Monday 13 June 2011

Sewing Granny Squares Together


Hello Lovelies,
I thought I would do a little tutorial on how I'm sewing my granny squares together for your lovelies . I've also included the method I'm using for weaving in my ends .

You can sew together any motif that fits closely to the next . The effect you get when sewing together motifs is much more solid than the Join as you go method.
Both are lovely . Joining as you go saves time it is true and I like the effect it gives .

For this blanket however I wanted the more solid finish that sewing together motifs gives.

So here we go :-

1. To start hold 2 squares together , right sides facing and using a large needle and a workable length of yarn start in the very corner of the 2 squares..........



2. Draw the yarn through a corresponding stitch from each square .Pull through the yarn , leaving approx 6 inches to sew in later. Then reinsert you needle in the same place , locking your stitch by putting the needle through the loop before tightening..........





3. I join my squares by catching the back loops only . This is not as tricky a it first sounds . The back loops are at the outer most edge of the squares when you work from the wrong side so it's just a case of taking a little time to make sure you only catch these loops........


As you can see I'm stitching over and over ...whip stitch.

4. Once you have worked you way across to the opposite corner the right side should look like this.........


Can you see how working in the back loops only creates a line of raised stitches ( the front loops of the joined stitches ) and these eventually make a nice "frame" to each square...........



you lock the final stitch in the same way you did the first .

5. Next its time to weave in the ends . Insert your needle through a few stitches , taking care your needle cannot be seen from the right side ........




I've recently started to lock this weaving by bringing out the needle ...then back stitching one stitch......




then reinserting the needle where this back stitch began ....and then run the thread through more stitches ...............


before cutting the yarn flush.You could do this more than once and it's the same method I've  used to weave in ends in the squares themselves

I'm constructing my blanket by selecting suitable squares first........


This random thing is trickier than it looks :0)

Next I join all the squares in that row......


Then I attach the new row to my growing blanket by pinning the blocks right sides facing, being careful to line up the corresponding squares .....


I'm then sewing along the row in the same way I've shown you I sew the blocks together.
It is time consuming but I'm loving the final result and since this is a smallish blanket it doesn't seem too bad.

I hope this is helpful and clear. Do please tell me if you spot any errors or would like further explanation .
And a BIG thank you for all your kind comments on this project :0)
Jacquie x

62 comments:

  1. This method looks so neat! I always crochet my squares together, but them you see the join. Thanks for your tutorial. Love the colours of your blanket by the way. X Floortje

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the great tutorial! Just about to do this to my squares!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks amazing! Sewing things together is always the part I dread, to be honest...but you've made it look so easy. Thanks for the step by step!
    I love your colour combinations!

    ciao bella


    Creative Carmelina

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very, very nice. The color violet in the square join is perfect. Sorry my bad english. Kisses from Argentina.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing tutorial. Can't wait to try it myself.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your tutorial's come just at the right time! well actually I don't think I will be at the sewing together stage for quite a while yet as I have only made 8 squares so far, but will bookmark it for when I get there! Your blanket is looking super lovely and cosy, such gorgeous colours! xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for that, I've just about got to the stage where I have a small pile of squares, I was wondering what I did with them next...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your blanket is so pretty and that plum colour is just perfect for the final round of the squares. I weave in my ends the same way as you although so far only one of my blankets has been joined by sewing all others have been done on the go but I do like that frame created by only sewing the back loops.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for posting this - I've just finished my cushion squares and was thinking about how to join them :) I know - from non-crocheter to a whole cushion front in under a week!! :P

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, this is starting to look só good!! Yay! Can't wait to see the end result.
    Esther.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am in love with the purple, it really does do the squares justice. Thank you for the tutorial, so clear and easy to understand as always.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you so much for this!
    I was shown how to crochet squares together but I don't really like the big ridge it creates - this is so much neater!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your blanket is really starting to take shape! It's lovely! Cx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the helpful tutorials - the blanket is looking great!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for a really clear tutorial - it couldn't have come at a better time as I'm about to sew my first lot of granny squares together! I was a bit unsure and have been putting it off, but your tutorial has inspired me to get going with it! Thank you :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. I crochet my squares together but only using the backloop like you sew them together. It looks almost the same and I think it looks really good.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you Jacquie, for this amazing tutorial. I was really looking for a method to joing granny squares that wouldn't leave the back looking all lumpy. Your squares are looking fabulous!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Perfect timing for me. I've conquered join as you go and I've been wanting to try something that will be a tighter join and create a frame around the squares. Currently making the squares for a pillow and I will try this on those squares. Thanks! Great explanation! x&o, Annette

    ReplyDelete
  19. I joined my last blanket together in a very similar way but with a hook rather than a needle. I love your blanket - I use stylecraft yarn a lot and plum is one of my favourite colours. Oddly I have never thought of using it as a border colour up until now. My current project is a hexagon blanket which is join as you go & it feels to me like that takes longer than sewing. Please hop across & take a look if you have time - I have only just started though!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a neat way to join all those little squares together. I'm contemplating my first large blanket (I've been procrastinating on colours and patterns for a while now..) and I think I will use this method rather than crocheting the squares together. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you so much for this post!
    Comes just in time for the baby blanket I'm busy with. I started with the join-as-you-go, but as I'm a total beginner, it didn't come out as neat a I hoped. And since I'm not getting any joy from my LYS with the ball of Elle I'm waiting for, I'm going to have to undo what I have done so far and do my border in two coulours, figure out a nice composition there as well.
    Will definitely try this now.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I shall be bookmarking accordingly! Still recovering from the last granny blanket schamozzle, (and still weaving in the ghastly ends), but slowly coming around to the concept of Granny Blanket Number Two. With sewn togetherness...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Just love that plum colour joining! Thanks for the tip about locking the weaving in with a back stitch - I'm definitely going to start doing that.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Excellent tutorial, Pixie x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for a great tutorial,jacquie,very helpful,it looks so neat done this way.Love the purple!juliexx

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love it. Thanks for the tutorial too.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your tutorial is great and very clear, such neatness always eludes me, your squares are so even how do you keep the tension the same on all the squares?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh how gorgeous is that blanket looking!! I've only ever joined as I go so this is very handy as Mini's blanket, which I'm praying will be done soon, needs to be sewn up. Either sewn up or crocheted together. Haven;t decided. It may come down to which one is the quickest method.

    Yes! Random is not easy. I did proper random with my granny and there are loads that are all the same colour way next to one another. You really have to be scrutinising it to notice though.

    I've been looking around my garden and I have some lupin seeds drying and some aguilgia (sp) seed heads too. I'll send them too. xxx

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://granny-square-colors.com/

      This is a random color generator for granny squares. I use it for all my granny square work. You choose how many colors per square, how many squares, then choose the colors. The computer does all the work. You can save separate blankets and even print them.

      Delete
  29. Lush colours. Beautiful joining too. Am very envious.
    Will start own blanket project soon. ish.

    Xx

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Jacquie, I'm new here.

    Thank you for sharing and it's neat this way !
    Beautiful squares !
    Curious to the end result of your blanket !

    Lovely blog you have !

    Greetings from Belgium !

    ReplyDelete
  31. Te sigo desde Chile.....hermoso todo lo que haces!

    Mundo Ami
    www.mundoami-gurumi.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just saw this and instantly thought of you!

    http://pinterest.com/pin/41474569/

    Ok so it's not crochet but it's a cool idea.
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  33. Another brilliant tutorial, you're so generous with your time writing these for us, thank you!

    I love the back loop only crochet - it's what I used on the border to my blanket, gives a nice effect doesn't it.

    How many more to join? Good luck!
    Jones x

    ReplyDelete
  34. огромное спасибо. подскажите из каких ниток вы вяжте ваши прекрасные пледы?
    a huge thank you. tell me what thread you're knitting your beautiful rugs?

    ReplyDelete
  35. I've just used this method to join my first lapghan and it's so easy to do once you get the hang of placing your first stitch. It sews up really quick too and I'm sooo slow at crochet :-)
    Thanks for the tut...I'll pass it on to my friend. Love your macro pics of flowers...do you lie down to get the bunny views ?

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you so much for this tutorial,I'm new to crochet and was just over stitching. This is so much neater,I've just undone my Mollie blanket and started again using your method,it looks so much better.xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  37. Jacquie, I'm writing from Sao Paulo/Brazil, and I always visit your beautiful blog! I'm your fan! I have a blog knitting and crocheting too. So, thnak you thank you and thank you so much for this tutorial. This is all I need to understand how I sew my grannies. I always use 'joining-as-you-go' that I like so much but sometimes I want to sew and now I'll try (sorry about my English). Well, thank you one more time!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am making a granny square baby blanket and I found your tutorials just when I was about to give up. The pictures and text are awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us.

    ReplyDelete
  39. You have explained how to join granny squares together quite perfectly and I am using that method now to finish a granny square cushion.

    Thank you for going to the trouble of making so many detailed and clear photos!

    Zinnia

    ReplyDelete
  40. Perfect! Very clearly explained and very useful to finish off what I'm doing. I love the flat finish to this method.

    ReplyDelete
  41. So well explained and the frequent photos help enormously. I find myself improving on my crochet techniques so much thanks to your blog and other similar ones.

    I taught myself to crochet from brochures when I was pregnant with my first baby, but crochet has evolved so much since then! The colours are also much more fun.

    When you have time, I would love it if you would consider managed putting up a detailed tutorial of the join-as-you go method for granny squares. It is something that I have yet to understand and to master!

    Greetings, Zinnia

    ReplyDelete
  42. What a wonderful tutorial! I am in the mist of a project with granny triangles and I am definately ripping out my sc join. This looks so much more beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello Bunny Mummy! (note my name - maybe we're cousins!) I am 250 squares into a large bed throw and will be starting to sew the rows today using your method - thank you! I will also be needing your double V edging ...... in about 2016!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi I swear I commented on this last night?
    I was wondering if you still have the details on the colors you used in this I love them so much!! thanks

    ReplyDelete
  45. What a wonderful tutorial. I am just about ready to sew my squares to-gether and my friend Irene recommended that I pay you a visit. I'm so glad that found you and I will be back for more of your tips. Hugs Rita xx

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thank you for the tutorial- just what I was looking for! :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. this is helpful and clear, I'll do the same method when I'll finish my squares.
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  48. Your tutorial is so easy to do. My problem comes when I get to the corners. I can't seem to get the corners sewn together so they look nice. 4 corners come together and it looks slooy even though I'm following your tutorial. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  49. This is a good way.im useless at joining squares as I go.when I crochet them together they look joined. Your method, is now my new method.Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thank you so much - I have about 40 squares so far and as this is my first blanket, I will definitely follow this tutorial. please could you tell me - did you block your squares first? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Helen, no I didn't block my squares as they are man made fibre, if you have wool or cotton squares you could block them, but I don't think it's essential.
      Jaquuie x

      Delete
  51. Thanks for your tutorial 😄
    I am making a blanket in squares of double crochet and this technique will finish it off nicely 😄

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thank you for this wonderful tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Bunny Mummy, I'm making my first granny square blanket and have googled far and wide for a method of connecting the squares that will look good and that won't take too much of my time. I found you, and am glad I did!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I have been joining the squares as I go because I have no patience but I must admit the way you join them looks much better. It makes it a more professional, finished product. Will try on my next one with your wonderful edging. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Thank you for the very detailed tutorials. I am just edging a "practice" small granny square throw and your advice for the flat border came just in time. I also like this sewing method of joining the squares. It's not perfect but for my first attempt, but I am pleased with it. I am new to crochet and loving it.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Thanks for sharing this. I'm on my lunch break and want to join granny squares for a car seat afghan but wasn't sure how to do it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Thank you so much for posting this. I know that this post is more than a few years old, but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your work and others like you who post things like this to help others. I recently have gotten into crocheting (and a little bit of knitting). I am only 21 and all my friends call me "granny," but I find yarn work to be very peaceful and relaxing. I often use crocheting as a way to de-stress after a long day at nursing school. I came across a pattern for a large queen size afghan that used all granny squares. I figured that it was the perfect pattern because I could sit and do a couple dozen granny squares a day and not feel like I was forgetting the project or pattern. I was upset, however, when the pattern called for the squares to be joined by "stitching in the back loop only." I searched and searched the internet for tutorials on how to do this, yet found nothing. Then I came across this post and I feel as if I can make the blanket now! Thank you so much again!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thank you for this amazing post.
    It is the best tutorial I have ever found on the internet.
    You've made joining granny squares a pleasure.

    From South Africa

    NoelC

    ReplyDelete

I always love to hear from you , thank you for taking the time to leave a message.