A modernized take on the traditional granny square. Made with worsted weight acrylic, it includes clusters and the camel stitch for variety.

The Compass Rose Granny Square

The Compass Rose Granny Square is a fresh take on a beloved classic. For those of us drawn to traditional granny squares, this design offers something different: a radiating center that adds dimension and visual interest while staying true to the techniques we know and love.

This pattern is a welcome addition for granny square enthusiasts looking to expand their repertoire with variety. The subtle texture and considered combination of stitches give it a distinct character, setting it apart from a standard granny square while remaining instantly recognizable. 

Combine it with other granny square designs for a blanket or shawl rich with visual variety, or work up multiples for a project with a clean, cohesive look. However you choose to use it, the Compass Rose Granny Square offers a versatile, thoughtfully designed addition to your granny square collection.

Design + Construction

The Compass Rose Granny Square begins with a circular center, where treble crochet clusters form distinct points radiating outward — an effect that evokes the directional markings of a compass, though it can just as easily be read as a flower in bloom. 

From there, the granny stitch takes over for the outer portion of the square, anchoring the design in tradition and giving it the familiar texture granny square enthusiasts know well.

The square concludes with a round of single crochet, providing a clean, structured edge that’s ideal for joining to other squares in larger projects. 

Together, these elements create a thoughtful progression of stitches — varied enough to keep the work engaging, yet cohesive enough to produce a finished square that’s as visually compelling as it is technically satisfying.

The Yarn

This granny square is designed for acrylic or an acrylic-blend yarn — the halo and stretch give it that comfy, cozy vibe I love. I chose Lion Brand’s Heartland for that very reason: it offers beautiful stitch definition while still delivering the coziness this square calls for.

Other fibers will change the character of the square, and most likely the finished size as well. That said, I encourage you to experiment and pull from your stash for something uniquely yours.

Yarn Substitute

Want to see what yarns are a good substitute for Lion Brand’s “Heartland”? Check out these suggestions.

Here’s what to love about the pattern

• The combination of stitches creates visual interest beyond the basics.
• It’s a quick yet more challenging make.
• If you fancy stash-busting, this granny square is perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use this afghan square for?

This granny square is ideal for larger projects like blankets and shawls. You could also use it as centerpiece for a pillow or scarf.

Can this granny square be combined with other squares?

Absolutely! The only limitation is matching it to other 8” squares. If those other squares are larger or smaller, they will need to be adapted.

Does this granny square come with a video tutorial?

Yes it does! You can find it on YouTube here.

The Granny Square Month CAL

Hosted by Underground Crafter, this month-long CAL features 30 8″ squares you can mix and match for any project your heart desires.

Visit the event post to see all the beautiful granny square designs being offered this month.

Each day spotlights a newly, designed, never-before seen granny square design, all of them offered free on the designer’s blog.

The Compass Rose Granny Square is the featured design on Friday, June 23rd. 

The bundle that includes all 30 granny square patterns can be purchased now through July 5th. Once it expires, it will never be available again. Click here to buy your bundle today.

Do you love granny squares?

Then, you might enjoy trying these other MadameStitch designs.

The Compass Rose Granny Square Free Pattern

General Information

Yarn

Lion Brand “Heartland” 100% premium acrylic worsted weight (5oz/251yd; 142g/230m)

You’ll need approx. 45-50 yds per square

Hook

US size H-8 (5mm)

Finished Size

Approx. 8″ square

Gauge

Rnds 1-2 = Approx. 3″ across

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Abbreviations – US crochet terminology

• beg – beginning
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• rnd – round
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• tr – treble crochet
• RS – right side
• YO – yarn over

Repeats

• (…) – Work everything within the parentheses in the same st or sp.
• […] – Repeat everything within the brackets the indicated number of times.
• {…} – Repeat everything within the braces the indicated number of times.

Special Stitches

Chain-1 space (ch-1 sp) – The number denotes the number of chains made

Chain-3 corner space (ch-3 corner sp) – The number denotes the number of chains made in a corner space.

Granny stitch (GS) – 3 dc in the same st or sp

4-tr cluster (cluster)

For the 1^st cluster of Rnd 3 – Ch 3, YO twice, insert hook in the next st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops} twice, YO twice, insert hook in the same st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops} twice, YO twice, insert hook in the next st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops} twice, YO, pull through all 4 loops on the hook.

All other clusters – YO twice, insert hook in the next st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops} twice, YO twice, insert hook in the next st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops} twice, YO twice, insert hook in the same st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops} twice, YO twice, insert hook in the next st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops} twice, YO, pull through all 5 loops on the hook.

Stacked single crochet (STsc) – (This stitch is used at the beginning of a round to replace the traditional turning ch-3. It has the appearance of a dc.) – Insert hook in the same st as the loop, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (bottom sc made), insert hook through the left vertical bar of the bottom sc, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (top sc made).

Video Tutorial

Pattern Notes

1. Do not turn after any rnd. Work with RS always facing you.
2. A ch-2 or ch-3 may be substituted for the STsc at any time without altering the construction.
3. Pay close attention to how many chains are worked in each corner space.
4. The hole at the center of the granny square is meant to be larger than normal, adding to the overall aesthetic. Using a magic ring is not recommended.
5. At the end of Rnd 1, be sure the double crochets are evenly spaced around the ring.
6. A ch-1 at the beg of a rnd does not count as a st.
7. A ch-3 at the beg of a rnd counts as a tr.

Pattern Instructions

Ch 8, join with a slip st to form a ring.

Rnd 1: STsc, ch 1, [dc in the ring, ch 1] 11 times, join with slip st to beg st. < 12 dc, 12 ch-1 sp >

Rnd 2: STsc, 2 dc in the ch-1 sp, [dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next ch-1 sp] 11 times, join with slip st to beg st. < 36 dc >

Rnd 3: Cluster (see Special Stitches for the 1^st cluster of the rnd), ch 4, [cluster over the next 3 sts, ch 4] 11 times, join with slip st to the top of beg cluster. < 12 clusters, 12 ch-4 sp >

Rnd 4: Slip st into the ch-4 sp, (ch 3, 2 tr, ch 3, 3 tr) in the same sp, tr in the top of the next cluster, 3 dc in the next ch-4 sp, hdc in the top of the next cluster, 3 dc in the next ch-4 sp, tr in the top of the next cluster, [(3 tr, ch 3, 3 tr) in the next ch-4 sp, tr in the top of the next cluster, 3 dc in the next ch-4 sp, hdc in the top of the next cluster, 3 dc in the next ch-4 sp, tr in the top of the next cluster] 3 times, join with slip st to beg ch-3. < 4 hdc , 24 dc, 32 tr, 4 ch-3 corner sp >

Rnd 5: Slip st in each st to the ch-3 corner sp and into the corner sp, (STsc, 2 dc, ch 2, GS) in the same ch-3 corner sp, [ch 1, sk 2 sts, GS in the next st] 4 times, ch 1, sk 3 sts, {GS, ch 2, GS) in the ch-3 corner sp, [ch 1, sk 2 sts, GS in the next st] 4 times, ch 1, sk 3 sts} 3 times, join with slip st to beg st. < 6 GS along each side, 5 ch-1 sp along each side, 4 ch-2 corner sp >

Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in the same st and in each st across to the next ch-2 corner sp, [(2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc) in the ch-2 corner sp, sc in the next st and in each st and ch-1 sp across to the next ch-2 corner sp] 3 times, (2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc) in the ch-2 corner sp, sc in the next st and in each st and ch-1 sp across to the beg st. < 27 sc along each side, 4 ch-1 sp >

Fasten off, weave in ends, and block to size.