Expert: Marilyn Jane Rimmer - 1/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Marilyn-

I'm new to crocheting, and one of my first ventures is a scarf. I have always loved the look of granny squares, so I made enough of them to make a scarf- But I'm stuck as to how to put them together. I'm pretty sure I'm not looking for a whip-stitching technique, as I would like to put a one or two-inch strip of crochet inbetween each square. Is this possible?? If so, what is is called and how can I accomplish it?? Thank you for your time,
Shelby

ANSWER: There are several ways you could add a strip of crochet between the squares.
The first would be to start on one edge of a square and work a pretty stitch pattern back and forth for several rows, then whipstitch the next square to the top of the pattern rows.  I don't have any links, but you could choose any stitch pattern from a website, a how to crochet book, or a crochet stitch dictionary.

Here are several sites that show how to add a simple lace effect as you crochet the squares together.
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa010999.htm
http://www.crochetcabana.com/tutorials/joining_squares4.htm

A scarf would also look pretty with this lacey effect, called a flat-braid join.  The video has 4 parts, when you finish part one, the links for the next parts are below the video.
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-join-granny-squares-with-crochet-

MJ

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

QUESTION: hey, thank you SO much for that video, the Flat-braid is what i was looking for! Although, i have one question from the video. she says to make three rows of sc around the edges... how would i start that? would i slip knot the new border color onto the edge of the granny square???? I've never done a color change on any kind of crocheting, so i don't know how to do that specific skill. any help would be awesome. thanks!!!!

ANSWER: Most instructions give this information about starting a row of single: make a slip knot and put the loop on the hook as if you were going to start a chain.  Insert hook into any stitch, yarn over and pull through a loop and then complete your single.
I think it's a little easier to put your hook into a stitch, yo and pull through the stitch, chain one and then make a single into the same stitch.

MJ

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

QUESTION: Hey Marilyn-

I kinda messed up, and I only watched the first video out of the four... So I put the flat-braid border on all sides of all 14 squares by accident. now there's no way to follow the video.  Is there any way to join these squares now?? or do I have to undo all the stitches I already did??

Thanks for all of your continued help, Marilyn!

Answer
"Is there any way to join these squares now?? or do I have to undo all the stitches I already did??"

My theory is don't undo it unless there's nothing else you can do that will work.  Always try to go on from where you are!

Now, you've got a pretty lace border around all of your squares.  
Try this:  Start by joining the yarn with a single crochet on any corner loop of a square.  Chain 1, slip stitch in a corner loop of another square and chain 1. then single crochet into the first loop.  Chain 1 or 3 and single into the next loop of the first square. Chain 1, slip stitch into the next loop of the second square, chain 1 and single into the loop of the first square again.
Do you like that look?
If you like this, you will have to add a few extra chains at the corners so that it doesn't pucker.

MJ