st to beg ch-3, draw C through last loop, fasten off B.
  • Rnd 3: With C, ch 3 (counts as dc), 1 dc in first st, *1 dc each next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 3 (corner), sk next dtr**, 2 dc next dc, rep from * 2 times, rep from * to ** once, join with Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off C.
  • Rnd 4: Join D in any corner ch-3 sp, ch 3, dc in same ch-3 sp, *1 dc in each of next 10 dc, 2 dc in ch-3 sp, working over ch-3 loop, 1 dtr in next dtr in rnd 2**, rep from * twice, rep from * to ** once, join with Sl st to top of beg ch-3, draw A through last loop, fasten off D.
  • Rnd 5: With A, ch 1, 1 sc in first st, 1 sc in each of next 15 sts, ch 2, *1 sc in each of next 16 sts, ch 2, rep from * twice, join with Sl st to first sc, fasten off.

Rectangle Granny

  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Made with 3 colors: A, B, and C.
  • To establish rounds, work round 1 on both sides of the foundation chain.
  • Beginning ch-3 always counts as first double crochet of round.
  • With A, ch 12.
  • Rnd 1: [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in 4th ch from hook, ch 2, sk next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of the next 3 ch, ch 2, sk next 2 ch, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] all in last ch. Working on opposite side of foundation ch, ch 2, sk next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of the next 3 ch (these 3 dc will correspond with 3 dc already established on first side of ch), ch 2, sk next 2 ch, join with a Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off A.
  • Rnd 2: Join B in the last ch-2 sp made, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, *ch 2, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 2] in next 2 ch-2 sps (2 corners made), [3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2] twice, rep from * once, omitting last (3 dc, ch 2), join with Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off B.
  • Rnd 3: Join C in the first ch-2 sp of last rnd, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, ch 2, *[3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp (corner), ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp (corner), [ch 2, 3 dc] in each of next 3 ch-2 sps, ch 2, rep from * once, omitting last [3 dc, ch 2], join with Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off C.
  • Rnd 4: Join B in the first ch-2 sp of last rnd, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, *ch 2, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp (corner), [ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp] twice, ch 2, [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-2 sp (corner) , [ch 2, 3 dc] in each of next 4 ch-2 sps, ch 2, rep from * once, omitting last [3 dc, ch 2], join with Sl st to top of beg ch-3, fasten off.

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