Looking for a granny square crochet pattern with a little personality? This collection has jellyfish with curling tentacles, wide-eyed owls, a rainbow-maned unicorn and plenty of woodland faces. There are 30 animal designs plus one solid square, each with a free PDF to download.
Choose a favorite for a small decorative panel, or start gathering squares for a larger project. The animal theme fits right in at PetsCrochet, but these are motifs for animal-loving makers, not patterns for pet toys. Blankets, bags and cushion covers are project ideas; the downloads teach the individual squares.
Choose your theme and square size
Before choosing a set, check the finished size. The first 18 animal patterns list approximately 20 × 20 cm; the 12 woodland designs list approximately 15 × 15 cm. Both groups use DK yarn and a 4 mm hook, but they are not automatically interchangeable. Choose one size group to start, then measure your own finished squares.
| Theme | Start with | Listed square size |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean animals | Jellyfish, Clownfish, Starfish | Approx. 20 cm |
| Safari and animal faces | Elephant, Giraffe, Panda and more | Approx. 20 cm |
| Woodland animals | Fox through Skunk, items 19–30 | Approx. 15 cm |
| Plain companion square | Solid square, item 31 | Depends on yarn and rounds |
1. Jellyfish Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Pink stripes and a frilly lower edge give this jellyfish plenty of character, but the tentacles are the best part. Some curl tightly while others hang in thin strands, adding movement against the navy square.
The PDF combines a square base with several tentacle pieces and surface details. Keep track of the different lengths as you work. This is a lovely candidate for a sea-themed wall hanging where the hanging strands can stay visible.
2. Spider Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A black spider stretches across a pale sage background, with striped brown-gray markings on its body. The contrast makes each leg easy to see and gives the square a graphic look without needing a bright Halloween palette.
Arrange the legs before securing them so both sides look balanced. You could make it the center of a small seasonal cushion front, surrounded by plain squares. The cushion assembly would be a separate project.
3. Horse Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
The white forehead marking makes this brown horse immediately recognizable. A darker muzzle and mane add definition, while the green background keeps the face from disappearing into the square.
There are several small facial pieces to position. Set them out together before sewing, especially the muzzle and forehead marking. For a horse-loving friend, one finished square could become a framed gift without making a whole blanket.
4. Unicorn Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A silver-colored horn and pastel mane turn the white horse-shaped face into a unicorn. The navy background gives the pale features a strong outline, so the rainbow colors do not have to do all the work.
Leave time for the mane and face details after finishing the base. If you change the background, check that the white face and horn still stand out. A single unicorn panel would make a cheerful focal point for a decorative bag.
5. Donkey Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Long ears, a dark tuft and a white muzzle give this gray donkey a slightly scruffy charm. Its face fills most of the sage square, with the ears drawing your eye upward.
The ear linings are worth placing carefully because they help define the donkey silhouette. Pair this square with the horse for a farmyard theme, or keep it on its own as a small animal portrait.
6. Sloth Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
The sloth has a soft camel-colored face, a pale mask and dark patches around the eyes. Against the green-turquoise background, those few colors create an expressive face without lots of loose fringe.
Position the eye patches and muzzle together before attaching them. Small shifts change the expression. This design sits nicely beside other animal faces, but it also has enough detail to carry a simple framed-square project by itself.
7. Clownfish Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Orange, white and black make this little clownfish easy to spot on its blue square. The rounded body and edged fins have a playful, almost badge-like shape.
The color changes and separate details make this more involved than a plain granny square. Keep the fins visible when you plan a border or join. Jellyfish and Starfish are the same nominal size if you want to start an ocean collection.
8. Starfish Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Five yellow arms radiate from a pale center, with cream details following their length. The light blue background makes this one feel airy next to the deeper blue sea-creature squares.
The arms are shaped separately and arranged around the center. Pin all five in place before sewing so the spacing looks even. It is a useful design for practicing careful placement as well as crocheting small shaped pieces.
9. Elephant Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Big gray ears frame a long trunk, with white tusks and stitched wrinkles adding detail. The olive background works well with the gray yarn and keeps the whole square fairly muted.
The trunk uses a little stuffing, so this is not a completely flat motif. Finish its shaping before deciding where to display it. A decorative wall panel lets the raised trunk remain part of the design.
10. Springbok Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A narrow face, dark stripes and tall horns give the springbok a distinct silhouette. Cream and camel yarn soften the contrast against the green square.
This is one to choose when you enjoy assembling small features. Lay out the horns, ears and facial markings together before sewing. It brings variety to a safari grouping without repeating the rounder face shape of the elephant or baboon.
11. Warthog Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Cream tusks and shaggy-looking tufts make the warthog stand out. The broad brown face has a lot of personality, especially against the bright green background.
The materials include a small amount of toy filling, and there are several finishing details to complete. Plan for that extra assembly rather than treating it as a quick flat square. Keep the tufts and tusks clear of any joining seam.
12. Giraffe Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A long yellow face, brown markings and little horns create the giraffe’s familiar profile. The green square leaves room around the ears, helping the tall shape feel balanced.
The face details are the focus here. Check their position against the photo before sewing them down, particularly the ears and muzzle. This would be an appealing center square for a safari-themed cushion front with plain panels around it.
13. Cape Fox Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Large pink-lined ears and a pale muzzle distinguish the Cape fox from the orange woodland fox later in the list. The beige face looks especially delicate against its olive background.
This is the larger of the two fox designs at approximately 20 cm. Choose it for the safari group, or make it as a standalone portrait. Do not assume it will join directly to the 15 cm woodland fox simply because both use DK yarn.
14. Baboon Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A long dark muzzle sits below golden eyes, framed by a brown face and rounded ears. The darker center makes this baboon look quite different from the other safari animals.
Take a moment to check the eye spacing and muzzle alignment before fastening the pieces. The face relies on those proportions. A quiet background color helps preserve the expression if you choose a different yarn palette.
15. Rhinoceros Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A broad gray muzzle, upright ears and a central horn give the rhinoceros a compact, recognizable face. Lime green around the edges adds brightness to the otherwise neutral colors.
Keep the horn and muzzle centered as you assemble the features. This square makes a good visual counterpoint to the longer giraffe and springbok faces in an animal display. Measure each finished square before planning the final arrangement.
16. Panda Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Black ears and eye patches turn a white center into a panda face, set against blue. It is one of the clearest high-contrast designs in the collection and a natural pick for an animal-loving maker.
The ears, patches and nose are added to the base, with embroidered eye details. Place both eye patches before sewing either one down. Their angle does much of the work in creating the panda’s expression.
17. Ladybug Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Seven black spots decorate the red ladybug body, with small black legs reaching onto the green square. The bold color blocks make the design easy to recognize from a distance.
Keep the spots arranged within the body before securing them, and check that the legs remain clear of the square’s edge. This would make a bright garden-themed panel on its own or alongside a few plain green squares.
18. Penguin Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A yellow beak adds a small flash of color to this black-and-white penguin face. The turquoise background keeps the square lively without competing with the simple features.
Pay attention to the shape and position of the pale facial area when assembling the details. The penguin pairs visually with the panda through its black-and-white palette, and both patterns list the same approximate 20 cm square size.
19. Fox Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Rust-colored yarn, white cheeks and a dark pointed nose give this woodland fox a crisp triangular face. A light gray border frames the sage background and makes the square feel finished on its own.
This begins the 15 cm woodland group. The PDF also includes a marked close-up to help with feature placement. Use that reference as you assemble the cheeks, rather than treating it as another square design.
20. Badger Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
The badger’s black-and-white facial stripes create a bold center against deep green. A pale outer border lightens the square and ties it visually to the other woodland faces.
There is an annotated close-up in the PDF for placement guidance. Keep the facial stripes balanced around the nose. The strong contrast would work well in a small woodland arrangement alongside the softer brown bear or mouse.
21. Bear Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Round ears and a pale muzzle give this brown bear a classic teddy-like face. The dark green background and gray edge keep it in the same quiet woodland palette as the other smaller squares.
This is a good choice if you prefer a round face over antlers or long ears. The expression still depends on finishing, so position the muzzle and eyes together before stitching them down. It would make a simple animal-lover gift panel.
22. Moose Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Pale antlers spread above a broad brown muzzle, giving the moose a wider silhouette than most of the woodland animals. The dark green square helps the antlers stand out.
Check that the antlers sit evenly and remain inside the area you want to keep visible. When laying out a larger piece, leave the face enough breathing room beside neighboring motifs. Plain squares can provide a useful visual pause.
23. Raccoon Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
The raccoon’s black eye mask sits between gray and white facial details. It has a strong, compact shape, with the pale muzzle keeping the face readable against the forest-green background.
Arrange the mask and eyes before sewing so the expression stays balanced. This is a satisfying choice for a woodland sampler, especially next to animals with warmer brown faces such as the beaver or squirrel.
24. Beaver Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A pair of white teeth and fine whiskers give the beaver its character. The mottled-looking brown face is rounded and broad, with small ears that keep the silhouette compact.
The teeth are small but visually important, so take care with their alignment. This square is an appealing option for a decorative panel where the whiskers and face details can be appreciated close up.
25. Squirrel Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Pointed ears, pale eye circles and little white teeth make this squirrel look alert. The brown face sits neatly within the green square and light outer border.
Work through the small features before committing to their final position. The face needs less space above it than the moose’s antlers, which makes the two designs useful contrasts in a planned woodland layout.
26. Owl Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Large white eye discs dominate the gray owl face, with a yellow beak between them. The dark green background keeps the eyes bright and gives the square a compact, graphic look.
Set the eye discs side by side and check their spacing before sewing. It is an obvious choice for an owl enthusiast, whether you use one square as a small picture or repeat it in a decorative arrangement.
27. Hedgehog Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A pale face is framed by a textured brown rim that suggests the hedgehog’s spines. The contrast is softer than the badger or skunk, with the little nose providing a clear focal point.
Let the textured edge keep its shape as you finish the face. This square brings a different surface to the woodland group, so it is worth laying it beside smoother designs before choosing your final order.
28. Mouse Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Oversized pink-lined ears and a tiny nose make this beige mouse especially expressive. Whiskers stretch across the lower face, while the dark green background defines the pale yarn.
Check the ear placement from the front before securing both pieces. The round ears are the main feature, and uneven positioning will be noticeable. A single mouse square could be a charming small gift for someone who likes animal crafts.
29. Rabbit Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
Long peach-lined ears rise above a white rabbit face. A small nose and whiskers keep the features light, with enough contrast from the green background to show the ear outline clearly.
Leave room for the ears when planning a border or join. For PetsCrochet readers who enjoy rabbit-inspired makes, this is a decorative way to bring that animal into a human-use cushion, bag panel or wall display.
30. Skunk Granny Square
Approx. 15 × 15 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A white stripe runs down the black skunk face toward a pale pink nose. The contrast is strong enough that the design needs very little extra color.
Keep the stripe centered while assembling the face. Beside the badger and raccoon, it forms a small set of bold woodland portraits. Use the finished dimensions and edge counts to plan any joining rather than relying on their matching appearance alone.
31. Solid Granny Square
Size varies with rounds • 3.5 mm hook in the example • written instructions and chart
The mint-green solid square gives your eyes a rest after all those animal faces. Its filled-in sides and open corners make it a useful starting point for exploring a more traditional granny square crochet pattern.
This PDF uses a 3.5 mm hook with Alize Sekerim Baby yarn, unlike the 4 mm animal designs. It includes written rounds, extension guidance and a stitch chart. Work and measure a sample before using solid squares as fillers; matching width alone does not guarantee matching edge stitch counts.
What you need before starting
The animal patterns use DK yarn, a 4 mm hook and a darning needle, with colors chosen for each face. The solid-square example uses a different yarn and a 3.5 mm hook. Read the materials list in your chosen PDF before shopping; the elephant and warthog also call for a little filling.
These patterns use US crochet terminology. Small features, sewing and embroidery add work beyond the base square, so allow time for finishing. Keep each animal’s pieces together until you are ready to assemble it.
Can you join all the animals into one blanket?
You can plan a mixed-animal blanket, but the two size groups need to be reconciled first. Make one square from each group you want to use, finish it as directed and measure both. Follow the yarn’s care instructions when blocking.
A border may help bring a smaller square to the needed width, but work a sample and check flatness, corner alignment and edge stitch counts before repeating it. There is no single verified border adjustment for this entire collection. Choosing only the 15 cm group or only the 20 cm group gives you a simpler starting point.
How can you use the solid square?
Plain squares give busy animal faces more space in a larger layout. They can also help you work with a limited color palette: repeat one background color or pick up a color from the faces.
The solid-square PDF can be extended with more rounds, but use your own measurements and edge counts when matching it to an animal square. Different stitch patterns can reach the same width with different numbers of stitches along each side.
Which pattern should a beginner choose?
Start with the solid square if you want to focus on rounds and corners before adding small features. The animal squares introduce more finishing and placement decisions. Read through one complete PDF and check the abbreviations before choosing it; the whole collection should not be treated as one skill level.
What can you make with just one square?
Frame it, use it as the focal panel of a sewn project or build a small decorative wall hanging around it. A bag or cushion needs its own construction plan and finishing materials. Keep protruding details in mind when choosing where the square will sit.
Do you need exactly the pictured colors?
No. Keep enough contrast between the face and background to make the animal recognizable, then change the palette to suit your project. Dark ears disappear against a dark square, and pale facial patches can blend into a pale background. Compare your yarn colors together before starting.
Pick one animal to make first
For an ocean theme, try the jellyfish, clownfish and starfish. For a woodland set, choose from the 12 smaller designs. If you are still deciding, make the solid square first and use it to practice neat corners. Download the free PDF for your choice, check the materials and make one complete square before planning the rest.
