Cath Kidston Granny Square Afghan Finish

I finished this granny square afghan in Cath Kidston like colors this past week.  A week ago it was a stack of 108 blocks.  We have been without internet and phone for almost 24 hours this past week.  Before I had a chance to get back on my computer, a storm blew through with lots of wind and very little rain, and we lost electricity for a few hours.  But, it was the middle of the afternoon so I was able to sit by a window and join the squares together.

I'm almost finished with the last two rounds of the border.



Here is the join between the squares.  There are several different ways to join granny squares, but I really like the finished look of this method.

First hold two squares wrong sides together.  You will be able to tell the right side of the granny square because the top row of stitches curves toward you as seen in the photo below. 

I really like using this Bryson Tapestry Needle, but any yarn needle will work.  I just attach the yarn with a knot and sew through the inside part of the top row of stitches.

I have a lot of yarn threaded in my needle.  I was sewing a long row to the rest of the afghan. 

This photo shows the up and down stitch going through the two inside loops of each block.  When I come to an intersection, I sew through both loops so there are no gaps or holes there.

When I make granny squares I always work first on one side and then the other, turning my work after each round.  If you continue to always join a new color on the same side of the square, eventually the square gets a kind of twisted, wonky look.  This photo shows how the joining looks from the back side.

 

Happy July 4th.  Be safe and have a wonderful holiday.

Thanks for visiting! 

Granny Square Afghan Tutorial

I've been working on the Giant Granny Square Crochet Along over at Sucrette's blog, I thought I would do a tutorial on how to make a granny square.  Here is my progress so far - 50 rounds. 

One thing to remember:  When you are doing a granny square you need to turn your work and do every other round on the back side.   If you do every round on the right side the square eventually becomes kind of "wonky" and looks like it is in a twist.

CH = chain

DC=double crochet

DC Cluster=3 double crochets together

Chain 4.  Slip stitch in first stitch to form a ring.

Still on the right side of the work chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet this round and throughout).  Do 2 more double crochets in ring.  Chain 1.  Repeat 3 DCs, chain 1 in ring three more times   (you will have 4 DC clusters in the ring with a chain 1 in between).  Join round with slip stitch.

  (From now on you are going to be working in the spaces between the clusters.)  Chain 3. TURN work over, 2 DC, chain 1, 3 DC in space. *Chain 1.  3 DC, chain 1, 3DC *  Repeat around ending with a chain 1.  Join round with slip stitch. 

Chain 3, TURN work.  2 DC in space.  3 DC, ch 1, 3 DC on corner.  Chain 1, 3 DC in space.  On the corner 3 DC, chain 1, 3 DC.  Continue around until you are back at the beginning and join the round with a slip stitch.

Each round is the same:  A DC cluster in the spaces along the edges and DC Cluster, chain 1, DC cluster on the corners.  A chain 1 goes in between each cluster.

Here is a chart that shows the stitches.

A close up of my granny blanket. 

I hope this has helped.  I think crochet is really relaxing and enjoy working on it in the evenings. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at krugla@gmail.com. 

Thanks for stopping by for a visit today.