Granny Rectangle Crochet Pattern & Tutorial

I love a good granny square, same with the beautiful granny stitch. But I’ve never made a granny rectangle crochet pattern. Today I’ll show you how to start a granny rectangle and some crochet patterns you can make with this beautiful block. You can make one big rectangular blanket or make several smaller rectangles and turn it into something else. I’ll show you three ideas you can try by yourself after you’ve made the base.

Love Them Granny’s

Now I’m going to show you how to start the base of your crochet rectangles. Once you know the stitch count and basic steps for the corners and sides, you can go wild creating your own designs. If you are like me, you just need help getting the pattern started so you can finish the rest on your own. If this isn’t you at all, not to worry. I’ll have the written patterns posted at a later date. These three patterns are for crochet placemat, crochet table runner and crochet baby blanket because I don’t want to invest time right now making rectangular afghans.

The cool part about granny squares or granny rectangles is you can make a bunch of smaller ones and join them together to form handmade blankets and other things. Since I’m a quilter, I call these smaller units blocks in case you are wondering. Or you can just make your base granny rectangle and keep going until it’s a big blanket. Just keep going around and around until you have your desired size. If you do this, your finished blanket will be a big rectangle shape which is perfect for crochet bedspreads if you think about it.

Basic Granny Rectangle

The granny stitch is make up of 3 double crochets in one chain space, skipping 2 chain spaces, and repeating those two stitches. People call this a granny cluster but they are the same thing. You can actually make an entire blanket just using the granny stitch, no granny corners needed. It’s a classic and charming stitch especially when you change colors every round. 

The key to making any granny shape is that the sides are made up of granny clusters and the corners have two granny clusters with two single crochets in between, all in the same corner chain space. If you can understand the concept of what your doing, you don’t need to follow patterns after you get started. The first few rounds are the hardest, while you are building the foundations rounds. 

Stitch Count

You can adjust the size of your rectangle in multiples of 3 + 2. The three is for the granny cluster made up of 3 double crochet stitches, then 2 for the turning stitches. So count your foundation chain in 3’s and then add 2. If you need to make it longer, add in 3’s. If you need to make it shorter, subtract in 3’s.

Make sure you check this out!

After you read this post, make sure you also check out my Granny Hexagon Cardigan and get the free printable pattern below.

How to Crochet a Granny Rectangle

This pattern is for a rectangle granny. The main difference between a granny square and granny rectangle is just the shape. That’s the only thing that’s different. The stitch pattern is the same for the corners and sides for the most part. This pattern is based on the traditional granny square but shaped into a rectangle. It’s made up of granny clusters, these are three double crochet stitches in the same chain. You will get a rectangle granny blanket which is slightly different than a square blanket. This free pattern uses a simple variation of the classic granny square. 

Supplies Needed

1. Yarn in Sample: Red Heart White, Red Heart Paddy Green, Red Heart Light Blue.
2. Crochet Hook: Select your crochet hook size that matches the yarn weight you’ve chosen. My sample used a H or 5.00 mm crochet hook.
3. Scissors: For changing colors of yarn only when you run out of a color.
4. Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends.

Foundation Row

Chain 20, turn. Starting in the third chain from hook, single crochet in all stitches to the end. Chain 3, turn. (This chain 3 counts as the first double crochet in first round).

First Round:

Add 2 double crochets in first chain, skip 2 chains, (3 double crochets, skip 2 chains). Repeat to end. In the last chain (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets).

Continue on other side, skip 2 chains, 3 double crochets in same chain, skip 2. Repeat to end. In last chain place (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets, chain 2). Slip stitch into the top of the starting double crochet to join. Tie off, knot, snip with scissors. Leave a long tail to weave in later.

Second Round:

Cast on new yarn color on the opposite side of your work. Start in the upper left hand corner. Cast on and chain 3 (counts as a double crochet). In the same space add 2 double crochets, skip 2, (3 double crochets in same chain space, skip 2) repeat to end. In the corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets). In next corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets).

Continue on other side. Place 3 double crochets in each chain space from previous row, repeat to end. In corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets). In next corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, slip stitch into the top of the starting double crochet to join. Tie off, knot, snip. Leave a long tail to weave in later.

Third Round:

Flip work over. Cast on in upper left corner chain space (3 double crochets). Skip 2, 3 double crochets, repeat to end. In corner chain space (3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet). Then 3 double crochets next chain space. In next corner chain space (3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochets).

Place 3 double crochets in each chain space. In corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets). Then 3 double crochets in next chain space. In next corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, slip stitch into the top of the starting double crochet to join. Tie off, knot and snip. Leave long tail to weave in later. Change to new color.

Fourth Round:

Flip work over. Start in upper left corner space. Cast on by making a slip knot with your new yarn color. Put the hook through left corner chain space, pull new yarn through and crochet 3 double crochets, skip 2, 3 double crochet, skip 2, repeat to the last stitch on this side of the round. In corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets). Then 3 double crochets in the next 2 chain spaces. In next corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets).

Place 3 double crochets in each chain space from the previous row. In corner chain space (3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets). Place 3 double crochets in the next 2 chain spaces from previous row. In next corner (3 double crochets, chain 2, slip stitch into the top of the starting double crochet to join. Tie off, knot and snip. Leave long tail to weave in later. Change to new color.

All Other Rounds:

You will repeat round four until it’s the size you want for your project. Each corner should have 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets which is called a granny corner. In all chain spaces in between the corners, you will have 3 double crochets called a granny cluster.

Granny Rectangle Crochet Pattern Tips

Granny blocks have 3 double crochets in the same chain, this is called a granny cluster. The granny cluster is by itself on the sides of the block, for any shape. Both rectangles and squares. 

​Granny block corners have the same stitch instructions to round out the corners. It’s made with two granny clusters and two chain spaces in between. The last corner of the block has half of the stitch instructions. It has one granny cluster already there, You just need to add one more granny cluster and the two chains in between. Don’t forget to chain two before joining with the slip stitch into the top of the starting double crochet.

Cast on anywhere

When you start new rounds, you can start anywhere you like on the block. It doesn’t have to be on the corners. You also don’t need to flip your work but I noticed that as my work got bigger, it wasn’t laying flat. That’s when I decided to flip my work and it helped it lay flatter.

When your new granny rectangle crochet pattern is done, make sure the right side of the block is facing up. Look at the very center line of the block, don’t look at the granny clusters. You can see the foundation starting chain looks better on one side of the block. Use the side that looks best for the front of your work.

Granny Rectangle Crochet Pattern Ideas

I haven’t finished these yet but here are 3 different granny rectangle crochet patterns you could make. Just make enough rounds for your preferred size.

Crochet Rectangle Placemats – These rectangles are perfect to use as placemats for your kitchen table. I would probably add a few more rounds so they are slightly larger. Put a plate on the mat and stop when you’ve reached the perfect size. You don’t need to add a border. And they are reversible which makes these very useful.

Crochet Rectangle Tablecloth Pattern – Here is a table runner made by joining 3 granny rectangles and adding a simple border. To join these, I may use a single crochet stitch or use my yarn needles and join the chains on opposite rectangles so it’s invisible. Then add one of my free crochet border patterns.

Crochet Rectangle Baby Blanket – The rectangle shape is really perfect for baby blankets. I’m not done yet, still making this baby blanket bigger by adding more rounds. I’m also thinking of adding little pom poms that hang on all four corners but you get the idea. You can really change the look with your color selections. I like light blue and dark green together but pick what you like or have in your stash.

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ABOUT SEW NIKKI

If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! My name is Nikki. Long time crocheter and weekend quilter with a super small sewing space. Taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos! My blog has How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Reviews. Read more about me here.

Here are more granny patterns you may like:

Granny Squares for Beginners

Sunburst Granny Square Blanket

Granny Square Table Runner

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Want to learn how to quilt? Then check out this post, Learn How to Quilt for Absolute Beginner’s.