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.

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.

Superman Square

NOTE: This is NOT the pattern for the Superman afghan shown in the picture above, this is merely the pattern for the SQUARE I used to make the afghan with, which we call the Superman square in honor of this afghan. I will eventually get around to posting that pattern but I wanted to make sure I wasn't getting anyone's hopes up that this might be it.

As an update, Lori just finished making this afghan using the same square and mapping her pattern out on graph paper. She did an amazing job, and I wanted to post it here so you can get an idea of the versatility of this square. If you can graph it, you can do it! This took her a lot of work, but in the end it made an awesome afghan! Once again, this pattern is JUST FOR THE SQUARE, not the graphs we used to make either of these afghans. hope you enjoy it! 

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.

Row 1: Chain 3 (not including the loose starting chain)

Do two double crochets in starting chain

Chain 2

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

Join to initial chain three.

Row 2: Work 2 double crochets in the next two dc of previous round

then in corner chain 2 space do [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc]

dc in next three dc of previous round, then work corners [2 dc, ch 2, 2dc] around

join.

Row 3: Dc in next 4 dc of previous round

work corners [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc]

Continue doing one dc in each dc of previous round, and in corner spaces do [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc]. Square will end with 2 dc in dc of previous round, then join with a slip stitch and finish off. Work in loose ends.