Step-By-Step Guide to Creating the Stunning Granny's Gift Square: Free Crochet Pattern
This 12” square block is a fun make for crocheters, featuring the traditional Granny stitch in a different format.
The simple stitches and interesting construction of Granny's Gift Square Free Crochet Pattern make this an enjoyable relaxing make and an excellent portable project to carry with you on the go. It offers the chance for stash-busting to use small quantities of your favourite leftover yarn scraps turning your squares into an album of your favourite craft memories.
30cm/12” inch squares are a popular size for crochet designs and Granny’s Gift could be incorporated into a traditional blanket as a repeated motif or along with other patterned and plain blocks as a sampler blanket. It could also feature in accessories, homewares or garments.
The Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket 2026
If you love the classic granny square and also enjoy a little variety in your stitching, you're sure to enjoy this annual blog hop style event on the Madame Stitch website, focused on making squares that blend the traditional three stitch clusters with complementary stitches and techniques to add a little extra interest to an all time crochet favourite.
This year I've joined a team of eleven crochet designers who have each created a pattern for a 12"/30 cm (in aran/worsted on 5mm/H hook) square featuring the famous granny stitch clusters, each with its own special twist. My design, Granny's Gift Square features the square as a gift box tied with a bow against a background of a plain crochet stitch.
Each of the designers' contributed patterns will be on their own blog completely FREE of charge, with a new square or blanket component being released every few days from the 28th September to the 28th October.
For those who just want to get started and work on the project at their own pace or simply prefer to have everything up-front when starting a project, the full set of instructions in an ad-free, downloadable, printable format is available on the Madame Stitch website. Buy it via my link, and you'll receive a copy of the Ysoria Hood and Square pattern as a gift, which includes a 12"/30cm crochet square (compatible with those in the make-along) as part of the Hood design.
Granny's Gift Square is also available as an individual pattern on Ravelry.
Granny's Gift Square: Free Crochet Pattern
Sizes: 30cm/12” Square in aran/worsted yarn
Tension: 14 sts x 7.5 rows = 10cm x 10cm / 4” x 4” measured over Granny stitch centre using 5 mm hook, after blocking.
Working method: The square is worked in joined rounds from the RS with increases at the corners to keep it flat as it grows. It is never turned. Ribbons are worked in the round along either side of a foundation chain and sewn in position.
Finished measurements
a. Square: 30cm/12”
b. Bow Ribbons: 45cm/18”
c. Bow Securing Ribbon: 35cm/14.”
Requirements
Lily’s Sugar ‘n Cream aran/worsted (100% cotton; 109m/119yd per 70.9g/2.5 oz) or similar yarn
Sample in:
Colour A Countryside Ombre (02235): 1 ball/109m/120yd
Colour B Hot Purple (01317): 0.5 ball/50m/55yd
Colour C Ecru (00004): 0.5 ball/50m/55yd
5mm (US H/8) hook
Yarn needle and scissors
Optional: locking stitch markers if you like to mark start of round or corner chsp
Pins, clips or locking stitch markers to secure bow during assembly
Abbreviations
st/sts stitch/stitches
R Row/s or round/s
RS/WS right/wrong side
ch chain
slst slip stitch
sc single crochet
dc double crochet
tr treble (UK only)
chsp chain space
BLO(l)/FLO(L) work st into back/front loop only
Pattern Notes
Starting chains count as a stitch unless stated and can be replaced by standing sts if preferred. Magic loop can be used at start if preferred. The first stitch of each side after the corner chsp can sometimes be hidden by the corner stitches of the next round; take care not to miss it. In this pattern both stitches and chains count as the next place to work a st, so miss 1 can refer to a st or a ch.
This pattern has separate UK terminology and US terminology instructions. Please be sure you are using the instructions in your preferred terminology. I recommend that you read through the pattern before starting.
Method (UK Terms) switch to US Terms
Square
Worked in the round joining and working turning chains between rounds.
Gift Box
With colour A, work 4 ch, join as a loop and slst in the centre of the loop.
R1(RS): Working into 4 ch loop, 3 ch (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr, 2 ch, [3 tr, 2 ch] 3 times, slst in 1st st of round, slst to and in corner 2chsp. 12 sts, 4 2chsp
R2(RS): (3 ch (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr, 2 ch, 3 tr) in same corner 2chsp, 1 ch, [(3 tr, 2 ch, 3 tr) in next corner 2chsp, 1 ch] 3 times, slst in 1st st of round, slst to and in corner 2chsp. 24 sts, 4 2chsp, 4 1chsp
R3: (3 ch (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr, 2 ch, 3 tr) in same corner 2chsp, 1 ch, 3 tr in 1chsp, 1 ch, [(3 tr, 2 ch, 3 tr) in next corner 2chsp, 1 ch, (3 tr, 1 ch) in each 1chsp to next corner 2chsp] 3 times, slst in 1st st of round**, slst to and in corner 2chsp. 36 sts, 4 2chsp, 8 1chsp (12 st and 4 1chsp inc’d)
R4-R9: Rep R3 six more times (square measures 25cm/10”). On final repeat, stop at ** unless working Border in same colour. 108 sts, 4 2chsp, 32 1chsp
Fasten off colour A
Border
R1(RS): working always into BLO of each st and ch, join colour B with slst in of 1st ch of any corner 2chsp, (1 ch (does not count as st), [1 dc in 1st ch, 1 ch, 1 dc in 2nd ch, dc in each st and ch to next corner 2chsp] 4 times, slst in 1st st of round, slst in corner 1chsp. 148 sts, 4 1chsp
R2(RS): 1 ch (does not count as st), [(1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc) in corner 1chsp, dc to next corner 1chsp] 4 times**, slst in 1st st of round, slst in corner 1chsp. 156 sts, 4 1chsp (8 st inc’d)
R3-X: Rep R2 twice more or until square measures 30cm/12”. On final repeat, stop at **. 172 sts, 4 1chsp
Ribbons (make 3: 2 long and 1 short)
With colour C, work:
46 ch for one Bow Securing Ribbon
58 ch for each of two Bow Ribbons
R1(RS): 3 tr in 5th ch from hook (3 missed ch count as 1 tr, 1 foundation ch), [miss 2, 3 tr in next ch] to last 2 ch, 3 ch, miss 1, slst in last ch, rotate piece to work along other side of foundation, making all 3tr groups on this side in same ch as first side 3tr groups, 3 ch (counts as 1 tr), miss 1, 3 tr in next ch [miss 2, 3 tr in next ch] to last found ch and st (3 ch counting as tr), miss 1, 1 tr in base ch of last st.
Bow Securing Ribbon 44 sts (14 3 tr groups and 2 tr) each side
Bow Ribbons 56 sts (18 3 tr groups and 2 tr) each side
Method (US Terms) switch to UK Terms
Square
Worked in the round joining and working turning chains between rounds.
Gift Box
With colour A, work 4 ch, join as a loop and slst in the centre of the loop.
R1(RS): Working into 4 ch loop, 3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc, 2 ch, [3 dc, 2 ch] 3 times, slst in 1st st of round, slst to and in corner 2chsp. 12 sts, 4 2chsp
R2(RS): (3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) in same corner 2chsp, 1 ch, [(3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) in next corner 2chsp, 1 ch] 3 times, slst in 1st st of round, slst to and in corner 2chsp. 24 sts, 4 2chsp, 4 1chsp
R3: (3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) in same corner 2chsp, 1 ch, 3 dc in 1chsp, 1 ch, [(3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) in next corner 2chsp, 1 ch, (3 dc, 1 ch) in each 1chsp to next corner 2chsp] 3 times, slst in 1st st of round**, slst to and in corner 2chsp. 36 sts, 4 2chsp, 8 1chsp (12 st and 4 1chsp inc’d)
R4-R9: Rep R3 six more times (square measures 25cm/10”). On final repeat, stop at ** unless working Border in same colour. 108 sts, 4 2chsp, 32 1chsp
Fasten off colour A
Border
R1(RS): working always into BLO of each st and ch, join colour B with slst in of 1st ch of any corner 2chsp, (1 ch (does not count as st), [1 sc in 1st ch, 1 ch, 1 sc in 2nd ch, sc in each st and ch to next corner 2chsp] 4 times, slst in 1st st of round, slst in corner 1chsp. 148 sts, 4 1chsp
R2(RS): 1 ch (does not count as st), [(1 sc, 1 ch, 1 sc) in corner 1chsp, sc to next corner 1chsp] 4 times**, slst in 1st st of round, slst in corner 1chsp. 156 sts, 4 1chsp (8 st inc’d)
R3-X: Rep R2 twice more or until square measures 30cm/12”. On final repeat, stop at **. 172 sts, 4 1chsp
Ribbons (make 3: 2 long and 1 short)
With colour C, work:
46 ch for one Bow Securing Ribbon
58 ch for each of two Bow Ribbons
R1(RS): 3 dc in 5th ch from hook (3 missed ch count as 1 dc, 1 foundation ch), [miss 2, 3 dc in next ch] to last 2 ch, 3 ch, miss 1, slst in last ch, rotate piece to work along other side of foundation, making all 3 dc groups on this side in same ch as first side 3 dc groups, 3 ch (counts as 1 dc), miss 1, 3 dc in next ch [miss 2, 3 dc in next ch] to last found ch and st (3 ch counting as dc), miss 1, 1 dc in base ch of last st.
Bow Securing Ribbon 44 sts (14 3 dc groups and 2 dc) each side
Bow Ribbons 56 sts (18 3 dc groups and 2 dc) each side
ASSEMBLY
Pin one short end of each Bow Ribbon centred on opposite side edges of Gift Box with remainder of ribbon lying toward centre of Gift Box. Take care that right side of Square and wrong side of Bow Ribbons are facing you.
Form Bow by bringing ribbons to centre, crossing them over with tails pointing to opposite top corners of gift box, (secure centre with stitch marker if desired), fold ribbons about two halfway to the top corner of the gift box so they run back to centre to cross again with tails pointing to opposite top corners of gift box, (secure centre with stitch marker if desired). Adjust ribbon until you are happy with the look; it may take a few goes, and stitch centre securely, without joining to square.
Pin short ends of Bow Securing Ribbon centred on remaining top and bottom edges of Gift Box with right side of Square and Bow Securing Ribbon facing you and lying across centre of Gift Box and Bow. Pinch Bow Securing Ribbon around centre of bow and secure in place at rear, you may need to overlap some of the Bow Securing Ribbon if it lies loosely over the Gift Box or fix it more loosely if it pulls the Gift Box edges toward the centre.
With colour C stitch pinned Bow Securing Ribbon to nearest sts and chs of Gift Box edges through FLO, folding Border back as needed.
Video
Important Note: It is possible to secure the bow now simply by sewing the centre of the bow to the centre of the square however do consider the future use of the item being made. If it is to be hung vertically, e.g. over the back of a chair or as a bag or wall-hanging, you’d also want to secure the back or top of the bow loops to the square so they stay in place. If the item is in use by a person or animal who might become entangled in the bow and not be able to free themselves, than it is vital that all edges of the bow ribbons are sewn down securely to avoid this.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block to measurements in schematic.
Make it your own
Yarn choice
Most even thickness yarns will work well for this square, If you choose to make one with a different weight yarn, I recommend to use the hook size suggested on the yarn band and your square should have a similar appearance but will be smaller or bigger. Consider using a fancy yarn for the ribbons or gift box, e.g. one with an interesting texture or metallic/glitter fibres in it.
Colour changes
Try to use three yarns that have a fairly strong contrast, e.g. a light colour, medium colour and a dark colour or those that are far apart on the colour wheel. As a general rule it works well to use a darker, plainer or duller yarn for the Border, a bright or variegated yarn for the Gift Box and a light or metallic/glitter yarn for the ribbons.
Edgings
If you are not joining your square to surrounding squares, e.g. using it as a cushion, appliqué, bag, etc. it can look nice to work a slip stitch edging along each ch and st of the final border round.
Remember that you’ll need to allow extra yarn for some changes.
How did it go?
I love to hear from anyone who uses one of my patterns to create a project. Any feedback you give about the pattern will help me develop future patterns that are easy to follow and it’s always exciting to see in-progress or finished projects created using my patterns. Use #grannysgiftsquare on Instagram and do tag me in your post or caption!
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