Block Stitch Granny Square
Have you tried the Block Stitch before? With two basic stitches, you create a “floating” or polkadot effect that looks beautiful in larger projects such as afghans, scarves, table runners, and more. This technique also works in the block stitch granny square which is a unique and modern take on the traditional granny square.
These square motifs work up quickly and with both the written instructions and picture tutorial included in this beginner-friendly pattern, you won’t get lost in between. The best part is that you can make these squares as big or as small as you want them to be. Make smaller versions as handy little coasters for your tabletops!
You’ll find the crochet block stitch granny square tutorial free below, or you can find an ad-free printable PDF (that includes all photo tutorials) on Ravelry, or on Etsy (aff).
The pattern repeat for these motifs is quite simple and if you’re a beginner looking to up their granny square game, this is the pattern for you. It provides just the right amount of challenge for those who know their basic stitches and keeps things interesting enough if you’re a confident crocheter.
Once you get the hang of the pattern, you’ll be thinking up all sorts of cool things to add these squares to.
Related: If you want to make a beautiful pixelated blanket from these squares, you should check out the Scattered Pixels Block Stitch Blanket.
How to Crochet a Block Stitch Granny Square
Crochet block stitch granny squares have a very easy construction. You work each round, join at the end, and then start the next just as you would with a normal granny square.
Once you understand the row repeat, you can make the square motif as big or as small as you want by making more or less rows. This allows you to adjust the size for your project and use up scrap yarn as well. You also have the option to block granny squares (if needed) for a neater finish.
How To Get The
Block Stitch Granny Square Pattern
Option 1: Scroll down for the free crochet motif pattern right here in this blog post.
Option 2: Purchase the ad-free printable PDF from one of my shops:
From classic squares to modern variations, granny stitch patterns are the perfect building blocks for blankets, bags, garments, and home décor.
Yarn
For the Block Stitch Granny Square, I chose Lion Brand Yarns Pound of Love. This is an acrylic yarn available in beautiful solid shades. It is the perfect yarn for large crochet projects because the yardage in one ball is incredible at 1,020 yards, making it affordable too! It’s also machine-washable and highly-durable, ideal for blankets and garments that have a lot of wear in them.
If you have some of this yarn in your stash, this is a great project to use it up in. You can alternate colors throughout, make each row a different color, add hints of a different yarn in between, or make solid squares. The choice is yours!
Block Stitch Granny Square – Free Crochet Pattern
The block stitch crochet square pattern is free below, but if you love to work offline, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, (including all photo tutorials) on Ravelry, or on Etsy (aff).
This post contains affiliate links.
Materials
- Yarn: You can use any type/color/weight of yarn. For the samples shown in the photos, Worsted Weight / 4 / Yarn, Lion Brand Yarns Pound of Love (100% Premium Acrylic / 1,020 yards / 454 g / 16 oz / 932 m) was used.
- Yardage: Yardage varies based on the weight of yarn used and the size square made.
- Crochet Hooks: Whatever size you prefer for the yarn you’ll be using. For the yarn I made my samples with, I used H/8/5.00mm. (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Crochet Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching).
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
- Measuring Tape
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch(s): chain(s)
- sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- yo: yarn over
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- BLO: back loop only; FLO: front loop only
- Rep: repeat
- RS: right side
- MC: Main Color
- CC: Contrasting Color
- Join yarn with a standing single crochet
Special Stitches
- 3-dc Block: In this pattern you may encounter instructions that refer to a “3-dc block”. This term is referring to a set of 3 dc stitches all worked into the same chain space from a previous round.
- Join yarn with a standing single crochet: Begin with a slip knot on your hook, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook.
Experience Level
- Easy
Gauge
- Varies depending on yarn weight and crochet hook size used.
Sizes
- Make ANY size block stitch granny square.
Pattern Notes
- Turning chains are not included in stitch count.
- Yarn Notes: Lion Brand Yarns Pound of Love in Heather Rose and Barley were used for the sample shown in the photos.
- Any yarn and crochet hook size may be used. Choose a crochet hook that gives you the drape of the crochet fabric that you like.
- I used a 5.00mm crochet hook with the Lion Brand Pound of Love yarn shown in the photos.
- Construction Notes: These easy granny squares are constructed in joined rounds.
- Yardage varies based on the weight of yarn used and the size granny square made.
Block Stitch Granny Square – Written Pattern
2 Color Block Stitch Granny Square
*Scroll down for the Solid Color Block Stitch Granny Square instructions.
The 2 color block stitch granny squares are worked in the round with two colors of yarn. You’ll alternate colors every other round. To reduce the number of ends you’ll have to weave in, follow these tips:
- MC yarn is used for all even numbered rounds. Do not fasten off MC at the end of a round. Instead, after you join a round, place a locking stitch marker in the live loop. When you come to the next even number round, remove the stitch marker and place the loop of yarn back on your crochet hook. Proceed to work the next even numbered round.
- To save a little time weaving ends, as I work the next round of MC, I like to crochet over half the tail of the previous round of CC, making sure to leave myself enough of the tail to use a yarn needle and weave it in the opposite direction to secure it.
- Contrasting Color is used for the set-up round and all odd numbered rounds. Fasten off CC after you join at the end of each odd number round. When you come to the next odd number round, you will then join the CC with a standing single crochet in the last ch-3 corner space that was made in the previous round. Then proceed to complete the next odd number round.
Definition of 3-dc Block: A set of 3 dc worked into the same chain space from the previous round.
Note about joining new yarn: When you join new yarn in a corner space from the previous round, make your join to the right side of that corner space. You need to leave room to work the remaining stitches in the same space.
Set-Up: With CC yarn & a crochet hook, ch 4. Join with a sl st to the 1st ch to form a loop. Do not fasten off.
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 1, working into the loop, (sc, ch 3) 4 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc. (4 sc + 4 ch-3 sps)
Fasten off CC.
Rnd 2: Join MC yarn with a sl st in any ch-3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, then work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each of the next 3 ch-3 sps. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-2. (24 dc + 4 ch-2 sps) Place a locking SM in the live loop of your MC yarn at the end of the round.
Rnd 3: Join CC yarn with a standing sc in the last ch-2 sp of the previous rnd, (ch 3, sc) in the same ch-2 corner sp, * ch 2, sc between the next set of 3-dc blocks, ch 2, (sc, ch 3, sc) in the next ch-2 corner sp, work from * 3 times, then ch 2, sc between the next set of 3-dc blocks, ch 2. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc. (12 sc + 4 ch-3 sps + 8 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off CC.
Rnd 4: With MC yarn, sl st into the closest ch-2 sp, ch 2 (counts as the 1st dc), work 2 more dc in the same sp, complete the round by working 3 dc in each ch-2 sp along the sides and (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each ch-3 corner sp. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-2. (48 dc + 4 ch-2 sps) Place a locking SM in the live loop of your MC yarn at the end of the round.
Each repeat of Rnd 4 increases your dc stitches by 24 sts.
Rnd 5: Join CC yarn with a standing sc in the last ch-2 sp of the previous rnd, (ch 3, sc) in the same ch-2 corner sp, ch 2, * (sc between the next set of 3-dc blocks, ch 2) rep from ( to ) across to the next ch-2 corner sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in the next ch-2 corner sp, ch 2, work from * 3 times, then (sc between the next set of 3-dc blocks, ch 2) rep from ( to ) across to the first sc. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc. (20 sc + 4 ch-3 sps + 16 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off CC.
Each repeat of Rnd 5 increases your sc stitches by 8 sts and ch-2 sps by 8 sps.
Make ANY Size 2 Color Block Stitch Granny Square:
Repeat Rounds 4 – 5 to make ANY size block stitch granny square.
2 Color Block Stitch Granny Square – Progression Photos
Note about joining new yarn: When you join new yarn in a corner space from the previous round, make your join to the right side of that corner space. You need to leave room to work the remaining stitches in the same space.
Tip: To save a little time weaving in ends, as I work the next round of MC, I like to crochet over half the tail of the previous round of CC, making sure to leave myself enough of the tail to use a yarn needle and weave it in the opposite direction to secure it.
Rnd 2: Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-2.
Round 2 complete.
Pull up on your crochet hook to increase the loop on your hook. Remove your hook.
Place a locking stitch marker in the live loop of your MC yarn at the end of the round.
Let this stitch marker hang to the back of your square as you crochet the next round.
Solid Color Block Stitch Granny Square
The solid color block stitch granny squares are worked in only one color so you will have minimal ends to weave in.
Definition of 3-dc Block: A set of 3 dc worked into the same chain space from the previous round.
Set-Up: With MC yarn & a crochet hook, ch 4. Join with a sl st to the 1st ch to form a loop. Do not fasten off.
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 1, working into the loop, (sc, ch 3) 4 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc. (4 sc + 4 ch-3 sps)
Rnd 2: Sl st into the next ch-3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, then work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each of the next 3 ch-3 sps. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-2. (24 dc + 4 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 3: Sl st in the BLO of each st across to the next ch-2 corner sp, sl st in the ch-2 corner sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in the same ch-2 corner sp, * ch 2, sc between the next set of 3-dc blocks, ch 2, (sc, ch 3, sc) in the next ch-2 corner sp, work from * 3 times, then ch 2, sc between the next set of 3-dc blocks, ch 2. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc. (12 sc + 4 ch-3 sps + 8 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 4: Sl st into the next ch-3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, then complete the round by working 3 dc in each ch-2 sp along the sides and (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each remaining ch-3 corner sp. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-2. (48 dc + 4 ch-2 sps)
Each repeat of Rnd 4 increases your dc stitches by 24 sts.
Rnd 5: Sl st in the BLO of each st across to the next ch-2 corner sp, sl st in the ch-2 corner sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in the same ch-2 corner sp, ch 2, * (sc between the next set of 3-dc blocks, ch 2) rep from ( to ) across to the next ch-2 corner sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in the next ch-2 corner sp, ch 2, work from * 3 times, then (sc between the next set of 3-dc blocks, ch 2) rep from ( to ) across to the first sc. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc. (20 sc + 4 ch-3 sps + 16 ch-2 sps)
Each repeat of Rnd 5 increases your sc stitches by 8 sts and ch-2 sps by 8 sps.
Make ANY Size Solid Color Block Stitch Granny Square:
Repeat Rounds 4 – 5 to make ANY size block stitch granny square.
Solid Color Block Stitch Granny Square – Progression Photos
With a simple crochet square motif such as this one, you can make so many bigger items. The best part is that you can work on these on the go and gather as many as you need for your project before seaming them together. It’s so satisfying to see that end result after a long time of crocheting.
I Made It! Now What?
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