Granny Square Coaster Pattern: The Classic in Four Rounds

Four rounds of a classic granny square make a coaster-sized piece, which is why this is such a common first project in the round. There are only two things to learn: a cluster of three double crochets, and a corner made of two clusters with a chain 2 between them. Everything else is repetition, and each round adds exactly four clusters to the one before.

The pattern is written in US crochet terms.

What You Need

• Worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn in one color, or up to four colors for a round-by-round version
• US H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook
• Yarn needle and scissors

Four rounds usually come out at about 4.5 in (11.5 cm) across, plus a little more with the border. Treat that as an estimate, since gauge differs from person to person. Granny clusters leave small gaps by design; if you want a closed fabric, the solid granny square coaster is the same shape without the spaces.

Abbreviations and Notes

• ch — chain
• sl st — slip stitch
• sc — single crochet
• dc — double crochet
• sp — space
• cluster — 3 dc worked into the same space
• corner — (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) worked into the same ch-2 space

The square is worked in joined rounds with the same side facing you throughout. The chain 3 at the start of each round counts as the first double crochet of its cluster. From round 2 on, clusters go into the spaces of the round below, never into the tops of stitches.

The Four Rounds

1. Rnd 1: Ch 4 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the ring, ch 2, *3 dc in the ring, ch 2; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to the top of the ch 3. (4 clusters, 4 ch-2 sps)
2. Rnd 2: Sl st in each of the next 2 dc and into the ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to the top of the ch 3. (8 clusters, 4 ch-1 sps)
3. Rnd 3: Sl st in each of the next 2 dc and into the ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to the top of the ch 3. (12 clusters, 8 ch-1 sps)
4. Rnd 4: Sl st in each of the next 2 dc and into the ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, [3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 2 times, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1, [3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 2 times; repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to the top of the ch 3. (16 clusters, 12 ch-1 sps)

A magic ring works in place of the chain 4 ring in round 1 if you prefer a center that pulls fully closed. The slip stitches at the start of rounds 2 to 4 are only there to move the yarn across to the corner space; they are not counted.

How the Cluster Count Grows

Every round has four corners, and each corner holds two clusters. That accounts for eight clusters in any round after the first. The rest sit along the sides, one in each chain-1 space, and each side gains one cluster per round.

If a round does not close neatly, count clusters before anything else. A missing cluster nearly always means a chain-1 space was skipped, and an extra one usually means a corner was given three clusters instead of two.

Changing Color Every Round

The granny square is built for stripes, because each round starts in a corner and can begin with fresh yarn. One arrangement is cream, honey, sage and walnut from the center out.

1. Finish the round with its sl st, cut the yarn and pull the tail through the loop.
2. Insert the hook in any ch-2 corner sp, pull up a loop of the new color and ch 3. This counts as the first dc.
3. Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in that same sp and continue the round as written, leaving out the opening slip stitches.

Starting each color in a different corner keeps the joins from stacking up in one place. A four-color coaster leaves eight tails, so crochet over them where you can and read how to weave in ends before you trim anything. For neater transitions in general, see the guide to changing colors in crochet coasters.

Single Crochet Border

A round of single crochet firms up the edge and frames the last color.

5. Rnd 5: Join yarn in any ch-2 corner sp. Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *3 sc in the corner sp, [sc in each of the next 3 dc, sc in the next ch-1 sp] 3 times, sc in each of the next 3 dc; repeat from * 3 more times, sl st to the first sc. (72 sc)

Each side has four clusters and three chain-1 spaces, which gives 12 plus 3, or 15 single crochets per side. Four sides make 60, and the four corners add 12 more.

Blocking and Finishing

Granny squares often look a little rounded straight off the hook. Pin the four corners out to a true square on a blocking mat, mist the coaster with water and let it dry fully; the steps are covered in the guide to blocking crochet coasters. Follow your yarn label for washing.