Grandma's square lace knitwear can be connected to each other by crochet or sewing techniques. There's a wide selection of techniques you can use, but here are some simple and elegant ones you can do to get started.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Slip Stitch (Crochet)
Step 1. Align your boxes
Place the two granny squares together, one on top of the other, with the sides facing each other.
This will result in a connection that is secure and strong enough to join large pieces together
Step 2. Tie the yarn on your crochet hook
Make a live knot at the end of the thread and then insert the hook into the loop of knot that has been made.
Make a living knot by making two circles next to each other. Push one loop past the other and pull, creating a loop with adjustable knots
Step 3. Hook through the back loop of the two granny squares
Slide your hook through the back loop of the two granny squares on the top right. Take the yarn from the other side and pull it through to make a second loop of your splicing yarn.
Notice that the first loop of your crochet thread, at this point, is the loop of the live knot you created. Now this loop is on the crochet hook
Step 4. Drag the second circle through the first circle to slip it
Use your hook to set the new second loop through the first loop that is already on your hook. This will create the first slip stitch in your joint.
Step 5. Continue along the sides
Weave your hook through the remaining back loops along the top side, making a slip stitch in each back loop.
Don't crochet too tight. If you do this you will end up making your joints too tight, and the end result will be less pliable
Step 6. Add boxes and rows as needed
You can add more squares to your initial two squares using the same method around the edges. Expand blankets, scarves, or other creations by adding one square at a time.
Finish your piece with embellishments or by weave the ends at the last joint to hide it and secure the seam of the joints
Method 2 of 4: Grandma's Box Joint (Crochet)
Step 1. Align your granny squares
The first box in your row should be on the left and the second on the right. The second square should be on the top layer, and the back sides of the two squares should be facing each other.
- Note that if you have a pattern or installation plan in mind, you should design it before crocheting your grid rows.
- Stack the first row. The last box in the row must be at the bottom and the first at the top. Smaller stacks will be easier to work with.
- This will result in a flexible and decorative joint between your boxes.
Step 2. Make a knot on your hook
Make a knot at the end of your yarn and then slip your hook into the loop made in the knot.
Make a living knot by making two circles next to each other. Push one loop past the other and gently pull in the opposite direction, creating a loop with an adjustable knot
Step 3. Make three chain stitches in the top corner of the square
Make a living knot through the corner on the top granny square. Make three chain stitches at this angle.
Step 4. Make three double stitches in the bottom corner of the square
Connect the bottom square to the top square by making three double crochet stitches at the open corners of the bottom square.
You may have to change the way you hold the two boxes when you connect them. If you're having trouble connecting them in a layered position, turn the two squares side-by-side so that the joined edges are facing you. The "top" box is now on the right and the "bottom" box is now on the left
Step 5. Double crochet the top square space, followed by the bottom square space
Make three double stitches in the space in the top/right square. When you've finished, make three double crochet stitches in the next space in the bottom/left square.
Continue along the joined side with this technique. Alternately making both sides, creating pairs of three double crochet stitches in each space along the edges of the two squares
Step 6. Make a double crochet in the corner of the back square
When you reach the end of the row, make a double crochet at the end corner.
Tie or knot to complete the connection
Step 7. Repeat with each square in this row
Follow the same steps to connect all the boxes on each row.
Also repeat on each stack (or row) of granny's squares
Step 8. Lay the rows next to each other
Work two rows at a time. Lay both rows together with the back sides facing each other.
The principle for connecting the two rows is the same as for connecting single boxes
Step 9. Double crochet along the row
Follow the same pattern you used to connect the single squares. Make three chain stitches at the corners of the front row, followed by three double stitches at the corners of the back row.
- Make pairs of single crochet stitches, alternately making them in the space of both rows until you reach the end of the row.
- The joint between two single squares can be seen as a space, and you'll need to make three double stitches in that space as well.
Step 10. Make a row of granny square joints along the edges
When all the squares and rows have been joined, make three sets of single stitches around your piece to finish and even out the edges.
Method 3 of 4: Sewing (Sewing)
Step 1. Align your boxes
Place the two granny squares together, one on top of the other, with the sides facing each other.
This method is very quick and easy, and as long as you leave your seams loose, it will keep your joints supple and soft
Step 2. Thread the thread into the needle
Thread the knitting thread into the large embroidery needle. Insert one end of the thread through the eye of the needle and pull just enough to prevent the thread from slipping out of the needle during the threading process.
You don't need to knot the thread, but you can if you're having trouble keeping your thread in the eye of the needle. Make a knot to tie the short end of the thread to the other end of the thread, slightly past the part that was threaded through the eye of the needle
Step 3. Start at the top right corner
Pull the thread through the back loop on the top and bottom squares.
- Don't pull the thread all the way through as there is no knot at the end of the thread to keep it from coming loose.
- Leave the end of the thread long enough after pulling it to make a knot or to use the winning end to connect another square, depending on where this square is, whether it's at the end of the row or in the middle.
Step 4. Weave the yarn through the back loop on one side
Thread the yarn over the edges of the two squares and through the back loop on the top box. Push the needle through the top and back loops one more time.
- Repeat this step with the other back circle. You're actually sewing the two squares together using a loop stitch, a type of stitch that sews past the edge of the material used instead of stitching it before the edge.
- Continue sewing the top edges of these two squares to connect them together.
Step 5. Add boxes as needed
Once the two squares are connected, you can use the same technique to connect the boxes on the other side of the first two squares. Expand your squares in the direction you want to add rows in both directions.
Make a knot on the back side of the last square you connected
Method 4 of 4: Hidden Stitches (Sewing)
Step 1. Align your boxes
To start with, you need to put two squares side by side. These are the boxes that you will connect to first.
- It is recommended that you lay out your boxes first, so you can see how it all fits together.
- All boxes must be placed face up.
- It is also recommended that you start from the bottom pair of squares in the middle row of your entire work.
- This will create another joint that's also flexible, but unlike the loop stitch, it won't be visible from either side of your work.
Step 2. Thread the thread into the needle
Thread the knitting thread into the large embroidery needle. Insert one end of the thread through the eye of the needle and pull just enough to prevent the thread from slipping out of the needle during the threading process.
- Do not knot the yarn at this point.
- Use a thread that is slightly thinner than the thread you used to make the granny box.
Step 3. Weave your needle down the left of the first square
Take the square to the right of your first pair of squares. Slide the needle up and through the bars on the edge of the box at the bottom left of the box.
The "cross" is the thread that joins the front and back of the thread on the edge of the box. This cross can only be seen from the side of the box
Step 4. Weave your needle into the bottom right edge of the second square
Take the box that is to the left of the first square of your order. Weave the needle up and through the crossbar on the lower right side of this box.
Do not close these two boxes just yet
Step 5. Repeat along the edges
Weave the needle up and through the next bar on the edge that is continuous with the first square. Then, weave up and through the next bar along the edge that connects to the second square.
- Continue sewing through the bars on both edges to connect the two squares together on one continuous edge.
- Leave each stitch loose as you sew to make this step easier.
Step 6. Tighten the seam joints
Grasp both ends of the hanging joint. One end will hang from below and the other from above. Pull the top end up and the bottom end down to tighten the joint and pull the two boxes closer together.
With this step, the Stitch will become "invisible" or hidden between the two squares
Step 7. Repeat with the next two squares
Take the next two squares in your order and repeat the same steps to bring them together.
- The next pair of squares must be connected at the top of the first pair of squares.
- Use the thread hanging from the top of the first pair of squares to connect the second pair. By doing this you will also connect the second pair of squares with the first.
Step 8. Glue the additional squares horizontally or vertically and in pairs, as you did when connecting the second pair of squares with the first
As you expand your work horizontally, you can also attach a single square to the left or right of the first square using hidden stitches.
