How to Create Letters Using Granny Squares

The granny square is an essential crochet pattern used in a multitude of projects, from afghans to children’s toys. The squares can be joined together to form nearly any shape — even letters of the alphabet. Since some letters have rounded lines and sharp corners, you must incorporate half granny squares for greater flexibility when forming the letters. A half granny square looks like a right triangle. By combining full and half granny squares, you can make your own letter patterns. These instructions show you how to make the letter A.

Chain five and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring. Chain three, which counts as your first double crochet, and then make two more double crochets into the ring. You have completed your first shell, which is a cluster of three adjacent double crochet stitches.

Chain two and make three double crochets into the ring, completing another shell. Repeat two more times for a total of four shells. Slip stitch into the third chain of the original chain-three to join the round.

Chain three, which counts as your first double crochet. Make two double crochets, chain two, and then make three additional double crochets in the same chain-two space.

Locate the next chain-two space. Make one shell, chain two, make another shell in the same space, and then chain one. Repeat twice in the next two chain-two spaces. Slip stitch into the third chain of the original chain-three to join the round. Finish off.

Chain five and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring. Chain three, which counts as your first double crochet, and make three additional double crochets in the ring. Chain one, and make four more double crochets in the ring. Slip stitch in the third chain of the original chain-three to join.

Chain three and turn the project so you can crochet the second row in the opposite direction.

Make three double crochets in the first double crochet at the base of the chain. In the chain-one space, make three double crochets, one chain and another three double crochets, forming the corner of the triangle.

Make four double crochets in the original chain-three from Step 1. Finish off. The resulting figure looks like a right triangle.

Make 12 full granny squares and one half granny square. These pieces will be sewn together to form the letter A.

Sew five of the full granny squares together side by side. Do this by holding the right sides of each square together. From the front, insert a threaded yarn needle through the outer loops of the first stitches in the right-hand corners of the two squares. Pull the yarn through, leaving a 6-inch tail. Insert the needle into the outer loops of the next stitches, starting from the front, and continue until the whole edge is stitched.

Repeat Step 2 to make another row of five adjacent granny squares. Sew the last two full granny squares side-by-side.

Use the joining method described in Step 2 to sew the half granny square to one end of either of the 5-square pieces. Join the half granny square so that the right angle is on the right side. Sew the end of the other 5-square piece to the other side of the half-granny square. This forms the point at the top of the A.

Sew both ends of the two-square piece to the insides of the 5-square pieces to finish the letter A. Weave in all loose ends.

Make other letters by joining the granny squares in various patterns. Use the half granny squares for points and corners, such as at the tops of the letter M or to make the rounded edges on the letter P. Use strands of joined full granny squares to form the straight lines of the letters.