If you’re passionate about croche and love experimenting with new croche patterns, you’re in for a treat. The Elements Call – Free Granny Square is a beautifully textured square pattern that brings elegance and structure to your crochet projects.
Whether you’re planning a new blanket, pillow cover, or wall hanging, this free granny square pattern is a versatile and eye-catching choice.
This detailed tutorial will guide you through every step of making the Elements Call – Free Granny Square. We’ll cover tools, yarn choices, stitches, and step-by-step instructions to help you bring this square to life. Let’s dive into this engaging and beginner-friendly croche project.
What is the Elements Call – Free Granny Square?
The Elements Call – Free Granny Square is a modern twist on the traditional granny square. It features layered texture, petal-like ridges, and structured rounds that give it a rich, dimensional appearance.
Designed for those who love detailed croche patterns, this square looks intricate but is surprisingly achievable with basic techniques. The central floral motif expands into concentric geometric textures, making it ideal for mixing and matching with other square motifs.
Whether you’re adding this square to a sampler afghan or creating a cohesive project, its beauty and symmetry make it a standout in any collection of croche patterns.
Materials and Tools You’ll Need
Before starting your Elements Call – Free Granny Square, gather the following materials. The right supplies ensure that your work is even, beautiful, and durable.
-
Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in at least two contrasting colors.
-
Hook: Size 4.0 mm (G) crochet hook – or size recommended for your yarn.
-
Scissors & Yarn Needle: For cutting yarn and weaving in ends.
Choosing the right yarn is crucial for this project. A smooth, light-colored yarn helps highlight the textured layers. Avoid fuzzy or overly textured yarns that could obscure your stitch detail.
For beginners, using a stitch marker might help keep track of rounds. Some crocheters also prefer a blocking board to shape the square uniformly once it’s complete.
Fabric Cuts and Sizing Guide
Although crochet doesn’t typically involve cutting fabric, understanding the finished square’s size helps in planning your larger projects. The finished Elements Call – Free Granny Square typically measures about 6″ x 6″ (15 cm x 15 cm), depending on your yarn and tension.
If you’re making a blanket or large project, here’s a rough guide for how many squares you’ll need:
-
Baby blanket (30″ x 36″) – approx. 30 squares
-
Throw (50″ x 60″) – approx. 80–100 squares
-
Bedspread (80″ x 90″) – approx. 160–200 squares
You can scale the square up or down by using thicker or thinner yarn and adjusting your hook size. Just remember to keep your tension consistent across all squares.
Step-by-Step: Elements Call – Free Granny Square Tutorial
Round 1: Foundation Circle
-
Start with a magic ring.
-
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 15 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the starting ch-3.
-
[16 dc total]
This foundation creates the floral center of the granny square. The stitches should form a tight circle; adjust your magic ring to close the gap completely. Fasten off if you’re changing color for the next round.
A tightly packed circle gives your square a neat center. If your circle seems wobbly, check that you’ve used the correct number of stitches and joined in the right place.
Round 2: Petal Formation
-
Join new yarn in any dc. (Ch 3, dc in same st, ch 1, skip 1 st) repeat around.
-
You should have 8 dc pairs (V-stitches) separated by ch-1 spaces.
-
Join with a sl st to the top of the starting ch-3.
This round begins to shape the characteristic petal-like ridges. The V-stitch clusters add texture and set up the symmetry of the square.
Be sure your V-stitches are evenly spaced. This sets the visual rhythm of the pattern and will help your square lie flat as it grows.
Round 3: Back Post Texture
-
Sl st into the ch-1 space. Ch 3, 2 dc in same space. (3 dc in next ch-1 space) around.
-
You should now have 8 clusters.
-
Join with a sl st to the top of the starting ch-3.
Now, things get more interesting. You’ll start working back post double crochet (BPdc) to bring out the texture. In the next rounds, alternate between front and back post stitches to build the layered look.
Don’t worry if your square starts curling a bit. The post stitches naturally add texture and will flatten after blocking.
Round 4: Petal Expansion
-
In this round, you’ll alternate (fpdc, dc, fpdc) in each cluster to accentuate petal outlines.
-
This adds both texture and visual flow.
-
Join with a sl st, and fasten off if changing color.
This round defines the layered petal structure. The front post stitches pop forward, while the center dc creates a base.
At this point, the square should start to resemble a stylized flower. The symmetry is key, so count carefully as you go.
Round 5: Begin Squaring Off
-
Ch 3, 2 dc in same space. (dc in next 2 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in corner) repeat around.
-
You are now building the square shape.
-
Finish with a sl st to the top of ch-3.
This is where the circle begins transitioning into a square. The ch-2 spaces at the corners define the four sides and give you structure.
Take time to align your stitches here. Getting your corners sharp now makes joining squares much easier later.
Round 6 and Beyond: Building the Square
-
Continue with dc rounds, increasing at corners ([2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc]) each time.
-
Use (dc in each st) on the sides.
-
Fasten off and weave in ends.
From here, you can grow the square as large as you like. Many crocheters stop at Round 7 or 8, depending on the desired size.
You can also add decorative edges, picot trims, or shells for a finished look. Blocking the finished square will help even out the edges and enhance the textured pattern.
How to Use Your Elements Call Squares
Once you’ve created several Elements Call – Free Granny Squares, the creative possibilities are endless. Combine them with solid-color granny squares for contrast or alternate with open lace patterns.
They work beautifully in:
-
Baby blankets
-
Pillow covers
-
Table runners
-
Wall hangings
-
Tote bags
Try mixing colors to create gradients or floral mosaics. This pattern lends itself well to artistic expression through yarn.
Tips for Crocheting This Pattern Successfully
Consistency is everything in a project like this. Always count stitches at the end of each round to catch mistakes early. It’s easier to fix them right away than to rip out multiple rounds later.
If you’re new to post stitches, practice on a swatch before starting the square. Front and back post stitches can be tricky at first but add incredible texture once mastered.
Use blocking for a polished finish. Pin your squares to a board, spray with water, and let them dry flat. This ensures they all have uniform size and shape—essential if you’re stitching them together.
A Must-Try Pattern for Croche Lovers
The Elements Call – Free Granny Square is a gorgeous and rewarding croche pattern that combines classic techniques with modern flair. Whether you’re just learning or an experienced crocheter, this square is a delightful project that will elevate your crochet game.
Perfect for gifts, home décor, or personal projects, the croche patterns like this one show the true artistry of the craft. Give it a try, and you might find yourself making dozens of these squares for your next creative masterpiece.
