Free Granny Square Pattern – Crochet a 12” Square for Your Sampler Blanket
If you love texture, color play, and the timeless charm of granny stitches, you’re going to adore this free granny square pattern! Meet Granny’s Framed with Love – a 12” crochet square designed especially for the Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket Crochet Along 2025 hosted by MadameStitch.
This square is all about balance: the classic granny stitch sits at the heart of the design, framed by rows of alpine stitch for cozy texture, and outlined with camel stitch (that’s the half double crochet in the third loop) to make each section pop. The result? A warm, structured square that works beautifully as part of a sampler blanket – or as the star of a project all on its own.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from these links there will be no cost to you but I may receive a small commission from the sale.
The Design Story
When designing for this year’s CAL, one rule was non-negotiable: the square had to include the granny stitch somewhere in its makeup. I didn’t want to stop at just a granny stitch centre. So I paired it with the pretty alpine stitch, which adds that delicious raised texture. To give each section definition, I worked rounds of camel stitch as a frame. It’s such a simple detail, but it really makes the design sing.
The square is finished off with a clean round of single crochet stitches – not only does it make the square look neat, but it also makes assembly much easier when joining your squares together.
Before I knew it, I had a pile of these squares worked up… which means you can expect a brand-new blanket pattern featuring them in my shops soon!
Yarn and Materials
For my version, I used:
- Yarn: Paintbox Simply Aran in Champagne and Vintage Pink
- Hook: 5mm crochet hook
- Notions: Scissors, yarn needle, stitch markers if needed
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know Paintbox Simply Aran is my go-to yarn. It’s a #4 weight acrylic, budget-friendly, easy to work with, and available in a huge range of colors (including lovely tonal shades). It also washes really well, which makes it perfect for blankets and home décor.
Of course, you can use any #4 weight yarn you love. And if you’d like to use this square in kitchen or bathroom projects, I recommend switching to cotton yarn for durability and absorbency.
Ways to Use This Free Granny Square Pattern
The fun of a 12” square is just how versatile it is. Here are a few ideas to get your creativity flowing:
- Make a blanket of squares: You’ll need 12 of these to create a gorgeous throw.
- Sampler Blanket: Use it as part of the Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket CAL 2025 alongside the other fabulous squares. You could mix it with the square that I designed for last year’s CAL – the Granny’s in the Frame Square.
- Tote bag panel: Join two squares, add a strap, and you’ve got a unique crochet tote.
- Pillow panel: Add an extra alpine stitch section before the single crochet edging, and you’ll have a 16” square that’s perfect for a cushion.
- Mix and match: Alternate this square with my Granny’s in the Frame Blanket Square from last year’s CAL. Six of each makes a stunning blanket with just two designs.
- Potholders or trivets: Work just the center and alpine stitch sections in cotton yarn, make two, and join them together for a durable and beautiful potholder.
The possibilities are endless – that’s the magic of granny squares!
Construction of Granny’s Framed with Love
Here’s how this free granny square pattern is built:
- Granny Stitch Center – start with the classic granny stitch for that timeless look.
- Alpine Stitch Section – adds warmth, texture, and visual interest.
- Camel Stitch Frames – each section is bordered with hdc in the third loop, creating subtle ridges and definition.
- Single Crochet Edging – neatens the square and makes assembly super easy.
The square is worked in the round and in one continuous piece, so you don’t need to worry about lots of joins. Feel free to change colors between sections if you’d like to emphasize the framing effect.
Can I Get The PDF Pattern?
As a stand alone pattern you cannot get this one in any of my shops. It is only available as a free pattern in my blog post below. But don’t be surprised if you see this square featuring in new designs in the future!
You Might Also Like:
I have a few patterns that use the granny stitch or a variation of it! Here are five of my favourites:
- Granny’s Cowl is a fun quick project that is a free pattern on my blog.
- The free Modified Granny Cup Cozy is a great take on the granny stitch that works up in about 30 minutes!
- The Elegant Cocoon Cardigan is another free on the blog pattern that uses the fun drunken granny stitch.
- Granny’s not Biased chevron scarf uses one cake to make and looks fabulous.
- An 8″ blanket Square with a difference! I adore the texture on this one – and I am so proud of that sunflower appliqué!
About the Crochet Along
This pattern is part of the Granny Stitch Sampler Blanket CAL 2025, hosted by MadameStitch. The event runs from September 30th – October 29th, 2025. At the end, you’ll have a gorgeous sampler blanket made up of 12 fabulous granny stitch squares, plus a border to tie it all together.
There are two ways to join the fun:
- Visit the round-up post and work each free granny square pattern directly from the designer’s blog.
- Grab the complete e-book, which includes all 12 squares, joining, and border instructions in one place. During the event, it’s just $12.99 (the price increases after November 1st, 2025).
Pattern Specifics and notes:
Materials:
#4 weight yarn of your choosing in 2 colours (you may use 1 colour or more than 2) – you will need approx 170 yards in total.
Stitch markers (optional to mark first st of round and corner spaces)
5mm hook
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Measuring Tape
Gauge: I have measured from round 2 how big your square should be after each round.
Sizing: This pattern is written for a 12” blanket square
Abbreviations used:
MR – Magic Ring
Ch(s) – chain(s)
St(s) – stitch(es)
Rep – repeat
Sc – single crochet
Hdc – half double crochet
Dc – double crochet
Cs – Camel Stitch
BLO – Back loop only
FPdc – front post double crochet
*to* – repeat between the * and *
( ) – All instructions within the parenthesis are worked into the same st. They are also used to indicate the stitch count at the end of the round.
[ ] – all instructions within these parentheses are repeated as indicated in the pattern.
FO – fasten off
YO – yarn over
Pattern Notes:
- Written in US Terms
- CH1 stitches at the beginning of each row do not count as a st unless otherwise stated.
- Ch2 and ch3 sts do count as a st.
- The stitch counts given at the end of each round.
- Figure photos are at the end of the pattern.
- Please read the pattern and ensure you are comfortable with it before starting your project.
- This square is worked from the center out in rounds.
- Please note to turn your work only when the pattern tells you to. This does not happen on every round.
Special stitches:
Third loop only: you will create a normal stitch but you will be working into the third loop and not the front or back loops. The photo below shows you where the third loop will be.
Camel Stitch (CS) (HDC in the third Loop): To work this stitch you will create a normal hdc stitch but you will be working into the third loop only and not the front and back loops as you would ordinarily. (see photo above)
Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc): To work a fpdc you follow the instructions for the dc, but instead of inserting your hook into the next stitch you insert your hook around the post of the stitch below from the front to the back and then out of the front again. See photo below:
You can see this in my fpdc video :
Right handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmWe76Y4v08
Left handed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biHxNSKo5Vw&t=2s
The Free Granny Square Pattern:
** This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**
Round 1: In MR ch3 (counts as a st), 2 dc, ch2, *3dc, ch2 Rep from * twice more. SS to top of ch3 start to join. Pull MR closed. (4 sets of 3dc, 4 ch2 sps) OR
Ch3, ss to first ch to join. Ch3, 2 dc, ch2, *3dc, ch1 Rep from * twice more. SS to top of ch3 start to join. (4 sets of 3dc, 4 ch1 sps)
See fig photo 1 below.
Round 2: Ch3, turn, (2dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 sp, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in each of the remaining 3 ch2 sps around. SS to top of ch3 to join. (8 sets of 3dc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square should now be 2.25”.
Note: from this point if you are a beginner crocheter I would recommend that you use stitch markers to mark the ch1 or ch2 corner sps. These are your corner spaces.
See fig photos 2 and 3 below.
Round 3: Ch3, turn, 2dc between the 2 sets of 3dc from the round below. See fig photo 4 below. *(3dc, ch2, 3dc) in the ch2 sp, 3dc between the next 2 sets of 3dc. Rep from * twice more. (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 sp. SS to top of ch3 to join. (12 sets of 3dc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square should now be 3.25”
Round 4: Ch1, hdc in first 6 sts, * (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in ch2 sp, hdc in next 9 sts. * Rep from * to * twice more. (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in last ch2 sp, hdc in last 3 sts. SS to join. (52 hdc, 4 ch2 sps).
Your square should be 4”
FO Colour A. Attach Colour B to any ch2 sp.
Round 5: Ch1 (does not count), * (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in ch2 sp, CS in next 13 sts * Rep from * to * around. SS to join. (68 hdc, 4 ch2 sps).
Your square should be 4.25”
Round 6: Ch2 (counts as a dc) dc in next st, * (dc, ch2, dc) in ch2 sp, dc in next 17 sts * Rep from * to * twice more, (dc, ch2, dc) in last ch2 sp, dc in last 15 sts. SS to join. (76 dc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square should be 5.5”
Round 7: Ch1, sc in first 3 sts, * (sc, ch2, sc) in ch2 sp, sc in next 19 sts * Rep from * to * twice more. (sc, ch2, sc) in last ch2 sp, sc in last 16 sts. Ss to join. (84 sc, 4ch2 sps)
Your square should be 5.75”
FO Colour B. Attach Colour A to any ch2 sp
Round 8: Ch3 (counts as a dc), [dc in next st, * FPdc around the post of the dc from round 6, sk1 st from round 7, dc in next st * Rep from * to * 9 more times, (dc, ch2, dc) in next ch2 sp.] Rep from [ to ] until you reach the ch2 sp you joined your yarn to, (dc, ch2) in ch2 sp. SS to join. (40 FPdc, 52 dc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square will be 6.5”
Round 9: Ch1 (doesn’t count as a st), * sc in next 23 sts until you reach the next ch2 sp, (sc, ch2, sc) in ch2 sp. * Rep from * to * around. (100 sc, 4ch2 sps)
Your square will be 7”
FO Colour A. Attach Colour B to any ch2 sp.
Round 10: Ch3 (counts) dc in next 2 sts, [*fpdc around next dc from row 8, sk1 st from row 9, dc in next st * Rep from * to * until you have 1 st left before the ch2 sp, dc in next st, (dc, ch2, dc) in ch2 sp.] Rep from [ to ] until you reach the ch2 sp you joined your yarn to, (dc, ch2) in ch2 sp. SS to join. (44 FPdc, 64 dc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square will be 7.75”
Round 11: Ch1 (doesn’t count as a st), * hdc in next 27 sts until you reach the next ch2 sp, (hdc, ch2, hdc) in ch2 sp. * Rep from * to * around. SS to join. (116 hdc, 4ch2 sps)
Your square will be 8.25”
FO Colour B. Attach Colour A to any ch2 sp.
Round 12: Ch1 (does not count), hdc in ch2 sp, * CS in next 29 sts, (hdc, ch2, hdc) in ch2 sp, * Rep from * to * until you reach the ch2 sp you joined your yarn to, (hdc, ch2) in ch2 sp. SS to join. (116 CS, 8 hdc, 4 ch2 sps).
Your square should be 9”
Round 13: Ch1 (does not count) hdc in first st and each of next 30 sts, * (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in ch2 sp, hdc in next 31 sts * Rep from * to * twice more (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in last ch2 sp. SS to join. (140 hdc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square should be 9.5”.
Round 14: Turn, ss into ch2 sp, ch3 (counts as a dc) 2dc in same st, [* sk2 sts, 3dc in next st * Rep from * to * 10 more times, sk2 sts. (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 sp.] Rep from [ to ] until you reach the first ch2 sp, (3dc, ch2) in ch2 sp, ss to join. (52 sets of 3dc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square should be 11”
Round 15: Turn, ch1, * (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in ch2 sp, hdc in each of next 39 sts * Rep from * to * around. SS to join. (172 hdc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square will now be 11.5”
Round 16: Ch1 (does not count), sc in first 2 sts, * (sc, ch1, sc) in ch2 sp, sc in next 43 sts. * Rep from * to * around until you have worked the last corner. Sc in last 41 sts. SS to join. (180 sc, 4 ch2 sps)
Your square will be 11.75”
FO and weave in ends. Block if required.
Figure Photos:
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re following along with the CAL or just looking for your next crochet project, I hope you enjoy making Granny’s Framed with Love. With its mix of granny, alpine, and camel stitches, it’s a design that’s simple, textured, and versatile enough for so many projects.
I can’t wait to see your versions – will you stick to soft neutrals, play with bold colors, or mix it up for a scrappy look?
Be sure to share your squares with me on social media so I can cheer you on. You can tag me on on Facebook and Instagram! Happy hooking! 💕
Hi! I’m Helen
I live on the north-east coast of England, UK. I am a mum and wife and enjoy reading and quilting. I started crocheting at 14 years old.
Sunflower Cottage Crochet is dedicated to empowering crocheters of all levels. I provide modern, easy-to-follow crochet patterns and video tutorials that make learning new techniques simple and accessible. My mission is to empower crocheters in their creativity, enabling them to confidently create beautiful projects no matter where they’re at in their journey. Whether it's a beginner seeking out the basics or an experienced enthusiast looking to level up their skills. My vision is for every user to experience the joy of mastering creative expression through crochet!
