Featured image for a crochet skull granny square pattern showing a spooky-cute white skull on a black crochet square with clean black title text, soft pastel Halloween accents, and Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.

Crochet skull granny square pattern

ByMelissa Hassler

Add a spooky skull to your Halloween crochet projects with this granny square pattern. The bold white skull against the black square creates a graphic Halloween design that stands out in blankets, pillows, bags, cardigans, and other seasonal makes.

Quick answer

This advanced beginner crochet skull granny square is worked from the center out in joined rounds using worsted weight (#4) yarn and an H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook. A white circular center is shaped into a black square using the circle-to-square technique, then two crocheted eyes are sewn on and the nose and mouth are embroidered. The finished square measures approximately 7.25 × 7.25 inches.

Crochet skull granny square pattern details

Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.

Skill level

Advanced beginner — This pattern uses double and half double crochet stitches, simple increases, color changes, circle-to-square shaping, and basic embroidery and assembly.

Materials needed

  • H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook
  • Worsted weight yarn (#4) in black and white
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors

Finished size

The finished crochet skull granny square measures approximately 7.25 × 7.25 inches.

Square graphic for a crochet skull granny square pattern featuring a handmade black granny square with a white skull face, bold black lettering, pastel Halloween accents, a ghost, pumpkin, bat, and Lovable Loops branding.

Gauge

16 dc stitches and 9 dc rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)

Learn how to check crochet gauge before you begin so you can adjust your hook size if needed.

Crochet abbreviations

Pattern notes

  • The square is worked in joined rounds from the center out.
  • The ch 1 or ch 2 at the beginning of a round does not count as a stitch.
  • Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch made in the round.
  • Repeat instructions between the asterisks (*) around as indicated.
  • The pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Magic circle alternative

If you find the magic ring/circle tricky, use this alternative for Round 1 of the granny square: Ch 3, make 11 dc in the 3rd ch from the hook, and join. (11 sts)

Pinterest pin for a crochet skull granny square pattern showing a black crochet square with a white skull face, large readable title text, a spiderweb, pastel ghost, pumpkin, bat, hearts, stars, and cute Halloween doodles.

Crochet skull granny square pattern instructions

Crochet the granny square

White yarn

Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 DC, join to first DC (11 stitches)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, make 2 DC in each st, join (22 stitches)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join with black yarn. (44 sts)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next 10 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (56 dc + 4 ch-2 spaces)
Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in each dc around, working (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each ch-2 corner space. Join. (72 dc + 4 ch-2 spaces)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc in each dc around, working (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each ch-2 corner space. Join. (88 dc + 4 ch-2 spaces)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc in each dc around, working (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each ch-2 corner space. Join. (104 dc + 4 ch-2 spaces)

Skull eyes

Make 2 using black yarn.

Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 8 hdc. Join. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join. (16 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew the eyes to the granny square.

Add the nose and mouth

Use black yarn and a yarn needle to embroider the nose and mouth onto the skull face.

Finishing

Fasten off and then weave in the ends. Block if desired.

Finished crochet skull granny square with a white skull face, large black crocheted eyes, stitched black nose and mouth, and a black square background.

Printable PDF version

This crochet pattern is also available as an ad-free PDF in my Etsy Shop: Halloween crochet granny squares bundle

Halloween crochet decor patterns

Looking for more spooky seasonal projects to make? Browse my favorite Halloween crochet decor patterns, including ghosts, spiders, pumpkins, pillows, appliques, garlands, baskets, and other cute Halloween makes for your home.

You can also visit my full collection of home decor crochet patterns for even more handmade ideas to decorate every season.

More crochet square patterns

Looking for more squares to make? Browse my collection of crochet square patterns, including granny squares, animal squares, seasonal designs, and other fun crochet blocks you can use for blankets, pillows, bags, wall hangings, and handmade gifts.

Let’s connect!

I’d love to see what you’re making! Share your finished project and follow along for more free crochet patterns and tutorials.

📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa

Pinterest pin for a free crochet skull granny square pattern featuring a white crochet skull face on a black granny square, bold black title text, pastel Halloween accents, a bat, yarn ball, hearts, stars, and Lovable Loops branding.