I’m excited to share a design that’s both visually stunning and practical: the Sand Dollar Squared Granny Square. This square is inspired by my original Sand Dollar Octagon, but with a twist! We’re transforming it into a square, making it much easier to incorporate into your projects like blankets, cushions, and more.
While this square is based on my octagon design, with the Sand Dollar Squared I’ve made a few subtle adjustments. The result is just as beautiful, with the same delicate sand dollar-inspired details, but in a more versatile shape. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crocheter, this tutorial is a great way to expand your skills and create something truly special.
About the Sand Dollar Granny Square
The Sand Dollar Squared is worked in 9 rounds, and the magic of squaring happens in Round 7. The final piece measures 7 ½ inches, making it a perfect size for assembling into larger projects. Squares are an easier shape to work with compared to octagons, especially when joining multiple motifs for blankets or other projects. Their straight edges mean no extra fiddling with fillers or awkward shapes to make everything fit together.
Beginner-Friendly Design
One of the best things about this square is that it’s made using basic stitches. If you’re comfortable with stitches like the double crochet, treble stitch, chain, and single crochet, you’ll have no trouble following along. It’s a great pattern for beginners who want to try something a little different that just works with stitches they are already familiar with.
If you’re new to crochet, this project offers the perfect opportunity to practice counting stitches, working in the round, and creating clean, symmetrical edges—all essential skills for crochet success.
If you would like the ad-free pattern for the Free Spirit Square as a PDF, with Symbol Charts, Find it in my shop, HERE,
Materials You’ll Need
For this project, I’m using worsted weight yarn in four colours, but feel free to choose your own colour palette. Combining different brands or using yarn from your stash is totally fine! Here’s what I used for my version:
The Colours I’m using today for this Sand Dollar Squared Colour Way
small amounts of 4 different colours of yarn
** affiliate links below **
One of my Favourite Places to order yarn online is Mary Maxim Yarns – they carry a nice variety of colours and brands at affordable prices
- A – Putty – Impeccable – Loops and Threads
- B – Red Wood Heather – Bernat Super Value
- C – Caramel – Bernat Premium
- D – Sphagnum – Impeccable – Loops and Threads
Hook: 5.00 mm US 8 / H
My Favourite Hook is the Susan Bates Ergonomic Silvalume
Other Supplies:
- Scissors
- Yarn needle for darning in ends
Finished Size of Sand Dollar Squared
Square – 7.5″ x 7.5 ″ ( 19 cm x 19 cm )
Abbreviations:
ch – chain
st(s)– stitch(es)
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
sc blo – single crochet back loop only
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
lp(s) – loop(s)
yo– yarn over
rnd – round
beg – beginning
prev – previous
sp – space
sk – skip
rep – repeat
dec – decrease
Cont – continue
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
Why You’ll Love This Square
This design is not only beautiful but incredibly functional. Squares are a classic shape for a reason—they’re simple to join, easy to stack into rows, and ideal for creating cohesive projects. The subtle sand dollar details give this square a touch of elegance, while its simplicity ensures it’s not too fussy or complicated.
If you’re planning a project like a blanket, a row of Sand Dollar Granny Squares will come together beautifully, giving your work a cohesive, polished look. Or, use this square as a centrepiece for a larger project—the possibilities are endless!
Free Pattern and Tutorial
Ready to get started? The full video tutorial is also available below, where I’ll guide you through each step at a relaxed, beginner-friendly pace. You can also find the ad-free pattern with symbol chart in my SHOP.
The Sand Dollar Squared Instructions
Foundation: With Col A, Make a Magic Ring
alternative to a Magic Ring: Ch 4, sl st in first ch, to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Continue with Col A, ch 3 { counts as first dc }, dc 11 times into ring, sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3, fasten off.
{ 12 dc }
Rnd 2: Join Col B with a sl st in any st of prev rnd, ch 3, ( counts as first dc ) dc in same st as join, 2 dc in next st and each st around, sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3, fasten off
{ 24 dc }
Rnd 3: Join Col A, with a sc in any st of prev rnd, [ ch 2, sc in each of next 3 sts ] 7 times, then ch 2, sc in each of last 2 sts, sl st in first sc of rnd, fasten off.
{ 24 sc, 8 ch-2 sp }
Rnd 4: Join Col C with a sl st in any ch-2 sp of prev rnd, ch 3 ( counts as first dc ) 4 more 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 ] 7 times, sk next st, sc in next st, sk next st, sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3, fasten off
{ 40 dc, 8 sc }
Rnd 5: Join Col A with a sc in 3rd dc of prev rnd ( the center dc of the set of 5 ), ch 1, sk next 2 dc, [ 5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 1, sk next 2 dc ] , 7 times, then 5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sk next 2 dc, sl st in first sc of rnd, fasten off { 40 dc, 8 sc, 16 ch-1 sp }
Rnd 6: Join Col D with a sc in the first ch-1 sp of prev rnd, sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, [ sc in each of next 2 sts, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st ] 7 times, sc in each of next 2 sts, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sl st in first sc of rnd, fasten off.
{ 64 sc, 8 ch-1 sp }
Rnd 7: Join Col B with a sc in any ch-1 sp from prev rnd, sc in each of next 4 sts, [ sk next 4 sts, ( ch 1, tr ) 7 times into next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next 4 sts, sc in each of next 4 sts, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in each of next 4 sts ] 3 times, then sk next 4 sts, ( ch 1, tr ) 7 times into next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next 4 sts, sc in each of last 4 sts, sl st in first sc of rnd, fasten off.
{ 28 tr, 36 sc, 32 ch-1 sp }
Rnd 8: Join Col A with a sc in last ch-1 sp of prev rnd, * ( ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st ) 4 times, ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp, ( ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp ) 3 times, ch 3, sk next st, ( sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next st ) 3 times, ** sc in next ch-1 sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** once more, sl st in first sc of rnd, fasten off.
{ 48 sc, 44 ch-1 sp, 4 ch-3 sp }
Rnd 9: Join Col D with a sc in any ch-3 sp from prev rnd, * ( ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch-1 sp ) 11 times, ch 1, sk next st, ** ( sc, ch 3, sc ) in next ch-3 sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** once more, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sl st in first sc of rnd, fasten off.
{ 52 sc, 48 ch-1 sp, 4 ch-3 sp }
Finishing The Sand Dollar Squared
- Weave in any loose ends, block gently to size
This video tutorial will walk you through the Basics, step by step of the Sand Dollar Squared
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. ~ Jane ~
“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
