The African Flower Granny Square is one of the most recognizable crochet motifs. Despite the name, it’s not a traditional African textile pattern but a modern crochet design that became popular online around the 2000s. Its layered rounds create a petal-like flower in the centre, usually surrounded by a contrasting border that can be shaped into hexagons or squares.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a Crochet Granny Square African Flower.
Materials Needed
Yarn: Cotton or acrylic yarn works well
Hook: Usually 3.5–5 mm depending on yarn
Yarn needle: For weaving in ends
Scissors
Scrap yarn is perfect because each round uses a small amount.
Basic Structure of an African Flower Granny Square
Most patterns follow 5 rounds:
Round 1 – The Center Ring
Start with a magic ring or chain loop and crochet double crochets into it to create the center.
Example:
Magic ring
6 double crochet into ring
Join with slip stitch
Round 2 – Expanding the Circle
Increase stitches to form a larger round.
Example:
2 dc in each stitch around
Join with slip stitch
Round 3 – Forming the Petals
This is where the flower effect appears.
Example structure:
(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same stitch
Skip a stitch and repeat around
These clusters create the petal shapes.
Round 4 – Shaping the Flower
Single crochets and chains are worked between petals to define the shape.
Example:
sc between clusters
ch spaces to separate petals
Round 5 – Turning It Into a Square or Hexagon
Add corners with chain spaces and clusters to create straight sides.
Typical corner pattern:
(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner space
Free Video Tutorial:
