Tutorial - Continuous Join As You Go Method
After sharing posts on social media about my book blanket and the shades of brown granny square blanket that I made last year, I have received many comments and DMs from people asking for a tutorial for how I join my granny squares.
I use is the Continuous Join As You Go (CJAYG) method, sometimes referred to just as the Join As You Go (JAYG) method. This involves joining individual motifs, such as granny squares, together seamlessly as you work. It's a great option because it reduces the need for weaving in a load of ends and for me that's always a win!
Whilst this method may initally seem complicated it's a lot easier than it looks. If you can crochet a granny square then you can absolutely use this method.
It's not just for blankets either! You can use this method for garments, bags, accessories, anything really where you want to joining granny squares together!
What you need
You will want to use whatever weight yarn and hook size that you used for your inital granny squares. For me that is DK weight yarn and a 4mm hook.
The colour of the yarn you use is completely up to you, I like to use a neutral colour that provides a nice contrast to the squares I'm joining together.
CJAYG Method
First Two Squares
You begin by working as though you are adding another round to your granny square. You want to work this round on the right side of your work.
Join yarn in the top right corner of your first square.
(Ch3, 2DC) into the corner space.
3DC into each space along until you reach the next corner.
(3DC, Ch1, 3DC) into the corner.
3DC into each space along until you reach the next corner.
(3DC, ch1) in the corner space.
We will now join the next square
3DC into the bottom right corner of the next granny square.
Sl st into the space between the bottom two clusters of the first square.
3DC into the next space along.
Sl st into the next space along on the first square.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you reach the corner space
3DC into the corner space, ch1 and sl st into the corner space of the first square
Ch1 and 3DC back into the corner space to complete the corner.
Continue around to the bottom left hand corner in the manner of a normal granny square.
Finishing off the Row
When you reach the end of the row, we will work along the bottom unworked side of the granny squares.
3DC into each space along
At each corner, 3DC and ch1 then sl st over the ch1 between the corner clusters (see photo)
Continue along until you reach the end
Beginning the next row
The method for the rest of your work will be very similar, you will soon feel in a good rhythm with it.
First new square
3DC into the top right corner of the new granny square.
Sl st into the space between the first two clusters of the above square.
3DC into the next space along.
Sl st into the next space along on the above square.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you reach the corner space
3DC into the corner space, ch1 and sl st into the corner space of the diagonally opposite* square (see photo)
Complete your corner and work down that side until you reach the bottom left hand corner.
Continuing to Add Squares
When you are ready to join your next squares you will repeat the steps learned above - 3DC into each space of the new square, slip stitching between clusters of previous squares to join. At the corners, ch1 before and after you sl st to the diagonally opposite squares at the corners.
See photo above for where to complete your joins when 4 corners meet.
When you reach the end of the row, work along the bottom edge until you reach the corner where you can continue to add on new rows if you wish.
And rinse and repeat!
*I don't know if joining to the diagonally opposite square is the 'correct' way to join the squares but it's the way I do mine and what I think gives the neatest finish.
Finishing Off Project
When you have finished adding all of your squares together you should have one unworked side remaining. Work along this in the same way as you did finishing off each row.
Fasten off and weave in your two ends!
Yarn used in these photos: Stylecraft Colour Burst DK and Stylecraft Special DK.
A note on my version of the method - I work the CJAYG method in the same way as I crochet my granny squares; ch 1 in each corner and no chains between clusters. If you work your granny squares differently such as a ch1 between clusters or ch2 in each corner then you will want to replicate this when joining your squares together.
The CJAYG method is a really great technique to learn. I hope that this quick tutorial proves helpful. If you have any questions or want anything clarifying then do let me know!
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Happy crocheting!
Shelley ♡
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