Crochet Dog Granny Square

Bring some canine charm to your next yarn project with this adorable Dog Granny Square! Perfect for blankets, tote bags, or nursery decor, this pattern blends a classic granny square border with a sweet, multi-dimensional puppy face.

Whether you want to replicate your own furry best friend or create a colorful pack of different breeds, this beginner-to-intermediate pattern is highly customizable and bound to make tails wag.

Gear & Materials

• Yarn: Loopara 4-ply combed milk cotton (or any sports weight yarn) in White, Green, Orange, Red, and two shades of Grey.
• Hook Size: 2.3 mm (or size needed to obtain tight, clean stitches).
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, and a dab of fabric glue or hot melt adhesive for securing facial pieces.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc / hdc / dc: single / half double / double crochet
• inc: increase (2 stitches in the same space)
• BLO: back loops only
• dc2tog / sc2tog: decrease stitches over the next two spaces

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

1. The Square Base

Note: We begin by shaping the central head structure before transitioning into a traditional squared border.

• Round 1: Start with a ch 5. In the 4th chain from your hook, execute [1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc]. Work 6 dc back down the chain, then place [2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into the final chain loop.
• Round 2: Ch 3, then 1 dc. Create your first corner with [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc]. Work 4 dc across. For the curved bottom, work a sequence of increases: 3 hdc inc, 2 dc inc, then 3 hdc inc. Crochet 2 dc, followed by a dc inc. Form your second corner using [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] and finish the round with 2 dc.
• Round 3: Ch 3. Work [1 dc, ch 3, 2 hdc] into the corner space. Put down 6 hdc. Work a series of curves: 3 hdc inc, 2 hdc, then another 3 hdc inc. Crochet 6 hdc down the side. In the next corner, work [2 hdc, ch 3, 1 dc]. Finish the row with 4 dc and snip your yarn to fasten off.
• Round 4 (Shaping the Face): Attach yarn to work in BLO. Ch 4, then work 7 sc. Crochet 2 hdc, then [1 hdc, 1 dc] in the next stitch. Ch 3, followed by [1 dc, 1 hdc]. Sc 1, ch 2, skip 2 stitches, and sl st 2. Ch 2, skip 2, sc 1. Work [1 hdc, 1 dc], ch 3, then [1 dc, 1 hdc]. Work 2 hdc, 7 sc, ch 4, sc 1, sl st 1, and finish with 8 hdc.
• Round 5 (Squaring Off): Connect your background border color. Ch 3, 3 dc. Dc2tog across the next two stitches, then 5 dc. Create a classic corner: [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc]. Work 11 dc across the flat edge. Work another corner [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc]. Work 5 dc, dc2tog, 5 dc. Build your third corner [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc], follow with 11 dc, and establish your final corner [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc]. End with a single dc and join.
• Round 6: Switch color if desired. Work sc around the entire perimeter, placing 5 sc into each of the ch-3 corner spaces to create a crisp border edge.

2. Facial Features & Details

Floppy Ears (Make 2)

• Rows 1–4: Ch 1, work 3 sc across. Turn at the end of each row.
• Row 5: Sc3tog to decrease the tip of the ear into a gentle point.
• Edging: Work 4 sc evenly down one side of the ear, 3 sc up the opposing side, and sl st to the start to finish.

The Snout/Mouth

• Round 1: Ch 12. Starting in the 4th chain from your hook, work [2 dc, 1 hdc]. Follow with 2 hdc, 3 sc, and 2 hdc. In the end chain, work a turning curve of [1 hdc, 5 dc, 1 hdc]. Working down the opposite side of the chain, complete 2 hdc, 3 sc, 2 hdc, 1 hdc, and 2 dc.
• Round 2: Repeat the sequence of [1 sc, ch 2] 5 times. Work 1 sc, then 3 sl st. Skip a stitch, then repeat [1 sc, ch 2] 9 times. Sc 1, skip 1, 2 sl st, skip 1, and finish with [1 sc, ch 2] 5 times.

The Tongue

• Round 1: Ch 3. Sc into the second chain from the hook. Place 3 sc into the final chain to round the corner, then finish with 1 sc on the underside.

The Nose

• Round 1: Inside a magic ring, work: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. Pull the ring tight and join.

The Eyes (Make 2)

• Round 1: Work 6 sc into a magic ring. Join with a sl st and leave a tail for sewing.

The Decorative Paw

• Round 1: Ch 4. Work 2 sc into the second chain from the hook. Work 5 sc, 1 sc, and 4 sc around the chain to form a tiny oval paw pad. Use your eye-colored yarn to stitch small toe lines.

Assembly & Finishing Touches

1. Layout: Before picking up your needle, place the snout, tongue, nose, and eyes onto the center of your base square. Use sewing pins to secure them temporarily so nothing shifts.
2. Stitching: Using your yarn needle and matching thread tails, applique the facial features onto the base.
3. Ears & Paws: Sew the floppy ears to the upper corners of Round 4 so they frame the face nicely. Glue or sew the paw accent to a bottom corner of the square.

Care Guide

To ensure your handmade puppy squares stay looking pristine, treat them with a little extra love:

• Washing: Always opt for hand-washing in cool water with a gentle wool or delicate fiber wash. Never wring or twist the squares—instead, gently press out excess water by rolling them flat inside a clean towel.
• Drying: Lay the squares perfectly flat on a sweater drying rack away from the harsh sun. Gently nudge the facial features back into symmetry while the yarn is still damp.
• Storage: Keep your completed squares in a breathable fabric bag or a cotton bin. Toss in a few cedar balls to keep pests away naturally without relying on harsh chemicals.