3 Ways to Join Granny Squares

There are many ways to join the grannies. I think everyone has its own one. Maybe you were taught by your grandmother or maybe you tried something before and now you prefer a particular method. I don’t crochet granny squares very often, I never make blankets of them (and if I do, then I prefer to join “as-I-go”). But I like to make not very big decorations for pillow covers from squares – something like I made for Circles of the Sun Mystery CAL. And then I need to join them. I have tried different ways and in this post I would like to share my own experience with you.

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Joining with single crochet (US)

Joining with single crochet stitches is probably the easiest way to connect squares together. The idea is that you just put two grannies facing with the wrong sides and start crocheting through both layers on the sides of the squares with single crochet. It’s fast, easy and it also gives extra texture to the whole crocheted piece. I used this method for my Chocolate Lotus Pillowcase. I called it “Lotus” because of a small flower in the center of each square. And “chocolate” because joined squares remind me of a chocolate bar – thanks to joining with single crochets.

I’ve made four sample squares to illustrate every method. Please, follow a photo-tutorial to see how the squares should be joined with single crochet stitches. The most safe way to start is to make a slip knot first.

Usually there are chain-spaces in each corner of a granny square (in my example there are ch2-spaces), so to join them I start in the 2nd chain in the corners (marked with arrows in the first picture below). Also you may insert the hook into each space in the corner, but I prefer to do it in back loop of each chain. I also prefer to work in back loops on the side of each square.

When you come till the end of the square’s side (make the last sc in the 1st ch in the corner - picture 1 and 2 on the last collage), take another pair of grannies and continue to join them. And when all the lines of squares are connected, you can start to crochet across. Here the most important thing (for me) is to make ch 1 on the “crossroad” (when you finish to crochet on one side of the square and start to join next two) - pictures 5-6. This is not obligatory – this is just something I like to do very much, because in my opinion one chain stitch on every crossroad prevents the joining rounds from pulling.

“Zip” Method

Zip method is probably my favorite because it helps to make the joining section completely flat. It’s a little bit more complicated than joining with single crochet, but it’s for sure worth learn it! I used this method for example to make my Frozen Flowers Pillowcase and I am very happy with the results.

You will use slip stitches (US) to join by this method and you should work in back loops on sides of each square including ch-spaces in the corners. To start joining insert a hook in BL of 2nd chain in the corners of both squares, yo, draw up yarn, insert a hook in BL of next st of both squares, yo, draw up yarn. Now you have two lps on a hook. Pull second lp through the first one. Repeat for every st till the next corner. Don’t pull the stitches too tight, otherwise it will warp your work! As was described before you can make one chain on every “crossroad” to prevent your joining sections from pulling (picture 3 on last collage - here you should make ch1).

"Wide joining"

“Wide joining” is not a professional crochet term, it’s just how I call it because the joining sections are a bit wider than when using other methods. For me the advantages of this method are that the joining is flat, and also that you get a nice decorative element and not just connect squares together. I used this method to make a Pinky Mood Pillowcase for example.

I will give you a detailed instruction of how to use this method (with pictures) in next paragraph. But to make it easier for understanding – you should make a slip stitch on the side of one square and ch1, and then a slip stitch in a st on the side of another square and ch1. And you should repeat it for every stitch on both squares. So you never work through both layers. You always make a slip stitch on a side of ONE square.

And here are the instructions:

To join two motifs put them together facing with the wrong sides. To start joining insert a hook inside a ch-space in the corner of upper square, yo, draw up yarn, make a ch; then *insert the hook through ch-space in the corner of the (bottom) square, yo, draw up yarn, pull 2nd lp on the hook though the 1st, make a ch. Repeat from * for every st on the sides of both squares until you come to the next corner. On this side you will finish with a ch1 after slip stitch on the bottom square and then you will start to join another pair of squares (picture 1 on last collage). And when you crochet across using this method, you should NOT make an additional ch1, because you already made one after slip stitch in the corner.

I am sure you know more methods. These three are just my favorites. But I am sure that in the future I will discover and use more of them.

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