Evergreen Noel Granny Square Free Pattern
Gauge
Gauge: 4 rounds of this granny square = 4 inches (10 cm). The finished square should measure about 6 x 6 inches.
Why gauge matters: Gauge is simply how big your stitches turn out. If your stitches are bigger than the pattern expects, your square will be too large; if they are smaller, it will be too small. For a granny square this matters most when you join many squares into a blanket — squares of different sizes will not line up.
How to make a gauge swatch: Work Rounds 1 through 4 of this pattern exactly as written. Lay the piece flat and measure straight across the middle with a ruler. If it measures 4 inches, you are on track. If it is bigger than 4 inches, try a smaller hook (size E/3.5 mm). If it is smaller than 4 inches, try a larger hook (size G/4.0 mm). There is no need to unravel your swatch — it is the start of your square!
Beginner Tips Before You Start
- Count after every round. The stitch count in parentheses at the end of each round is your safety net. If your number does not match, fix it before moving on — it is far easier to fix one round than five.
- Use stitch markers in the corners. Place a marker in each of the four corner chain-2 spaces as soon as you make them. Corners are where beginners most often lose their place.
- Do not pull the yarn tight. Keep your tension relaxed and even. Tight stitches make the square stiff and small, and they make it very hard to insert your hook.
- Remember the beginning chain counts as a stitch. The "ch 3" at the start of each round stands in for the first double crochet. When the round says "join with sl st to top of beg ch-3," you slip stitch into the top of that chain, not into the next stitch.
- Keep your color changes tidy. When you change colors, fasten off the old color and join the new color with a slip stitch in the space instructed. Leave 4–6 inch tails so you have plenty to weave in later.
- Work in good light and take breaks. Your hands will tire at first. Ten minutes at a time is perfectly fine — this square is meant to be relaxing, not a race.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Note: The square is worked in joined rounds — meaning each round is closed with a slip stitch and the next round begins in the same place. Change colors exactly as indicated. You may carry the unused color loosely along the back of the work, or fasten off and rejoin each time (fastening off is easier for beginners).
Part 1: The Granny Square Body
Round 1 (Color A — background): Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (this counts as your first dc). Work 2 dc into the ring. [Ch 2, 3 dc into the ring] three times. Ch 2, then join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Round 2 (Color A): Sl st into each of the next 2 dc, then sl st into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 3. Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into that same ch-2 sp. Ch 1. *Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the next ch-2 sp, then ch 1. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. (24 dc, 4 ch-2 sps, 4 ch-1 sps)
Round 3 (Color B — evergreen tree): Join Color B with a sl st in any ch-1 sp. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in the same ch-1 sp. Ch 1. *Work 3 dc in the next ch-2 sp, ch 2, then 3 dc in that same ch-2 sp (this makes a corner), ch 1. Work 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 1, then join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off Color B. (36 dc, 4 corners, 4 side ch-1 sps)
Round 4 (Color A — background): Join Color A with a sl st in any ch-1 sp between a corner and a side group. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in the same sp. Ch 1. *Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner ch-2 sp, ch 1. Work 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Work 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off Color A. (48 dc, 4 corners)
Round 5 (Color B — tree silhouette): Join Color B with a sl st in any ch-1 sp along a side. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in the same sp. Ch 1. *Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner ch-2 sp, ch 1. Work 3 dc in each ch-1 sp across the side, making ch 1 between each group. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off Color B. (60 dc, 4 corners)
Round 6 (Color A — final border): Join Color A with a sl st in any ch-1 sp. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in the same sp. Ch 1. *Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner ch-2 sp, ch 1. Work 3 dc in each ch-1 sp across the side, making ch 1 between each group. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off and weave in all ends. (72 dc, 4 corners)
Part 2: The Tree Motif (worked separately, then sewn on)
With Color B, ch 2.
Row 1: Work 3 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Turn. (3 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in the first sc, sc in the next sc, work 2 sc in the last sc. Turn. (5 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (5 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1, work 2 sc in the first sc, sc in each sc across to the last sc, work 2 sc in the last sc. Turn. (7 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (7 sc)
Row 6: Ch 1, work 2 sc in the first sc, sc in each sc across to the last sc, work 2 sc in the last sc. Turn. (9 sc)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (9 sc)
Row 8: Ch 1, work 2 sc in the first sc, sc in each sc across to the last sc, work 2 sc in the last sc. Turn. (11 sc)
Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (11 sc)
Row 10: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (11 sc)
Part 3: The Trunk
With Color C (brown), ch 4.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. Turn. (3 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Fasten off, leaving a tail. (3 sc)
Part 4: The Star
With gold or yellow, make a magic ring. Ch 1. Work 5 sc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Ch 1. Work [sc, ch 2, sc]
