Crocheting a solid square in rounds is a useful technique for many crochet projects. Unlike granny squares, which use clusters and chain spaces, solid squares are made with continuous stitches. This creates a dense fabric that’s perfect for dishcloths, bags, and amigurumi.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn the basic method for crocheting a solid crochet square from the center outward. Once you understand the structure, you can easily adapt the technique using different stitches.
Step-by-Step: Solid Square in Rounds
This example uses single crochet stitches, which are commonly used in amigurumi.
Round 1
Work 4 single crochets into a magic ring.
The corners of our square will grow from these 4 stitches.
Round 2
Work 1 increase 3 on each of the stitches of the previous round. To increase 3 simply means that you need to work 3 stitches into the same stitch or space.
Remember to use a stitch marker.
Round 3
- Work 1 single crochet plus increase 3 on the next stitch.
- Work 2 single crochets and increase by 3 on the next stitch. Repeat 3 times.
- Work 1 more single crochet to finish the round.
By now your work is clearly looking like a square and now it’s just a matter of choosing how big it’s going to be. With every round, the sides will grow longer, but the corners stay the same.
Round 4
- Work 2 single crochets plus 1 increase 3.
- Work 4 single crochets followed by the increase 3, three more times.
- To finish work 2 single crochets.
Round 5
- Work 3 single crochets and increase by 3.
- Work 6 single crochets plus an increase 3, 3 times.
- To finish the round work 3 single crochets.
Continue to increase to the desired size.
When you’re ready to finish off slip stitch, needle join and weave in the ends.
3 Simple Rules to Keep in Mind
- Always make the corners (increase 3) in the middle stitch of the corner of the previous round.
- The stitches between the corners always increase by two. If you wanted to crochet more rounds the next round would have 8 single crochets between the corners.
- Remember that the side where we start and finish the rounds is split in 2. That’s why we always start and end the rounds working half of the single crochets.
If you follow these simple rules you’ll know that your square is still a square and you don’t need to count the stitches at the end of every round.
What Can You Make with Solid Crochet Squares?
Solid squares are incredibly versatile and work well for projects where you want a dense fabric.
Some ideas include:
- Amigurumi
- Dishcloths and washcloths
- Cushion covers
- Tote bags
They’re also perfect for scrap yarn projects.
Learning how to crochet a solid square in rounds is a helpful skill for many crochet patterns. Once you understand how the corners create the shape and how the stitches build the sides, you can easily adjust the technique to different stitches. It’s a simple technique that opens up a lot of creative possibilities.
If you use this tutorial, I’d love to see your creations! Feel free to share them and tag me on Instagram @BuddyRumi !