Basic Granny Square, Changing Colors Each Round

I begin by doing "my" new method of creating the center ring.

Step 1, make your starting slip-knot.

Step 2: (as an explanation, what I am doing here is skipping the traditional method of making a center ring for squares or motifs. The traditional method is to chain 4 or 5, slip stitch into the very first chain to create a ring, and then continue to make your square based out of that ring. THIS method, however, is much simpler.) Chain 1

Step 3: Cinch that first chain down snugly so it forms a reinforced knot that seems to be fairly unravel-proof and make sure the loop on your hook is fairly loose (probably about double the size it would normally be should be perfect.) That starting loop will be the center of your project, so you want to make sure it's loose enough to work in and yet not so big it leaves a giant gaping hole in the middle of your square.

chain 3, not including the initial loose chain/center ring chain

Do 2 more dc in starting chain

Chain 2

*3 doubles in starting chain, chain two* three times

Finish by joining with slip stitch to starting ch 3, then finish off and work in loose ends.

Join new color with a sc in any of the four corner spaces.

ch 2 (counts as first dc)

Do 2 more dc, ch 3, 3 dc for first corner, ch 1 (Stephen's rule is always chain 1 before moving on to your next space. It makes the square look neat and tidy and it looks sloppy if you don't do it)

*In next corner, do [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1]* in next 3 corners.

Join with slip stitch to initial ch 2 of row. Finish off and work in loose ends.

Row 3: Join final color with sc in middle space (I prefer to start this row in a middle space and not a corner, but that is completely up to you)

Do 2 dc in same middle space, ch 1

In corner space, do [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc], ch 1.

Continue working middle spaces [3 dc] and corner spaces [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] around. Join to starting ch of row. Finish off, work in loose ends.