Note that part of this granny square tutorial is taken from the Wildrose Backpack. The granny square is worked exactly the same until Round 5.
Start off with a Magic Ring (I have a step-by-step tutorial on my blog) and chain 4 – this initial chain 4 counts as the first double crochet and Chain 1
Work double crochets separated by chain 1’s into the Magic Ring (in total, there will be 12 dc’s and 12 chain-1’s). Pull the initial tail to close the center hole. To close off Round 1, join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the initial Chain 4. We want to begin Round 2 in a ch-1 space. Thus, work a slip stitch into the ch-1 space so that we can begin there. You will see this technique all throughout the granny square as we usually want to begin working the round in a ch-1 space, so we will need to work slip stitches to get to this position.
To begin Round 2, chain 3 and work a puff stitch. You work a puff stitch and a chain 1 in each ch-1 space around. By the end of Round 2, you should have 12 puff stitches separated by chain 1’s.
Once again, you then slip stitch 2 to get into the ch-1 space. We are now ready to begin Round 3!
Work a beginning cluster and then work two more clusters in the subsequent ch-1 spaces. It will now be time to form the first corner of the granny square. To do so, chain 3, and then work the next cluster. Repeat this pattern around so that you have four chain 3 spaces (one in each corner), each separated by three clusters.
To begin Round 4, slip stitch 2 to get to the nearest ch-1 space
You will work clusters in each ch-1 gap. When you come to the first ch-3 space, it is time to accentuate the corner. To do so, work *cluster, ch 3, cluster* in this ch-3 space.
At the end of Round 4, you should have 16 clusters with ch-3 spaces in each corner (each separated by 4 clusters). To get ready for Round 5, slip stitch to the nearest ch-1 space.
In the first ch-1 space, chain 2 and work 2 single crochets in the same space. In each ch-1 space, you will work 3 single crochets. When you come to the ch-3 spaces (in each corner), you will work *3 sc, ch 2, 3 sc* as indicated by the arrow below. By the end of Round 5, you will have 60 single crochets.
If you would like to make your granny squares larger (thereby making your entire bag larger), you can do the following:
- Work this Round 5 instead of the Round 5 stated in the pattern.
- Add Round 6.
- Add Round 6 and 7.
Round 5 (alternate): Slip stitch 2 to get to ch-1 space, ch 3. Work 2 dc in same space. 3 dc in next ch-1 sp. [In next ch-3 sp, *3 dc, ch 3, 3dc*. 3 dc in next 3 ch-1 sp.]. Repeat everything between brackets [ ] 2 more times. In next ch-3 sp,
*3 dc, ch 3, 3dc*. 3 dc in last chain space. Slip stitch to 3rd chain of beg ch-3. (60 dc) Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in each dc until you reach dc before Ch 3 (7 dc). Skip next dc, *3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc* in Ch-3 corner. [Skip next dc, dc across until reach dc before Ch 3 (13 dc). Skip next dc, *3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc* in ch-3 corner.].
Repeat everything between brackets [ ] 2 more times. Skip next dc, dc 5. Slip stitch to top of Ch 3. (76 dc)Round 7: Ch 4 (counts as dc and chain 1). Sk 1, dc 1. *Ch 1, sk 1, dc 1* until Ch 3 space. *Dc 2, Ch 3, dc 2* in ch-3 sp. [*Dc 1, ch 1, sk 1* until last st before ch-3 sp. Dc in last stitch. *Dc 2, Ch 3, dc 2* in ch-3 sp]. Repeat everything between brackets [ ] 2 more times. *Dc 1, ch 1, sk 1* until end. Sl st to 3rd chain of beg ch-4. [56 dc interspersed with chain-1 gaps]. Fasten off. Weave in end.
If you work this alternate Round 5 and Round 6, resulting granny square is: 5”/12.7 cm x 5”/12.7 cm. Diagonal is 6.5”/16.5 cm.
If you work this alternate Round 5 + Round 6 + Round 7, resulting granny square is: 5.75”/14.6 cm x 5.75”/14.6 cm. Diagonal is 7.5”/19 cm.
