Hey there gang! Welcome back to another granny square crochet tutorial. Today, I’ve got something different to share with you – a unique 8 sided granny square shape. The Granny Square Sand Dollar which is actually an octagon, was named because I was playing around with some relaxing beach vibe colours. So kick off your shoes and join me in an armchair trip to the seaside.
You know me; I’m all about getting creative with my crochet projects. Whether it’s the colors, the patterns, or the stitches, there’s always room for a dash of imagination. One of my absolute favourite ways to unwind is by grabbing a big bin of leftover yarn and diving into a colourful world of granny squares.
If you’re looking to explore more captivating color combinations for your squares, hop on over to my Instagram and Pinterest. I love sharing lots of pics of my colour experiments there!
If you would like the pattern for this Granny Square as a PDF, with Symbol Charts, Find the Granny Square Sand Dollar over in my shop, HERE,
Too make the Granny Square Sand Dollar, I’ll be working with worsted weight yarn, but you can adapt it to other yarn weights as well. Ideally, it works best with either a DK weight or worsted weight yarn. I’ll be using a 5.5 mm hook today, but I recommend using the hook size that suits your yarn and your preference. While yarn labels often suggest a 5mm hook with worsted weight, I personally prefer to go up half a hook size when creating squares for blankets or garments, as it adds a touch of softness and airy texture. Feel free to experiment and choose the hook size that works best for you.
The Granny Square Sand Dollar consists of 7 rounds and as with all my Shapes, you can use as many or as few colours as suits you.
In today’s tutorial, I’ll be using four colours: white, golden beige, turquoise and a soft beige. I’ll be changing colours with each row to create a soft beach feel.
In addition to yarn and a hook, you’ll also need a pair of scissors and a darning needle for this project.
So, pick your favorite colours, gather your supplies, and let’s begin crafting our Granny Ocatagon.
Crochet Granny Square Sand Dollar Supplies
Skill Level:
Advanced Beginner
Tools and Supplies:
The Yarn used in this pattern is a Worsted Weight #4
I use a variety of odds and ends with my granny squares
The Colours are
small amounts of 4 different colours of yarn
A – White
B – Blue
C – Gold
D – Beige
Hook: 5.50 mm US 9 / I
Other Supplies:
- Scissors
- Yarn needle for darning in ends
Hexagon Finished Size:
Measured Across Center from straight edge to straight edge – 7″ x 7″
More Information on Hooks Sizes, Yarn Weights and Crochet Language
Hook Sizes see the Craft Yarn Council’s Page Here
For Standard Yarn Weight Information See this Page
A Handy PDF from Annie’s on the difference between UK and US Crochet Terms
A Nice Explanation from LoveCraft’s on The UK and US differences
Abbreviations:
ch – chain
st(s)– stitch(es)
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
lp(s) – loop(s)
yo– yarn over
rnd – round
beg – beginning
prev – previous
sp – space
sk – skip
rep – repeat
dec – decrease
Cont – continue
Granny Square Sand Dollar Instructions
Foundation: With Col A, Use a Magic Ring OR Ch 4, sl st in first ch, to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Continue with Col A, Ch 4 ( counts as first dc and ch 1 ), [ dc into ring, ch 1 ] 11 times, join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4, fasten off. { 12 dc, 12 ch-1 sp }
Rnd 2: Join Col B with a sl st in any ch-1 sp of prev rnd, ch 3 ( counts as first dc ), dc in same ch-1 sp as join, [ sk next st, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp ] 11 times, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3, fasten off. { 24 dc }
Rnd 3: Join Col C with a sl st in any st of prev rnd, ch 1, sc in same st as join, [ ch 2, sc in each of next 3 sts ], 7 times, ch 2, sc in each of next 2 sts, join with a sl st in first sc, fasten off. { 24 sc, 8 ch-2 sp }
Rnd 4: Join Col A with a sl st in any ch-2 sp of prev rnd, ch 3, 4 dc in same ch-2 sp as join, sk next st, sc in next st, sk next st, [ 5 dc in next ch-2 sp, sk next st, sc in next st, sk next st ] 7 times, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3, fasten off. { 40 dc , 8 sc }
Rnd 5: Join Col D with a sl st in 3rd dc of prev rnd ( middle dc of grouping) , ch 1, sc in same st as join, ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sk next 2 sts, [ sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sk next 2 sts ] 7 times, join with a sl st in first st of rnd, fasten off. { 8 sc, 16 ch-1 sp, 40 dc }
Rnd 6: Join Col B with a sl st in first ch-1 sp of prev rnd, ch 1, sc in same ch-1 sp as join, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st, ch 3, sk next st, [ sc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st, ch 3, sk next st ] 7 times, sc in next st, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st, join with a sl st in first st of rnd, fasten off. { 32 sc, 24 ch-1 sp, 8 ch-3 sp }
Rnd 7: Join Col C with a sl st in any ch-3 sp of prev rnd, ch 1, sc in same ch-3 sp as join, * [ ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp ] 3 times, ch 1, sk next st, ** ( sc, ch 2, sc ) in next ch-3 sp, rep from * 6 more times, then from * to ** once more, sc in same ch-3 sp as join, ch 2, sl st in first st of rnd, fasten off. { 40 sc, 32 ch-1 sp, 8 ch-3 sp }
Finishing Your 8 Sided Granny Square, Sand Dollar
- Weave in any loose ends, block gently to size
This square will work with any size yarn and the appropriate hook size for that yarn. This pattern is written suggesting a worsted weight and a 5.50 mm and the finished size reflects this.
This Granny Octagon is suitable for home decor, and wearables.
If you would like this pattern as a PDF, with Symbol Charts, it is available over in my shop, HERE,
Now, I’d like to ignite your creativity and encourage you to explore and have some fun. Consider experimenting with color combinations and feel free to switch up the borders.
Personally, I enjoy experimenting with various border treatments for my granny squares because it adds a unique character to each one based on how I choose to finish them. For instance, take a look at this one where I opted for a solid single crochet (sc) border in Rounds 6 and 7, using sc stitches in every stitch instead of the chain 1 and sc combination I demonstrated in this tutorial.
I encourage you to give it a try and see what creative twists you can come up with for your Granny Square Sand Dollar!
This video tutorial will walk you through the Basics, step by step of the Granny Square Sand Dollar
Check out my Shop where I regularly release new patterns using all my squares.
All shop patterns include a symbol chart version of the square as well as various colour way diagrams
Thanks for joining me and getting creative.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” – Georgia O’Keeffe
