How to crochet the Leonora granny square (step-by-step tutorial)

I recently designed a granny square and named it after my late grandmother. This granny square has 6 rounds and a floral center. The corners and sides are strengthened with lacy structures of chains and double crochet.
This pattern allows you to use variations of colors to create colorful blankets, shawls, and more.
The pattern will be available soon and is free to use in your projects.

Let’s get started

The popcorn stitch

• Work 4 double crochet into the allotted space.
• Remove the hook from the loop, insert it into the first double crochet made in the group, then insert it back through the main loop.
• Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.

Stitch Challenge

These are the basic crochet skills needed to be able to crochet the pattern.

• sl st – slip stitch
• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet

Stitch Standards

I am using the US / International standard crochet terms.

Foundation Ring

Begin with a slipknot, chain 4, and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring.
You may also use an open slipknot (also known as a magic ring) if you prefer; both methods work.

Round 1

Chain 4 (counts as 1 double crochet and 1 chain). Work (1 double crochet, 1 chain) into the ring 10 times. To finish this round, work 1 double crochet into the ring one final time, then work 1 single crochet into the top loops of the 3rd chain at the beginning of the round. You should have 12 double crochet and 12 chains in total.

Round 2

Chain 3. Work 3 double crochet into the same chain space. Remove the hook from the loop, insert the hook into the third chain at the beginning of the round, then insert it back into the main loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops to complete your first popcorn stitch. Chain 2. Work a popcorn stitch into the next chain space, then chain 2, all the way across. On the 12th popcorn stitch, do not chain 2. Instead, chain 1 and work 1 single crochet into the top of the first popcorn stitch.

Round 3

Chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet), then work 2 double crochet into the same chain space. Chain 3. (chain 3, single crochet into the next chain space) twice. Chain 3. * Work (3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet) into the next corner space. (chain 3, single crochet into the next chain space) twice. Chain 3. Repeat from * two more times. To complete the first corner, work 3 double crochet into the remaining half of the corner space. Chain 1, then work 1 double crochet into the top loops of the 3rd chain at the beginning of the round.

Round 4

Chain 1 and work 1 single crochet into the same corner space.
* (Chain 3, single crochet into the next chain space) 3 times. Chain 3.
** Work 1 single crochet, chain 3, and 1 single crochet into the next corner space. Repeat * and ** consecutively two more times. Repeat * once more. To complete the first corner, work 1 single crochet into the corner space. Chain 1, then work 1 double crochet into the top loops of the first single crochet made at the beginning of the round.

Round 5

Chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet), then work 2 double crochet into the same corner space.
* Chain 2, single crochet into the next chain space, chain 2. (Work 3 double crochet into the next chain space) twice. Chain 2, single crochet into the next chain space, chain 2. ** Work (3 double crochet, chain 3, 3 double crochet) into the next corner chain space. Repeat * and ** consecutively two more times. Repeat * once more. To complete the first corner, work 3 double crochet into the corner space. Chain 1, then work 1 double crochet into the top loops of the 3rd chain at the beginning of the round.

Round 6

Chain 6 (counts as 1 double crochet and chain 3), then work 2 double crochet into the same corner space.
* Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 3 double crochet. Chain 1. Treble crochet 2 together (tr2tog), with the first leg in the first chain space and the second leg in the next chain space. Chain 1. Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 6 double crochet. Treble crochet 2 together (tr2tog) across the next two chain spaces. Chain 1. Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 3 double crochet. ** Work 2 double crochet, chain 3, and 2 double crochet into the next corner space. Repeat * and ** consecutively two more times. Repeat * once more. To complete the first corner, work 1 double crochet into the corner space, then slip stitch into the top loops of the 3rd chain at the beginning of the round.