How to Crochet the Spiral Granny Square — Bella Coco Crochet
If you’ve spent any time in the crochet world, you’ve probably come across Sarah-Jayne Fragola’s Bella Coco Crochet channel. Her clear, friendly tutorials have introduced millions of crafters to techniques that feel intimidating at first but become surprisingly manageable once you see them broken down step by step. The spiral granny square is one of those patterns — a modern, seamless twist on the traditional granny square that produces a beautifully swirled finish without the flat joins that can interrupt the visual flow of classic versions.
In this guide, we’re going to walk through everything you need to know to crochet your own spiral granny square in the Bella Coco style. Whether you’re a confident beginner who has mastered basic stitches or an intermediate crocheter looking to expand your square repertoire, this tutorial is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the pattern, the technique, and the creative possibilities that come with it.
What Makes the Spiral Granny Square Different?
The traditional granny square is worked in rounds, and each round typically begins with a chain-3 turning chain and ends with a slip stitch join. While this method is absolutely timeless and beautiful in its own right, it does create a visible seam or join line in the finished fabric. Depending on your yarn and color choices, that join can be subtle or quite noticeable.
The spiral granny square, by contrast, is worked in a continuous spiral. Instead of joining each round and starting fresh, you move seamlessly from one round into the next. The result is a square that looks as though the colors are flowing naturally outward from the center, with no interruption. When you work it in a single color, the effect is elegantly uniform. When you work it in multiple colors, the transitions have a gradient quality that gives the square a contemporary, artistic feel.
This technique also tends to be faster once you get into the rhythm of it, because you’re not stopping to join and chain up at the end of every round. For blanket makers who need to produce dozens or even hundreds of squares, that efficiency adds up quickly.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you sit down to crochet, gather your supplies so you’re not hunting for things mid-pattern.
You’ll want a medium weight yarn, also known as worsted weight or Aran weight, which is typically labeled as a 4 on the yarn weight scale. This is the most common weight used for granny squares and is ideal for beginners because the stitches are easy to see and the fabric grows quickly. Bella Coco tutorials often feature Stylecraft Special DK or similar yarns depending on the project, so choose something smooth with a bit of sheen that will help you see your stitch definition clearly. For a first attempt at the spiral granny square, picking a yarn in a solid color or two high-contrast colors will make it much easier to follow where you are in the pattern.
For hook size, a 5mm crochet hook is a great starting point for DK or light worsted yarn, and a 5.5mm or 6mm hook works well for true worsted or Aran weight. As always, your gauge may vary depending on how tightly or loosely you crochet, so don’t worry too much about hitting a precise gauge for a decorative square — just aim for a fabric that feels pleasant and not too stiff.
You’ll also need a pair of scissors, a yarn needle for weaving in ends (you’ll have fewer of these than you might expect with the spiral technique), and stitch markers. Stitch markers are genuinely important for this pattern. Because you’re working in a spiral rather than joined rounds, you need to mark your progress so you know where each round begins and ends. A locking stitch marker is ideal, but a piece of contrasting yarn tied in a loop works perfectly well too.
Understanding the Basic Stitches
The spiral granny square uses only a handful of stitches, which is part of what makes it so approachable. You’ll need to be comfortable with the following before you begin.
A magic ring (also called a magic circle or adjustable ring) is the preferred starting point for most granny squares because it allows you to pull the center completely closed, leaving no gap. If you haven’t made a magic ring before, Bella Coco has an excellent standalone tutorial on the technique. Alternatively, you can start with a foundation chain of four stitches joined into a ring with a slip stitch — this is a perfectly acceptable substitute.
Chain stitches are used to create the corner spaces and to build height within the pattern. You’ll use these throughout, so make sure your chains are even and consistent in tension.
Double crochet (US terminology) is the main stitch in this pattern. Each cluster in the granny square is made up of groups of double crochets worked into the same space. In UK terminology, this stitch is called a treble crochet — so if you’re following along with a UK-based tutorial and your stitches don’t look quite right, check which terminology is being used.
Slip stitches come up occasionally for joining and positioning, depending on which variation of the pattern you’re working.
Step-by-Step: How to Crochet the Spiral Granny Square
Starting the Center
Begin by making your magic ring. Once your ring is secure, chain 3 — this counts as your first double crochet. Work 2 more double crochets into the ring, pulling the yarn through each time to complete each stitch. You now have a cluster of 3 double crochets. Chain 2 to create your first corner space.
Continue working into the ring: 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets, chain 2, 3 double crochets, chain 2. You should now have four clusters of 3 double crochets and four chain-2 corner spaces. This gives you the four-sided foundation of your square.
Before you close the round, pull on the tail of your magic ring to tighten the center. Then place your stitch marker in the chain-2 space of the last corner you worked — this marks where your first round ends and your second round will begin to flow from.
Rather than joining with a slip stitch, you’re going to move directly into the next round. This is the defining feature of the spiral technique.
Round 2: Growing the Square
Slip stitch into the first chain-2 corner space (the one at the very beginning of your work). Now, without joining back to the start of round 1, begin working your clusters around the square. In each corner space, you’ll work 3 double crochets, chain 2, and 3 more double crochets. Along the sides between corners, you’ll work a cluster of 3 double crochets into the space between the corner clusters of the previous round.
Move your stitch marker to the top of the last stitch of this round or into the corner space as you complete it. You’re still spiraling, so resist the urge to join.
Round 3 and Beyond
Each subsequent round follows the same logic: corners get a 3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet treatment, and the sides get additional clusters as the square grows. With each round, there will be one more cluster per side. By round 3, you have two clusters per side. By round 4, three clusters. And so on.
The spiral effect comes from the fact that each round flows continuously into the next. If you’re working with a single color, you might not notice the spiral visually, but you’ll feel the smoothness of the work because there’s no join bump. If you’re switching colors, you can change yarn at the beginning of a new round by joining the new color as you would normally — in the corner space — and then continuing to spiral from there.
Keep moving your stitch marker forward as you complete each round. This is your lifeline in the pattern. Without it, it’s easy to lose track of where you are.
Finishing Off
When your square is the size you want — typically four, five, or six rounds for a standard granny square — you’ll finish off by working to the end of your final round. Cut your yarn, leaving a six-inch tail, and pull the tail through the last loop to secure it. Use your yarn needle to weave the tail invisibly through the backs of nearby stitches.
The beauty of the spiral technique is that you’ve only created two ends per color used: one at the start and one at the finish. If you worked in a single color, you have just two ends to weave in total. For a multi-color square, you’ll have an end for each color change, but you’ll still have significantly fewer ends than some other methods.
Color Combinations and Yarn Choices
One of the greatest joys of the granny square is the endless potential for color play, and the spiral version is particularly well suited to gradient and ombré effects.
A simple and striking approach is to use three colors: a rich, deep tone at the center, a medium tone for the middle rounds, and a light or bright tone for the outer rounds. This creates a burst of color that radiates outward from the center of the square and looks stunning when multiple squares are joined together into a blanket.
You can also work the entire square in a single solid color and let the texture of the stitch clusters do the talking. This works especially well with a slightly textured yarn or a yarn with a subtle sheen.
For a more contemporary, muted look, work the square in two neutrals — cream and oatmeal, or grey and warm white — and use the spiral join in the same color as the outer round so the transition is invisible.
Bella Coco’s tutorials often feature vibrant Stylecraft yarns in combinations that are bright and cheerful, which makes them excellent for rainbow blankets, baby projects, or any make you want to feel joyful and energetic.
Tips for a Perfect Spiral Granny Square
Always start with a tight magic ring. A loose center will create a gap that never fully disappears, and it will bother you every time you look at the finished square. Take the time to master the magic ring before moving on.
Use stitch markers generously. When you’re first learning the spiral technique, mark not only the beginning of each round but also the four corner spaces. This helps you identify where to work your corner clusters and where to work your side clusters without counting constantly.
Count your clusters at the end of every round. For round 2, you should have 8 clusters total (2 per side). For round 3, 12 clusters (3 per side). The number of clusters increases by 4 with each new round. If your count is off, it’s far easier to frog (unravel) back one round than to discover the error three rounds later.
Keep your tension consistent. Because granny squares are worked in the round, tension issues tend to create a square that cups or ripples. If your square is cupping (curling inward), try going up a hook size. If it’s rippling (ruffling around the edges), try going down a hook size.
Block your finished squares. Blocking — wetting your squares and pinning them to shape while they dry — transforms a slightly uneven or curled square into a crisp, flat, professional-looking piece. It’s one of the most impactful finishing steps in crochet and is especially worthwhile before joining squares together.
Joining Your Spiral Granny Squares
If you’re making squares for a blanket, pillow, or other project, you’ll eventually need to join them together. Several methods work well with spiral granny squares.
The flat slip stitch join places squares right sides together and works a slip stitch through both layers along the edge, creating a slightly raised seam on the back that becomes invisible on the front. It’s quick and produces a neat result.
The join-as-you-go method, which Bella Coco demonstrates in several tutorials, attaches each new square to the previous ones as you complete its final round, eliminating the need for a separate joining step. This is wonderfully efficient for large projects.
A granny square blanket border can tie everything together beautifully. Working a final round of double crochet or shells around the entire joined blanket softens the edges and gives the project a finished, polished look.
Why the Bella Coco Method Works So Well
Sarah-Jayne’s approach to teaching crochet is patient, encouraging, and practical. Her tutorials are filmed from an angle that allows you to see the hook and yarn clearly, and she explains not just what to do but why — which helps you understand the logic of the pattern well enough to troubleshoot problems on your own.
Her spiral granny square tutorial in particular is well-loved in the crochet community because it introduces the spiral concept in a way that removes the intimidation factor. She acknowledges where beginners are likely to feel confused, demonstrates the stitch marker method clearly, and works at a pace that’s easy to follow without being patronizing.
If you’re working from this written guide alongside her video, you’ll find that the two complement each other well. Written instructions give you something to reference when you’re mid-row and can’t easily rewind a video; video tutorials give you a visual reference that no written description can fully replace.
Project Ideas Using the Spiral Granny Square
Once you’ve made one spiral granny square, it’s almost impossible to stop. Here are some ideas for what to do with them.
A granny square blanket in gradient colors is perhaps the most iconic use of this square. Choose a palette that moves through the spectrum — perhaps warm tones from cream through orange to deep rust — and make enough squares to fill a lap blanket or throw.
A granny square cushion cover requires just two large squares or four to eight smaller ones, joined together and slip-stitched around a cushion insert. It’s a satisfying weekend project.
A granny square bag is another popular make. Join four squares into a flat rectangle, fold in half, seam the sides, add handles, and you have a tote that gets compliments everywhere.
For something smaller, try a coaster set in coordinating colors or a small wall hanging that showcases your color work skills.
Final Thoughts
The spiral granny square is one of those techniques that rewards your patience during the learning curve with a finished product that genuinely impresses people. The seamless, flowing construction looks complex but is entirely achievable once you understand the logic, and the Bella Coco approach to teaching it makes that understanding accessible to crafters at almost any skill level.
Whether you’re making your very first square or your five hundredth, there’s something meditative and satisfying about settling into the spiral rhythm — the way each round grows naturally from the last, the way the colors bloom outward, the way a simple hook and a length of yarn can produce something so pleasing. This is why so many people fall in love with crochet, and the spiral granny square is one of the best entry points into that love.
Pick up your hook, find a yarn you love, and make your first spiral. You’ll be making your tenth before you know it.
