Photo Tutorial – How To Crochet: Join As You Go Method!

February 24, 2023

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Thanks for visiting my page! Here is a written tutorial with photos on how to make the Join As You Go Method!

First, with any project you'll need a crochet hook and yarn. Any yarn or hook will do for learning this stitch

For this tutorial you'll need to know how to make Chains (CH), I have a tutorial here! And how to make the Slip Stitch (SL ST), tutorial here!

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We are going to start with joining 2 Squares together:

So to begin you'll need 2 squares you want to join together. I'm using a basic granny square, tutorial here! I'm using purple for the body of the square and mint for the border. So you can see on the right my square has a regular Granny border around it. So we are going to use the mint border to join them together.

Here I have take my granny square without the border and started making it. So I have one corner and one side so far. I've stopped at the next corner. The corners for Granny Squares is: (3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC). So you can see I only have the 1st 3 DC so far.

I brought it my 2nd square with that border

Make those 3 CHs like you would for the regular granny square border

The SL ST into the corner space of the square we are joining together

Then make 3 DC into that corner we were working into

So we have completed that corner of (3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC)

So if you're familiar with the granny square/granny stitch:

you make 3 DC, CH 1, skip to next space, make 3 DC

So we are going to replace that CH 1 with a SL ST to join with our next square

Into the next open space of that new square, SL ST into it

Then you'll make 3 DC into the next space of the square we are working into

*Then SL ST into the next space of our new square/square we're joining into

Then you'll make 3 DC into the next space of the square we are working into

Repeat the steps above until you reach the next corner space

Into the corner space we are working into, make 3 DC

Then SL ST into the corner of the new square we are joining into

This is where we would start making our granny square side like normal

We have the 3 DC into our corner so far, so you'll make 3 CHs

Then make 3 DC into that same corner space so we have that corner completed

Then you'll make the rest of your side like normal

Make 1 CH, skip to next open space, make 3 DC into that space, repeat, then SL ST into the 1st CHs we make in this row to complete

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Now I'm going to go over how to join a square to the corner of 3 others already joined

I'm using the light blue for the body of my squares and the dark teal for the border

So again you'll start the 1st side of your square like normal. One side made, then stopped at the 2nd corner. And I only have those 3 DC made in that coner.

So we need to continue that corner, make 3 CHs

SL ST into the corner of the square you are joining into

Continue your square like we did before, 3 DC into each space of the square we are working, and SL ST into each space of the square we are joining

Stopping at only 3 DC into the next corner

SL ST into the square to the right, the one we were joining into

Make 3 CHs, because we have to still make that corner of the square we are making

SL ST into the next/new square to the top, not the right

Make 3 DC into the corner of the square we are working, to complete that corner

Then continue on joining your squares, SL ST into each space of our new square and 3 DC into each space of the square we are working

Then when you reach the next corner, make 3 DC into our square and SL ST into the corner of the square we are joining into

So you'll now complete that corner like normal

Make 3 CHs, then 3 DC into that same corner

Then you'll complete the rest of this side like normal

Make 1 CH, skip to next open space, make 3 DC into that space, repeat, then SL ST into the 1st CHs we make in this row to complete

Here's how those squares look like joined

And here is a up close look at the center of those squares

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I did want to show how adaptable this join can be. I have only shown granny squares so far, but you can use this join for so many squares and motifs!

Here I have my Sunburst Granny Square, tutorial here!

So here I have used the Join As You Go Method using this square. You would follow the square pattern like normal, but when joining use SL STs into any open space or ST.

So you would use the same basics I have laid out in this tutorial, but use whatever stitches are in the square/motif you are making

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