Lesson 9 : Flat Braid Joining

[ShellBell334]

I found this joining technique on line and I LOVE it but I had to TWEAK the pattern somewhat because the designers explanation of how to connect a square that has to be joined on two sides ,unfortunately , wasn't that great.

Here is the url if you would like to follow along with the pics she has (I will add my own later here in this post). 

So , before we go further  I will tell you that I may make a change or two in the videos .

For instance , I start the border on the squares a little differently than she does and I will explain that as I go.

Let's begin:

Adding Border to First Square

Step 1:

Insert hook into any corner stitch , slip stitch  ,sc into same stitch

Step 2:

ch 3 , skip 1 stitch , sc into the next stitch (repeat this to the next corner)

Step 3:

sc into the corner stitch , ch3 ,sc into the same corner stitch again.

Step 4: REPEAT step 2

Step 5: REPEAT step 3

Step 6: REPEAT steps 2 and 3 all the way around to your first sc in your first corner.

Step 7: slip stitch into the first sc ,finish off and weave in ends.

NOTE: every time you finish adding a square you will go ahead and finish off and weave in the ends.

Joining Squares on ONE side

Step 8: Follow steps 1 through 5 for adding border above. (you should have TWO SIDES BORDERED)

Step 9: sc into the next corner  ,ch 2

Step 10: remove hook from your yarn

Step 11: insert hook into corner SPACE of your first square and rehook your yarn

Step 12: ch 1 , sc into same corner stitch of your second square. (the one you are adding a border to)

Step 13: ch 2 , remove hook from your yarn

Step 14: insert hook into next SPACE on your second square

Step 15: rehook your yarn ,ch 1 , skip 1 stitch , and sc into the next stitch on your FIRST square.

Step 16: repeat steps 13 - 15 to the next corner

Step 17: sc into the corner stitch , ch 2 , remove hook from your yarn , insert hook into the corner SPACE on your FIRST square , ch 1 , sc into the same corner stitch of the square you are adding the border to

Step 18:  ch 3 , skip 1 stitch , sc into the next stitch (repeat this to the next corner), making your last stitch a slip stitch into the first sc. Finish off and weave in ends

 

Adding the 3rd square

Follow the steps for adding the second square ,making sure that you border TWO SIDES of your square before you start joining the 2 squares together.

 

Joining Squares on TWO Sides

Step 19: REPEAT step 1 and 2 (when joining 2 sides of a square you will only border ONE side before joining).

Step 20: ch 2 , remove hook from your yarn , insert hook into corner space of your THIRD square (the one you joined before this one)  ,rehook your yarn

Step 21: ch 1 , remove hook from your yarn , insert hook into corner space of your FIRST square  ,rehook your yarn

Step 22: ch 1 , sc in the same corner stitch of the square you are currently adding

Step 23: ch 2 , remove hook from yarn , insert hook into the next ch-3 space  ,rehook your yarn , ch 1 ,skip a stitch (on the square you are currently adding) ,sc in the next stitch

Step 24: REPEAT step 23 to the next corner

Step 25: (corner) ch 2 , remove hook from yarn ,insert hook into last ch-3 space of your FIRST square , rehook your yarn , ch 1 , sc into corner stitch (on the square you are currently adding)

Step 26: REPEAT step 23 to the next corner making a slip stitch into the first sc. Finish off. Weave in ends.

 

 

[ShellBell334]

Ladies ,this lesson is now complete :-D

[mkvral]

Thanks Michelle for posting this method.  I really like the way it looks and may have to try it out!!!

[crazysocks830]

Could you post a still shot of what the flat braid looks like close up? It looks really neat in the videos, but I'd like to see a little more detail. :)

[Prisma]

Thank You Michelle!!!

 Now I need some sqaures :-0

[ShellBell334]

Here is one of the pics I have. I will put one in the post above as well of the blanket I am working on. The flash doesn't reflect off the white so much on the blanket. brb

Quoting crazysocks830:

Could you post a still shot of what the flat braid looks like close up? It looks really neat in the videos, but I'd like to see a little more detail. :)

[ShellBell334]

You're very welcome Prisma....now onto the lesson you requested. I have the videos done ,just have to upload them and post them ;-)

Quoting Prisma:

Thank You Michelle!!!

 Now I need some sqaures :-0

[craftlady480]

Thank you so much for posting this.  I can't to try it.  Don't delete it, my printer has stopped working.

[crazysocks830]

That photo was a great help! I'm anxious to make a new Granny Square blanket now! I really like the flat braid technique!!! I'm relatively new to crocheting, but I've found so many new things I want to do! :)

[netterae]

Hi ShellBell, Thank you so much for this lesson, it is beautiful. I really had been looking for a flatter way to join my blocks! I was wondering though, will this work if you are working in rows not squares? I have an odd number of rows so squaring them off wouldn't work out.

Thanks for the Wonderful idea, I am inspired.

[Raingae]

Thank you for the great lesson . I have plans on making a bed spread of grannie squares and was wondering on how to put them together . the flat braid will give the spread more detail

                                                                                         Thank You very much

                                                                                                       Rose