Crochet Watermelon Granny Square

Bring a splash of summer to your next crochet project with this delightful Watermelon Granny Square! Perfect for blankets, coasters, or festive bunting, this pattern transforms a classic crochet staple into a juicy slice of watermelon.

By starting with a circular center to mimic the fruit and transitioning into a crisp, square border, this design beautifully captures the vibrant contrast between the sweet red center, the white pith, and the green rind.

What You Will Need

Materials & Tools

• Yarn: Aran weight (Medium, Size 4) cotton yarn. You will need three colors:

  • Color A: Vibrant Red/Pink (for the flesh)

  • Color B: Soft Cream/White (for the inner rind)

  • Color C: Bright Lime Green (for the outer rind)

• Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook

• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, black embroidery floss for the seeds, and scissors.

Project Specs

• Finished Size: Approximately 4″ × 4″ (10 cm × 10 cm)

• Gauge: 4 rounds of a standard granny square should equal a 4″ (10 cm) square.

Key Stitches & Abbreviations (US Terms)

• Ch: Chain

• Sl St: Slip Stitch

• Sc: Single Crochet

• Hdc: Half Double Crochet

• Dc: Double Crochet

• Inc (Increase): Work 2 stitches into the exact same stitch.

• BLO: Back Loop Only (insert your hook only into the back strand of the stitch loop).

• MC: Magic Circle / Magic Ring

• [ ]: Work all instructions inside the brackets into the exact same stitch or space.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

step 1: The Juicy Center (The Fruit)

We will begin by creating a flat circle using your red yarn to represent the watermelon flesh.

• Round 1: Start by forming a Magic Circle. Chain 2 (this acts as a height guide and does not count as a stitch). Work 12 Double Crochets directly into the ring. Pull the tail to close the circle tightly, and close the round by making a slip stitch into the top of your very first double crochet. (Total: 12 stitches)

• Round 2: Chain 2. Work a Double Crochet Increase (2 double crochets) into every single stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the first double crochet of the round. Fasten off Color A and secure your yarn. (Total: 24 stitches)

Step 2: The Inner Rind

Next, we add the light inner ring of the watermelon rind.

• Round 3: With the right side facing you, join Color B (Cream/White) into any stitch from the previous round. Chain 1. *Work 1 Single Crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, then work 1 Single Crochet Increase in the following stitch.* Repeat from * to * all the way around the circle. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. Fasten off Color B. (Total: 32 stitches)

Step 3: Squaring the Circle (The Outer Rind)

Now, we will introduce the green outer rind and use clever stitch heights to transform our circle into a neat square shape.

• Round 4: Facing the right side, join Color C (Green) into the Back Loop Only (BLO) of any stitch from Round 3.

  • Work 1 BLO Single Crochet in the same stitch you joined.

  • *Chain 1, skip the next 2 stitches. In the next stitch, work [3 BLO Half Double Crochets], chain 2, and work [3 BLO Half Double Crochets] all into that same stitch (this forms your first corner). Chain 1, skip 2 stitches, and work 1 BLO Single Crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.*

  • Repeat from * to * 3 more times until you reach the final sequence.

  • To finish the last side: Chain 1, skip 2 stitches, create your final corner [3 BLO Half Double Crochets, Chain 2, 3 BLO Half Double Crochets] in the next stitch, chain 1, skip the last 2 stitches, and work 1 BLO Single Crochet in the final stitch. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet of the round.

Step 4: Expanding the Border

This final round stabilizes the square structure using classic granny cluster sets.

• Round 5: Slip stitch into the very next chain-1 space. Chain 2 (this counts as your first double crochet post), then work 2 Double Crochets into that same space. Chain 1.

  • *In the corner chain-2 space, work [3 Double Crochets, Chain 2, 3 Double Crochets]. Chain 1.

  • Work [3 Double Crochets] into the next chain-1 space, chain 1, and work [3 Double Crochets] into the following chain-1 space. Chain 1.*

  • Repeat from * to * 3 times around the square.

  • In the final corner space, work [3 Double Crochets, Chain 2, 3 Double Crochets], chain 1, then work [3 Double Crochets] in the last chain-1 space. Chain 1, and join with a slip stitch directly into the top of the first actual double crochet stitch (ignoring the starting chain space).

Cut your yarn, pull it through, and weave in all loose ends securely with your tapestry needle.

Finishing Touches: Adding the Seeds

Pro-Tip: Keep your embroidery stitches slightly loose so they don’t distort or pull the crochet stitches out of shape.

1. Thread your tapestry needle with a strand of black embroidery floss.

2. From the back of the square to the front, bring your needle up through Round 1 or Round 2 of the red section.

3. Make small, straight vertical or teardrop-shaped straight stitches to resemble watermelon seeds.

4. Scatter 5 to 8 seeds evenly around the red center.

5. Secure the floss on the back of the square, knot it gently, and snip away the excess.

Your Watermelon Granny Square is fully complete and ready to be blocked!