Crochet Along Joining Instructions

Crochet Along- Joining Your Blocks

The joining technique we're offering here is the same one that is advised by the CAL creator, Inspired Wren. There are other ways of joining, so have a look online for techniques. Sarah will be joining at the January CAL session with a different technique so be sure to come along and watch her in action!

PLEASE NOTE, ALL PATTERNS ARE IN US TERMINOLOGY, CLICK HERE FOR CONVERSION GUIDE.

ROW CONSTRUCTION

Step 1: Begin with the first squares of Row 1 (Square 1 Colour A and Square 2 Colour B if following the original schematic). Mark the outer corners of the squares, the chain-1 from when you were creating the single crochet border. Double check that you have 38 stitches between (and not counting) the two marked corners.

Step 2: With the "front sides" facing each other, use a single stitch marker (or scrap of yarn loosely tied) to join those marked corners at the seam where Squares 1 and 2 will meet.

Step 3: Cut a piece of yarn about the length of three squares (25-28 inches) in the same color of one of the two square you are currently joining. Thread the yarn into a wide-eyed yarn needle.

Step 4: Beginning in the first available stitch after the marker, insert the needle into the back (now outer) loops only of the two squares. Create a basic granny knot, by looping the needle through a second time and drawing the yarn through the loop created.

Step 5: Continue whip stitching the length of the one side of the square; be sure to draw your needle the same direction through each stitch. I prefer to work bottom up (and being left-handed I work left to right); I insert into the bottom, out through the top, pull, and then repeat back into the bottom of the next stitch. Working into the top and down of each stitch, and right to left will also work, just as long as you're consistent.

Step 6: At the last available stitch before the stitch marker, create another basic granny knot. Leave the tail for now. (*Read "Yarn Tails" below for further tips.)

Step 7: Repeat Steps 1-6 to join each square across the first row (Squares 1-4). Then work the same technique for each remaining row.

AFGHAN CONSTRUCTION

Step 8: As in Step 1 above, align the chain-1 corners of each of the squares along the seam from Rows 1 and 2. Join the corners with stitch markers (or scraps of yarn loosely tied).

Step 9: OTIONAL: Add stitch markers to join every tenth stitch or so. I found this kept my rows lined up and prevented me from skipping stitches and finding myself at a corner that didn't line up with it's counterpart.

Step 10: Cut a piece of yarn not quite twice the width of the final afghan (60-72 inches), in the same color as three of the eight square being joined. This will ensure you have only one pairing of squares per row where your joining yarn does not match either square being joined.

Step 11: Working just as you did in Steps 4-6 above, whip stitch the two rows together. It should really be starting to look like an afghan now!

Step 12: Repeat Steps 8-11 until all the Rows are joined. WOO HOO!!!