Granny Stitch Crochet

Granny stitch crochet may be more well known as its circular counterpart, the granny square. But working granny stitch in rows makes a fun fabic that’s quick and easy to stitch and great for blankets, garments and more.

What is Granny Stitch Crochet?

Granny stitch is made up of clusters of double crochet stitches along with stitches that are skipped to separate them.

As you work in rows the clusters are offset because you work your stitches in the next row into the stitches you skipped in the previous row. Because of this it’s a really easy pattern to memorize and you don’t have to pay a lot of attention while you work.

Granny stitch crochet had a moment in the summer of 2024 when Taylor Swift wore a commercially made granny stitch dress (which we’ll come back to in a minute) but it’s a perennial favorite among crocheters looking for a quick pattern stitch that’s not too open and uses a fair bit of yarn.

How to Work Granny Stitch

There are actually a few different ways people make granny stitch and you might find people using different stitch multiples in different tutorials or patterns. Most commonly I see multiples of 4 plus 6 or 3 plus 2.

Granny stitch crochet is worked in multiples of three, plus two extra chains that serve as the first double crochet stitch.

Here I have 23 chains to start. (This is random medium weight yarn I found on my desk and a size I/5.5 mm hook if you’re playing along at home.)

Single crochet across, starting in the second chain from the hook. That gives you 22 stitches.

Chain 2 and turn.

To begin working granny stitch, work a double crochet stitch in the first stitch of the row below.

Work another double crochet stitch in the same stitch. At the beginning of the row, the chain 2 counts as a dc stitch.

Skip two stitches, then work three double crochet stitches in the next stitch.

Repeat that skipping and stitching across the row.

Chain 2 and turn.

Skip the first cluster of granny stitches and work 3 double crochet stitches into the space where you skipped stitches on the last row.

Repeat to the last stitch.

Here you’ll just work one double crochet into the turning chain from the previous row.

Chain 2 and turn. Repeat these two rows for the pattern.

Taylor Swift Inspired Granny Stitch Patterns

There are so many projects based on the now-iconic Taylor Swift granny stitch crochet dress, but here are just a few.

The Easy Design has a free pattern sized XS to XL you can get when you sign up on their site with your email address.

Fleeting Obsessions Art has what looks more like a tunic length version, though of course you could make it longer (and the original is a mini dress, too). The pattern is free on Ravelry and it includes tips for how to adjust to your size.

Repeat Crafter Me made a Swiftie style skirt for her daughter. The pattern is free in a girls sie 10, but you can adjust it pretty easily.

Crafted Jeanne has a cute version of the dress that’s sized from XS to 3XL (seven sizes in all) and you can use DK or worsted weight yarn to make it.

Keep Calm and Crochets has another version that you can customize for your body. This one isn’t shown on a body but it looks like it has a little more flare at the bottom than the original.

The version from The Missing Yarn is sized from small to 4XL, and has both US and UK terms if you’re a British stitcher.

There’s also a top version from Fosbas, which uses DK weight yarn and comes in nine sizes, from XS to 5XL.

And there are even granny shorts from Cozy Creative Crochets, which come in six sizes and can use DK or worsted weight yarn. You can even keep going and make them into lounge pants.

More Granny Stitch Crochet Projects

If you don’t want to stitch a dress like Taylor’s (though I have to say I’m tempted to make a tank top version in different colors!) there are lots of other things you can do with granny stitch crochet.

I’m currently “working on” a granny stitch stash busting blanket, where I’m working two rows with one color and one row with the next. It may take me a few more winters to finish, but I love it.

TL Yarn Crafts has a gorgeous granny stripe baby blanket pattern free on their blog. It’s worked in triangles that are joined together and uses Lion Brand Mandala Ombre yarn for those pretty colors and Basic Stitch to join them. Such a great value but also really pretty.

Mama in a Stitch has another gorgeous blanket pattern using granny stitch (this time in Lion Brand Ferris Wheel in a few different colorways). This one also uses spike stitches for a fun variation on granny stitch that looks like mountains.

Speaking of granny stitch triangles, Em Rose has a free pattern on Ravelry for a little granny stitch bandana that looks like the perfect thing to stitch for summer and a great way to use a bit of leftover sport weight yarn.

MJ’s Off the Hook Designs has a great granny stitch tank top (so maybe I don’t have to design my own LOL) sized from XS to 5XL. It is rated for intermediate stitchers and uses fingering weight yarn.

Hooked Hazel‘s Scrappy Granny Tee is like the shirt version of my blanket and looks great for using up extra fingering weight yarn. It is sized XS to 5X and has plenty of positive ease to make it super comfy to wear.

Have you ever worked granny stitch crochet or flat granny stitch before? I’d love to hear what you made.