28 Crochet Projects to Make with Extra Granny Squares

If you’ve been crocheting for any length of time, you probably have a stash of granny squares sitting in a basket somewhere. Maybe you made too many for a blanket, or you just couldn’t stop once you got into a rhythm. Whatever the reason, those extra squares deserve a second life. Granny squares are one of the most versatile motifs in the crochet world, and the good news is that there are dozens of creative ways to use them beyond the traditional afghan. Whether you have two squares or two hundred, this list has something for you.

Let’s dive into 28 fun, practical, and beautiful projects you can make with your leftover granny squares.

Why Granny Squares Are So Versatile

Before we get into the projects, it’s worth appreciating just how useful granny squares really are. They’re self-contained little units that can be sewn or slip-stitched together in almost any configuration. They come in consistent shapes, which makes planning a project easier. And because they’re worked in rounds, they’re easy to pick up and put down — perfect for crocheters who work in short bursts. Whether your squares are four inches or twelve inches across, there’s a project on this list that will work for you.

Bags and Totes

1. Granny Square Tote Bag

One of the most popular ways to use extra granny squares is to sew them together into a simple tote bag. You typically need four to six squares for the front and back panels, and then you can add a crochet strap or repurpose sturdy ribbon for the handles. Line the inside with fabric to give it structure and prevent small items from falling through the gaps in the stitches. This makes a wonderful market bag or everyday carry-all.

2. Small Crossbody Bag

If you have just four matching or complementary squares, you have everything you need for a small crossbody bag. Two squares make the front and back, one can be folded and sewn to form the sides and bottom gusset, and the fourth can become a strap. Add a zipper closure along the top for a polished, functional finish.

3. Granny Square Backpack

A slightly more ambitious project, but absolutely achievable. Arrange squares in a rectangle for the main body, add a base panel, and crochet or sew straps. Kids especially love a granny square backpack, and it’s a great way to use up mismatched squares by embracing a rainbow or boho color palette.

4. Coin Purse or Card Holder

Just two small squares are enough for a coin purse. Sew them together on three sides, add a zipper along the top, and you have a sweet little accessory that costs almost nothing to make. These are also excellent gifts and fair trade items.

5. Drawstring Bag

Sew four to eight squares together into a tube, add a solid crochet base, and thread a drawstring through the top row of stitches. These work beautifully as gift bags, lingerie bags, or small project bags.

Clothing and Wearables

6. Granny Square Vest

A patchwork vest is one of the most stunning things you can make with granny squares. Arrange squares in columns and rows to form the front and back panels, leave openings for the armholes, and join the shoulders. You can add a simple crochet border around all the edges to give it a finished look. This project works in almost any yarn weight, though worsted or DK yarn tends to drape the nicest.

7. Boho Cardigan

Similar in construction to the vest but with added sleeves, a granny square cardigan is a wardrobe statement. The key is to measure your bust and plan your square layout before joining. Many crocheters use large squares for the body and smaller squares for the sleeves to get the right sizing.

8. Summer Top or Crop Top

Smaller squares can be combined to make a lightweight summer top. Think of it as a grid of squares across the chest and back, with straps made from crochet chains or additional squares. This is a popular choice for festival wear and beach cover-ups.

9. Skirt

A tiered or paneled skirt made from granny squares is a project that looks harder than it is. Join squares into strips and then join the strips together. You can add a crochet or fabric waistband for comfort. The open texture of granny squares makes this style especially flattering in warmer weather when layered over a slip.

10. Granny Square Wrap or Shawl

Rather than a fully constructed garment, a wrap is simply granny squares joined in a large rectangle or diagonal arrangement. It’s a fantastic project for using up different sizes and colors because an eclectic mix looks intentional on a wrap. Drape it over your shoulders, tie it as a skirt, or wear it as a scarf — it’s endlessly versatile.

11. Headband or Hair Wrap

Two or three small squares can be joined into a headband. Sew the ends together to form a loop, or leave the ends open and add tie strings. This is an ideal beginner-friendly project and works up in under an hour.

12. Bucket Hat

A granny square bucket hat might be one of the trendiest items on this list. You’ll need several squares for the brim and a few for the crown. The exact number depends on the size of your squares, but most patterns use between eight and twelve medium-sized squares. The look is charming, playful, and genuinely fashionable.

Home Décor

13. Throw Pillow Cover

Two matching squares or a grid of four smaller ones can become a beautiful throw pillow cover. Just make a front and a back panel, sew around three sides, insert a pillow form, and close the last side with a slip stitch or zipper. This is one of the fastest ways to refresh your living room decor, and it makes a lovely housewarming gift.

14. Table Runner

Line up six to ten squares in a single row and join them along their sides. The result is a charming table runner that works for everyday use or seasonal decorating. Use autumn colors for fall, pastels for spring, or jewel tones for a more formal dinner table.

15. Placemats

Four squares joined in a two-by-two arrangement make a sturdy, attractive placemat. For a more polished look, add a single crochet border all the way around. A set of six matching placemats is also a popular gift for weddings and housewarmings.

16. Coasters

A single granny square makes a perfect coaster. If your squares are on the smaller side — around four inches — they’re ready to use as-is. A simple border keeps them from curling. Make a set of four or six for a coordinated look.

17. Wall Hanging or Tapestry

Arrange squares in an interesting color-blocked or gradient pattern, join them, and hang the finished panel on the wall using a wooden dowel threaded through the top row. A row of fringe along the bottom adds visual interest. This is a wonderful way to use a small collection of squares that don’t quite form a useful item on their own.

18. Crib or Cot Blanket

If you don’t have enough squares for a full adult throw, a baby or crib blanket is the perfect alternative. A grid of sixteen to twenty-five medium squares makes a cozy, heirloom-quality baby blanket. Just make sure to use machine-washable yarn and check that the squares don’t have any embellishments that could be a hazard.

19. Pet Blanket or Mat

Your dog or cat would love a granny square blanket too. This is a perfect use for yarn that’s slightly scratchy for human skin — many pets don’t mind the texture at all. Join squares in any arrangement and add a backing fabric if you want it to be extra durable.

20. Plant Pot Cozy or Basket

Sew squares together into a cylinder shape and add a base to create a cozy cover for a plain plastic plant pot. If you use a stiff cotton yarn and stiffen the finished piece with a little spray starch, you can also make a small basket for storing odds and ends on a desk or bedside table.

Gifts and Accessories

21. Baby Booties

Small squares can be folded and seamed into adorable baby booties. You typically need two squares per bootie — one folded to form the body and one for the sole. These are some of the most charming handmade baby gifts imaginable.

22. Baby Bib

A single medium-sized square with a crochet chain neck tie makes the sweetest baby bib. Add a button and button loop for easy fastening. It’s functional, washable, and absolutely adorable.

23. Granny Square Bookmark

A single tiny square, perhaps worked in thread or light fingering weight yarn, makes a delightful bookmark. Add a small tassel to the bottom and a ribbon loop at the top. This is a wonderful project for using up scraps of finer-weight yarn.

24. Oven Mitts or Pot Holders

Cotton yarn is heat resistant enough for basic pot holders. Two squares of tightly crocheted cotton, sewn together with batting in the middle, make a functional pot holder. For oven mitts, sew squares into a tube and add a thumb gusset. This is a project best done in 100% cotton — acrylic yarn can melt when exposed to high heat.

25. Gift Wrap Pouch or Bag

Instead of using paper or tissue, place a gift inside a pouch made from a few squares. The recipient gets two gifts in one: the item inside and a handmade bag they can reuse. Use festive colors for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or warm tones for fall and Thanksgiving.

Kids’ Projects

26. Doll Blanket

Two or four small squares make a blanket perfectly sized for stuffed animals or dolls. Kids love helping with color choices, and it’s a project small enough to finish in an afternoon. This is also a wonderful way to introduce children to basic sewing skills as they join the squares together.

27. Stuffed Animal or Amigurumi-Style Toy

With a little creativity, granny squares can become soft toys. Fold a square in half and seam it to create a basic body shape, stuff it lightly with fiberfill, and add embroidered or safety eyes and a nose. You can make flat character-style toys that way — cats, dogs, bears, and owls are all popular choices. A border of single crochet around the edges after stuffing helps maintain the shape.

28. Children’s Backpack or Bag

Similar to the adult backpack mentioned earlier but sized down, a children’s bag made from colorful granny squares is endlessly charming. Kids love having something handmade and unique, and granny squares in bright colors are especially appealing to little ones.

Tips for Using Up Extra Granny Squares

Now that you have a list of projects to work from, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of your leftover squares.

Embrace the mismatch. One of the most beautiful things about granny square projects is that you don’t need everything to match perfectly. An eclectic mix of colors and even slightly different sizes can work in your favor, especially for items like wraps, tote bags, and wall hangings. Work with what you have rather than feeling like you need uniformity.

Block your squares before joining. If your squares have curled edges or different sizes, a quick wet blocking session can even them out dramatically. Pin them to a foam mat while damp, let them dry completely, and you’ll find they join together much more cleanly.

Choose your joining method thoughtfully. The flat slip stitch join, the flat single crochet join, and the joining-as-you-go method all create slightly different looks. The slip stitch join leaves a subtle ridge on the wrong side. The single crochet join creates a visible seam that can actually become a design feature. Whip stitch and mattress stitch done with a yarn needle are good options when you want a flatter, nearly invisible seam.

Keep a running log. If you’re consistently making extra squares, keep a little notebook or a note on your phone of how many you have and what size they are. When you reach a certain number, you can look at this list and decide which project fits your current stash best.

Combine square sizes. Projects like the wrap, tote bag, and wall hanging look particularly interesting when they incorporate squares of different sizes. Fill gaps between larger squares with smaller ones, or use very small squares as accent pieces along the border of a larger project.

Think about yarn weight consistency. Mixing yarns of wildly different weights can make some projects difficult to finish neatly. For wearables especially, try to keep your yarn weights consistent. For home decor items and bags, a little more variation is usually fine.

Final Thoughts

Extra granny squares are never a problem — they’re an opportunity. With 28 projects to choose from, you can find something that suits your skill level, your timeline, and the number of squares you have on hand. Whether you end up with a beautifully boho vest, a set of charming coasters, or a sweet baby gift for someone special, your extra squares will finally get the chance to shine.

So pull out that basket, sort your squares by color or size, and pick a project. The only rule is to enjoy the process. After all, that’s what crochet is all about.