Made with a basic granny square and a crochet skull appliqué, this Skull Granny Square Crochet Pattern is easy to master. You can decorate anything with these skull granny square patterns!

Crochet skull granny squares can seem intimidating, but this pattern is beginner-friendly! As long as you know the basic stitches, you can recreate this skull. This skull granny square pattern is perfect for those who want a little customization in their granny squares.
Unlike granny squares that have the skull built-in, this design allows for customization by adding embroidery to the eyes and face.
You can also embroider extra designs, like flowers, because the skull is solid, meaning there are no holes to work around that can cause frustration during customization.
So let's begin the skull granny square crochet pattern!
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✏️ Things To Note:
- Yarn Type: I used standard worsted acrylic yarn for the crochet skull appliqué and granny square pattern. Any type of yarn will work, including acrylic, cotton, and chunky yarns.
- Basic Stitches: The base of the pattern only calls for single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc), making it super easy and perfect for beginners. The skull also requires triple crochet (tc), which is similar to a double crochet, but you yarn over twice at the beginning of the stitch. Then yarn over and pull through two loops three times.
- Finished Size: The finished crochet skull granny square measures about 4 inches in diameter.
🪡 Materials Needed
- 1 small ball of black yarn
- 1 small ball of white yarn
- H hook (5mm)
- Tapestry needle for weaving in the ends and sewing pieces together
💭 Abbreviations to Remember (US Terms)
- Magic ring (MR)
- Chain (ch)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Triple crochet (tc)
- Slip stitch (sl st)
- Increase (inc) - 2 stitches in the same stitch
🧋 Variations
Try switching up the granny square with different colors, or create a solid granny square. You might also crochet a circle for the skull to be attached to. The possibilities are endless!
🍵 Instructions for Skull Granny Square Crochet Pattern
For this pattern, we will be working in rows for the skull and rounds for the granny square.
Skull Applique:
Row 1: Ch x6. (6)
Row 2: In the second ch from hook make a sc. Continue making sc’s for the rest of the row. (5) Ch x1 and turn. The ch after each row is the turning ch. Do not work in this ch, always skip it when going to the next row.
Row 3: Inc, sc x3, inc (7). Then ch x1 and turn
Row 4: Inc, sc x5, inc (9). Then ch x1 and turn
Row 5-7: Sc in every stitch (9). Then ch x1 and turn.
Row 8: Sc x2, sl st + ch x3 in the next stitch. In the following 5 stitches make a tc. Immediately after the last tc, ch x3 and slip stitch into the same stitch you made the last tc. Then sc x2. You should now have a skull shape.
Lastly, sc around the entire top of the skull and then fasten off and leave a tail for sewing. Do not sc around the jaw/teeth portion of the skull.
From here you can also add a face to the skull like x’s for eyes and an upside down mini v for the nose, maybe embroider lines in between the teeth. Just as an example.
Granny Square:
This part of the pattern is made in rounds. I will be putting the finished skull pattern on a black granny square, but since black is hard to photograph, I have made the step by step example in white.
Round 1: Make a mr, then ch x3. Dc x2 into the mr. Then ch x2. After that (dc x3 into the magic ring and ch x2). Repeat what is in the brackets 2 more times. You should have 4 clusters. Slip stitch into the top of the ch space at the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Ch x2, dc x2 into the gap between clusters from the row below. Next, in the corner dc x3, ch x2, then dc x3 again. (Dc x3 in the next gap between previous rows clusters and then dc x3, ch x2, dc x3 in the next corner.). You will repeat what is in the brackets 2 more times.
Sl st into the beginning of the round.
Round 3 + : Repeat row 2 by making dc clusters between every previous cluster from the row below. And then make sure you make a cluster then ch x2 and make another cluster for every corner.
I did 3 rounds total, but if you want to make them bigger you absolutely can!
Now that you have a skull and a granny square made, you can sew the skull on top of the granny square by stitching it to the dc clusters.
Once you are done customizing you have officially made a crochet skull granny square using my skull granny square crochet pattern. I hope it was easy and fun to make for you!

🐌Expert Tips
- Yarn Choices: Use soft yarn like acrylic or cotton for a comfortable finish. Chunky yarn can also add texture.
- Skull Customization: Feel free to add unique details to your skull with embroidery, such as different eye shapes or facial expressions.
- Color Variations: Experiment with different colors for your granny square to create themed designs for holidays or events.
- Finishing Touches: Always weave in loose ends securely and consider blocking your finished square to enhance its shape.
🧵 Pattern FAQs
You can use the skull granny square on cardigans, pillows, blankets, bags—you name it!
Yes, you can. Just ensure you adjust the stitches from sc, dc, and tr for even sides on the granny square.
Absolutely!
🧶More Embellishment Patterns
If you tried this Skull Granny Square Crochet Pattern (or any other pattern on my website), please let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I'd love to hear from you!
Skull Granny Square Crochet Pattern
Materials
- 1 small ball of white yarn
- 1 small ball of black yarn
- 5mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
Abbreviations (US terms)
- mr = Magic ring
- ch = Chain
- sc = Single crochet
- dc = Double Crochet
- tc = Triple crochet
- inc = Increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)
Notes
Instructions
- For this pattern we will be working in rows for the skull and rounds for the granny square.
Skull Applique:
- Row 1: Ch x6. (6)
- Row 2: In the second ch from hook make a sc. Continue making sc’s for the rest of the row. (5) Ch x1 and turn. The ch after each row is the turning ch. Do not work in this ch, always skip it when going to the next row.
- Row 3: Inc, sc x3, inc (7), Ch x1 and turn
- Row 4: Inc, sc x5, inc (9). Ch x1 and turn
- Row 5-7: Sc in every stitch (9). Ch x1 and turn.
- Row 8: Sc x2, sl st + ch x3 in the next stitch. In the following 5 stitches make a tc. Immediately after the last tc, ch x3 and slip stitch into the same stitch you made the last tc. Then sc x2. You should now have a skull shape.
- Lastly, sc around the entire top of the skull and then fasten off and leave a tail for sewing. Do not sc around the jaw/teeth portion of the skull.
- From here you can also add a face to the skull like x’s for eyes and an upside down mini v for the nose, maybe embroider lines in between the teeth. Just as an example.
Granny Square:
- This part of the pattern is made in rounds. I will be putting the finished skull pattern on a black granny square, but since black is hard to photograph, I have made the step by step example in white.
- Round 1: Make a mr, then ch x3. Dc x2 into the mr. Then ch x2. After that (dc x3 into the magic ring and ch x2). Repeat what is in the brackets 2 more times. You should have 4 clusters. Slip stitch into the top of the ch space at the beginning of the round.
- Round 2: Ch x2, dc x2 into the gap between clusters from the row below. Next, in the corner dc x3, ch x2, then dc x3 again. (Dc x3 in the next gap between previous rows clusters and then dc x3, ch x2, dc x3 in the next corner.). You will repeat what is in the brackets 2 more times.
- Sl st into the beginning of the round.
- Round 3 + : Repeat row 2 by making dc clusters between every previous cluster from the row below. And then make sure you make a cluster then ch x2 and make another cluster for every corner.
- I did 3 rounds total, but if you want to make them bigger you absolutely can!
- Now that you have a skull and a granny square made, you can sew the skull on top of the granny square by stitching it to the dc clusters.
- Once you are done customizing you have officially made a crochet skull granny square using my skull granny square crochet pattern. I hope it was easy and fun to make for you!
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