How to Join Granny Squares: 5 Easy Methods

Before you join anything, you need some finished squares. If you have not made yours yet, here is how to crochet a granny square to get you started.

Lay your squares out edge to edge in the order you want them. Grab a crochet hook, a tapestry needle, and yarn in a matching or contrast color. Matching yarn blends the seam in. Contrast yarn makes the join a design feature. Both look great, so go with the vibe you want.

Hold two squares with wrong sides together. Start in the corner chain space or the back loop of the corner chain, then single crochet through the front loops only of both squares, one stitch for every stitch across.

Working the front loops only keeps the braid from leaning off to one side. This join adds a bit of raised texture, which is why it works so well on blankets and pillows.

This one is close to the single crochet join but flatter. Start in the chain space and slip stitch across, going through both loops of each stitch to join the two squares.

It leaves a low raised line along the seam. For that reason, matching yarn usually looks cleanest here, since a contrast color draws extra attention to that little ridge.

Put the hook down and thread your tapestry needle. Work through the back loops only of the corner chains on each square, seaming back and forth rather than whip stitching.

That back and forth motion is what gives you the flattest join of the bunch. The edges look almost fused together. It is lovely on classic squares and even better on solid granny squares where you want a smooth, seamless surface.

This one is a favorite for good reason. Start in the corner, but the opposite corner this time, because reverse single crochet is worked backwards, from left to right.

It feels a little awkward at first. Stick with it. Working the back loops only puts a neat ridge right down the center with tidy lines on either side. It is a great spot to use a contrast color so that texture really shows off.

This join is different from the rest and adds a lacy, open feel. Start in the corner space, chain three, then slip stitch to the space between the clusters. Keep zigzagging back and forth from one square to the other.

You will end up with small open gaps along the seam, so it suits airy projects more than a snug baby blanket. Where four squares meet, keep the same zigzag rhythm using the chain spaces between clusters.

Once your squares are joined, you have a tidy panel ready to grow into a blanket, a pillow, or a bag. For the last two squares in a full project, slip stitch into the chain two space of both squares to leave a cleaner edge.

Now that you have all five joins in your toolkit, you can pick the texture and color that fit each project. Happy hooking.