How to Join Granny Squares
Ranked #1,587 in Arts & Design, #20,690 overall | Donates to La Leche League International
How to Join Granny Squares Together to Make an Afghan, Purse, Shrug, or Anything Else
If you are learning to crochet, you might be wondering how to join granny squares. The first and most important step is to lay all the squares out and arrange them in a pattern that pleases you before you begin. This is the fun part! Experiment with different layouts and get the look you want before you begin joining the squares.
There are 2 basic methods for joining the granny squares:
1. Yarn Needle (Sewing Method)
2. Crochet Hook (Crochet Method)
In addition, there are several ways to join a granny square with a yarn needle and several ways to join the squares with a crochet hook. Below are detailed instructions for each of the joining methods and a picture of the outcome. Scroll down and choose the method that best resembles the look you hope to achieve.
Photos by HSSchulte
There are 2 basic methods for joining the granny squares:
1. Yarn Needle (Sewing Method)
2. Crochet Hook (Crochet Method)
In addition, there are several ways to join a granny square with a yarn needle and several ways to join the squares with a crochet hook. Below are detailed instructions for each of the joining methods and a picture of the outcome. Scroll down and choose the method that best resembles the look you hope to achieve.
Photos by HSSchulte
Whip Stitch
Sewing (or Yarn Needle) Method
1. Place the squares wrong side up and side by side.
2. Connect the squares in the bottom corners by tying the yarn in a square knot. You will be working from the bottom to the top.
3. Use the yarn needle to sew through the first two loops of the outer double crochet stitch on the right side.
4. Next, sew through the adjacent outer two loops of the granny square on the left side.
5. Continue to sew back and forth between the loops until you reach the tops of the squares. Tie off the yarn.
Attach the next granny square to these squares using the same method until you have a long row of squares. After you have joined several rows, you can sew the rows into a finished blanket or afghan. Sewing rows together is easier than sewing individual squares, because it requires less tying off of the yarn.
Join Granny Squares with a Yarn Needle - Whip Stitch Sewing Method
Overcast Stitch
Needle Method
The overcast stitch method of joining granny squares is exactly like the whip stitch seen above, but you use the needle to sew through both loops on the granny square, instead of just one loop.
Slip Stitch
Crochet Hook Method
1. Tie the squares together in the right corner.
2. Working across toward the left side, slide the crochet hook through the back loops opposite each other on each granny square. (There should be 3 loops on the hook when you are done. The beginning loop and the two back loops from the double crochets on the granny square.)
3. Yarn over and pull it through all three loops. There is now one loop left on the crochet hook.
4. Repeat by sliding the crochet hook through the next set of loop pairs, yarn over and pull through. Continue until you reach the corner of the squares.
5. Tie off the yarn and use the crochet hook to weave the excess end of the yarn through the granny square stitches.
Crochet Slip Stitch Method of Joining Granny Squares
Slip Stitch with Chain Stitches
Crochet Hook Method
This is the same method we just used above, accept between each slip stitch there are chain stitches made. The additional chain stitches, placed between the slip stitches, add extra crochet between the granny squares, instead of just having the stitched directly to one another.
Lacing
Needle Method
Sew up through all loops, then back down through the next set of 4 loops. Continue sewing up and down through all 4 loops (2 loops from each square) until you have reached the end of the square. The tail remaining will be used to attach the rows of granny squares together.
See more about lacing and a helpful picture here: Lacing Granny Squares
How to Crochet Granny Squares
Learn how to make granny squares with this simple tutorial.
More Granny Square Resources from Amazon.com
Think Outside the Granny Square
Ideas for crocheting blocks and other shapes similar to granny squares.
Crochet Beginners Facebook Fan Page
Facebook Fan box widget may not always appear in the Workshop. Please preview or publish your lens to see the widget.
Comments on Joining Granny Squares
If you have questions or comments about joining granny squares, leave them here. I will get back to you ASAP.
-
-
sarah
May 21, 2012 @ 10:32 am | delete
- I received an email from you but I can't find the answer
-
-
-
saqrah
May 20, 2012 @ 1:35 pm | delete
- how to join hexagon (atrican flower?
-
-
-
craftsbyalice
Apr 20, 2012 @ 8:31 am | delete
- "High Five" I love your whip stitch tutorial. In the past, I have used the slip stitch to join my granny squares, but the whip stitch seems so much easier!
-
-
-
Tipi
Jan 26, 2012 @ 12:12 pm | delete
- Since being here before, I've actually heard folks talking about at the grocery store about having made granny squares but having trouble figuring out how to join them...problem solved!
-
-
-
John_Michael Jan 9, 2012 @ 9:30 am | delete
- I've had a blanket made from these ... now I now how they did it.
-
- Load More
My Crochet Blog for Beginners
by HSSchulte
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Free Crochet Patterns for Beginners Free Crochet Patterns for Beginners
- How to Crochet Granny Squares How to Crochet Granny Squares
- Free Bathroom Crochet Patterns Free Bathroom Crochet Patterns
- How to Make Crochet Patterns How to Make Crochet Patterns
- ★ Free and Easy Crochet Scarf Patterns for Beginners ★ ★ Free and Easy Crochet Scarf Patterns for Beginners ★
- How to Make a Single Crochet Stitch How to Make a Single Crochet Stitch