Free Pattern: Granny Around The Block

Granny squares are fun to make and come in lots of shapes and sizes. I have always loved traditional granny squares and decided to do a spin on one. My “Granny Around The Block” starts with an inner square, worked back and forth in rows of granny-type clusters. Four rounds are added to finish it off and reach a 12″ square.

Seasonal Projects

These blocks can be sewn together, rotating if desired (shown below). They would make a fun table runner made in the colors of the season. I really like seasonal things and thought these blocks would be cute with appliques sewn in a corner too.

Would you like a pack of crochet patterns for 12 seasonal appliques? I would love to send it to you for free. Please fill out the info below and you will receive the pattern pack.

About This Square

I am excited to once again design a 12″ crochet block for the annual #MooglyCal2023. You can read about the year-long crochet along with Moogly and her experience with making this block, shown in the photo below: Moogly Cal 2023

There is a great facebook group for this event that you can join and see what others are making and share your own creations: Moogly Afghan Cal Group

This project starts by working back and forth in rows to create an inner square. I like crocheters of all levels to be able to make my creations so this is made using basic crochet stitches. I also try to write my patterns with more explanation than you might usually find.

Print and Plan: I made a printable (download link included in the pattern AND further down in this post) for you to print out and color to plan out different color combinations. You can also open the graphic on a device and color them digitally as well. 

Other Snappy Patterns You Might Enjoy

• Rocky Mtn Spiral Squares (Moogly Cal 2022)
• Blooming With Hope Square (Moogly Cal 2020)
• Farmhouse Squares (Moogly Cal 2019)
• Wedding Square

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Granny Around The Block Crochet Pattern

The crochet pattern is available for free below.
A downloadable, ad-free pattern is also available to purchase from my Ravelry Shop.

Materials and Details

• Yarn: 100-125 yards ww yarn – two shades of one color, plus a contrasting color
  Yarn colors used in sample: Caron One Pound Aqua, Robin’s Egg, Lavender Blue
• Crochet Hook: J (6mm)
• Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Measurements: 12” square
• Gauge: Measurements provided throughout the pattern. Adjust hook size if need to match measurements.

Tips

• Numbers at the beginning of each line may refer to steps and not indicate the number of rows.
• If you have any questions about this pattern please contact [email protected].

Directions

This starts in the middle, working back and forth in rows. When switching between the two yarn colors, do not finish off the unused yarn until noted in the pattern at the end of the middle block.

1. With a J hook and ww yarn (Robin’s Egg in sample), ch 30, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. (28sts)

2. Ch 2, turn, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next st, *sk 2, 3hdc in the next st*, repeat until 2 sts remain, hdc 2 (one in  each of the last 2 sts).

3. Change to darker shade of ww yarn (Aqua in sample). Ch 2, turn, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next st, *3hdc in the space between the next two clusters*, repeat in each space across, hdc 2 (one in each of the last 2 sts).

4. Ch 2, turn, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next st, *3hdc in the space between the next two clusters*, repeat in each space across, hdc 2 (one in each of the last 2 sts).

5. Change to lighter shade of ww yarn. Ch 2, turn, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next st, *3hdc in the space between the next two clusters*, repeat in each space across, hdc 2 (one in each of the last 2 sts).

6. Ch 2, turn, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next st, *3hdc in the space between the next two clusters*, repeat in each space across, hdc 2 (one in each of the last 2 sts).

7. Repeat steps 3-6 until there are 11 stripes (22 rows) from the beginning edge, ending with the lighter shade yarn.

8. Finish off the lighter shade yarn. Change to the darker shade. This step is worked around the outer edge of the block. 

Note: All sts are worked IN a stitch (or chain), not the spaces. 

Ch 1, turn, 3sc in the same st, sk 1, sc 24, sk 1, 3sc in the last st, sc 24 sts evenly spaced down the side of the block, 3sc in the first st of the row, sk 1, sc 24, sk 1, 3sc in the last st, sc 24 sts evenly spaced up the side of the block, sl st in the first st to join. Finish off the current yarn and weave in ends. (108 sts) 9.5” across

9. Attach contrasting yarn (lavender blue in main sample) with a sl st in a middle st at one corner. Ch 2 (counts as a st), (hdc, ch 2, 2hdc) in the same st, sk 2, *3hdc in the next st, sk 2*, repeat to corner, **(2hdc, ch 2, 2hdc) in the next st, sk 2, *3hdc in the next st, sk 2*, repeat to corner,**, repeat from ** to ** to end of round, sl st to join. Finish off the current yarn and weave in ends. (112 sts + 8chs)

10.  Attach contrasting yarn (Aqua in main sample) with a sl st in the space at one corner. Ch 2 (counts as a st), (2hdc, ch 2, 3hdc) in the same space, sk 2, *3hdc in the next space, sk 2*, repeat to corner, **(3hdc, ch 2, 3hdc) in the next space, sk 2, *3hdc in the next space, sk 2*, repeat to corner,**, repeat from ** to ** to end of round, sl st to join, sl st to corner space. Finish off the current yarn and weave in ends. (132 sts + 8chs)

11. Attach contrasting yarn (Robin’s Egg in main sample) with a sl st in the space at one corner. Ch 1, **4sc in the corner, *sc 2, sc in the space*, repeat across until 2 sts remain before the corner, sc 2,**, repeat from ** to ** to end of round, sl st in first st to join. Finish off and weave in ends. (144sts) 12” across

Extra Round (optional if needed for measurement): Ch 1, *4sc in corner, sk 1, sc 35, sk 1*, repeat to end of round, sl st in first st to join. Finish off and weave in ends. (156sts)

Print and Plan

Right-click the photo below to save it to your device.

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