Simple Lattice Square Free Crochet Pattern

If you have ever wanted to create something beautiful with just a hook and some yarn, the lattice square is one of those timeless crochet motifs that rewards you every single time. It looks intricate enough to impress anyone who sees it, yet it follows a simple enough structure that even intermediate beginners can work through it with confidence. Whether you are planning a cozy blanket, a set of decorative throw pillows, a table runner, or even a stylish tote bag, the lattice square is a wonderfully versatile building block that adapts to just about any project you can imagine.

In this post, you will find a complete, free crochet pattern for the simple lattice square, along with tips on yarn selection, hook sizing, joining methods, and ideas for how to use your finished squares. Grab your favorite hook and settle in, because this one is worth making again and again.

What Is a Lattice Square?

The lattice square is a crochet motif defined by its open, grid-like structure. Unlike a traditional granny square, which builds outward from a central ring of stitches, the lattice square creates a woven or crosshatch appearance by using chains and slip stitches or double crochets worked in specific directions. The resulting piece looks almost like a woven textile, with visible diagonal or horizontal lines crossing over one another to create a mesh-like pattern.

The beauty of the lattice design is that it strikes an ideal balance between texture and negative space. It is not so open that it loses structure, and not so dense that it becomes heavy or stiff. This makes it perfect for projects that need a little drape, like shawls and blankets, as well as items where you want visual interest without adding a lot of weight.

Materials You Will Need

Before diving into the pattern, let’s talk about what you will need to gather. The good news is that this pattern is very forgiving when it comes to materials, so you likely have everything on hand already.

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn works beautifully for this pattern and gives you a finished square with good structure and definition. That said, the pattern translates well to almost any weight. Use DK or light worsted for a finer, more delicate look, or try bulky yarn if you want a chunky, cozy result. A smooth yarn in a solid or semi-solid color will show off the lattice structure most clearly, though a tonal or gradient yarn adds its own kind of magic. For beginners, cotton or cotton-blend yarn is a great choice because it does not split easily and holds its shape well after washing.

Hook: For worsted weight yarn, a 5.0 mm (H/8) or 5.5 mm (I/9) crochet hook is a good starting point. Always check your gauge and adjust as needed. A slightly larger hook than the yarn label suggests will give you a more open, drapey fabric, which suits the lattice aesthetic nicely.

Other supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers if you find them helpful. Blocking mats and pins are highly recommended for finishing, as blocking transforms lattice squares from slightly uneven to absolutely crisp and professional-looking.

Gauge and Finished Size

Using worsted weight yarn and a 5.5 mm hook, the finished square measures approximately 6 inches by 6 inches after light blocking. Gauge is not critical for most projects that use this square, such as blankets or decorative items, but try to keep your tension consistent from square to square so they join together evenly.

If you need a specific size for your project, simply work a test square, measure it, and adjust your hook size accordingly. Going up a hook size will make a larger square; going down will make a smaller one.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
hdc — half double crochet
sp — space
rep — repeat
RS — right side
WS — wrong side

Foundation chain: A chain of stitches that forms the base of your work.
Chain space (ch-sp): The loop or gap created by one or more chain stitches in a previous row, into which you work subsequent stitches.
Joining round: A final round worked around the perimeter of the square to neaten the edges and prepare for joining multiple squares together.

The Simple Lattice Square Pattern

This pattern is written for one square. Make as many as you need for your chosen project.

Foundation: Ch 22. (You can adjust this number in multiples of 4 plus 2 to make a larger or smaller square.)

Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (the skipped chains count as dc), *ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch; rep from * across, turn. You should have 10 dc and 9 ch-1 spaces.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), dc in first ch-1 sp, *ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * across, ending with dc in top of turning chain, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, *ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * across, ch 1, dc in top of turning chain, turn.

Rows 4 through 10: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 alternately until your work is approximately square in shape. You are looking for roughly the same number of rows as you have columns of stitches. Because double crochets are taller than they are wide, you will typically need slightly fewer rows than you have stitch columns to achieve a square shape. Check your work by folding one corner diagonally to the opposite corner — if the edges align, you have a square.

Row 11 (final mesh row): Repeat Row 2 or 3 as appropriate to maintain the pattern.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

The Joining Round (Optional but Recommended)

Working a joining round around the perimeter of each square serves two purposes. First, it gives every square a clean, uniform border. Second, it creates evenly spaced anchor points for joining your squares together, whether you use the join-as-you-go method, the flat slip stitch join, or the whipstitch join.

Round 1: Join yarn at any corner. Ch 1, work 3 sc in corner space, then sc evenly along each side of the square, placing 3 sc in each remaining corner. When working along the top and bottom edges (the chain edges), work 1 sc per stitch. When working along the side edges (the row ends), work approximately 2 sc per row end. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

The goal is to have the same number of sc stitches along each side of the square so that joins are symmetrical. Count your stitches on the first square and use that number as your guide for all subsequent squares.

Tips for Even, Beautiful Squares

The lattice square is forgiving, but a few good habits will take your squares from pretty to polished.

Keep your tension consistent. The chain stitches between your double crochets are what create the open lattice look, and if they vary in tightness from row to row, the finished square will look uneven. Practice working your chains at the same tension as the rest of your stitches. If your chains tend to be tight, try going up half a hook size just for the chain stitches.

Count your stitches at the end of each row. It is very easy to accidentally skip a stitch or add an extra one in a mesh pattern like this, because the chain spaces can be visually confusing. A quick count after each row saves you from discovering a mistake ten rows later.

Block your squares. This is genuinely one of the most transformative steps in crochet. Wet blocking (soaking the square in cool water, gently squeezing out the excess, and pinning it to shape while damp) opens up the lattice structure and evens out any small inconsistencies in tension. Once blocked and dried, your square will look completely different — crisper, more open, and far more professional. If you are making a large project with many squares, blocking them all at once on a large foam mat makes the process much more efficient.

Weave in ends as you go. If you are making many squares, weaving in ends as you finish each one is far less overwhelming than leaving them all to the end. Thread your yarn needle and run the tail through several stitches on the wrong side, changing direction once or twice to secure it.

Joining Multiple Squares

Once you have made your desired number of squares, it is time to put them together. There are several joining methods, each with its own look and character.

Flat slip stitch join: Hold two squares with right sides facing each other. Insert your hook through the corresponding edge stitches of both squares and work slip stitches across. This creates a subtle ridge on the right side that can look intentional and decorative, especially when worked in a contrasting color.

Single crochet join: Similar to the flat slip stitch join, but worked with single crochets. This creates a more prominent seam with a raised ridge on the right side. It adds a bit of texture and, when done in a contrasting color, creates an additional design element.

Whipstitch join: Thread a yarn needle with a length of yarn and whipstitch through the corresponding edge stitches of two squares placed right sides together or wrong sides together. This creates a flat seam with almost no bulk, which is ideal for lightweight projects or items where you want the join to be as invisible as possible.

Join-as-you-go (JAYG): This method joins each new square to the previous ones during the final round, eliminating seaming entirely. It takes a little practice to get comfortable with the logistics, but once you do, it is incredibly satisfying because you finish the last square and the project is essentially done.

Project Ideas Using the Lattice Square

The simple lattice square is one of those patterns you will return to many times because it suits such an enormous range of projects. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination.

Classic throw blanket: Make squares in a single color or a curated palette and join them in a grid. A 5-by-7 arrangement of 6-inch squares gives you a throw that is approximately 30 by 42 inches — cozy and manageable. Add a simple border of single crochets or a shell stitch edging to finish.

Baby blanket: Work the pattern in a soft, baby-safe yarn like a cotton-acrylic blend. Smaller squares in lighter weight yarn create a beautiful heirloom piece. A 4-by-5 grid of 5-inch squares gives you a generous lap-sized baby blanket.

Table runner or placemat: Four to six squares joined in a row make a lovely table runner, especially when worked in cotton yarn in neutral or seasonal colors. The open lattice structure is breathable and lays flat on a table without curling.

Tote bag: Join twelve squares into a flat rectangle, fold in half, and seam the sides for a simple tote. Add a set of sturdy handles and you have a reusable market bag with genuine style.

Pillow cover: Make two identical panels of joined squares, sized to fit your pillow insert. A 9-by-9 inch panel using four 4.5-inch squares fits a standard 9-inch decorative pillow nicely. Join three sides, insert the pillow form, and seam the fourth side closed or add buttons for a removable cover.

Scarf or wrap: Join squares end to end for a long, narrow scarf, or create a wider arrangement for a cozy wrap or shawlette. The lattice structure gives lovely drape that is perfect for accessories worn close to the body.

Wall hanging: Mount finished squares on a piece of driftwood or a wooden dowel for a boho-inspired fiber art piece. Mix colors and textures for an eclectic, artisan look.

Customizing the Pattern

One of the best things about the lattice square is how easily it can be modified to suit your style or your project’s needs.

Adjusting size: As mentioned earlier, you can start with any foundation chain that is a multiple of 4 plus 2. A chain of 26 gives you a larger square; a chain of 18 gives you a smaller one. The number of rows you work should be adjusted proportionally to keep the piece square.

Color changes: Try working each row in a different color for a striped lattice effect. Or use two colors in alternating squares when joining a large project. Gradient or ombre yarns look stunning in this pattern because the gradual color shift is visible through the open mesh structure.

Adding texture: Once you are comfortable with the basic pattern, try substituting some of the chain-1 spaces with picots (a small decorative chain loop) or adding a cluster stitch at the corner of each intersection for a bolder, more sculptural look.

Mixed stitch heights: Experiment with using half double crochets instead of double crochets for a tighter, denser version of the lattice, or try treble crochets for a very open, airy fabric that works beautifully in a lightweight summer yarn.

A Note on Yarn Color and Fiber

Color and fiber choices have a significant impact on how the lattice pattern reads. Because the design depends on negative space — those open chain spaces — yarns with high contrast against the background show off the structure most clearly. A crisp white or off-white cotton reveals every detail of the lattice grid. Deep jewel tones like teal, burgundy, or navy in a smooth merino give the pattern a rich, sophisticated look. Pastels work beautifully for baby items.

Avoid highly textured or fluffy yarns like mohair or bouclé for your first attempt, because the fibers can obscure the open spaces that make the lattice pattern so appealing. Once you have the pattern memorized, though, a mohair blend worked over a solid base yarn can create a dreamy, ethereal effect that is truly stunning.

Storing and Caring for Your Finished Project

If you are using cotton or acrylic yarn, your finished project is likely machine washable on a gentle cycle in cool water. Always check the yarn label for specific care instructions. Wool and wool-blend yarns typically need to be hand-washed and laid flat to dry to maintain their shape. After washing, re-block if needed to restore the open lattice structure.

Store finished crochet projects folded (not crammed) in a clean, dry space. If you are storing a project for a long time, adding a cedar sachet helps deter moths, especially if you used any natural fiber yarn.

Final Thoughts

The simple lattice square is one of those crochet patterns that genuinely earns a permanent place in your repertoire. It is simple enough to work on while watching television or listening to a podcast, yet interesting enough to keep your hands and your mind pleasantly engaged. The finished squares are tidy, versatile, and endlessly combinable, and the open lattice structure gives your work a polished, almost professional look that will make people wonder if you bought it somewhere.

Whether this is your first time making a motif-based project or you are a seasoned crafter looking to expand your square collection, this pattern is a genuinely enjoyable make. Work one square to start, just to get the feel of it, and I promise you will be casting on your second before the first one is even blocked.

Happy crocheting.