Crochet Square Joining Technique

I am often asked about my granny squares. Now granny squares are a basic item that most crocheters know how to make. Most of the time granny squares are one of the first things you learn as you learn to crochet. The challenge then becomes how you do something new with those grannies. Well today I am going to demonstrate a joining technique I use to create a great look to a granny square blanket, you could also use this technique for scarves.

This particular joining creates a ridged ripple along the squares as seen on this blanket. 










How I create this raised ripple pattern.......

Tip: work as you go, then you don't have look at a mountain of squares you have to join. (this only works with squares that do not need to be blocked.) 

As you know a granny corner has three chains. You will be joining the squares together at the middle chain of the granny square.

You will work evenly through both loops along both squares. 

Work around corner onto next square without finishing off. You will end up making two single crochets in middle ch.

The joining will end up looking like this creating a ridged detail diagonally across your blanket or scarf. 

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Whatcha Doin? Me :)

What I am working on....

Cowboy Boot baby booties assembly line and a silk skirt repair?

I love special orders. They stretch you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I am reading....

This is the first time I have ever read these books and yet my mother has owned them all the whole time I was growing up. I've read all of Anne, all of Little Women, how I missed reading these is a blight on my education so I am rectifying my gross oversight.  What I have learned is that in comparison, we of modern day America are a bunch of lazy beggars.

This is the last in the series and then its some steam punk fiction and my most beloved Tolkien. I always want to read Tolkien in the fall. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I am Listening To....

Loreena McKennitt and Celtic music in general, The weather has turned to fallish which always makes me want to go awanderin' and Loreena seems to embody wanderlust in her music. Check her out. She has a fantastic version of Noyes' The Highwayman set to music. Lovely.

 

I am also drawn to the soundtrack of Gladiator right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I am watching....

 

Gotta love this show. Modern day Robin Hoods ( I love Robin Hood, have ever since Disney made a Fox look "foxy"), heists in truncated form, action, wit and stickin' it to the man. What's not to love. :)

I have become a Whovian. Its unexpected and a little sad but I defy anyone who starts this show at the beginning to try not to become one too. But more about that tomorrow.

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The Ultimate Upcycled Owl

One of my dearest friends was surfing Pinterest with her daughter one day and she fell in love with these little stuffed crochet owls. I received a Facebook request for something similar and these fantastic owls are the result...........

Here is a PDF Pattern for this owl

This little guy is very easy to make using very basic single stitches. You will need.......

With your leftover yarn and crochet hook,

-Chain 2

-6 sc in second ch from hook, mark the first sc you made with a stitch marker (I use a safety pin) so you don't lose your place as you work in circles

-in first sc made on first round 2 sc (increase); inc in each sc around (12 sc)

-inc in first sc on second round, sc; *inc, sc* around (18 sc)

-inc in first sc on third round, sc, sc; *inc, sc, sc* around (24 sc)

-sc in each sc for 2 rounds

-inc in first sc on 5th round, sc,sc, sc,; *inc, sc,sc,sc* around (30 sc)

-sc in each sc around

-inc in first sc on 7th round, sc, sc, sc, sc; *in, sc, sc, sc, sc* around (36 sc)

-sc in each sc around for 11 rows

Lay your owl down flat and make sure your marker is in a top corner.

-cut a piece of fabric in a small oval and a piece of felt in a triangle

-glue fabric onto center of your owl and your piece of felt at the top center of your fabric oval so that it sits on the owl and the fabric.....

Sew eyes to each side of owl. Make sure they sit far apart

-sc 2 sc together (dec) sc, sc, sc, sc; *dec, sc,sc,sc,sc* around (30 sc)

Stuff owl

To close fold top of owl in half and you will crochet through both st to close

-sc through first sc on round 20 and last sc made; hdc, dc, hdc through nxt stitches to create the owl's "horns", sc through next 11 stitches, hdc, dc, hdc in through nxt stitches, sc through final sts and finish off. (13 sc, 4 hdc, 2 dc) Weave in end and you’re done.

This is a basic small owl. You can increase even more to make the owl larger. I have made one that was a foot tall and extra wide and I did two decrease rows at the top. Just make sure to adjust your button size to the owl.

If you would like owl eye buttons just convo my Etsy Shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/thejoyofcrochet

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