Bright Circle Granny Square Pattern

I love crocheting in bright colors, and circles inside granny squares are a fun, eye-catching, and deceptively simple way to play with pattern. I used contrasting curves and straight lines for this blanket, which as you know has been a staple of textile pattern design forever, because it never fails to be interesting to look at. Making a granny square with a single circle, or rows of concentric circles inside could hardly be easier, and I find it’s a great way of using up yarn scraps too. With this super quick pattern, you’ll be whipping them up in no time just like me!

• Pattern tips
• Mini circle granny square pattern
• Concentric circles granny square pattern

Pattern tips

Making circles inside granny squares is a brilliant way to use up yarn scraps leftover from other projects. You can turn them into items like pillow covers, tote bags, and pouches for cell phones, cosmetics or stationery supplies.

Whenever you’re using up yarn like this, and if you have electronic kitchen scales, try weighing your first circle before you turn it into a square. Then you’ll be able to tell if you have enough remaining yarn to make another circle by weighing it first. This will spare you from playing and losing too many games of yarn chicken!

These patterns are all written in standard U.S. terms, The granny squares in the photos are all made with DK yarn on a size G/6 (4mm) hook.

Mini circle granny square pattern

These dinky squares are as cute as a button, and ideal for smaller projects or using up very short yarn scraps. They measure about 3” across when made with DK yarn, and about 4” across when made with worsted yarns.

Magic circle to start.

• Round 1. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc 11 into the magic circle, sl st into top of the ch 3. 12 sts.
• Round 2. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc 1 into the same space, dc 2 into all the remaining spaces, sl st into the top of the ch 3. 24 sts. Cut yarn and join with 2nd color.
• Round 3. Ch 5 (counts as 2 ch and 1 dc), dc 1 into the same space, hdc 1, sc 1, sl st, sc 1, hdc 1, (dc 1, ch 2, dc 1) into same space* 3 times, hdc 1, sc 1, sl st, sc 1, hdc 1, sl st into 3rd ch.
• Round 4. Ch 5 (counts as 2 ch and 1 dc), dc 2 into the corner space, *dc 7, (dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) into the next corner space* 3 times, dc 7, dc1 into corner space, sl st into 3rd ch. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Concentric circles granny square pattern

These circles are a bit bigger, which means a slightly different formula for turning them into squares when you get to round 5. I love them with a single color change between rows 3 and 4, for a kind of halo effect around the edge of the circle. But of course you can change colors as many times as you like, or at a different position.

Magic circle to start

• Round 1. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc 11 into the magic circle, sl st into top of the ch 3. 12 sts.
• Round 2. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc 1 into the same space, dc 2 into all the remaining spaces, sl st into the top of the ch 3. 24 sts.
• Round 3. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), inc, *dc 1, inc* 11 times, sl st into the top of the ch 3. 36 sts.
• Round 4. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc 1, inc, *dc 2, inc* 11 times, sl st into the top of the ch 3. 48 sts. Change color.
• Round 5. Ch 6 (counts as 1 tr and 2 ch), tr 2 into same space, *dc 2, hdc 2, sc 3, hdc 2, dc 2, (tr 2, ch 2, tr 2)* three times, dc 2, hdc 2, sc 3, hdc 2, dc 2, tr 1 into corner space, sl st to 4th st of ch 6. Now you have a square with 15 stitches on each side, plus corner spaces.
• Round 6. Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and 2 ch) dc 2 into the corner space, *dc 15, (dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) into the next corner space* 3 times, dc 15, dc1 into corner space, sl st into 3rd ch. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Circle Granny Square Variations

These were two simple, solid granny squares featuring circles. But they’re not the only way to mix the round and square. Take a look at Lucy’s sun granny square pattern for a more lacy take, or add a circle motif to a regular solid granny square using surface crochet. This article on bobble stitch granny squares also includes a beautifully tactile single-color square with a circle of bobbles in it. And finally, don’t miss this guide to crocheting circles and spheres generally. Once you have the confidence to understand how they’re made, there’s nothing to stop you designing your own patterns!

And finally, let us know how you’ll use your circle granny squares in the comments box down below.