Crochet Lacy Granny Square (Style II) – Free Pattern PDF
There is something quietly magical about a granny square. It is one of those motifs that has endured for generations — passed down from grandmothers to granddaughters, reinvented by designers, and stitched in every color imaginable. The classic solid granny square is beloved for good reason, but once you start exploring the lacy variations, it becomes almost impossible to go back. Today we are diving deep into the Crochet Lacy Granny Square Style II, a free pattern that takes everything you love about the traditional granny and opens it up into something airy, elegant, and absolutely stunning.
Whether you are a beginner who has just mastered the basics or an experienced crocheter looking for a project that feels both meditative and rewarding, this pattern has something for you. Let’s walk through the materials, stitches, techniques, and creative applications for this beautiful motif — and yes, the free pattern PDF is included so you can print it out and get started right away.
What Makes This Pattern Different from a Classic Granny Square
Before we get into the pattern itself, it is worth understanding what sets the Lacy Granny Square Style II apart from its more traditional cousin. The classic granny square is built on clusters of three double crochets worked in chain spaces, creating a dense, somewhat textured fabric. It is chunky, cozy, and forgiving — perfect for afghans and throws that need warmth and weight.
The Lacy Granny Square Style II works from a similar foundational logic, but it prioritizes openwork. Instead of tight clusters sitting side by side, you will find more generous chain spaces, elongated stitches, and deliberate gaps that allow light to pass through the fabric. The result is a motif that feels almost like lacework — delicate enough to use for a shawl or table runner, yet still structured enough to work beautifully in a blanket.
The “Style II” designation matters too. There is a family of lacy granny squares in the crochet world, each slightly different in how the corners are constructed, how the center is opened up, and how the motif transitions from the middle rounds to the outer border. Style II tends to feature a particularly graceful corner construction that gives the finished square a refined, symmetrical look without requiring advanced techniques.
Materials You Will Need
One of the most appealing things about granny square patterns is how accessible they are in terms of materials. This pattern works beautifully with a range of yarn weights and hook sizes, so there is real flexibility here.
Yarn: A light worsted or DK weight yarn is ideal for a versatile square that can be used in a blanket. If you want a more delicate, truly lacy effect — think table runners, bag inserts, or overlays — try a fingering weight or even crochet thread with a steel hook. Cotton yarn works especially well because it holds its shape after blocking and gives the lace a crisp, defined look. Acrylic is perfectly fine if you are making a washable item like a baby blanket or lap afghan.
Crochet Hook: For DK or light worsted, a 4.0mm or 4.5mm hook is a great starting point. For fingering weight, try a 3.5mm hook. If you are working with thread, a size 7 or 8 steel hook will give you beautiful definition. Always work to your gauge rather than assuming the hook size listed on the yarn label is right for this pattern.
Other Supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and blocking mats with pins if you want to block your finished squares. Blocking is not mandatory, but it genuinely transforms lacy motifs — opening up the chain spaces and evening out the stitches in a way that makes the finished piece look professionally made.
Gauge and Finished Size
Gauge will vary depending on your yarn weight and hook size, but here is a general guide. With DK weight yarn and a 4.0mm hook, the finished square measures approximately 5 to 5.5 inches after blocking. With a light worsted and a 4.5mm hook, expect something closer to 6 to 6.5 inches.
If you are making a blanket, it is worth doing a small test square first, measuring it blocked, and calculating how many squares you will need based on your target dimensions. There is nothing more frustrating than finishing 40 squares only to realize your blanket is going to be much smaller than planned.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
ch-sp – chain space
sp(s) – space(s)
rep – repeat
rnd – round
beg – beginning
sk – skip
yo – yarn over
The Pattern
Starting Ring
To begin, make a magic ring or chain 5 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1: Chain 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), [dc into the ring, ch 2] 7 times. Join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the beginning chain-5. You will have 8 dc and 8 ch-2 spaces.
Round 2: Slip stitch into the first ch-2 space. Chain 3 (counts as dc), dc in same space, ch 2, 2 dc in same space. Ch 2, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 space. Repeat from around, ending with ch 2. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3. You now have 8 groups of paired double crochets separated by chain-2 spaces, with one extra ch-2 space between each group.
Round 3: Slip stitch to the ch-2 corner space between the two dc pairs. Chain 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in same space, ch 2, [dc, ch 1, dc] in same space. Ch 2, sk next ch-2 space, sc in next dc, ch 3, sk the second dc, sc in the first dc of the next group, ch 2, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc] in the ch-2 corner space. Repeat from 3 times. End with ch 2, sk next ch-2 space, sc in next dc, ch 3, sk the second dc, sc in the first dc of the next group, ch 2. Join with a slip stitch. This round begins to define the four corners.
Round 4: Slip stitch into the first ch-1 space. Chain 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same ch-1 space. Ch 2, 3 dc in the next ch-1 space, ch 2, 3 dc in the next ch-1 space (corner made), ch 2, sc in the ch-3 arch from the previous round, ch 2, 3 dc in the next ch-1 space. Repeat from 3 more times, adjusting the end of the last repeat to join smoothly. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3.
Round 5: Chain 1. Sc in each of the next 3 dc, [2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc] in the ch-2 corner space, sc in each of the next 3 dc, ch 3, sc in the sc arch, ch 3, sc in each of the next 3 dc. Repeat from around. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.
Round 6 (Border Round): Slip stitch to the corner ch-2 space. Chain 3 (counts as dc), [dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in same space (corner). Ch 1, sk 2 sc, dc in next sc, [ch 1, dc] twice in the ch-3 arch, ch 1, dc in the sc, [ch 1, dc] twice in the next ch-3 arch, ch 1, sk 2 sc, dc in the next sc, ch 1, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in the corner ch-2 space. Repeat from 3 times, adjusting the final repeat to join. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Tips for a Flawless Finish
Working lacy motifs successfully is often more about process than technique. Here are a few things that will make a real difference in the quality of your finished squares.
Maintain consistent tension throughout. Lacy patterns are particularly unforgiving of tension inconsistencies because every chain space is visible. If you tend to crochet tightly, go up half a hook size. If your work often comes out loose, try going down. The goal is a fabric that feels open and drapey rather than stiff, but not so loose that it looks unstructured.
Slip stitch carefully when joining rounds. The join in a granny square is always a potential weak point visually, and in lacy patterns it stands out even more. Try using a seamless join or an invisible join at the end of each round. There are wonderful tutorials available online if you have not tried this technique before. It takes an extra thirty seconds per round and makes the finished square look as though it were worked in a continuous spiral.
Block every single square before joining. This cannot be overstated. Wet blocking or steam blocking a lacy granny square transforms it. The chain spaces open up evenly, the corners become sharp and square, and the overall dimensions become consistent across all your motifs — which makes joining them infinitely easier and more satisfying. Pin each square to a blocking mat using the corner chain spaces and the midpoint of each side, and allow it to dry completely.
Weave in ends on the wrong side as you go. If you are making a large number of squares, it is tempting to leave the ends until the very end. Resist this urge. Weaving in ends in batches keeps the project manageable and ensures you are using a sturdy weaving method (going in one direction, then reversing back through different stitches) rather than rushing through it at the end.
How to Join Your Squares
There are several methods for joining granny squares, and the Lacy Granny Square Style II works well with multiple approaches depending on the final look you are after.
The flat slip stitch join is classic and strong. With right sides facing each other, slip stitch through the back loops of corresponding stitches along the edges. This creates a visible ridge on the right side that some people love as a design element.
The flat single crochet join is similar but uses single crochet instead of slip stitch, creating a slightly raised seam that adds a bit of texture to the joins. This can look beautiful in a contrasting color.
The join-as-you-go method is ideal if you want to avoid a separate joining step entirely. On the final border round of each new square, when you reach a side that will be joined to a completed square, you replace each corner or midpoint chain with a slip stitch into the corresponding space on the adjacent square. This creates a seamless layout but does require a bit more planning and attention as you work.
For a truly lacy project like a shawl or wrap, the chain space join works beautifully. You crochet a small chain between squares in a grid, connecting them at the corner and midpoint chain spaces and allowing the join itself to be part of the openwork design.
Creative Project Ideas
Once you have mastered the Lacy Granny Square Style II, the creative possibilities are genuinely endless. Here are some directions worth exploring.
A throw blanket made entirely from this motif in a single color is breathtakingly beautiful when blocked. Choose a high-quality cotton or cotton-blend yarn in a natural white, warm cream, or soft sage green. The repetition of the pattern becomes almost meditative as you work, and the finished blanket has a heirloom quality.
A shawl or wrap is perhaps the most natural application for a lacy granny square. Work the squares in a fingering weight yarn and join them in a long rectangular strip, or arrange them in a triangular configuration for a classic crescent shawl shape. A simple crochet border around the entire edge ties everything together.
Table runners and placemats in cotton thread are a classic application for lacy crochet, and this pattern scales beautifully down to thread. The finished squares at thread weight measure around 3 to 4 inches, and four or five squares joined in a row make a lovely placemat. A longer runner might use twelve to fifteen squares.
A tote bag with lacy granny square panels is both practical and eye-catching. Work the panels in a sturdy cotton yarn, line the bag with fabric to prevent stretching, and add simple rope or leather handles for a finished look.
Cushion covers are a wonderful way to show off a single large square or a set of four joined squares. Block the panels carefully, seam them around a cushion insert, and you have a piece that looks like it belongs in a boutique home goods shop.
For those who enjoy wearables, a summer cardigan or vest made from joined granny squares is a perennial favorite in the crochet community. This particular pattern works well for garments because the structure is defined enough to hold its shape in a body-skimming silhouette without being too heavy or warm.
About the Free Pattern PDF
The free pattern PDF for the Crochet Lacy Granny Square Style II is formatted for easy printing and includes a stitch diagram alongside the written instructions. Stitch diagrams are genuinely useful for lacy patterns because they give you a visual map of where each stitch lands in relation to the others — something that written instructions alone can sometimes make harder to visualize.
The PDF is formatted on standard letter size paper (8.5 x 11 inches) and includes a materials list, abbreviations guide, full written pattern for all six rounds, notes on blocking, and a simple stitch diagram for reference. Print it out, slip it into a plastic page protector, and keep it in your project bag.
A Few Final Thoughts
The Crochet Lacy Granny Square Style II is one of those patterns that rewards patience and attention. It is not difficult, but it benefits from being worked slowly enough that you can feel the rhythm of each round and catch any counting errors before they become problems two rounds later. If something looks off, it almost certainly is — trust your instincts, count your chain spaces, and do not hesitate to frog back a round to fix a mistake. The extra few minutes of correction are always worth it in a lacy pattern.
Most importantly, enjoy the process. Granny squares have been made by hand for well over a century, and there is something deeply satisfying about sitting down with a hook and a skein of yarn and creating something intricate and lovely from nothing but loops and knots. Whether you make one square or two hundred, you are participating in a long and beautiful tradition.
Happy crocheting, and do not forget to share your finished squares — there is always a warm and encouraging community out there who would love to see what you create.
