Rectangle “Granny Square” free crochet pattern and tutorial

Jun 10, 2023 | Beginner Crochet Patterns, Crochet patterns, Most Popular, Tutorials

This rectangle “granny square” is a free crochet pattern and tutorial by Nana’s Crafty Home!

My fun Pig in a Blanket Squish needed a good, old-fashioned granny stitch “something” to go with it. I played around with some traditional granny squares but they just weren’t quite what I was looking for.

I really wanted the look of a granny square but with a rectangle shape…behold the rectangle “granny square”!

A rectangle granny motif is perfect for blankets and so much more! You could play around with your starting foundation chain to make a scarf, rectangle shawl, cardigans, table runners, placemats or adjust for various blanket sizes. You could also make several small rectangles and sew them together for so many different things.

This granny stitch would make a lovely baby blanket or continue repeating rounds to make a big blanket!

I am really excited to show you my latest project (and free pattern!) as it is so cute but in the meantime you can check out the tutorial for this rectangular “granny square” to get ready! Update: The Crochet Pig Squish pattern is now available on the blog!

Crochet Granny Rectangle free crochet pattern and tutorial

Table of Contents

Rectangle “Granny Square” Pattern Details

I think this rectangle granny would be great for beginners! The only “tricky” bit is that first round of granny clusters where you are working extra clusters and chains to create corner spaces. The only stitches used in this pattern are chains, the single crochet stitch and the double crochet stitch. The single crochets are used for the foundation center row and from then on you are only working double crochet clusters – 3 double crochet stitches worked in the same stitch or space.

The granny stitch is so iconic and has such a retro vintage vibe to it. Most likely if you grew up in the 70s (like I did!) you (or your couch 😉) were decorated with variations of the granny stitch from ponchos to blankets. It seems like everything old is new again and shows how crochet is so enduring through the years. I bet someday my great great grandchildren will be emulating our crochet fashion choices.

In a traditional granny square pattern you will generally begin with a magic circle or small ring and then the granny cluster stitches are worked in the round creating a square shape. If you love the traditional granny square you can check out my Ferris Wheel Granny Square Scarf, the Ferris Wheel Granny Square Hat or the Sedona Ruana. If you like working in turned rounds in a granny square you will love the Twinkle Twinkle Baby Blanket by Simple Things Crochet!

I also have a complete photo and video tutorial for the original basic traditional granny square!

For a rectangle granny shape you will begin with a starting chain in multiples of 3+2 for your foundation chain. That is one of the best things about a rectangle granny – you can make any size rectangle just by adjusting your foundation chain.

How to make the rectangle into ANY size is a very simple formula. This formula works for any rectangle blanket you choose to make in any stitch. Simply decide on the size you want your finished blanket to be. For example: 35″ width x 50″ length. You will subtract the width from the length 50″ – 35″ = 15″. Make your foundation chain 15″ in length adjusting to account for your stitch multiples.

I have a complete video tutorial to show you how to make the Rectangle “Granny Square” which you can find below. You can also find the free complete written pattern instructions at the bottom of this post along with a photo tutorial. The video tutorial is also on YouTube. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to get notified whenever I post a new video.

For the photo tutorial I am showing Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn! which is a medium worsted weight 4 acrylic yarn. However, this granny stitch crochet rectangle can be made with any yarn weight you choose. Just make sure that the crochet hook you use matches the yarn weight.

*This post contains affiliate links. You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase. I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This basic granny rectangle pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! You can purchase the individual pattern, or if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

The paid PDF option now includes the recommended foundation chain for blanket sizes:

Baby Stroller:30” x 37”
Lapghan: 40” x 47”
Twin: 66” x 90”
King: 90” x 114″

Purchase the ad-free pdf of the classic granny rectangle pattern for a small fee. Thank you so much for supporting my work!

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You may also like the following free crochet patterns:

Easy Granny Square Ruana Wrap free crochet pattern

Easy Granny Square Boho Ferris Wheel Hat free crochet pattern

Granny Rectangle Free Crochet Pattern & Photo Tutorial

Pattern written in US crochet terminology

Supplies:

Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn! Weight 4 / Medium (100% acrylic, 7.0 oz / 355 yds)

Light Gray (Color A)
Mango (Color B)
Gray Beard (Color C)

Size J (6.0 mm) crochet hook
Scissors
Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 9 rows x 4 dc clusters = 4”

Abbreviations:

RS = right side
sl st = slip stitch
ch(s) = chain(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
dc = double crochet
beg = beginning
sp(s) = space(s)

Special Stitches:

Beg cluster = ch 3, 2 dc stitches worked in same stitch or space.

Cluster = group of 3 dc stitches worked in same stitch or space.

Pattern Notes:

Rectangle can be easily resized by adjusting foundation chain in multiples of 3 + 2.
Formula for adjusting foundation chain to any size blanket: Length – width = length of foundation chain, then adjust to account for stitch multiples as above.
Stitch count increases by 4 clusters each round.
If you are not changing colors between rounds, sl st into the top of the next 2 sts and into the next sp between clusters to begin next round with beg cluster in same space.

Recommended Tutorial:

Granny Rectangle Video Tutorial

Pattern Instructions

With color a, ch 20.

Row 1: 1 sc in third ch from hook and in each ch to end. Turn. (18)

Round 2: (RS) Beg cluster,

*sk next 2 sts, cluster in the next st,* repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, sk next 2 sts,

in the sp of the skipped chs from the beginning work (cluster, ch 2, cluster, ch 2, cluster) all in same sp,

now working in unused loops of beginning foundation ch, repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, sk next 2 sts,

granny rectangle round 2 complete process

work (cluster, ch 2, cluster, ch 2) in the last st, sl st in top of ch-3 from beg cluster. (16 clusters + 4 ch-2 sps)

Fasten off color a.

granny rectangle round 3 beginning process

Round 3: Join color b with sl st to last ch-2 sp from previous round, (beg cluster, ch 2, cluster) in same sp, 3 dc cluster in each sp between clusters to next ch-2 sp, (cluster, ch 2, cluster) in next 2 ch-2 sps, 3 dc cluster in each sp between clusters to next ch-2 sp, (cluster, ch 2, cluster) in ch-2 sp, sl st in top of ch-3 from beg cluster. (20 dc clusters + 4 ch-2 sps)

Not changing colors between rounds?

Sl st in next 2 sts, sl st in sp between clusters, work beg cluster in same sp and continue with pattern as above.

Repeat for next round by working sl st in next 2 sts, sl st in next sp between clusters and continue.

Rectangle Granny Blanket no color change tutorial

Pattern continues below for changing colors:

Fasten off color b.

Round 4: Join color c with sl st to any ch-2 sp from previous round, (beg cluster, ch 2, cluster) in same sp, *3 dc cluster in each sp between clusters to next ch-2 sp, (cluster, ch 2, cluster) in same sp,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3 from beg cluster. (24 dc clusters + 4 ch-2 sps)