28 Crochet Projects to Make with Extra Granny Squares

If you’ve been crocheting for any length of time, you almost certainly have a stash of granny squares somewhere in your home. Maybe you made them while learning the stitch. Maybe you started a blanket and ran out of motivation halfway through. Maybe you made extras “just in case” and now they’re sitting in a basket, full of potential but going nowhere. Whatever the reason, extra granny squares are one of the most common things in a crocheter’s life — and they deserve a better fate than gathering dust.

The good news is that granny squares are one of the most versatile units in all of crochet. They can be joined, folded, stuffed, lined, and transformed into almost anything you can imagine. Whether you have two squares or two hundred, this list has a project that fits. From practical home accessories to adorable wearables and thoughtful handmade gifts, here are 28 creative ways to use up every last granny square in your collection.

Why Granny Squares Are So Useful

Before diving into the projects, it’s worth appreciating just how useful granny squares are. Their uniform shape makes them easy to combine. Their compact size means projects can be picked up and put down without losing your place. And because they’re worked in rounds, they tend to lie flat without much blocking effort.

They’re also endlessly customizable. A granny square made with worsted weight acrylic is sturdy and washable — great for bags and home goods. One made with cotton yarn is breathable and soft — perfect for dishcloths and summer tops. A luxurious square in merino wool becomes something worth gifting. Whatever yarn you used when you made your extras, there’s a project here that suits it.

Blankets and Throws

1. Classic Granny Square Blanket

This is the obvious starting point, but it’s obvious for a reason. Joining granny squares into a blanket is one of the most satisfying crochet projects you can undertake. The key is choosing a joining method that complements your squares. A flat slip stitch join gives a clean, subtle seam. A join-as-you-go method eliminates sewing entirely. A crochet join with a contrasting color can become a design feature all on its own. If your extra squares are all the same size but different colors, lean into the patchwork look. If they’re mismatched in size, work additional rounds onto the smaller ones to bring everything to a uniform dimension before joining.

2. Baby Blanket

A smaller arrangement of granny squares — even a 4×4 or 5×5 grid — makes a beautiful baby blanket. For this project, use soft, hypoallergenic yarn if possible, and make sure your squares are joined securely so there are no loose ends that could pose a risk. Baby blankets made from granny squares are lightweight, breathable, and machine washable, which parents genuinely appreciate. Adding a simple border in a solid color ties the whole piece together beautifully.

3. Couch Throw or Lap Blanket

A medium-sized throw made from granny squares is one of those items that looks like it belongs in a lifestyle magazine. Arrange your squares in a grid of roughly 6×8 or 7×9 and join them with a method that creates a flat, drapeable fabric. Finishing with a single crochet border gives a neat edge without adding too much bulk. Choose a color palette that suits your living space, and you’ll have a throw that’s both functional and decorative.

Bags and Totes

4. Market Tote Bag

One of the most popular ways to use granny squares is to make a tote bag. You need surprisingly few squares for a functional bag — as few as four to six, depending on their size. Join two squares together for the front panel, two for the back, and narrow strips or additional squares for the sides and base. Add crocheted or purchased handles, and you have a reusable shopping bag that gets compliments every time you use it.

5. Drawstring Bag

A drawstring bag made from granny squares is ideal for carrying yarn, toiletries, or small accessories. Join four to six squares into a cylinder shape, work a few rows around the top, and thread a drawstring cord through the upper edge. This style of bag is quick to finish and makes an excellent gift, especially when filled with small treats.

6. Backpack

A backpack requires more planning and more squares, but the result is a truly impressive handmade piece. You’ll need to join enough squares to create a rectangular body, add flap closures, and attach sturdy straps. Look for a pattern that incorporates lining fabric to give the bag structure and protect the interior from stretching. This is a project for the crocheter who wants a challenge and a showstopper.

7. Clutch Purse

Two granny squares joined along three edges and fitted with a zipper or button closure make a perfectly functional clutch purse. You can add a fabric lining to keep the interior tidy and prevent small items from slipping through the gaps in the stitch work. A wrist strap made from a length of chain or twisted cord adds a practical finishing touch.

Clothing and Wearables

8. Granny Square Vest

A vest made from granny squares requires no complicated shaping because the squares do the work for you. Join four squares in a T-shape for each front panel and four squares in a wider arrangement for the back. Seam the shoulders, work a simple border around the armholes and neckline, and you have a stylish layering piece that’s perfect for transitional weather. This project looks especially good in a single solid color for a modern, editorial feel.

9. Patchwork Cardigan

A full cardigan made from granny squares is more of a commitment, but it’s deeply rewarding. Because the squares are worked separately, you can pick up and put down individual pieces without losing momentum. The trick is planning your layout in advance so the seaming comes together logically. Many free and paid patterns walk you through the process step by step. Use a soft, drapeable yarn for the best result — something like a cotton-acrylic blend or a lightweight merino.

10. Crop Top or Summer Tank

Granny squares are particularly well-suited to summer tops because the open stitch work is naturally breathable. A simple crop top can be made with as few as four to six squares depending on the size, joined to create a front and back panel and then seamed at the sides and shoulders. Work the neckline and armholes with a few rounds of single crochet or a picot edging for a neat finish. Choose cotton yarn for the most comfortable result.

11. Skirt

A granny square skirt is one of those projects that looks incredibly complex but is actually quite logical. Work enough squares to create a panel that fits around your waist or hips, then join them in a strip. Join additional strips below the first, adding more squares per strip to create an A-line flare. Finish the waistband with an elastic casing or a crochet waistband. A colorful bohemian skirt made this way is a genuine showpiece.

12. Kimono or Wrap

A granny square kimono is a flowing, oversized garment that’s essentially a rectangle with sleeves — and rectangles are exactly what granny squares excel at creating. Measure the approximate dimensions you need for the body and sleeves, work out how many squares you’ll need, and join them in the right arrangement. The open, airy quality of the granny square stitch makes this a perfect warm-weather cover-up.

13. Scarf or Wrap Scarf

Joining granny squares in a long strip creates a textured, colorful scarf that’s unique and warm. You can make a narrow strip of single-squares for a more traditional scarf width, or join two squares across for something wider. This is one of the best projects for using up mismatched squares because the striped, patchwork effect is part of the aesthetic.

14. Infinity Scarf or Cowl

A small number of granny squares — sometimes as few as three or four — can be joined into a loop and worn as a cowl or infinity scarf. This is an excellent project for using up a very small number of leftover squares. If your squares are particularly large, even two or three in a loop can create a stylish, chunky cowl.

15. Fingerless Gloves

A single granny square, folded in half and seamed with a gap for the thumb, makes a charming fingerless glove. You’ll need two matching squares for a pair. This is a wonderful quick-gift project, especially in the fall and winter. If your squares are small, joining two together before folding gives a longer cuff — very cozy.

16. Beret or Hat

A granny square makes a surprisingly good foundation for a beret. Work the square to your desired size, then pick up stitches around the edge and crochet down to form the band. The natural flatness of the square creates the characteristic flat top of a beret without any additional shaping. This technique works with a single large square and produces a hat in very little time.

Home Décor

17. Throw Pillow Covers

Two matching granny squares seamed together on three sides, fitted with a pillow insert, and closed on the fourth side with buttons or a zipper make a beautiful throw pillow cover. If your squares aren’t quite large enough to cover a standard pillow insert, work additional rounds to expand them, or join four squares together to create a larger panel. Pillow covers made this way are easily removable for washing and can be swapped out seasonally.

18. Table Runner

A strip of granny squares makes an instant table runner. Choose squares in complementary colors and join them end to end, then add a simple border. This works especially well for holiday table settings — think warm oranges and deep reds for autumn, or icy blues and whites for winter. A table runner is also a manageable project for using up a small collection of mismatched squares.

19. Placemats

Individual granny squares make excellent placemats, especially if they’re made with cotton yarn. If a single square isn’t large enough, join four together in a two-by-two arrangement. Work a border of single crochet around the outside to give the placemat a finished edge that lies flat. Cotton granny square placemats are machine washable, which makes them genuinely useful at the dinner table.

20. Wall Hanging

Granny squares arranged in a geometric pattern and hung on a dowel make beautiful fiber art. You can create interesting visual effects by arranging your squares in a diamond orientation, hanging them at different heights, or leaving intentional gaps in the arrangement. Attach each square to a wooden dowel with lengths of yarn or twine, and hang the dowel with a loop of cord. This is a creative project that turns even mismatched or imperfect squares into something decorative.

21. Pot Holders or Trivets

Thick granny squares made from cotton yarn work wonderfully as pot holders and trivets. For the best heat protection, make your squares in double crochet with a tight gauge, or work two squares together to create a double layer. These are quick to make, genuinely useful in the kitchen, and they make excellent small gifts for people who love functional handmade items.

22. Rugs

Larger granny squares made with bulky yarn, or multiple squares joined together, can be used as small area rugs or bath mats. Use a thick, textured yarn for durability. Join enough squares to reach your desired rug dimensions, and finish with a sturdy border. For bathroom rugs, cotton yarn is ideal because it’s absorbent and machine washable. Adding a non-slip backing made from rug grip fabric keeps the rug in place safely.

Gifts and Accessories

23. Bookmarks

A long, narrow strip of granny squares — or even a single very small square — makes a charming crochet bookmark. Work tiny squares in fine yarn and a small hook, or use a single standard-size square with a tassel attached at the bottom. These are fast to make and thoughtful to give. They’re also a great way to use up the very last scraps of yarn after a larger project.

24. Coasters

Single granny squares in cotton yarn are the perfect size and weight for coasters. Make a set of four or six, all in the same colorway, for a cohesive look, or embrace the mismatched aesthetic with a set in wildly different colors. A simple border of single crochet gives each coaster a tidy edge and helps it lie flat. Tie them together with a ribbon for a quick, charming gift.

25. Baby Mobile

Small granny squares can be stuffed lightly with polyfill and joined at the edges to create three-dimensional shapes — stars, cubes, or simple pouches. Hang several of these shapes from a mobile arm above a crib for a sweet, handmade nursery decoration. This project is lightweight, colorful, and a genuinely touching gift for a new baby.

26. Stuffed Animal Accessories

If you have children in your life who love stuffed animals, a tiny granny square blanket or tiny pillow sized just right for a favorite stuffed toy is an incredibly charming gift. Even the smallest collection of leftover squares is enough for a doll-sized blanket. Children tend to love the idea of their stuffed animals having tiny handmade accessories.

27. Gift Wrap

Instead of tissue paper, tuck a small gift inside a granny square cloth or nestle it between two squares tied together with ribbon. The recipient gets two gifts at once — the original gift and a handmade crochet piece they can keep and use. This is a zero-waste alternative to conventional gift wrap and feels wonderfully personal.

28. Pet Bed or Pet Blanket

Your pets deserve handmade comfort too. Join a large number of granny squares into a square or rectangle sized for your dog or cat, back it with fleece fabric for warmth and durability, and you have a pet bed or blanket that’s both cozy and washable. Use machine-washable acrylic yarn so it can be laundered regularly. Pets don’t judge your color choices, so this is a perfect project for the most mismatched collection of squares imaginable.

Tips for Working with Extra Granny Squares

Before you dive into your chosen project, a few practical tips will help you get the best result from your leftover squares.

Assess your squares first. Sort them by size, yarn weight, and fiber content. Projects that mix different yarn weights can look uneven or behave unexpectedly, so group your squares by weight before deciding on a project.

Block before joining. If your squares have curled edges or aren’t perfectly flat, blocking them before seaming makes a significant difference. Even a light spritz of water and pinning them flat on a foam board overnight can improve the final result dramatically.

Choose your joining method thoughtfully. The join you choose affects the look and drape of the final piece. A slip stitch join is nearly invisible. A single crochet join creates a subtle ridge. A flat join done wrong-sides-together creates a raised ridge on the right side that can look beautiful used intentionally as a design element.

Weave in ends as you go. One of the hidden challenges of granny square projects is the sheer number of ends. Get in the habit of weaving in each end as you finish a square, rather than leaving them all until the end.

Don’t be afraid to add rounds. If your squares are slightly too small for a project, adding one or two additional rounds of single or double crochet can bring them up to the right size. A solid-colored outer round also unifies a collection of multi-colored squares beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Extra granny squares are never a problem — they’re an opportunity. With this list of 28 projects, you have enough ideas to keep you busy for months, working through every last square in your stash. Whether you choose something small and practical like coasters or something ambitious like a full cardigan, you’ll find that granny squares lend themselves to the task with charm and flexibility. The next time you open that basket of leftover squares, don’t see clutter. See the beginning of something wonderful.