Following this written tutorial, you can create stunning crochet projects with this easy pattern for an African Flower Granny Square!
This beautiful pattern suits both beginners and more experienced crocheters who want to create eye-catching designs. Just follow the steps below, and soon you’ll have a collection of vibrant squares to use in blankets, bags, or even clothing.
Apart from the written pattern, I also have a full, detailed YouTube video creating this square, you can find it [HERE].
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Yarn needed
I used a DK weight acrylic scrap yarn from my yarn wall to create my squares for this tutorial, but any type of yarn will work well with this pattern. Just ensure that your hook size corresponds to your chosen yarn.
The African Flower Square is a versatile pattern that can easily be adapted to various yarn weights. You can adjust the size of the squares to suit your project, and by changing or switching out colors at different points, you can achieve a variety of effects.
Construction of the African Flower Square
You may notice that my African square has eight petals instead of six. While the six-petal square forms a hexagonal shape, the square with eight petals allows you to create a square.
You will need to know how to make several basic stitches:
- chain
- slip stitch
- single crochet
- double crochet
- double crochet
- treble crochet.
All these stitch tutorials you can find on my YouTube channel [HERE]
Construction of the square:
You will be working in the rounds when making this square. You will end of each round, cutting and weaving in the ends and restart the new yarn by reattaching the new yarn color.
Some tips before starting your square
Make sure the hook and yarn you use aren’t to thin and small, this would make it difficult to see the stitches and make your square very tight. Don’t use a hook that is to big, as that will cause your square to be floppy and loose.
Ensure that during Round 4, when we create the double crochet stitches between the petals of Rounds Two and Four, they align evenly.
Your stitch count when creating round three (Orange petals needs to be correct for the rest of the pattern to work out perfectly.
Be mindful of your tension while crocheting; you want to avoid curling petals. If they curl, your square won’t flatten properly once you block it.
Where to use your African square once you’ve made it
The African Flower Granny Square is a versatile and eye-catching pattern that can be incorporated into a wide range of crochet projects. Here are six creative ideas to put your beautiful squares to good use:
- Blankets and Throws
- Combine multiple squares to create a cozy blanket or throw. This project is perfect for adding warmth and color to a living room or bedroom.
- Cushion Covers
- Use the squares for decorative cushion covers. Mix and match colors to complement your home décor, adding a personal touch to your living space.
- Bags and Totes
- Create stylish bags or totes by sewing together a series of granny squares. They make excellent gifts and are practical for everyday use.
- Scarves and Shawls
- Connect a row of granny squares to make a vibrant scarf or shawl. This accessory can add a pop of color to any outfit.
- Table Runners or Placemats
- Arrange the squares in a line or pattern to make a unique table runner or individual placemats. These can make a striking addition to your dining table setup.
- Clothing Items
- Incorporate granny squares into clothing designs, such as cardigans, dresses or vest.
Tips for Joining Crochet Squares
There are many creative ways of joining crochet squares, but I always prefer to keep it simple! If you like to sew, a whip stitch join is a fast and easy technique to make crochet seams. You can also slip stitch the squares together with your crochet hook.
The African square pattern
Materials
- I used scrap yarns from my yarn wall, but you can use any yarn you have on hand, just make sure they are all the same weight.
- 4 mm hook
- Tapestry needle
Notes
- This pattern is worked in the round
- Ch 3 at beginning of a row counts as 1 dc
- Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch
- Pattern written in US terms
- I recommend you block your crochet squares when finished. It will make joining them together much easier, and they will look much neater.
You can block your square by using a cardboard box and four pegs. First, cut the box slightly larger than the square. Then, place one peg at each corner to hold the crochet square in position.
Gauge is not important, but just for context, my square was made with DK yarn and a 4mm hook and the gauge was
One square: 10cmx 10 xm [4inchx4inc
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- CH- chain
- Sl st -slip stitch
- ST / STS -stitch
- SC – single crochet
- DC – double crochet
- TR- treble crochet
- Rep – repeat
- Sp – space
- SK – Skip a stitch
The Pattern
The Ring in center: Using 1st color chain 5 and re-join in first st with a sl st to form a ring.
Round 1: CH 3 (counts as 1 DC), 1 DC, CH 1 in ring, ( 2 DC, CH 1)x 7 in the CH5 ring, finish the round by joining with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3. Fasten off yarn, weave in ends [16 DC, 8 CH spaces]
Rejoin the next colour in any of the CH1 spaces between the 2 DC stitches
Round 2: CH 3, (1 DC, CH 2, 2 DC) in same ch-1 sp, [ (1 DC, CH 2, 2 DC) in next ch-1 sp] x7, finish the round by joining with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3. Fasten off yarn, weave in ends [8 Shells ]
Rejoin the next colour in any of the CH2 spaces between the 2 DC x 2 DC stitches
Round 3: CH 3, 6 DC in same ch-2 sp, [7 DC in next ch-2 sp] x 7. Finish the round by joining with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Fasten off yarn, weave in ends [8 Petals ]
You will work a single crochet into each stitch on round 4, with a DC stitch down the center through round 2, see images at the bottom
Rejoin the next colour with a slp st in any of the st between two petals (This slp st does not count)
Round 4: SC in the same st as the slp st, work 1 SC in the next 6sts, making a DC between each petal, insert your hook into the space between each shell from round 2, continue to SC in the next 7 SC sts, from the next Petal, make a DC in between the Petals, repeat this till you have reach the slp st at the beginning of the round. Fasten off yarn [56 SC, 8 x DC]
Final round to make it a square
Rejoin the next colour with a slp sts and CH3 (Counts as a DC st)at the top of any of the DC stitches made in round 4
Round 5: DC in the next 4 sts, SK 3 sts, next st (3 TR, CH 2, 3 TR) in the same st, SK 3 sts,* DC in the next 9 sts, SK 3 sts, (3 TR, CH 2, 3 TR) SK 3sts rep * x 2, DC in the Remaining 5 sts. Finish the round by joining with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Fasten off yarn, weave in ends
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