Home»Blog»How to Crochet a Hexagon Granny Square Step-by-Step
Do you want to learn how to crochet a hexagon granny square? In this guide, I’ll show you the simplest way to crochet this classic crochet motif. I’ll give you tips to make sure yours look great, and I’ve included pictures and a video to help you along.
UPDATED: MARCH 22, 2024 BY BRITTANY
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The hexagon granny square is a fun twist on the usual square shape. It’s still really popular today, whether you’re making clothes or decorating your home. You can use hexagons to make blankets, scarves, pillows, or even bags. My favorite thing to make with them is a cozy cardigan!
All you need are some crochet hooks and your favorite yarn. With a bit of practice, you’ll soon have lots of hexagon granny squares ready for your next project.
Here is a quick overview of the topics we’ll cover in this article:
- Basic Hexagon Granny Square Construction
- Hexagon Granny Square Pattern
- Finishing the Hexagon Granny Square
- Step-by-Step Video
- Granny Square Variations
- How Many Rounds Should a Hexagon Granny Square Have?
- How to Add More Rounds to a Hexagon Granny Square
- Changing Colors in Hexagon Granny Squares
- Why Crochet Hexagon Granny Squares?
- What Crochet Hook Is Best for Hexagon Granny Squares?
- What Yarn is Best for Hexagon Granny Squares?
- Tips for Neater Squares
- Should You Block Hexagon Granny Squares?
- The Easiest Way to Join Hexagon Granny Squares
Basic Hexagon Granny Square Construction
To make a hexagon granny square, you’ll crochet in rounds starting from the center and working outward. Each round consists of clusters of double crochets, but there’s one less stitch in the cluster than what usual granny squares have. This keeps the hexagon flat, and less wavy. More on that later!
“Clusters” in the hexagon granny square are made up of two double crochets and traditionally, they have a chain in between them. However, many modern patterns skip this chain to make it look neater.
Hexagon Granny Square Pattern
The hexagon granny square pattern has changed a bit over time. After trying out different ways, the pattern below is the one that makes the hexagon granny square look the neatest.
Supplies
- Yarn: For practice, use medium-weight yarn. You’ll only need a small amount to practice a few rounds.
- Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm crochet hook.
Using a slightly smaller hook size than usual for a medium-weight yarn is on purpose, but we’ll explain why later. You can use any medium-weight yarn you have, but picking a smooth yarn is best so you can see the stitches easily.
Pattern Notes
- The hexagon granny square doesn’t use the traditional three double crochet cluster that’s found in other granny square patterns. Instead, a cluster is made up of two double crochets.
- Each double crochet cluster is worked in the space between two clusters of the previous round. So you won’t be crocheting directly into stitches for this pattern.
- The side facing you as you crochet is considered the right side of the hexagon granny square.
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
Three Ways to Start a Hexagon Granny Square
There are three ways to start the first round: starting in a single chain, starting in a center ring, or using the magic loop. While each option is perfectly acceptable, we prefer to start our granny squares with a center ring. The ring provides enough space to fit all the stitches of the first round, and it’s much more approachable for a beginner than a magic ring.
Stitch Abbreviations
Before you start crocheting, get familiar with the abbreviations below. These are the abbreviations you’ll see in the pattern. For reference, this pattern is written in US terms.
- Bet | Between
- Ch | Chain
- Dc | Double Crochet
- Rem | Remaining
- Slst | Slip Stitch
- Sp | Space
- St(s) | Stitch(es)
Round 1: Ch 3 and join with a slst to the first chain to form a ring. Ch 5 (counts as dc and ch 2-sp). In the center of the ring, [2 dc, ch 2] five times. Make 1 more dc in the center of the ring, and join with a slst to the ch 5-sp.
Round 2: Ch 5. In the first ch 2-sp, make 2 dc. [In the next ch 2-sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2dc)] five times. In the first ch 2-sp of the round, make 1 dc along with the ch 5. Then join with a slst in the ch 5-sp.
Round 3: Ch 5. In the first ch 2-sp, make 2 dc. *In the space between the next 2 dc clusters, make 2 dc. In the next ch 2-sp (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc). Rep from * four more times. In the space between the next 2 dc clusters, make 2 dc. In the first ch 2-sp of the round, make 1 dc along with the ch 5. Then join with a slst in the ch 5-sp.
Round 4: Ch 5. In the first ch 2-sp, make 2 dc. *[In the space between the next 2 dc clusters, make 2 dc] twice. In the next ch 2-sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc). Rep from * four more times. [In the space between the next 2 dc clusters, make 2 dc] twice. In the first ch 2-sp of the round, make 1 dc along with the ch 5. Then join with a slst in the ch 5-sp.
Finishing the Hexagon Granny Square
After finishing the last round, cut the working yarn (leaving a long enough tail to weave in). Pull the tail through the last stitch to secure it. Then use a yarn needle to weave in the loose ends along the back side of the granny square.
If your hexagon granny squares look less than perfect, no worries! It’s pretty common for the corners to be a little rounded and the sides to be a little wavy. That’s why I think blocking is well worth the time before you start joining them together.
This process will “set” the stitches into a perfectly square position so your bag will look more polished and professional.
The difference may be subtle, but I always think it’s worth it to spend a little extra time blocking my projects. If you’re unfamiliar with the blocking process, check out our beginner-friendly guide and video here.
How to Crochet a Hexagon Granny Square Step-by-Step Video
Video not displaying? Watch this tutorial on YouTube instead.
Granny Square Variations
The term “granny square” has expanded to include many variations. It’s often used for crochet shapes like hexagons, triangles, circles, and more.
A common variation is the solid granny square, which doesn’t have the usual lacy look. You can find a full guide on how to crochet a solid granny square here.
What’s cool about granny squares and crochet shapes is that you can be super creative with them. You can mix different shapes in one project to fill spaces. For instance, you can put squares next to hexagons for a balanced look.
Here are a few granny square variations that we absolutely love:
- Solid Granny Square
- Sunburst Granny Square
- Granny Square with Flowers
- Circle Granny Square
- Corner to Corner Granny Square
How Many Rounds Should a Hexagon Granny Square Have?
Most hexagon granny square patterns have four or five rounds, but sometimes you might want a bigger one, even a giant hexagon.
So, how do you figure out how many rounds your hexagon should be?
First, think about how wide and long you want your project to be and have a clear idea in mind. For instance, if you’re making a blanket that’s 40 inches wide, and you have hexagons that measures 5 inches from one point to the other, you need 8 hexagons for the width of the blanket.
If you want to make this blanket 52 inches long, and your hexagon measures 4 inches from one side to the other, you’ll need 13 hexagons for the length of the blanket.
But how do you make sure your granny square ends up that size?
You’ll need to try out different yarn thicknesses, hook sizes, and numbers of rounds. Through trial and error, you’ll discover the best combination to make a square with the size you want.
If you can’t find a combination that makes the exact size you need, use the one that’s closest but smaller. Then, wet block the granny squares to get them to the exact size you want.
How to Add More Rounds to a Hexagon Granny Square
Now, let’s talk about adding more rounds to the initial four we’ve shown earlier. As you go on to later rounds, you’ll need to make slight changes in the pattern instructions. But don’t worry, it’s easy to remember!
See that each round of the hexagon has six corners and spaces between clusters.
As you move from one round to the next, the stitch combination for each corner stays the same. What changes from one round to another is the number of double crochet clusters between each corner. As your hexagon gets bigger, the number of double crochet clusters between corners goes up by one.
Notice the third round. In this round, you have one cluster between the corners. Then in round four, you have two clusters between the corners. This is the pattern. For every round you add, you’ll have one more cluster between the corners. Everything else with the pattern remains the same.
Changing Colors in Granny Squares
When you feel comfortable crocheting hexagon granny squares in a single color, try experimenting with more than one color. This is where it really gets fun!
To make the color changes, you’ll fasten off after slip stitching to the chain five space at the end of the round. However, this will create additional ends for you to weave in. To change colors without creating additional ends to weave in, check out my nifty trick in this article. It’ll save you HOURS!
For more information about changing yarn in your crochet projects, check out our complete guide to changing colors in crochet.
Why Crochet Hexagon Granny Squares?
The charm of this classic motif goes beyond being a timeless crochet pattern. These little buddies can go with you wherever you go, and you don’t even need a specific project in mind when you start making them.
Another awesome thing about crocheting granny squares is how versatile they are. They can turn into all sorts of things, like baby blankets, afghans, cool tops, warm sweaters, pretty pillows, and even stylish purses. Your imagination is the only limit.
If you love colors, you’ll have a blast working with them. Hexagon granny squares let you explore the colorful world freely, whether you like bold and bright colors, classy solids, or soft pastels. Mix and match colors however you want, whether in random ways or planned patterns—it’s all up to you.
And here’s another great thing: they’re quick to make, so you get that satisfying feeling of finishing something real in just a few minutes instead of hours. Each square feels like a little victory!
What Crochet Hook Is Best For Hexagon Granny Squares?
You might think any hook size that matches your yarn will do the trick. But after a lot of testing, I discovered something important: using a smaller crochet hook makes your hexagon look tidier.
That’s why the best crochet hook for granny squares is one that’s one or two sizes smaller than what’s recommended for your yarn.
For example, if your yarn label suggests a 5.5mm crochet hook, you should go for a 5mm or 4.5mm hook for the neatest results.
What Yarn Is Best For Hexagon Granny Squares?
Usually, granny squares are made with medium-weight yarns that feel smooth, so you can really see the pattern and colors. But the great thing about them is they can work with lots of different types of yarn. Even though medium-weight yarns are the classic pick, it’s fun to try out different ones too.
Tips for Neater Hexagon Granny Squares
It’s pretty common for hexagon granny squares not to look perfect right when you finish crocheting them. You might see rounded corners, slightly wavy sides, or even a spiral shape. But don’t worry, it’s not something you did!
Over the years, crocheters have shared lots of tips to make the neatest squares possible. But do these tricks really work? I decided to find out. In my special post here, I tested them to see which ones actually make a difference.
Let’s talk about the things that make our hexagon granny squares pattern perfect. First up, using a smaller crochet hook. Just by using a smaller hook, you’ll be surprised at how much better they will look. It helps fix that lean that granny squares often have and makes the shape a lot neater.
Next, we skip the chain stitch that usually goes between the groups of double crochets. This makes the gaps between the stitches smaller, so your hexagon looks nicer. You can still see the gaps, but this little trick makes the whole thing look more polished.
Lastly, we start each round with a chain of five stitches and hide the turning chain within the last cluster of stitches. This makes the turning chain less obvious, so your hexagon looks smoother and more seamless.
Each of these tricks helps improve the look of the hexagon on its own. But when you use them all together, you get what I think is the perfect hexagon granny square.
Should You Block Hexagon Granny Squares?
Blocking is a simple but important step in making your crochet (or knitting) project look its best. It can really change the shape and appearance. So why do you block hexagon granny squares? It’s to give them that perfect hexagon shape they don’t naturally have right after you finish making them (no matter how much practice you have). So if you’ve ever wondered why your granny squares and other shapes aren’t flat or perfectly square, it’s probably because they weren’t blocked.
These hexagons haven’t been blocked. You can see the corners are a bit rounded, and the edges aren’t totally straight.
I really suggest taking the time to block your hexagon granny squares. It’ll make them look way better and more professional, especially when you put them together in a project.
So how do you block them?
Blocking is pretty simple. First, get your squares wet by dunking them in water or spraying them with a spray bottle. Then gently squeeze out the extra water and pin the square onto a blocking mat so it’s perfectly square. While you do this, gently stretch it a bit to make the stitches settle into place. As it dries, it’ll keep that nicer shape. If you want more info on blocking, check out our guide here.
What is the Easiest Way to Join Hexagon Granny Squares?
There are lots of ways to join hexagon granny squares, and each one has its own use. But when you want a fast and simple way to join them, the invisible seam is a great choice. It makes them look like they’re all fused together at the edges.
You can learn how to do this quick and easy join in this helpful guide here. There’s a video tutorial and written instructions as well.
For more simple ways to join your hexagons, check out this article here.
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