I have a deep love for quilts. My grandma is an amazing quilter and for nearly my entire life I’ve had one of her creations adorn my bed and now my girls each have one too. Her and I even made one together. [Sigh] I love that blanket. I am actually cozied up in it right now.
Half square triangles are a classic quilting technique. They can be arranged in a whole bunch of different ways to make up a quilt square or an entire quilt. The combinations are endless.
I’ve decided to combine my love of quilts and crochet into one special project using these squares that I hope to finish in the next couple weeks. So I thought I would do a little tutorial showing you how to make these granny squares before I release the bigger project. That way you will already know how to make them or you can use them to make your own HST (half square triangle) project.
what you need to know to Crochet a Half Square Triangle
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In today’s tutorial I am using a worsted weight cotton yarn and my 4.5mm Clover Amour Hook. This is a very versatile pattern and will work for practically any hook/yarn combo you choose.
You are basically crocheting a standard granny square with some clever color changes at opposite corners so you end up with a two-tone colored square. Like most granny square projects this would be a great way to use your scrap yarn.
Abbreviations
MC: Magic Circle
Ch(s): Chain(s)
Dc: Double Crochet
Sl St: Slip Stitch
Sp: Space
CA: Color A
CB: Color B
ROund 1
With your first color (CA), make MC. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). 2 dc in ring, ch 3, 3 dc in ring, ch 2. Your piece should now look like Picture 1 below.
Up next is our first color change. Drape your second color (CB) over your hook like in picture 2 and pull it through the loop on your hook (picture 3) this completes your corner ch 3. Do not cut or crochet over your yarn, just leave it behind your work. We will be picking it back up again in the next round.
It may feel a little loose but don’t worry, it won’t come undone just keep going and give the tails a tug to tighten everything after the next couple stitches.
Continuing with rnd 1 using CB make *3 dc in ring, ch 3. Repeat from * 1 more time. Pull tail to close center of MC. Join to top of beginning ch 3 with sl st. Now your piece should be looking like picture 4 with a clear line diagonally across your piece.
ROund 2
Continuing on with CB, Ch 1 and turn your granny square. Sl st into ch 3 sp. Ch 3 ( counts as 1 dc ), 2 dc in sp. ch 1, in next ch 3 sp make (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc). ch 1, work 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2. Your square should now be looking like picture 5 below.
Next we are going to pick up CA and drop CB. Use your hook to pick up CA and pull through loop on hook ( picture 6). Just leave CB behind your square. Do not cut.
Will now continue on using CA. Make 3 dc in same ch 3 sp you were working in. Before you work your first dc be sure to pull CA tight so it is right snug against the ch 3 sp. This will prevent the section of yarn from where we last left it to where we picked it up from being to obvious. (picture 7).
Ch 1. (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch 3 sp. ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, which is the same sp we started the round in. ch 3. Join to top of beginning ch 3 with sl st. Your square should now be looking like picture 8.
ROund 3
Continuing in CA, Ch 1, turn your work. Sl St into ch 3 sp. Ch 3 ( counts as 1 dc), Make 2 dc in space. ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp. Ch 1 (3 dc, ch 3, 3dc) in next ch 3 sp, ch 1. (3 dc in next ch 1 sp. Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp. Ch 2. Pick up CB by pulling through loop on hook. Working in same ch 3 sp, make 3 dc. ch 1. 3 dc in next ch 1 sp. Ch 1, (3dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp. Ch 1, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp you started the round in. ch 3. Join to top of beginning ch 3 with sl stitch. Cut yarn, finish off and weave in ends.
If you want to make your square bigger than 3 rounds, continue on like you did in round. 3. placing 3 dc in each ch 1 space along the side of your square and (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in each corner being sure to change colors like explained above at the appropriate times.
If you want some Half Square Triangle Inspiration check out my Pinterest Board.
I want to see your squares!! Share them with me on Facebook or use #TheUnraveledMitten on Instagram.
Did you enjoy this tutorial? Have you ever made anything using these squares? Let me know in the comments!
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Did you ever finish this ‘quilt’ I’m kicking around the idea of doing something similar and would love to see yours if you’re finished! I failed miserably at fabric quilting…so this is my alternative 😉
I have attempted the 2 color granny square pattern 8 times and couldn’t get it right till I read the 3rd paragraph of round 2. You swap the colors back to CA but then it goes onto say “continuing on CB, this befuddled me but eventually I thought should it read continuing on CA so I did it my way and finally got it right I think. ☺ please let me know if it were right all along ?
Thank you for catching that little typo Pamela! Yes it supposed to read “continue on in CA.” I just updated the tutorial so it should say the right thing now.
LITTLE typo ???? I’ve been trying to figure this out too — i’m not smart enough to realize there was a LITTLE typo — good grief ?
Thank you so much for this.