Expert: Bea Harrell - 4/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have crocheted the squares and they are not all the same size.  I would like to crochet them together using a stitch that I could double or triple to compensate for the smaller squares.  Is there one that you could suggest?
Thank you

ANSWER: Hey,Madeleine! You might have to use a combination of stitches, if there is a great variation in the motif size. Double crochet is a good place to start, because you can go to treble and double treble if need be. Keep your stitches fairly tight, so the difference in joinings doesn't stand out too much. If the variation is not to great, you might be able to use sc. The larger ones could have 2 of the smaller ones joined to them, and the overlaps could be fitted with other squares. Sort of like fitting a jigsaw puzzle together!
It sounds like you're going to have fun with this project!

Best wishes,  Bea

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Bea.  I realize that I can add to the frame of the squares, but how would I use a double or triple to JOIN them?

This may not be possible, or too complicated, but you are right about the puzzle; it's fun.

Answer
Hello again! I had to think about this for a bit, before I realized that working with dc/trc would be complicated! It's an old joining technique for bedspreads. I call it a spider joining because it has no offical name! It involves crocheting two trc's, one to each corner of a square, doing the same to the next square, then joining all 4 trc with a slip stitch and a dc in the sl st, and tying it off. What you get is a spider looking motif between each square, on all 4 sides. I haven't seen it done, since the '50! I'm not sure it would work on differnt sized motifs,but it's something I thought I'd mention!

I hope this has been of some small help!

Best,  Bea