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How to Join Granny Squares as You Go

Janne Kleivset
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The Join Granny Squares As You Go method is a great substitute for sewing granny squares together to assemble crochet projects.

The Granny Square pattern is a classic crochet pattern for beginners. Crochet granny squares are a great way to for creating sweaters, cardigans, bags, pillows and so much more!

In the step-by-step photo and video tutorial you will learn how to use the join as you go method for granny squares.

How to Join Granny Squares as You Go

Materials Needed

To try the join-as-you-go crochet granny squares methods, you are going to need:

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How to Join Granny Squares as You Go

What Is The Join Granny Squares As You Go Method?

To join granny squares as you go, what you do is crochet the granny squares needed, except the final round. Then you can assemble them in one go working the final round on all the granny squares. Saving you lots of time sewing as well as weaving in ends.

Many view this as one method, however there’s actually many ways of joining granny squares as you go. In this tutorial I will show you 3.

Which one of the 3 Continious Join As You Go Granny Squares method ends up being your favorite method, only depends on what result you’re looking for and which one you find easiest to crochet.

Before we dive into the specifics of the 3 Join As You Go Granny Squares methods, often shortened with crochet abbreviations as the “jaygo method” or “jayg method”, lets get familiar with the details that applies to all methods.

Crochet Direction For Join As You Go Granny Squares

When you crochet granny squares using any of the 3 join granny squares as you go techniques mention below, you will follow the same direction of work.

How to Join Granny Squares as You Go

Graphic Explanation:

  1. Granny Square 1: Step one is to work around 3 sides of the first granny square as you usually would do (First 3 gray stripes around granny square #1).
  2. Granny Square 2: Then you will work the first side of the second square with the continuous join as you go method, attaching to the first square (Yellow arrow between square #1 and #2). And work the next two sides of that granny square as usual (2 grey arrows on top and side of granny #2).
  3. If you want to add more granny squares to the first row of squares, repeat steps for granny square 2 until you reach the width desired (Granny 3 and 4 in photo example, can be more/less squares).
  4. Attach granny squares on second row. Work join as you go on one side of each granny square, to add 1 granny square for each granny square added on row 1 (Long yellow arrow between row 1 and 2 of granny squares).
  5. Repeat steps for “Granny Square 1″ on final granny square added (Grey arrows around granny square 8).
  6. Repeat steps for “Granny Square 2″ until you reach end of granny squares row 2 (Arrows around granny squares 7 to 5).
  7. Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 until you have attached all granny squares (Arrows for row 3 of granny squares in this example).
  8. Work along final edge of squares on left edge. (Arrow to the very left of example).
  9. Work along final edge of squares on first row (Arrow at the bottom of example).

This really only truly works for a rectangle or square project.

The 3 Continuous Join As You Go Methods

1. Substitute Chain For Slip Stitch Method

This method for joining granny squares as you go may be the easiest. You will substitute the chains between the 3 double crochet stitch clusters for slip stitches through the chains between the granny square you’re connecting to.

Video Tutorial For The Substitute Chain For Slip Stitch Method

Photo Tutorial For The Chain Instead of Slip Stitch Method

In the photo tutorial on how to join granny squares as you go, you can in detail see how you substitute the chains between chain spaces for a slip stitch (sl st) in this join as you go method.

The photos will show you how to join two granny squares together, then all you have to do is follow the directions as described in the crochet direction explanation above or in detail in the video above.

In this tutorial you will see the join as you go methods worked as the fourth round of the granny squares, this method also works for smaller and larger granny squares.

Step 1: Start by working as usual around 3 edges of the first granny square

Work around a granny square as usual around 3 sides of the first granny square. You will always work on the right sides of the granny squares.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing step 1.

Step 2: Chain 2

Between the 2 granny squares, crochet two chain stitches.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing step 2.

Step 3: Work 3 double crochet stitches into the corner chain space of the second granny square

Start joining the two granny squares together by working 3 double crochet in the first corner chain space of the second square you are attaching.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing step 3.

Step 4: Slip stitch in the corresponding chain space of the first square

Next step is to slip stitch into the first chain space of the third side of the first granny square. How you place the hook and yarn are shown in more detail on step 6.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing step 4.

Step 5: Work 3 double crochet into the next chain space of the current square

Next step, work 3 dc stitches into the ch-2-space.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing step 5.

Step 6: How you slip stitch into the next chain space

This photo shows you how you insert the hook through the chain space from front to back, while the yarn goes behind the granny square.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing step 6.

Step 7: How it looks after you have slip stitched into the chain space

The slip stitch into the chain space. Next work 3 double crochet stitches into the next chain space of the granny square you are attaching.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing step 7.

Step 8: How it looks after you have attached into 3 chains spaces on the first granny square

At this point you have crocheted the joining slip stitch into the third chain 2 space of the third side of the first granny square.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing step 8.

Step 9: How it looks when you’ve attached the first 2 granny squares together

This is how it will look along any edge that connects 2 squares together.

Repeat around all granny squares following the direction graphic described above.

Join granny squares as you go showing the slip stitch for chain method showing 2 granny squares connected.

2. Fully Attached Method

This join granny squares as you go method is quite similar to the Flat Slip Stitch Join Method. Choose this technique if you want the granny squares truly connected along the whole edge.

The granny squares are connected to each other by going through the back loop of the opposite sides double crochet, while finishing the last step of the double crochet.

In this tutorial you will see the join as you go methods worked as the fourth round of the granny squares, this method also works for smaller and larger granny squares.

Video Tutorial For The Fully Attached Join As You Go Method

Photo Tutorial For The Fully Joined Method

In the photo tutorial on how to join granny squares as you go, you can in detail see how you fully attach the granny squares together with the double crochet stitches in this joining method.

The photos will show you how to join two granny squares together, then all you have to do is follow the directions as described in the crochet direction explanation above or in detail in the video above.

In this tutorial you will see the join as you go methods worked as the fourth round of the granny squares, this method also works for smaller and larger granny squares.

Step 1: Crochet as usual around first 3 sides of first granny square

First step in this join granny squares as you go method is to work as usual around the first 3 edges of the first granny square. We are now ready to join the new square. You will always work on the right sides of the granny squares.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 1.

Step 2: Chain 2

Work 2 chains between the 2 granny squares.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 2.

Step 3: Yarn over and pull up a loop from the next granny square

In the corner space of the second square, yarn over and pull up a loop.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 3.

Step 4: Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook.

Next, yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook. As you would do with a normal double crochet stitch.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 4.

Step 5: Find the back loop of the opposite sides granny square

To work the next step, find the back loop of the opposite sides granny square.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 5.

Step 6: Insert hook into the back loop of the opposite sides granny square

Insert the crochet hook from the front backwards through the back loop of the opposite sides granny square. You have 3 loops on the hook.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 6.

Step 7: Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook

To finish the first double crochet that you are connecting to the opposite sides granny square, yarn over and pull through all the 3 loops you have on the crochet hook.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 7.

Step 8: Repeat steps 3-7

Repeat steps 3 to 7 to work 2 more double crochet stitches that you are connecting to the opposite sides granny square. This is what you will repeat with any 3 double crochet clusters that you attach to other granny squares.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 8.

Step 9: Slip stitch into next space on opposite sides granny square

Insert the crochet hook from front to back, while the yarn is on the back and slip stitch into the next chain space on the opposite sides granny square.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 9.

Step 10: How it looks after the slip stitch – its’ time to work 3 more connected double crochet stitches

This is how it looks after the slip stitch into the other sides granny square. Next, identify the next chain space on current granny square and work 3 more connecting double crochet stitches as shown in step 3-7.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing step 10.

Step 11: Two granny squares attached to each other

This is how it looks after you have fully joined 2 granny squares together. You will repeat this as you follow the direction of work as explained above.

Join granny squares as you go showing the fully attached method showing 2 squares connected.

3. Chain Through Space Method

This way of joining grannies are actually quite easy and may be the prettiest of the 3 ways of joining granny squares I’m showing you on this tutorial.

You will do all stitches as usual, however the chain 2 between each 3 double crochet clusters will be connected to the granny square you’re attaching to. This is done by removing the loop from the hook, and add it back on the hook from behind the granny square you’re connecting to.

Video Tutorial For The Chain Through The Chain Space Method

Photo Tutorial For The Pull The Chains Through Method

In the photo tutorial on how to join granny squares as you go, you can in detail see how you join crochet squares together by pulling the chains through the chain spaces of the other sides granny square.

The photos will show you how to join two granny squares together, then all you have to do is follow the directions as described in the crochet direction explanation above or in detail in the video above.

Step 1: Crochet around 3 of the edges of the first granny square

First step is to crochet around 3 of the sides of the first granny square before you actually start joining the first 2 squares together. You will always work on the right sides of the granny squares.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 1.

Step 2: Chain 2

Make sure you chain 2 before you start attaching the second granny square.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 2.

Step 3: Work 3 double crochet stitches in the corner chain space of the second granny square

In any corner on the second granny square, work 3 double crochet stitches.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 3.

Step 4: Chain 2

Chain 2 stitches as you would normally do between the 3 double crochet stitch clusters.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 4.

Step 5: Remove the yarn from the crochet hook

Holding the loop on the hook securely, remove it from the crochet hook.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 5.

Step 6: Insert the crochet hook in the next chain space on the opposite sides granny square

With the loop removed from the crochet hook, insert the hook from front to back through the next chain space on the opposite sides granny square.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 6.

Step 7: Place the loop on the crochet hook agian

With the hook still in the chain space on the opposite sides granny square, place the yarn loop back onto the crochet hook.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 7.

Step 8: With the yarn back on the hook, pull the crochet hook back to the front of the chain space again

Next, move the crochet hook through the chain space again, pulling the chains through the chain space. When you continue, the two granny squares will be connected at this chain space.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 8.

Step 9: Work 3 double crochet stitches

Work 3 double crochet stitches in the next chain space on the current granny square. You can see how the two granny squares now are connected together.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method showing step 9.

Step 10: Repeat removing the yarn from the hook and replacing it on each chain space

To continue connecting the two squares together, keep removing and replacing the yarn back onto the crochet hook until you reach the end of the sides of the two granny squares.

Continue connecting more granny squares the same way by following the work direction graphic above.

Join granny squares as you go showing the chain through method between 2 granny squares.

Crochet Patterns To Try The JAYGO Joining Technique

The 3 continuous join granny squares as you go (jayg) methods shown in this tutorial can all be used on the basic granny square. However, if you are working on a crochet project and have made a bunch of granny squares with a different beautiful design, you can easily adjust the final round to work with the join as you go methods.

Below you will find free crochet pattern ideas using the classic granny squares as well as project ideas using other granny square designs.

You can also use these join granny squares as you go methods to crochet a blanket!

Janne Kleivset

Janne Kleivset

Founder, Crochet Pattern Designer & Owner of Joy of Motion Crochet.

Janne has helped millions of crocheters find their next crochet project with more than 250 free crochet patterns and 110 crochet tutorials on her blog.

With more than two decades of crochet experience, and crochet designing since 2011, she's been featured on multiple prominent sites such as Lion Brand Yarn, in crochet magazines and the OML "Make" book.

Learn more about Janne.



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