Joining Granny Squares

Thanks to British historical dramas on Netflix, I'm moving right along on the sunflower inspired granny square afghan!  There are lots of ways to join granny squares (just google it and you'll get more hits than you have time to look at) - this is my favorite way.  It looks a little different with these squares since the last row is straight double crochets (instead of groups separated by chain stitches like on most squares), but joining works pretty much the same.  See last Monday's post for how to make the square.

1.  Put two squares next to each other - I put them on my lap.  Make sure you have the two squares oriented the same way.  I have both with the side I ended the last round on pointing up.

2.  With a coordinating color (I used swan), join in the far right chain space of the bottom square and chain three.

3.  Attach to the far right chain space of the upper square with a slip stitch.  Make three double crochets in the same chain space.

4.  Move to the bottom square and just to the left of the first two stitches make three double crochets.

5.  Move to the upper square and just to the left of the first two stitches make three double crochets.

6.  Move back to the bottom square and just to the left of the next three stitches make three double crochets.

7.  Move back to the upper square and just to the left of the next three stitches make three double crochets.

Continue moving back and forth between the squares, making clusters of three double crochets.  

8.  When you have made a double crochet in the bottom square's far left chain space (there should be 7 double stitch clusters on each square now), chain three and attach to the upper squares far left chain space.  Finish off.

If you find it hard to crochet with the square lying flat on your lap, you can also do it with the squares held together (wrong sides together).

When you have six squares joined, make another row of six squares.  Join these rows in the same way as you did the individual squares.  The only difference is you'll be making double stitch clusters in each chain three space you come to.  

Two rows done, eight to go!  This afghan may actually get done before next August!

Happy Creating!  Deborah