Basic Granny Square, Solid Color

This is a basic, solid colored granny square. Just in case you hadn't noticed about me, I tend to do things a bit differently from other crocheters. This pattern will be no exception.

I begin by doing my new favorite 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 6, not including the initial loose chain/center ring chain

work 3 dc in starting chain

 
Chain 3, work three dc in same center ring

continue around doing 3 dc, ch 3, ending with 2 dc and then join to 3rd chain of initial chain 6. So if that makes sense you will have your starting chain 6, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, 2 dc, join to 3rd chain. This is actually the traditionally accepted method of making a granny square in a solid color, so if it seems crazy don't blame me. :)

Row 2: chain 3 (For those of you that have made a granny square by a different method, this is where I begin to do my own version. I personally find this method easier to teach and it looks the same to me. I don't see the sense in making things harder than they need to be.)

Work 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in starting corner space

Ch 1, *work next corner [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] ch 1* around

Then join to the initial ch 3 with a slip stitch.

 Row 3: This is where the pattern goes a little weird. What I recommend is at this point, ch 3 (counts as first double) then in the ch 1 space of that previous row do 2 more doubles. See picture below.

At this point, continue alternating between sets of [3 dc, ch1] in middle spaces and [3dc, ch 3, 3dc] in corner spaces. You can make granny squares with more numbers of rows, or even make square afghans with the granny square pattern, but you must follow this basic principle of middle spaces and corner spaces.