🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern

Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern
4.3★ Rating
2-4 Hours Time Needed
1.4K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Bite-Sized Project

Finishes in 2-4 hours—perfect for an afternoon of creative relaxation.

🏡

Cozy Accent

A warm touch for your space that transforms ordinary corners into inviting nooks filled with handmade charm.

About This Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern

This photo tutorial teaches you how to crochet the Elwen Granny Square with a delicate heart centre and textured square border. Youll work in three colors to create a soft gradient effect and learn standing stitches and back/front loop techniques. The pattern includes clear photos for each important step so you can follow along easily. Finished squares measure approximately 4.75" x 4.75" (12 x 12 cm).

Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Designed for intermediate crocheters, the square combines heart shaping with classic granny construction. Use small amounts of Cotton DK in three colors for a pretty, stash-busting make.

Why You'll Love This Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines a sweet heart motif with a classic granny square border for a truly charming result. I enjoy how the photo tutorial breaks down each step so even trickier bits like standing stitches and front-post work feel approachable. The pattern uses very little yarn, so I can make multiple colorways without committing to large skeins. I also love that these squares are versatile — make coasters, cushion covers, or join many for a blanket.

Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern step 1 - construction progress Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing this square by changing the color palette; try muted pastels for a soft look or high-contrast brights for maximum impact.

I sometimes swap the Cotton DK for a sport or worsted yarn and adjust the hook size to make mini or oversized squares — experiment to get the size you want.

For a different border effect, replace Round 6 and 7 with alternate corner shells or a picot edging to add texture and interest.

I often embroider a tiny initial or add beads to the heart center for a personalised gift-ready finish.

If you want a lacy appearance, try substituting chains and taller stitches in the border while keeping the heart rounds the same.

I recommend testing a couple of color transitions between C1, C2 and C3 to see how the heart blends with the round — subtle gradients look beautiful.

To make a coaster set, I repeat this square in several colorways then block each square the same way to ensure matching sizes.

I also like joining multiple squares with a simple whipstitch or join-as-you-go technique; the join choice totally changes the final look.

For extra durability, use a slightly firmer blocking and a tighter weave when weaving in ends so the square keeps its shape with use.

Dont be afraid to combine yarns (cotton with a cotton-acrylic blend) to change drape and softness — just check gauge and appearance first.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch marker instruction in Round 5 can cause you to lose track of the corner placement; place the stitch marker in the 4th last stitch as instructed to maintain correct shaping. ✗ Not counting stitches after rounds leads to uneven sides and poor corner placement; count your stitches at the end of each round and compare to the stitch counts provided. ✗ Working FPDC or DCBLO into the wrong loop will distort the texture of the heart and border; follow the notes about BLO/FL0 and the pictures carefully and work into the specified loops. ✗ Failing to block the finished square will leave edges uneven and curly; block the finished square to even out stitches and straighten edges as recommended.

Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern

Make a sweet heart-centered granny square with this photo tutorial. Youll follow clear step-by-step photos and concise instructions to crochet a delicate heart in the centre, then build a soft square border. This pattern is perfect for using small amounts of Cotton DK and creating gift-ready squares for coasters, blankets, or decorative projects. Enjoy a relaxing, creative make with charming results.

Intermediate 2-4 Hours

Materials Needed for Elwen Granny Square Photo Tutorial Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in three colors, total approx. 10 grams (Blush Pink - C1, Candyfloss Pink - C2, Dusty Rose - C3)
  • 02
    Any similar Cotton DK yarns suitable for 3.75 mm hook, small quantities for each color

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.75 mm (F) (designer used Furls White + Rose Gold Odyssey)
  • 02
    Yarn needle for weaving in ends
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Stitch markers

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Materials :

Info :

3.75 mm (F) size hook (I used Furls White + Rose Gold Odyssey). Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in 3 different colors-a total of 10 grams (Blush Pink-C1, Candyfloss Pink-C2, Dusty Rose-C3) or any other yarn suitable. Yarn needle for weaving in ends. Scissors. Stitch markers. NOTE: Blocking is essential to even out the stitches and make sure your edges are straight.

— Stitches Used and Abbreviations :

Infos :

MR = magic ring. CH = chain. SK = skip. ST/STS= stitch/ stitches. SLST = slip stitch. SC = single crochet. SCBLO = single crochet back loop only. HDC = half double crochet. HDCBLO = half double crochet back loop only. DC = double crochet. DCBLO = double crochet back loop only. FPDC = front post double crochet. ExtDC = extended double crochet. TR = treble crochet. { }=indicates how many stitches go into the same stitch or used to repeat a small set of instructions between these brackets the number of times given. [ ] = used to repeat a longer set of instructions between these brackets, the number of times given.

— Special Stitches :

Infos :

Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC): Yarn over, insert your hook from front to back around the post of given stitch, from right to left, yarn over and finish your double crochet as usual. Extended Double Crochet (ExtDC): Yarn over, insert your hook into given stitch, yarn over, pull through 1 loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops.

— Gauge :

Info :

not critical for this project but may affect the yarn quantities required

— Additional notes :

Infos :

Slip stitches do not count as stitches. CH 1 and CH 2 does not count as a stitch, unless stated otherwise. US terms used throughout. At the end of every round, there’s going to be a note with the stitch count, so you can keep track of your work easily and avoid any mistakes. It’s written in a different color, in bold. When working on the corners, always remember that there might be a hidden stitch hiding under the corner stitches which is the first stitch of the previous row. Notes are written in a different color in (brackets) to help you through the pattern. A FULL VIDEO TUTORIAL IS AVAILABLE HERE: https://youtu.be/GSSdeLnLbN8

— Instructions :

Info :

To start: with C1 (Blush Pink) MR

Round 1 :

CH 1, 12 DC into the ring, then tighten it, join with a SLST to first DC (12 DC)

Round 2 :

CH 2 (doesn't count as a ST), 1 DC in same ST (Pic 1), 1 FPDC around the same ST you just put a DC into (Pic 2), [1 DC in next ST (note: the FPDC might hide the next ST you have to work into) (Pic 3), 1 FPDC around same ST (Pic 4)] 11 times, join with a SLST to first DC (Pic 5) (12 FPDC, 12 DC)

Round 3 :

CH 1, 1 SC in same ST (Pic 1), SK 2 STS, 9 TR in next ST (FPDC) (Pic 2), SK 2 STS, 1 SC in next ST (Pic 3), SK 2 STS, 9 TR in next ST (FPDC) (Pic 4), SK 2 STS, 1 SC in next 6 STS (Pic 5), {2 HDC, 1 DC, 2 HDC} in next ST (Pic 6), 1 SC in next 5 STS (Pic 7), join with an invisible join to first SC (video help of how to do the invisible join: https://youtu.be/k6T05vEpo-s) or alternatively you can join with a SLST to first SC (Pic 8). Fasten off. (13 SC, 4 HDC, 1 DC, 18 TR)

Round 4 :

Join C2 (Candyfloss Pink) with a standing DC (video help of how to make a standing double crochet: https://youtu.be/mE51DQl8TpY) to the BLO of last TR on the right (Pic 1) (note: if you are left handed, start in the BLO of last TR on the left), 1 DCBLO in same ST (Pic 2), 1 ExtDC into the DC ST from Round 2 (It has a SC in it already, you just have to work over it) (Pic 3), 2 DCBLO in next ST (Pic 4), 1 HDCBLO in next ST (Pic 5), 2 SCBLO in next ST (Pic 6), {1 SCBLO in next ST, 2 SCBLO in next ST} twice (Pic 7), 1 HDCBLO in next ST (Pic 8), 2 DCBLO in next ST (Pic 9), {1 DCBLO in next ST, 2 DCBLO in next ST} twice (Pic 10), 1 HDCBLO in next ST (Pic 11), 2 HDCBLO in next ST (Pic 12), 1 SCBLO in next ST (Pic 13), {2 SCBLO in next ST, 1 SCBLO in next ST} twice (Pic 14), 2 HDCBLO in next ST, 1 HDCBLO in next ST (Pic 15), 2 DCBLO in next ST (Pic 16), {1 DCBLO in next ST, 2 DCBLO in next ST} twice (Pic 17), 1 HDCBLO in next ST (Pic 18), 2 SCBLO in next ST (Pic 19), {1 SCBLO in next ST, 2 SCBLO in next ST} twice (Pic 20), 1 HDCBLO in next ST (Pic 21), join with a SLST to first DC. (23 SCBLO, 10 HDCBLO, 1 ExtDC, 20 DCBLO)

Round 5 :

CH 1, 1 SC in same ST, 1 SC in next ST (Pic 1), 2 SC in next ST (Pic 2), 1 SC in next 26 STS (Pic 3), 2 SC in next ST (Pic 4), 1 SC in next 24 STS, join with a SLST to first SC (Pic 5). Note: Put a SM in the 4th last ST (Pic 6). Fasten off. (56 SC)

Round 6 :

Join C3 (Dusty Rose) with a standing TR (video help of how to make a standing treble crochet: https://youtu.be/Trl1JMxcv94) to the ST marked with a SM, CH 2, 2 TR in same ST (corner) (Pic 1), 1 DC in next 2 STS (Pic 2), 1 HDC in next ST (Pic 3), 1 SC in next 7 STS (Pic 4), 1 HDC in next ST, 1 DC in next 2 STS (Pic 5), [{2 TR, CH 2, 2 TR} in next ST (corner) (Pic 6), 1 DC in next 2 STS, 1 HDC in next ST, 1 SC in next 7 STS, 1 HDC in next ST, 1 DC in next 2 STS] 3 times, 1 TR in first corner (Pic 7), join with a SLST to first TR (Pic 8). Fasten off. (28 SC, 8 HDC, 16 DC, 16 TR, 4 x CH 2 SP)

Round 7 :

SLST to CH 2 corner SP, CH 1, {1 DC, CH 2, 2 DC} in CH 2 corner SP (corner)(Pic 1), 1 DC in each ST on side (Pic 2), {[2 DC, CH 2, 2 DC] in CH 2 corner SP (corner)(Pic 3), 1 DC in each ST on side} 3 times, 1 DC in first corner (Pic 4), join with a SLST to first DC (Pic 5). Fasten off, weave in all ends, block the finished square. (84 DC, 4 x CH 2 SP)

Assembly Instructions

  • Fasten off at the end of Round 7, then weave in all ends securely and trim any excess yarn.
  • Block the finished square to even out the stitches and straighten the edges, following the note that blocking is essential.
  • Place a stitch marker in the 4th last stitch during Round 5 as instructed to keep track of corner placement and continue the round accurately.
  • When joining multiple squares later, align corners and stitches carefully and pin pieces before sewing or using your preferred join method to ensure even seams.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to keep track of your rounds and key placement points, especially the marker in Round 5 for corner alignment.
  • 💡Blocking is essential to even out the stitches and make sure your edges are straight; block each square before joining.
  • 💡Slip stitches (SLST) do not count as stitches and CH 1 and CH 2 do not count as a stitch unless the pattern states otherwise.

This Elwen Granny Square tutorial helps you crochet a charming heart-centered square with easy-to-follow photos and clear steps. Perfect for little stash-busting projects, coasters, or a full blanket when joined together. Get creative with colors and borders to make each square uniquely yours. 🧶💖

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished square measures approximately 4.75" x 4.75" (12 x 12 cm) when using the recommended yarn and 3.75 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will affect the final size. Adjust your hook size accordingly and remember that blocking results may vary.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and uses standing stitches, front-post/back-loop techniques, and treble work, so basic knowledge of common crochet stitches is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish a single square in about 2-4 hours depending on experience and familiarity with the special stitches used in this pattern.

Are there video tutorials available to help with special stitches?

Yes, the pattern includes links to video help for the invisible join, standing double crochet, and standing treble crochet to guide you through those techniques.