Crochet Giraffe Granny Square

This project transforms a classic circular motif into a textured 14″ x 14″ granny square. You will first crochet a flat round base for the giraffe’s head, frame it into a square, and then create individual three-dimensional and flat applique elements to sew on top.

• Skill Level: Advanced Beginner / Intermediate
• Terminology: US Standard Crochet Terms
• Sizing: Measures approximately 14 inches across when gauge is matched.
• Gauge Check: Your first 4 circular rounds should measure exactly 4 inches across. (4 double crochets = 1 inch).

Necessary Materials

• Yarn Requirements: Medium Worsted Weight (Category 4), such as Red Heart Super Saver in:
  • Main Face Color: Yellow/Cornmeal (~106 yards)
  • Background Frame: Green/Frosty Green (~80 yards)
  • Muzzle & Horn Accents: Cream/Aran (~26 yards)
  • Spots & Shading: Brown/Cafe Latte (~21 yards)
  • Eyes & Details: Small remnants of Black, Blue, and Pink yarn.
• Tools: 5.5 mm (Size I) crochet hook, tapestry needle, sharp scissors, and a handful of polyester fiberfill stuffing for the horns.

Section 1: The Main Block

Note: The initial chain-3 at the beginning of circular rows serves as your primary double crochet.

The Yellow Face Center

1. Round 1: Form a magic ring. Chain 3, then place 11 double crochets directly into the loop. Pull the tail tight to close the center hole and slip stitch to the top of your beginning chain-3. (12 stitches)
2. Round 2: Chain 3, work 1 double crochet into the very first stitch. Work 2 double crochets into every remaining stitch around. Close with a slip stitch. (24 stitches)
3. Round 3: Chain 3, work 1 double crochet into the same space. [Place 1 double crochet in the next stitch, followed by 2 double crochets in the succeeding stitch]. Repeat the sequence inside the brackets until you reach the end of the round, finishing with a slip stitch. (36 stitches)
4. Round 4: Chain 3, work 2 double crochets in the next stitch. [Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 double crochets in the next]. Repeat this sequence around, placing a final double crochet in the last open stitch. Slip stitch to close. (48 stitches)
5. Round 5: Chain 3, work 1 double crochet into the same space. [Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 3 stitches, followed by an increase of 2 double crochets in the next stitch]. Repeat this sequence around, finishing with a slip stitch. (60 stitches)
6. Round 6: Chain 3, double crochet in the next stitch, then work 2 double crochets in the next. [Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 4 stitches, then 2 double crochets in the following stitch]. Repeat around until 2 stitches remain; place 1 double crochet in each before slip stitching to close. (72 stitches)
7. Round 7: Chain 3, work 1 double crochet in the same space. [Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 5 stitches, then 2 double crochets in the next stitch]. Repeat this sequence completely around and join with a slip stitch. (84 stitches)
8. Round 8: Chain 3, double crochet in the next 2 stitches, then place 2 double crochets in the next stitch. [Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 6 stitches, followed by 2 double crochets in the next]. Repeat around until 3 stitches remain; put 1 double crochet in each and join. (96 stitches)
9. Round 9: Chain 3, work 1 double crochet in the same space. [Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 7 stitches, then 2 double crochets in the next]. Repeat the sequence to the end of the circle. Slip stitch to join and fasten off the yellow yarn. (108 stitches)

Squaring the Circle (Switch to Green)

In these rounds, you will use varying stitch heights (single, half-double, double, and treble crochets) to build out corners.

10. Round 10: Secure your green yarn to the first stitch. Chain 1 and single crochet in that same space. Single crochet in the next stitch. Work 1 half-double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches, 1 double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches, and 1 treble crochet in each of the next 4 stitches.
    • First Corner: In the next stitch, create the corner by working (2 treble crochets, chain 2, 2 treble crochets).
    • Sides & Remaining Corners: [Work 4 trebles, 4 double crochets, 4 half-doubles, 2 single crochets, 4 half-doubles, 4 double crochets, 4 trebles, then place a corner cluster of (2 treble crochets, chain 2, 2 treble crochets) in the next stitch]. Repeat this broad sequence around to build all four sides, matching the established stitch gradients. Slip stitch to the initial single crochet. (120 stitches + four corner spaces)
11. Round 11: Chain 1, single crochet in the same space, single crochet in the next stitch. Work 4 half-doubles, 6 double crochets, and 4 trebles across the flat side.
    • Corners: In each chain-2 corner space, work (2 treble crochets, chain 2, 2 treble crochets).
    • Sides: Work across the remaining sides by balancing the stitch pattern: 4 trebles, 6 double crochets, 4 half-doubles, 2 single crochets, 4 half-doubles, 6 double crochets, and 4 trebles. Slip stitch to close the round. (136 stitches)
12. Rounds 12–13: Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet). Double crochet into every stitch across the sides. When you reach any chain-2 corner space, bridge it by working (2 double crochets, chain 2, 2 double crochets). Join with a slip stitch at the end of each round. Fasten off your yarn after Round 13 and weave in the loose tails. (152 stitches on Round 12; 168 stitches on Round 13)

Section 2: Applique Elements

Ears (Produce 2)

1. Row 1 (Cream): Chain 7. Starting in the second chain from your hook, work 1 single crochet, 1 half-double crochet into each of the next 2 chains, and 1 double crochet into each of the next 2 chains. In the very last chain stitch, work 6 double crochets to round the top corner. Pivot your piece upside down to work into the opposite side of your starting chain: place 1 double crochet into each of the next 2 loops, 1 half-double crochet into each of the next 2 loops, and 1 single crochet in the final loop. Fasten off the cream yarn, leaving a long sewing tail. (16 stitches)
2. Row 2 (Brown): Attach brown yarn to the very first stitch of Row 1 with a slip stitch. Chain 1, single crochet in that same space, and single crochet down the next 6 stitches. Work 2 half-double crochets in the next stitch. In the absolute center tip stitch, work a cluster of (1 double crochet, 1 treble crochet, 1 double crochet). Work 2 half-double crochets in the next stitch, then finish with a single crochet in each of the remaining 7 stitches. Fasten off with a long strand for assembly. (20 stitches)

3D Horns (Produce 2)

These are worked in spiral rounds without joining at the end of each row.

1. Round 1 (Brown): Start with a magic ring, chain 1, and place 6 single crochets inside. (6 stitches)
2. Round 2: Work 2 single crochets into every stitch around. (12 stitches)
3. Round 3: [Work 2 single crochets in the first stitch, then 1 single crochet in the next]. Repeat around. (18 stitches)
4. Round 4: Single crochet evenly into every stitch around. (18 stitches)
5. Round 5: Work single crochet decreases (sc2tog) all the way around. Fasten off the brown yarn. (9 stitches)
6. Rounds 6–12 (Cream): Attach cream yarn to the remaining stitches. Work 1 single crochet into every stitch for 7 consecutive rounds to build the shaft of the horn. Fasten off, leaving a long thread, and firmly pack the inside with polyfil.

Shading Spots (Assorted Shapes)

• Large Angular Spot (Spot 1): Chain 5 with brown yarn.
  • Row 1: Single crochet across starting from the 2nd chain. Turn. (4)
  • Row 2: Chain 1, work 2 single crochets in the first stitch, single crochet across to the final stitch, work 2 single crochets. Turn. (6)
  • Row 3: Chain 1, single crochet evenly across. Turn.
  • Row 4: Repeat the increase steps from Row 2. Turn. (8)
  • Row 5: Chain 1, decrease (sc2tog), single crochet across until 2 stitches remain, decrease (sc2tog). Do not turn; instead, single crochet evenly around the entire perimeter of the shape to clean up the edges. Slip stitch to the first stitch and leave a long tail. (6)
• Medium Slanted Spots (Spot 2 – Make 2): Chain 4 with brown yarn.
  • Row 1: Single crochet across starting from the 2nd chain. Turn. (3)
  • Row 2: Chain 1, work an increase of 2 single crochets in the first stitch, then single crochet across the remaining stitches. Turn. (4)
  • Row 3: Chain 1, single crochet across to the final stitch, then work an increase of 2 single crochets. Turn. (5)
  • Rows 4–5: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 in sequence to expand the offset shape. Single crochet around the entire outer border of the piece, slip stitch to join, and fasten off with a long tail. (7)
• Small Round Spot (Spot 3): With brown yarn, create a magic ring. Chain 1 and place 6 single crochets inside. Join with a slip stitch. For Round 2, chain 1 and place 2 single crochets into every stitch around. Slip stitch to finish and leave a long assembly tail. (12)

Eyes, Muzzle & Face Details

• Eyes (Make 2): Using black yarn, make a magic ring. Chain 3, then work 10 double crochets into the ring. Join with a slip stitch and clip the black yarn, leaving a long tail.
  • Iris Ring: Secure blue yarn into the first stitch of the round and work a slip stitch across the next 5 stitches. Fasten off.
  • Sclera Accent: Attach white yarn directly behind those blue slip stitches into the original black round. Slip stitch across 5 stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long white tail to embroider a small catchlight dot in the center of the pupil.
• Rosy Cheeks (Make 2): Using pink yarn, create a magic ring. Chain 3, place 11 double crochets into the center loop, close the ring tightly, and slip stitch to the top of the chain-3. Cut yarn, leaving an assembly tail. (12)
• Muzzle Base: Using cream yarn, chain 10.
  • Round 1: Place 2 double crochets into the 4th chain from your hook. Double crochet down the next 5 chain spaces. Work 6 double crochets all within the last chain to swing around to the underside. Working into the back loops of your starting chain, double crochet down the next 5 loops, and place 3 double crochets into the final loop. Join with a slip stitch. (22 stitches)
  • Round 2: Chain 3, double crochet in that same stitch, then 2 double crochets in the next. Double crochet down the next 8 stitches. Work 2 double crochets into each of the next 3 stitches to curve around the edge. Double crochet down the next 8 stitches, then finish with 2 double crochets in the last stitch. Slip stitch to close. (28 stitches)
  • Round 3: Chain 3, double crochet in that same space, then 2 double crochets into each of the next 2 stitches. Double crochet down the next 9 stitches. Place 2 double crochets into each of the next 5 stitches along the curve. Double crochet down the next 9 stitches, and finish with 2 double crochets into each of the final 2 stitches. Join and leave a long sewing tail. (38 stitches)
• Nostrils (Make 2): With black yarn, form a magic ring, chain 1, work 6 single crochets into the loop, and slip stitch to the first stitch to close. Fasten off.

Section 3: Final Assembly

Lay your main green and yellow square flat with the right side facing upwards. Use your tapestry needle and the left-over yarn tails to secure the pieces:

1. Nostrils onto Muzzle: Stitch the two small black nostrils symmetrically onto the cream muzzle background first.
2. Ears & Horns: Position the stuffed horns at the very top edge of the yellow circular head, flanked by the two ears pointing outward. Sew them down securely through the top loops of the square.
3. Muzzle Alignment: Center the large cream muzzle over the lower portion of the yellow face circle and sew around its entire perimeter.
4. Eyes & Cheeks: Place the eyes just above the muzzle line. Secure the pink cheeks slightly lower and to the outside of each eye.
5. Character Spots: Scatter your brown spots across the remaining open spaces of the forehead and cheeks to give your giraffe its distinct patterned look.

Weave all remaining loose yarn strands into the back of your panel to complete the square!