Granny Square Sweater Crochet Pattern

This crochet Evil Eye Rakhi is a small, beginner-friendly thread crochet project made with simple rounds of colour. It is perfect for Raksha Bandhan, especially if you want something handmade, meaningful, and quick enough to make in batches.

The centre motif is worked in traditional evil eye colours — black, blue, white, and turquoise — then finished with simple crochet ties. You can leave it plain for a soft handmade look, or add a tiny bead, sequin, or gold thread edging if you want a more festive Rakhi.

Finished Size

The evil eye motif measures approximately 1.5–2 inches wide, depending on your yarn, hook size, and tension.

Skill Level

Easy beginner to confident beginner.

You only need to know how to chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet.

Supplies

Small amounts of cotton yarn or crochet thread in:

Black
Dark blue
White
Light blue or turquoise
Red, gold, yellow, or blue for the bracelet ties

You will also need:

2.5 mm to 3.5 mm crochet hook, depending on yarn thickness
Yarn needle
Scissors
Optional beads, sequins, or gold embroidery thread
Optional fabric glue for securing knots

Abbreviations

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
st = stitch
sts = stitches
MR = magic ring

This pattern uses US crochet terms.

Notes Before You Start

Work the eye motif in joined rounds, changing colour at the end of each round.

For a neater finish, join each round with a slip stitch and fasten off before starting the next colour. This does mean weaving in a few ends, but because the motif is tiny, it is worth it for a cleaner eye shape.

If you do not like magic rings, chain 4 and join into a ring instead.

Evil Eye Centre Motif

Round 1: Black Pupil

Using black yarn, make a magic ring.

Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring.

Pull the ring closed.

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Fasten off.

You should have 6 stitches.

Round 2: Dark Blue Ring

Join dark blue yarn into any stitch.

Ch 1, work 2 sc into each stitch around.

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Fasten off.

You should have 12 stitches.

Round 3: White Ring

Join white yarn into any stitch.

Ch 1.

Work 1 sc in the first stitch, then 2 sc in the next stitch.

Repeat from around.

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Fasten off.

You should have 18 stitches.

Round 4: Light Blue Outer Ring

Join light blue or turquoise yarn into any stitch.

Ch 1.

Work 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch.

Repeat from around.

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Fasten off.

You should have 24 stitches.

Shaping The Eye

To turn the circle into a soft eye shape, join dark blue or turquoise yarn to one side of the motif.

Ch 2.

In the next stitch, work 1 hdc.

In the next stitch, work 1 dc.

In the next stitch, work 1 hdc.

Ch 2 and sl st into the next stitch.

Fasten off.

Repeat on the opposite side of the circle to create the second pointed edge of the eye.

This gives the Rakhi that classic evil eye shape without making the pattern too fiddly.

Optional Decorative Edge

For a more festive Rakhi, join gold, yellow, or metallic thread anywhere around the outer edge.

Ch 1, then sl st loosely around the outside of the motif.

When you reach each pointed end, work ch 1 before continuing so the eye shape stays defined.

Join, fasten off, and weave in ends.

This little gold edge makes the Rakhi look much more finished, especially if you are gifting it.

Crochet Bracelet Ties

Join your bracelet tie colour to one pointed side of the eye.

Ch 25–35, depending on the wrist size.

Fasten off and knot the end.

Join the same yarn to the opposite pointed side.

Ch 25–35 again.

Fasten off and knot the end.

For children, shorter ties are usually enough. For adults, make the ties a little longer so the Rakhi can be tied comfortably.

Optional Beaded Ends

Before tying the final knots, thread a small bead onto each tie end.

Push the bead near the end of the chain and knot securely underneath it.

This helps weigh the ties slightly and gives the Rakhi a more polished handmade finish.

Finishing

Weave in all yarn ends carefully on the back of the motif.

If the motif curls slightly, place it under a heavy book for a few hours, or lightly block it with a mist of water and let it dry flat.

For extra security, you can add a tiny dab of fabric glue to the back where the ties are attached.

Colour Ideas

Traditional evil eye: black, royal blue, white, turquoise
Festive Rakhi: black, navy, white, turquoise, gold
Soft pastel Rakhi: navy, pale blue, cream, mint
Kids’ Rakhi: bright blue, white, yellow, red
Minimal Rakhi: navy, white, and gold

Shellie’s Tip

If you are making a few of these, crochet all the black centres first, then all the dark blue rounds, then the white rounds, and so on. It feels much faster than finishing one Rakhi completely before starting the next.

Also, don’t stress if the tiny circle isn’t perfectly round. Once the side points and ties are added, it looks handmade in the nicest possible way.