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Dragonfly granny square crochet pattern for home or gifting

Dragonfly granny square using double crochet (UK treble crochet) and popcorn stitch; both US and UK stitch names given.

Dragonfly granny square crochet pattern for home or gifting
Skill
Intermediate
Time
4-6 hours
Yarn weight
Aran
Hook
3 mm

Intermediate

What the original write-up called it. Nothing here is graded again.

Aran

What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.

4-6 hours

What the original page reckoned. Your own pace is the one that matters.

About this pattern

This pattern makes a dragonfly-topped granny square, built from a popcorn-stitch and double crochet (UK treble crochet) round for the body and square, plus four separately worked wing panels sewn on afterwards. It uses two hook sizes, a finer 3mm for the wings and a 4.5mm for the square, along with three yarn colours for body, accents and wings. Suitable for gifting, home decor, or joining into larger projects.

This dragonfly granny square belongs to the treble-crochet (UK name for the US double crochet) family of motifs, built up in rounds like a classic granny square but shaped with popcorn stitches to suggest a body and wings. The wing panels are worked separately in rows rather than rounds, using chain spaces and increases to create the pointed, net-like shape typical of dragonfly wing motifs.

Part 3 forms the square itself, opening with three single crochets (UK double crochet) then a run of popcorn stitches that repeats around the round, with colour changes marking out the dragonfly's body down the centre. Four wings are worked flat from a starting chain through a sequence of chain-5 and chain-3 spaces, increasing row by row, then finished with tail ends used to sew each wing onto the square with a slight overhang for added dimension.

Materials

Yarns

  • Size 3 weight yarn (Premiere Everyday Dots, Colorway: Confectionary) for the wings
  • Aran weight yarn (Stylecraft Special Aran, Colorway: Duck Egg) for the square/body
  • Additional Aran weight yarn (Stylecraft Impressions, Colorway: Grand Canal) for accents

Hooks

  • 3mm (size 5) hook for the wings
  • 4.5mm (size 7.5) hook for the square/body
  • Tapestry or yarn needle
  • Scissors

The list is the pattern's own wording.

Instructions

Every round is printed as the pattern wrote it, brackets and all. Open the key beside a round to see only the short forms that round uses.

Part 3

Start with an adjustable ring using the Duck Egg yarn.

  1. Round 1

    Chain 1, single crochet 3 times, then start changing colors as you go through the pattern outlined below, following the techniques for color changes described.Make a popcorn stitch using 4 single crochets for texture, before changing colors back.Repeat the pattern of single crochet 3 times and popcorn stitch throughout the round to form the base of the dragonfly's body and the initial square formation.Follow the pattern of increases and stitches as described, switching colors appropriately to create the dragonfly shape within the square.For continuing rounds, follow the pattern of single crochet and increases to expand the square while integrating the dragonfly's body and head designs, using popcorn stitches for texture.

Wings (Make 4)

  1. Row 1

    Start with a slip stitch, chain 3. Double crochet in the very first chain.

  2. Row 2

    Chain 5, double crochet into the third chain from the start.

  3. Row 3

    Chain 3, place 2 double crochets in the chain 2 space, double crochet into the third chain from Row 2.

  4. Row 4

    Chain 5, single crochet in the next double crochet, chain 3, single crochet in the next double crochet, chain 2, double crochet in the top of the chain 3 from Row 3.

  5. Row 5

    Chain 5, double crochet twice into the middle chain 3 space, chain 2, double crochet into the third chain from Row 4.

  6. Row 6

    Chain 5, triple crochet between the two double crochets from Row 5, chain 1, triple crochet again in the same space, chain 5, slip stitch in the third chain from Row 5.Chain 1, single crochet twice in the next open space (repeat for all open spaces), single crochet 5 times in the final space between the two double crochets.

Making up

  1. Step 1Decide on the placement of the wings on the square, with a bit of overhang adding to the dimensionality.
  2. Step 2Use the tail ends to sew the wings securely onto the square.
  3. Step 3Border: Single crochet around the square, placing 3 single crochets in the corner stitches to round out the edges.
  4. Step 4Flattening and Dimension: Turn the work over and use a blanket stitch along the back to close any gaps, ensuring the work lays flat and the dragonfly pops.
  5. Step 5Final Touches: Weave in all ends neatly.

Notes from the pattern

  • Two hook sizes are required: 3mm for the finer wing yarn and 4.5mm for the Aran-weight square and body. Keep them separate during the project so the wings stay proportionate to the square.
  • Since all four wings need to match, work them one after another using the same tension rather than spacing the work out over several sessions, where gauge can drift.
  • This motif is flat rather than stuffed, so no filling is needed; the finishing step is purely sewing the wings onto the square using the tail ends left at each panel.

The essentials

Rounds
7
Parts
2
Level
Intermediate
Time
4-6 hours
Hook
3 mm
Yarn
Aran

Stitches you will use

  • Popcorn stitch Used in Part 3 to texture the dragonfly's body; group four single crochets (UK double crochet) into the same stitch and close the loop snugly so each bump stands proud.
  • Chain-space wing construction The wing rows build outward from chain-5 and chain-3 spaces with double and triple crochet increases; keep tension even on both sides so the four wings match before assembly.

Troubleshooting

The wings curl or ruffle instead of lying flat.

This usually comes from increases worked too tightly in the chain-5 or chain-3 spaces. Loosen tension slightly on those rows and block the four wings gently once complete.

The popcorn stitches look flat instead of standing proud.

This happens when the closing loop is pulled too loosely after grouping the four single crochets (UK double crochet). Work all four into the same stitch and cinch the closing pull-through snug before continuing the round.

Substituting yarn

4ply mercerised cotton (for the wings)
Gives crisper, more defined chain spaces and a slightly smaller wing; drop to a 2.5mm hook to keep the open lattice from gaping.
Acrylic Aran blend (for the square/body)
Easier washing and more consistent stitch definition than wool-blend Aran; the 4.5mm hook and stitch count stay the same.
Wool-blend Aran (for the accents)
Adds a soft halo around the dragonfly's head and body detailing and a warmer handle; check gauge, as wool blends can work slightly looser on the same hook.

Washing and care

  • If the square and accents are worked in acrylic Aran, the finished piece is typically machine washable on a gentle cycle; the wings, in a finer size 3 weight yarn, are safer handwashed to protect the chain-space detailing.
  • Reshape the wings while still damp, easing the chain-5 and chain-3 spaces back into symmetry, then lay the whole piece flat to dry and store flat to stop the wings folding out of shape.

The photographs taken while this was being made

Every one was taken by whoever published the pattern, in the order the source listed them.

  • Dragonfly granny square crochet pattern for home or gifting — photo 2
  • Dragonfly granny square crochet pattern for home or gifting — photo 3
  • Dragonfly granny square crochet pattern for home or gifting — photo 4

FAQs

Questions

Why does the pattern use two different hook sizes?

The wings are worked in a finer size 3 weight yarn on a 3mm hook to keep the chain spaces open and delicate, while the square and body use Aran weight yarn on a 4.5mm hook for a firmer, denser fabric. Keeping the two separate stops the wings overpowering the square or the square swallowing the wings.

How many wings does the pattern need, and how are they attached?

Four wings are made in total, each worked flat across the same sequence of rows. Once complete, the tail ends left on each wing are used to sew it onto the square, positioned with a slight overhang for dimension.

What is the popcorn stitch doing in this pattern?

The popcorn stitch, made from four single crochets (UK double crochet) closed into a bump, adds raised texture that marks out the dragonfly's body and head within the square. It repeats alongside plain single crochet stitches through Part 3.

Can the square be joined with others into a larger project?

Yes, the square is built on the same granny-square logic as a standard motif, so multiples can be joined edge to edge for a blanket, or used singly for bags, pillows or home decor pieces.

Is this pattern suitable for a beginner crocheter?

A crocheter comfortable with basic granny-square rounds, colour changes and simple increases should manage it, though the popcorn stitch and the chain-space wing rows add a step up from a plain granny square. Working through one wing fully before starting the square helps build confidence with the shaping.

These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.