Free Easy Granny Square Pillow Pattern

Needed Materials & Measurements:

• Suggested Yarn: Made With Love The Cottony One® Yarn
• Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight (9 wpi)
• Yarn Measurement: 400 – 600 yards (366 – 549 m)
• Gauge: 4 repeats = 10 cm
• Hook Size: 6.0 mm (J)
• Yardage: 400 – 600 yards (366 – 549 m)
• Sizes Available: All

Techniques & Abbreviations:

• ch: Chain
• dc: Double Crochet
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• YO: Yarn Over Hook
• dc2tog: Clusters of 2 Double Crochet
• dc3tog: Clusters of 3 Double Crochet
• Changing Colors
• Weaving in Ends

Stitching Instructions for Easy Granny Square Pillow Pattern

Step 1: Creating the Magic Ring

Form the Magic Ring:

1. Hold the Yarn:
   • Start with a skein of yarn. Leave a tail of about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) to work with.
   • Hold the yarn tail across the working yarn (the yarn coming from the skein) to create a loop. The tail should lie on top of the working yarn, forming an “X” shape.
2. Insert Your Hook:
   • Insert your crochet hook into the loop from front to back.
3. Yarn Over:
   • Wrap the working yarn (the yarn from the skein) around the hook (this is called a “yarn over” or YO).
4. Pull Up a Loop:
   • With the hook, pull the yarn through the loop to create a new loop on your hook. You now have a starting point for your stitches.

Step 2: Round 1 – Starting the Granny Square

Ch 3:

1. Chain 3:
   • Yarn over and pull through the loop on the hook three times. This counts as your first double crochet (dc).

Make 3 Double Crochets:

1. Add More Dcs:
   • Yarn over again, insert your hook into the magic ring (the space inside the loop), yarn over, pull up a loop (three loops on the hook).
   • Yarn over again and pull through the first two loops on the hook (two loops remain).
   • Yarn over once more and pull through the last two loops. You have completed your first dc.
   • Repeat this step two more times to have a total of 3 dc in the magic ring.

Ch 2:

1. Create Corner Space:
   • Yarn over and chain 2 (this forms the corner space).

Repeat:

1. Form Additional Clusters:
   • Repeat the process of making 3 dc followed by ch 2, three more times.
   • After this round, you will have four clusters of 3 dc, separated by ch 2 spaces, forming the corners of the square.

Close the Round:

1. Join the Round:
   • To finish this round, insert your hook into the top of the starting ch-3.
   • Yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook. This completes Round 1 of the granny square.

Step 3: Round 2 – Expanding the Square

Slip Stitch to the First Corner:

1. Position for Next Round:
   • To begin Round 2, slip stitch into the first ch-2 space of the previous round. This will position your hook at the starting point for the new round.

Ch 3:

1. Chain for First Dc:
   • Yarn over and chain 3, which counts as your first dc of this round.

Make 2 More Double Crochets:

1. Complete the Corner:
   • In the same ch-2 space, yarn over and make 2 more dc. This gives you a total of 3 dc in this corner.

Ch 2:

1. Create New Corner Space:
   • Yarn over and chain 2 again, creating the new corner space for this round.

Repeat for Each Corner:

1. Continue Around the Square:
   • In each of the next three ch-2 spaces from the previous round, repeat the process of making 3 dc followed by ch 2.
   • After completing all corners, you should have 4 total corners with 3 dc each.

Close the Round:

1. Finish Round 2:
   • Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting ch-3. At this point, you have expanded the square and formed the second round.

Step 4: Continuing Rounds

Repeat Rounds:

1. Continue to Expand:
   • For each subsequent round, slip stitch into the first ch-2 space to begin, then ch 3 and add 2 more dc in that same space for the corner.
   • In each ch-2 space from the previous round, continue the pattern of (3 dc, ch 2) until you have worked around the square.

Measure for Size:

1. Check Dimensions:
   • As you work through the rounds, periodically measure your square. Aim for a finished size of about 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) on each side, or adjust to your desired size.

Step 5: Finishing the Granny Squares

Fasten Off:

1. Secure Your Work:
   • When you’ve reached the desired size, cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches (15 cm).
   • Pull the tail through the last loop on your hook to secure it. This prevents unraveling.

Weave in Ends:

1. Finish Neatly:
   • Thread the yarn tail onto a yarn needle.
   • Weave the tail through several stitches on the back of the square, ensuring it’s well hidden to prevent unraveling.
   • Trim any excess yarn.

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