Starburst Granny Square Free Crochet Pattern

This is the classic Starburst Granny Square! It features a lovely circle transitioning into a square with beautiful floral-like petals.

Materials Needed

Yarn

WeCrochet CotLin (DK weight)
- 1 skein: Swan (white)
- <1 skein: Marigold (orange)
- <1 skein: Clementine (dark orange)
- <1 skein: Creme Brulee (custard yellow)

Notions & Tools

Size C / 2.5mm Clover Amour crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

Pattern Details & Abbreviations

Final Size: 3.5″ x 3.5″
Abbreviations: BLO (back loop only), ch (chain), CC (contrast color), dec (decrease), hdc (half double crochet), inc (increase), MC (main color), MR (magic ring), rnd (round), sc (single crochet), sl st (slip stitch), st(s) (stitch(es)), tr (treble crochet).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Round 1

Working into a MR, chain 4 (counts as a dc + ch), (dc, ch) x 7. Sl st to the first st. (8 dc total with 8 ch spaces). Sl st to the next ch-sp, changing color to CC1.

Sl st to the first st, pull the tail tight to close the circle.

Round 2 (Popcorn Stitch Round)

In CC1, chain 2 from the ch-sp, then work 4 dc into the same ch-sp. There should be 5 sts total. Remove the hook from the loop. Then, insert the hook from front to back into the space between the first 3 chains and the next dc, and pick up the loop again on the hook. Pull the loop through the stitch and chain 2. Make the next popcorn stitch by working 5 dcs into the next ch-sp, removing the hook, and pulling through the loop. Chain 2. You should have 8 popcorn stitches and 8 chain spaces. Repeat this step in all the rest of the chain spaces, then sl st to the first st and switch to MC in the next ch-sp. Cut CC1 and weave in end.

After chaining 3 and working 4 dcs into the first ch-sp, remove the hook from this loop.

Insert the hook between the ch 3 and first dc st, then re-insert the hook into the loop and pull through.

In the next ch-sp, work 5 dcs and complete the popcorn st.

After working popcorn sts all around, sl st to the first st.

Round 3 (Cluster Stitch Round)

From the ch-sp in the last rnd, use MC and chain 2 (counts as a dc). Then, work one dc in the same ch-sp, but do not finish the dc, leaving 2 loops on the hook. Work one more dc in the same manner, so that there are now 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw through all three loops. You have just worked one cluster stitch. Chain 2. In the same ch-sp, work 3 incomplete dcs, then yarn over and pull through the remaining four loops. This is a cluster st. Chain 2. In the next ch-sp, work 3 incomplete dcs, yarn over, pull through four loops, and ch 2. Repeat in the same ch-sp. Repeat this step in all the remaining ch-spaces, so that there are two cluster stitches per ch-sp, and then sl st to the first st. You should have 16 total clusters and 16 chain spaces. Sl st to the next ch-sp, and switch colors to CC2. Do not cut MC since we will use it later.

After chaining 2 (counts as a dc), work a double crochet, but omit the last step. You should have 2 loops left.

Work one more incomplete dc, you should have 3 loops left.

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. (This is a cluster st). Next, chain 2.

After working cluster sts in all the ch-sps, sl st to the first st.

Sl st to the next ch-sp and switch to CC2.

Round 4

In CC2, ch 2 and work 2 dcs in the same ch-sp. In the next ch-sp, work 3 hdcs. In the next ch-sp, work 3 dcs. In the next ch-sp, work 3 trs, then ch 2, then work 3 more trs in the same ch-sp. This will form a corner. Continuing around, work 3 dcs in the next ch-sp, 3 hdcs in the next ch-sp, and then 3 dcs in the next ch-sp. Then we will work one more corner by crocheting 3 trs, ch 2, 3 trs in the same ch-sp. Repeat this step two more times, and then sl st to the first st. Sl st to the next ch-sp and switch back to CC1. Cut CC2 and weave in end. You should have 12 hdcs, 24 dcs, 24 trs, and 4 chain spaces.

Chain 2, then work 2 dcs in the same ch-sp.

Granny square after forming the first corner.

Round 5

In CC1, chain 2 and work 2 dcs in the same ch-sp. Work 3 dcs in the next two ch-sps; in the corner, work 3 dcs, 2 ch, and 3 dcs in the same ch-sp. Continue all around the granny square, working 3 dcs into each ch-sp and *3 dcs, 2 ch, 3 dcs* into each corner ch-sp. You should have 72 dcs and 4 chain spaces. Finish off CC1, leaving a long tail for sewing.