It’s Monday yet again. It’s time for another edition of Readers En-Gauge. Every Monday we ask you a question, and if you leave an answer in the comments you’re entered into a giveaway. It’s easy peasy! Last week we asked you what yarn you use. Be sure to check out everyone’s inspiring answers.
This week, and the weeks to come, I’m working on a crocheted baby blanket. I’m making multiple granny squares and then I need to join them together and add a border. So my question to you is…
What’s the best way to join granny squares and why? How do you get a flat blanket?
Let us know below in the comments. We’ll be keeping an eye on what you post, and if you’re lucky you can win something fun AND be featured on Stitch & Unwind tomorrow!
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I detest sewing pieces together, so I tend to go for patterns which can be joined as I go. The “Mile a Minute” types of afghans usually use a technique to make a panel, then make a second panel and join to the first as you’re finishing the second.
If your squares have a more open, airy feel, I would use the chian link method. Otherwise my favorite is the tried-and-true whip stitch method. I don’t like the single crochet together in the back loop method unless that’s REALLY the look you want. It doesn’t lay flat.
in a line with the broder inbrotheen the row.
I like to do a whip stitch in the back loop of the stitch on last row. I also put a whip stitch in 1 chain of the ch 2 corner space. That way when I connect the rows they look better. I stop after every 3 st of stitching and pul on my squares to kind of flatten and ease the stitches that i had whip stitched. By stitching in back stitch this gives a ribbed look on top of the blanket. Depending on how the squares look I will also take my hook and join iin the corner and do a sc then ch 2 or 3 and sc in corner of block I am joining together and do thid in the whole stitch all the way up. Id o like I mentioned above. After several stitches I stop and pull on the blocks to make the stitches I just made lay flat. Hope this helps.
my favorite method of joining anything is the mattress stitch, it makes a wonderful seam on the top but it does not lay flat. for that method I would use a chain stitch method of joining to give a patterned edging for each join
I like to join crocheted squares with the slip stitch method. It does make a slight ridge, but my blankets usually lie flat after blocking. My second choice would be the whip stitch.
I use a method I found in a Mile-a-minute baby afghan pattern from Leisure Arts. With right sides facing and corners lined up, join yarn with a slip stitch in the first stitch on the left square; holding the yarn underneath, slip st in the first stitch of the right hand square; continue working first left then right all the way up. It gives a zig-zag (rick-rack) look to the join. If your blocks are edged in white and you use a contrasting color, it really makes it pop (sort of like the embellishment on a crazy quilt). The back of the join looks like railroad ties. It’s become my absolute favorite for joining panels.
I do not like sewing things together, but have found with granny squares that is the best way to get a nice looking piece that lays flat. I usually will pick other patterns that require little or no sewing.
I don’t like to sew blocks together so I tend to make huge afghans or panels with little sewing. Of the afghans I have had to stitch together, I tend to use a whip stitch.
I hate sewing pieces together, but have a couple afghans in the wings waiting to be done that will require piecing. I usually whip stitch the pieces together and everything tends to work out well in the end.
My favorite is join as you go, but it can get a little complicated sometimes, at least for me. I’m currently looking for a new way since I have 20 giant squares to put together.
I use either a single crochet slip stitch, for a sturdy fabric. This lays flat but will produce a slight ridge which can add to the design.
Or a single change lace/ lattice join for a looser more lace type fabric look.
Both will lay flat but give very different results.
I have several ways join pinned to a pinterest board, but I haven’t tried them yet. I will be making a few afghans this coming fall.
This is a great question…I’m so glad I found this topic! I have several granny square patterns that are really very pretty and I’d like to give them a try. The only way I was ever taught to connect the squares was by single crocheting them together. I think this gives a very strong seam, but I don’t always care for the ridge it creates. I will have to experiment with the different methods mentioned here!
I’m curious if the whip stitch method is as durable as the crochet method of joining?
I like to lay them side by side & work a feather stitch (embroidery) through all the outside loops. Stable, flat (if you don’t pull to tight), & pretty.
If I ever make something that has to be joined, I use a whip stitch. I try to make items that are only 1 piece.
I actually haven’t tried to do any granny squares yet. I taught myself to crochet in January and there have been so many other things to do. I love reading everyone’s comments. When I do try granny squares, I will be revisiting these ideas.
The easiest and fastest way I have found to join pieces is to whip stitch. I put wrong sides together and let the whip stitch show on the right sides of what I am making. I have sewn together pieces in a matching color to the item or another color for a decorative look.
If I were doing a granny square afghan, I would either matress stitch by hand to finish or crab stitch for pop & show. It would totally depend on my color choices of edging. For all the work, I would probably opt for a contrast total border color that compliments the squares while allowing the border to speak it’s piece. Pun intended.
I also hate sewing things together. I have done a total of 2 granny square afghans in 30 years. I sewed the squares together. I would rather to one piece.
I feel it is cheating to my knitting community, but I crochet my squares together, then spend a little extra time blocking the afghan, throw, etc. It’s worth it in the end, as I get a nice, neat look. I am getting the itch to make another granny square afghan……hmm.
I feel I am cheating by crocheting the squares together, instead of stitching, sewing, or a special stitch. I also steam block my piece, just to give it a nice, finished look.
I detest joining pieces! But, when I have to, I use a whip stitch. Blocking usually makes the seams flat and relaxes any ripples.
I like this one because once you get it -and to be honest, there isn’t that much to get!- you can do it without much thinking. And I also like how the joining ‘seam’ looks almost seamless. Especially if you use the same colour as the final round in each square.
If you have particular layout for your blanket, lay out your squares in that pattern.
Then stack your squares so you can keep track of what goes where. Unless you are fortunate enough to be able to leave the squares on the floor for the duration of the joining of your squares.
Because of how this method works, it is best to have as few squares in each stack as possible. For example, there’s 70 squares in my blanket, 7 x 10, so my stacks are 10 with 7 in each. Don’t worry, if this sounds weird, it will make sense later.
Take the top square and put it on the left and then the next square and keep that on the right.
Now put those 2 squares together, with the back of the squares facing each other. The one on the left is showing the back, the one on the right shows the front. When you work in rounds, crochet work does have a front and back.
Chain 3 in the corner of the front square (from now I shall refer to it as the yellow square, just because I can).
Then make 3 dc/trebles in the corner of the purple square (the back one).
It may take a bit of getting used to holding the 2 squares while you work them, but this might give you an idea. This works for me anyway.
Next make 3 dc/trebles in the next space in the yellow square.
Then 3 dc/trebles in the next spaces in the purple square.
Continue in this manner, from front to back until you get to the end. In the corner space of the purple square only make 1 dc/treble. Then bind off. Keep doing this for the rest of the squares in the stack. And when you’ve done one stack, do the next one. And the next one and.. you get the picture.
The squares will look a bit wonky on one side, but that will be sorted out later on.
And aren’t you glad you have as few squares as possible in your stacks? It is a bit tedious joining each square – it will get better later on.
Oh, just in case you are wondering why you don’t do ch 3 + 2 dc/trebles in the first corner, this is why: it would stick out in a weird way that is in no way helpful. So don’t do that, m’kay?
Right, so you’ve got all your (short) rows all joined together? Now it’s time to join row with row.
It’s the same principle as joining square with square.
Lay the rows together with backs facing each other.
Then do as before, starting with ch 3 in corner space of the front row, 3 dc/trebles in the corner space of the back row. Then 3 dc/trebles in each space, alternating between front and back.
When you get to the join between 2 squares, the space created by the ch 3 in a corner should be treated like any other space, so make 3 dc/trebles in that too. Continue joining the row, front, back, front, back and so on. Ending with 1 dc/treble in the last corner space, which should be in the back row.
How fun is that? Just zooming along, joining the rows? Far better than the individual squares, right?
And there you have it, 2 rows joined. Now you just have to do that with all your rows!
Once everything is joined together, make atleast one ‘granny’ row around the edge, it will help straighten the edge and it will make it look more finished. Seriously, you’ve spent all this time making your blanket, you should take the little bit of extra time to finish it properly.
When I first learned how to crochet I kept making granny squares around the first granny square. I didn’t know you were supposed to piece them together. It is still my favorite afghan. Usually someone asks for the ‘unusaul’ pattern. I call it ‘beginner’s luck’.
It really depends on what I’m making. I like to crochet them together most of the time or sew them together only if I have to.
I use the whip stitch and then I block it using a light spray starch.
I usually whip stitch them, but a join as-you-go method is better. To make it lie flat, you have to be sure to use the right tension when joining, especially when whip stitching.
I use the whip stitch but want to get into joining as I go.
I use a backward single crochet. It gives and intereting line and it will lay flat.
I still can’t figure out how to connect as you go. I just purchased the book Seamless Crochet by Kristen Omdahl so maybe I can figure it out!! Now I either slip stitch or sew them together. Would love to see some tutorials on this subject!!!!
I am still learning to sew them together and not doing a good job. I have tried whip stitching.
I whipstitch and then block lightly. I think the whipstitch if done properly holds together really well.
I’ve crochet a jacket- not fInished yet,
full of granny squares! I just crochet them together kind of like how you would sew squares together! Not great but seems to give more stability! But I do not know the proper way/ but the jacket is for me- so I’ll wear it proudly- cause I made it!!
I am currently trying the method lisa (response 12) described. I havent’t decided yet whether I like it better that the slip stitch method, I’ll see how it looks after it’s blocked. I do prefer to crochet the squares together rather than sew.
Sorry lisa…response 24.
I definitely prefer the whip stitch for a nice, flat finish!!
I hate sewing the squares together. I am so glad you asked so I can learn new ways to try so maybe I won’t hate it anymore.
I whip stitch them together.
I slip stitch the squares together.
I only know how to slip stitch them together. I really want to learn some additional methods.
I like using the stitch Mikeyssmail taught…HDC every other stitch. The squares lay nice and flat and there’s no ridge.
hi i have to strips of 5 already joined by using the crochet ss you go what i was wanting to know is how do you attatch them together i am trieing to make a blanket