A square is the shape most widely used in crochet. Blankets, pillows, bags… and even garments can be made with squares. Some of them are worked seamlessly in continuous spiral. But most squares are crocheted in rounds – with join. And to get rid of visible seams it is better to join rounds in the corners.
In some simple designs with plain stitches the join in the middle of the round can also be more or less visible. But it’s getting a bit tricky to hide the seam when we are making lace or textured fabric. And join in the corners can help a lot! Also joining in the corner makes stitch count very easy, as we are making the same repeat on each square’s side.
Here are two examples of how the squares with single crochet and double crochet stitches (US terms) look when joined on the side and in the corner.
When we work with double crochet stitches, we should make extra chains in the beginning of each round.
And square with single crochet stitches has a visible ridge in the place where rounds are joined.
To minimize both effects it’s better to join rounds in the corners. There are probably many different ways to do that. But here is how I am doing it. Stone Washed* yarn by Scheepjes was used for the needs of this photo-tutorial.
ch chain
sp space
yo yarn over
ss (slip stitch) – insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw yarn up and pull second loop through the first loop on hook.
sc (single crochet stitch) – insert hook in indicated stitch, yo, draw up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook.
dc (double crochet stitch) – yo, insert hook in indicated stitch, yo, draw up a loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice.
Make ch2 and 1sc in the same space in the corner, *continue with sc in every stitch along the square's side till you come to the next corner, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next space in the corner; repeat from * for next 2 sides. Make 1sc in each stitch on the last (fourth) side till you come to joining ss (slip stitch) of the previous round. Make 1sc in this ss and join the round with ss in ch2-sp in the beginning of the round.
Make ch4 (or ch5 if you tend to crochet very tight) which will count as first dc+ch2. Make 2dc in same space. *Continue with dc in every stitch along the square's side till you come to the next corner, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next space in the corner; repeat from * for next 2 sides. Make 1dc in each stitch on the last (fourth) side till you come to joining ss of the previous round. Make 1dc in this ss, 1dc in space of previous round in the corner and join the round with ss in ch2-sp in the beginning of the round.
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In some simple designs with plain stitches the join in the middle of the round can also be more or less visible. But it’s getting a bit tricky to hide the seam when we are making lace or textured fabric. And join in the corners can help a lot! Also joining in the corner makes stitch count very easy, as we are making the same repeat on each square’s side.
Here are two examples of how the squares with single crochet and double crochet stitches (US terms) look when joined on the side and in the corner.
When we work with double crochet stitches, we should make extra chains in the beginning of each round.
And square with single crochet stitches has a visible ridge in the place where rounds are joined.
To minimize both effects it’s better to join rounds in the corners. There are probably many different ways to do that. But here is how I am doing it. Stone Washed* yarn by Scheepjes was used for the needs of this photo-tutorial.
Abbreviations (US terms)
ch chain
sp space
yo yarn over
ss (slip stitch) – insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw yarn up and pull second loop through the first loop on hook.
sc (single crochet stitch) – insert hook in indicated stitch, yo, draw up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on hook.
dc (double crochet stitch) – yo, insert hook in indicated stitch, yo, draw up a loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice.
1. Square with single crochet stitches
Make ch2 and 1sc in the same space in the corner, *continue with sc in every stitch along the square's side till you come to the next corner, (1sc, ch2, 1sc) in next space in the corner; repeat from * for next 2 sides. Make 1sc in each stitch on the last (fourth) side till you come to joining ss (slip stitch) of the previous round. Make 1sc in this ss and join the round with ss in ch2-sp in the beginning of the round.
2. Square with double crochet stitches
Make ch4 (or ch5 if you tend to crochet very tight) which will count as first dc+ch2. Make 2dc in same space. *Continue with dc in every stitch along the square's side till you come to the next corner, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next space in the corner; repeat from * for next 2 sides. Make 1dc in each stitch on the last (fourth) side till you come to joining ss of the previous round. Make 1dc in this ss, 1dc in space of previous round in the corner and join the round with ss in ch2-sp in the beginning of the round.
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This is a great method, I learned about this when working a CAL from another designer, Shelly of Spincushions.
ReplyDeleteHi! Yes, I've got acquainted with Shelly a few days ago. She is doing some amazing job with crochet squares :)
DeleteInteresting tutorial--will have to try it. One question---why is it necessary to sign up for the newsletter each time I try to read an article? There is no way to close out the pop up that covers 3/4 of the article.
ReplyDeleteHello! this is something to do with your cookies. The sign up form should pop-up only once. And when you close it your cookies should remember your action and the form will not pop-up again. Unless your cookies are cleaned.
DeleteOh wow - how did you know I am wanting to do a multi-color floral granny square afghan as my next big project?? This is PERFECT TIMING. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI am making some projects with squares (which are waiting for me since a long time, ahah) and your tip is so useful ! Thank you for it. :)
ReplyDeletelike one of your previous commenters, I also just came across this "new" way of joining corners by way of S. Husband's new book. Very very confusing to me and no examples of how to do this. If she had included something in pictures and directions as you have it would have been very beneficial. I am so glad to come across your site. When you enter "sc over joining sc" on Google, there are NO examples given. (I finally entered "joining corners crochet" that had your site on it).Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteHi great tutorials. Where can i get the pattern fornthe blue square please. Many thanks
ReplyDeleteah, it was just a square without a pattern. I made it as-you-go for the tutorial...
Delete