How to Crochet Flower Granny Squares

Flower Granny Square Pattern

I've always enjoyed crocheting granny squares. Recently, I came across a Flickr photo with brightly colored flower granny squares. Hoping to make a baby blanket from them, I looked for instructions. Unfortunately, the photo didn't link to any.

I spent an evening creating these flowered granny squares in similar color patterns to the ones I'd seen. I wrote instructions as I made them so that others might use them. My instructions are written so beginners can easily follow them. 

 

What you'll need:

Crochet hook size G
Ball of Peaches N crème off white cotton yarn
Ball of Peaches N crème royal blue cotton yarn
Ball of Crayon Buncle hot pink yarn from Knit Picks.com
Scissors

 

Create the Center Chain Ring

Step 1:

Chain 6. Slip stitch to the first stitch in the chain to create a ring. Chain 3 from the ring. This chain serves as the first double crochet in the next round.

 

The Center of the Granny Square Flower

Step 2.

Double crochet 11 times around the ring. (This round is done when there are 12 stitches including the chain of 3.) Slip stitch the last double crochet to the top of the beginning chain of 3.

 

Create the First Round of Flower Petals

Step 3

Cut the working yarn an inch from the work. Tie on the next color. Chain 3. This serves as the first double crochet in the next round. Double crochet 2 times between the next double crochet stitch of the last round. Continue around the ring double crocheting 3 times between each double crochet stitch of the last round. This creates the "petals" of the flower. When you reach the end of the row, slip stitch the last double crochet stitch to the top of the first chain stitch of the row. It is important that this row ends with exactly 12 clusters of double crochets, or 12 petals.

 

Finishing the Petals and Creating the first Corner of the Granny Square

Step 5

Cut the working yarn an inch from the work. Tie on the next color. Chain 3. This serves as the first double crochet in the next round. Double crochet 2 times between the next double crochet stitch of the last round. Chain 2. Continue around the ring double crocheting 3 times between each cluster of double crochet stitches of the last round. Chain 2 after each set of 3 double crochets. After you’ve crocheted 12 clusters, or petals, chain 2. Slip stitch to the top of the first chain stitch of the row.

Slip stitch through the top of the double crochet stitches to get to the first “gap” in the previous round, or the chain between the petals. Once you have your crochet hook above the gap, chain 3. This represents the first chain stitch of the next round. Double crochet 2 times. Chain 2. Double crochet 3 more times in the same position as the previous 2 double crochets. You have just made the first corner of your granny square.

 

Finishing the Flower Granny Square

* Chain 2. In the next gap of the previous row, single crochet 3 times. Chain 2 to get to the next gap. Single crochet 3 times. Chain 2 to get to the next gap. Double crochet 3 times. Chain 2. Double crochet 3 times in the same space. You now have the next corner of your granny square.

Repeat from * until you reach the end of the round. Chain 2. Slip stitch to the top of the chain that began the round.

 

 

More Flower Crochet Ideas

by HSSchulte

Now that you know how to crochet a granny square, check out my other tutorials here at Squidoo to crochet flower granny squares, or crochet a granny hexagon too!

How to Crochet a Flower Hexagon
Tired of the same old granny squares? Even the beginner can whip up these pretty flower hexagons. I’ll show you how step by step below.

How to Crochet a Rose
This beautiful rose is a quick and easy project to crochet. It can be made in only a few minutes and is simple enough for the beginner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Make a Puffy Flower - Crochet with the Puff Stitch

One of my favorite flowers to crochet is the puff flower. These flowers are made by crocheting around a ring with a stitch called the puff stitch. Each flower contains 8 puff stitches, or petals. You can build on the center flower with a second row of puffy petals as seen on the left, or you can crochet petals as seen on the right. Why not work them into a granny square? The possibilities for how to use a puffy flower are endless. 

Puff Stitch Flower Instructions

How to Crochet a Puffy Flower

• 1
  Chain 4. Slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring.
• 2
  Yarn over.
  Insert the hook into the center of the ring.
  Yarn over again.
  Pull the hook up.
  
  * Repeat this step 6 times
• 3
  Yarn over and pull the yarn through all the loops on the hook. There should be 13.
  
  (The first few times you do this, it may be difficult to do without snagging the yarns. Keep trying! It gets easier after you have done it a few times.)
• 4
  Chain 1.
• 5
  Repeat steps 2-4 seven more times to form eight petals.
• 6
  After the 8th petal is made, slip stitch back to the beginning of the ring of petals.
  
  

  Puff Flower Video Instructions

  How to Crochet a Puffy Flower on Video

  I made a little video to help show the steps of a puff flower. This video is strictly the center of the flower with 8 petals. There is another video below explaining how to do a second round of puff stitch petals.

  
  

  Hook to Use for Your Puff Stitch Flowers

  Fun Puffy Flower Patterns for Different Sizes

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  

  Look closely again at this photo. The center of the white flower on top and pink flower on the right are slightly smaller. They were started with a chain of 4 and a G size crochet hook was used. The pink flower on the left and the yellow flower on the bottom are slightly bigger in the center because they were started with a ring chain of 6 and an I size crochet hook was used.
  
  Once you’ve finished the first row of your flower, you can use it as it is to embellish crochet projects. Another option is to continue around the flower a second time making another row of puff stitches. This method is seen on the far left flower. It has a center of pink puff stitches, followed by a row of green puff stitches.
  
  You can also make granny squares out of these puff flowers. To find out how to do this, visit the granny square tutorial below.
  
  

  More Ideas for Your Puffy Flowers

  Puffy Flower Idea Box

  Here you’ll find puffy flowers in a variety of colors and combinations to inspire your next crochet project. You can click any photo below to learn more about it.
  
  

  More Free Flower Patterns by HS Schulte

  • 

    Free Knifty Knitter Flower Loom Patterns and Instructions

    I love the versatility of this flower loom, because you can use it to knit, or weave flowers. The pegs slip out to easily remove woven flowers from the loom....
  • 

    African Flower Hexagon Crochet Pattern and Video

    Tired of the same old granny squares? Even the beginner can whip up these pretty flower hexagons. I'll show you how step by step below. When you are finished...
  • 

    How to Crochet Flower Granny Squares

    I've always enjoyed crocheting granny squares. Recently, I came across a Flickr photo with brightly colored flower granny squares. Hoping to make a baby bla...

    
    

    
    

    
    

Crochet Shell Stitch - iPad Cover

Crochet the Shell Stitch

The shell stitch is my favorite crochet stitch. I love it because it of it's wavy, lacy appearance. Anything crocheted with the shell stitch comes out looking like a masterpiece. You don't have to worry that you can't do it. If you can double crochet, you can make this stitch.

The photo here is an iPad cover that I made using the shell stitch. I also like to make wash cloths with it. I am an avid loom knitter and when making knitted afghans and blankets, the shell stitch around the edge adds a feminine finish to the project.

Instructions

How to Crochet the Shell Stitch

Foundation Chain
1. Chain 26. (You will begin with a foundation chain of 6 chains for each shell in the first row. Our first row will have 4 shells, so we are going to chain 24 + 2 for our turning chain.)

Row 1:
Shell 1
2. In the second stitch from the hook, single crochet.

3. Skip 2 chains. In the 3rd chain from the hook, double crochet 5 times.

4. Skip 2 chains. Single crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook.

Shell 2-4

5. Repeat steps 3 – 4 three more times.

Row 2:
Half Shell
6. Chain 1. Turn. Skip the chain stitch that you just made and double crochet 3 times in the 2nd stitch from the hook.

Three Full Shells
7. Skip 2 stitches. In the 3rd stitch from the hook, single crochet one time. (This should be the top of the shell from the previous row.)

8. Skip 2 stitches. In the 3rd stitch from the hook, double crochet 5 times. (This should be the lowest point of the previous row, between two shells.)

9. Repeat steps 7 – 8 two more times.

Half Shell
10. Skip 2 stitches and double crochet 3 times in the 2nd chain from the hook.

Finish the Work
11. Chain 1. Turn. Repeat row 1. Repeat row 2. Continue this step until you have 16 rows.

How to Use the Shell Stitch in Patterns

Washcloths
When I make a washcloth with the shell stitch, I simply crochet 16 rows and tie it off as instructed above. It makes a very feminine cloth for bath time. Give it away as a special gift by pairing it with some bath salts or bubble bath.

iPad Cover
I made the shell stitched iPad cover above by crocheting one panel 16 rows long. The first panel is the front. I then made a second panel that was 24 rows long. The second panel is the back. I used thread to sew the panels together. Line the panels up at the bottom, leaving the extra 8 rows at the top of the back panel. Sew a button on the top of the front panel. Place the button about an inch from the top. The extra 8 inches of the back panel is simply turned down and buttoned to the front.

Shell Stitch Blanket
As I said I’m partial to shell stitches, but I think most people would agree that they make gorgeous blankets. Expand on the instructions above making the foundation chain as wide as you would like your blanket. The foundation chain must be done in multiples of 6. Always add 2 for the turning chain. (Multiplier of 6 + 2) A infant blanket 3 feet wide would require rows of approximately 16 shell stitches. Each shell stitch is 6 chains, so that is a chain of 96 (6 chains per shell * 16 shells) + 2 = 98 chain stitches.