How to Crochet a Mini Circle Granny Square

Hi guys! Let’s crochet a mini circle granny square together: The Polka Dottie Granny Square. This is a modern crochet granny square with a circle center to help us use up our scrap yarn bits. You can get as creative as you want with this pattern and use it to crochet blankets, bags, wall hangings, garments, and more. If you can think it, you can make it!

Feel free to experiment with colour. I used 8 different shades of brown/yellow for my circular centers, and kept the border neutral with an off-white colour. However, you can switch up the colours for both the circles and the border to have more fun with colour.

Whatever you choose to do with this mini circle granny square pattern, I hope you enjoy making it!

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Materials: 

• 4.5mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle
• Stitch Marker or Safety Pin
• Approximately 13 yds of any medium 4 worsted weight yarn per granny square
  • Colour A: 6 yds
  • Colour B: 7 yds

Yarn Choice and Colours: 

One of the great things about this crochet granny square pattern, is that it’s versatile. This means that you can use any yarn type and weight, which makes it a great stash buster project.

However, for those wondering what yarn I used, here is my colour choice:

• Yarn: Lion Brand Skein Tones Yarn

• Main Colour for the Border: Ivory

• Center Circle Colours: Almond, Hazelnut, Cedarwood, Honey, Adobe, Truffle, Mahogany, Cocoa, Ebony

Pin this Crochet Granny Square for Later – HERE!

Abbreviations:

• St(s) – stitch(es)
• MR – magic ring
• Ch – chain
• Sl st – slip stitch
• Sc – single crochet
• Hdc – half double crochet
• Dc – double crochet
• Standing dc – standing double crochet (see tutorial below)
• Rnd – round
• <> – stitch counts for each round are shown in <> brackets
• [] – repeat instructions in brackets according to the number of times indicated outside of the brackets

Pattern Measurement/Gauge:

Each mini circle granny square measures approximately 3″ wide x 3″ long.

Standing Double Crochet Tutorial:

A standing double crochet is the first stitch of a new round or row that is worked without a starting chain. Working a double crochet without a starting chain creates a seamless look that will take your crochet skills up a notch. When learning something new, it’s going to feel a little weird, but once you get the hang of it, I think you’ll really enjoy this seamless start to a new row/round.

Steps:

• Wrap the yarn around the hook twice. (Picture 1)
• Insert the hook into any stitch to start the new round. (Picture 2)
• Hold the tail in place with your thumb. YO and draw up a loop – there should be 3 loops on the hook. (Picture 3)
• YO and pull through 2 loops – there should be 2 loops remaining. (Picture 4 and 5)
• YO and pull through the last 2 loops to complete the double crochet. (Picture 6)

Video Tutorial:

Here is a video tutorial to show you how to make the Polka Dottie Granny Square. It walks you through Rnds 1 – 4, and also includes a tip to create a seamless/gapless Rnd 3. There are timestamps included, so you can skip to the part(s) you need.

Pattern:

Notes:

• The beginning ch of each rnd does not count as a st.
• Rnd 3 begins with a standing dc. Please see the tutorial above for how to do this st.
• St counts are given at the end of each rnd in < >.
• Do not turn at the end of each rnd.

With Colour A, make a MR.

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 12 dc in MR. Join with a sl st. <12 dc>

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st. Fasten off. <24 dc>

Note: See the tip for creating a seamless Rnd 3 without any gaps here at (6:09).

Rnd 3: With Colour B, standing dc in any st, dc in same st, [hdc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next st, 3 dc in next st] 3 times; hdc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in last st, dc in first st to complete the corner. Join with a sl st. <12 dc, 8 hdc, 12 sc>

Note: The corner st refers to the second dc of the 3 dc increases from Rnd 3.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first corner st, [sc in next 7 sts, (sc, ch 1, sc) in corner st] 3 times; sc in last 7 sts, (sc, ch 1) in first corner st to complete the corner. Join with a sl st. Fasten off. <36 sc, 4 ch-1 sp>

Joining Multiple Crochet Granny Squares Together:

If you choose to make more than one mini circle granny square, then you’ll need to join them together. There are two ways to join these crochet granny squares:

1. Make a bunch of granny squares and sew them together using the whip stitch or mattress stitch.
2. Make 1 granny square, then use a join-as-you-go method to attach each additional granny square as you crochet.

There is no right or wrong method to use for joining granny squares. However, my personal preference is the join-as-you-go (JAYGO) method because I don’t always trust my sewing skills. So when I use the JAYGO method, I feel confident that my work will not unravel, and it minimizes the amount of sewing involved. It’s a win-win for me!

If you would like to try the JAYGO method, you can find a tutorial for it HERE! For this granny square pattern, the JAYGO method starts in Rnd 4, and after the first granny square, each additional granny square is worked using the JAYGO method.

The Polka Dottie Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern:

The Polka Dottie Blanket is made up of mini circle granny squares that are joined together as you crochet. I added a pom-pom border to finish off the blanket, and add a touch of playfulness! if you would like to make your own custom sized circle granny square blanket, you can find the free pattern and everything you need to know here!

I hope you enjoy this quick and easy mini circle granny square pattern, and that it helps you use up some of your stash. Let me know in the comments below what you will be making with your granny squares. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Love, Dayna