Traditional Granny Square (Technique)

materials:

any size hook
any amount, any color, any weight yarn

notes:

For those of you who are unaware, granny square afghans may be made from one large square, or many smaller squares--joined together by crochet or some other means.

special instructions:

to work corner: (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in corner ch-1 sp
in general, sp refers to the sp created between groups of 3 sts
beg ch-3 of each Rnd. counts as dc
join all round with sl st in 3rd ch

pattern:

ch 7-10 (depending on how tight you crochet, if your chain tends to be loose, use 7)
join with sl st to form ring
(sl st in ring -- optional)
Rnd 1: ch 3, [2 dc, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) 3 times] in ring; 4 corner sps -- you may wish to crochet over starting tail with this round
Rnd 2: ch 3, skip to corner sp, work corner 3 times, in last corner sp (3 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) join with sl st allowing beg ch to form 3rd dc of group; 4 sps, 4 corner sps
Rnd 3: (sl st in sp -- optional), ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (work corner, 3 dc in next sp) 3 times, work corner, join; 8 sps, 4 corner sps
Rnd 4: (sl st in sp -- optional), ch 3, skip to next sp, (3 dc in each sp to corner, work corner) 4 times, 3 dc in each sp with last group formed by 2 dc + beg ch-3
Rnd 5: (sl st in sp -- optional), ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (3 dc in each sp to corner, work corner) 4 times, 3 dc in each sp to beg ch, join
repeat Rnds. 4 & 5 until square is desired size (number of rounds, or measurement)
finish off.
add border if desired
weave in end if desired. if you are adding a border or joining with other squares, end may be worked in later.