Granny squares are a popular crochet motif that can be used to create various items like blankets, scarves, and even clothing. They are called “granny squares” because they were traditionally made by grandmothers and have been a staple of crochet for many years.

Granny squares are typically worked in the round, starting from the center and growing outward in a square shape. They are made up of clusters of double crochet stitches separated by chain stitches, which create the distinctive open spaces or “holes” in the square. The number of stitches and chains in each cluster can vary depending on the desired pattern and design.

To make a basic granny square, you can follow these steps:

Start with a slip knot on your crochet hook.
Chain 4 stitches and join them with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Chain 3 stitches (this counts as your first double crochet stitch) and work 2 double crochet stitches into the ring.
Chain 2 stitches.
Work 3 double crochet stitches into the ring.
Repeat step 4 and 5 two more times to create a total of four clusters of 3 double crochet stitches separated by chain-2 spaces.
Join the last cluster to the beginning chain-3 with a slip stitch.
Fasten off and weave in any loose ends.

Once you have completed one granny square, you can continue to make more squares and join them together to create larger projects. There are countless variations and patterns for granny squares, allowing you to get creative with different color combinations and stitch combinations.