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Granny's Daughter for Charity

Directions for assembling motifs


We get so many requests for how we assemble our motifs, I decided that it was time to post them. Please remember that these are only ideas, not absolutes. The desired finished item will dictate which assembly method will produce the desired results.

No matter what assembly method is used, or what item is being made, the first step is to join the motifs into strips. The number of motifs in a stripwill depend upon the item being made, the weight of the yarn used in the motifs & in joining the motifs, and the guage achieved by the crocheter.

Need the pattern for Granny's Daughters Motif


Special Stitches

single crochet join - scj - put hook into the same ch2 space as previously completed sc, yarn over and pull up a loop, pick up next motif, right side facing, and insert hook into ch2 corner and yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the hook. (This is similar to a sc dec) Single crochet join completed.
double crochet join - dcj - yarn over, put hook into the same ch2 space as previously completed stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook, pick up next motif, right side facing, and insert hook into ch2 corner and yarn over, pull up a loop, (yarn over and pull through the 2 loops on the hook) twice. Double crochet join completed.
single crochet decrease - sc dec - put hook into first stitch, yo and pull up a loop, put hook into next stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. Single crochet decrease completed.
front post double crochet - fpdc - yo, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the dc in the row below, yo and pull up a loop. Yo and pull through 2 loops on hook, twice. Front post double crochet completed.
back post double crochet - bpdc - yo, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the dc in the row below, yo and pull up a loop. Yo and pull through 2 loops on hook, twice. Back post double crochet completed.

Joining Motifs

Basic Join

1st strip

With right side of a motif facing, join yarn with a sc in the ch2 corner of one of the motif, 2 sc in the same space, * ch 3, 2 sc in next 2ch corner of the first motif, scj, 2 sc in same space of the newly added motif. * Repeat from * to * until you have joined the desired number of granny's daughters. To work around the end of the strip, ch 3, 5 sc in 2ch corner, ch 3, 5 sc in next 2 ch corner. You will now be working down the opposite side of the joined motif strip. Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the strip. Ch 3, 5 sc in the last 2ch corner, ch 3, 2 sc in the first 2ch corner where you initially joined your connecting yarn. Sl st in first sc and cut yarn.

2nd & remaining strips

Join together the same number of motifs as you did in the first strip following the directions above but DO NOT cut yarn when you are done with the strip.

1st joining row

DO NOT turn work - ch 1 and sc in same stitch as sl st, ch 3, 3 sc in ch 3 space, ch 3, skip 2 sc and sc in the scjoin, *. Repeat from * to * until you are at the last ch 3 space, ch 3, 3 sc in ch 3 space, ch 3, skip 2 sc and sc in next sc (this will be the center sc of the 5 sc in the strip corner.) ch 1 and turn strip so that the wrong side of the strip is now facing you.

2nd joining row

Pick up 1st strip, right side facing and place on top of the just completed strip. You will now be working first on the facing strip, then on the just completed strip, back and forth, joining the two strips together.

Sc in the center sc of the 5 corner sc's on the facing strip, * ch 1, sl in the back ridge of the second ch on the 2nd strip which has the back facing you (NOTE: the back ridge of a chain is illustrated in many leaflets and other books, if you are having trouble doing the slst in the back ridge, just work a regualr slst in the center st of the 3st ch), ch 1, 3 sc in the ch 3 space of the facing strip, ch 1, sl st in the back ridge of the 2nd ch on the 2nd strip, ch 1, sc in the scj of the facing strip*.

Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the strip. Ch 1, sl st in the back ridge of the 2nd ch on the 2nd strip, ch 1, 3 sc in ch 3 space of front strip, ch 1, sl st in the back ridge of the 2nd ch on the 2nd strip, ch 1, sc in center sc of the 5 sc corner of facing strip, ch 1, sl st in first sc of first joining row on the back strip. End and cut yarn

Continue adding new strips until the desired size is reached.


Single Crochet Close Join

Good for hats, clothing, and preemie items where you don't want alot of open "space".

1st strip

With right side of a motif facing, join yarn with a sc in the ch2 corner of one of the motif, 2 sc in the same space, * (sc between the next 2 dc) twice, 2 sc in next 2ch corner of the first motif, scj, 2 sc in same space of the newly added motif. * Repeat from * to * until you have joined the desired number of granny's daughters. To work around the end of the strip, (sc between the next 2 dc) twice, 5 sc in 2ch corner, (sc between the next 2 dc) twice, 5 sc in next 2 ch corner. You will now be working down the opposite side of the joined motif strip. Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the strip. (sc between the next 2 dc) twice, 5 sc in the last 2ch corner, (sc between the next 2 dc) twice, 2 sc in the first 2ch corner where you initially joined your connecting yarn. Sl st in first sc and finish off.

2nd & remaining strips

Join together the same number of motifs as you did in the first strip following the directions above but DO NOT sl st in the first sc made and DO NOT cut yarn when you are done with the strip.

Joining Strips

Hold just completed strip with right side facing. Pick up first strip made and place wrong side to wrong side with the current strip. Now, sl st through both the back loop of the first sc of the current strip AND the center sc of the 5 sc in the corner of the first strip. Sc through the back loop of the next sc on BOTH strips. Continue down the strip, using the sl st to join the strips until the 5 sc in the corners at the end or the strips. Sl st through the back loops of the next 3 sc on BOTH strips. Cut and finish off yarn.

Continue adding new strips until the desired size is reached.

Joining Strips - Variation

A less firm join - may be used for clothing and preemie afghans.

Rather than sl st in the back loop of every sc on both strips, sl st in back loop of sc on BOTH strips, ch 1, skip next sc. Continue down the strips using the ch 1, sl st, omitting the final ch 1, if necessary, so the sl st comes through the back loop of 3rd sc of the corner 5 sc on BOTH loops. Cut and finish off yarn.


Double Crochet Join

A nice simple pattern very similar to the look of traditional granny squares.

1st strip

With right side of a motif facing, join yarn with a sl st in the ch2 corner of one of the motif, ch 3, 2 dc in the same space, * ch 1, 2 dc in next 2ch corner of the first motif, dcj, 2 dc in same space of the newly added motif. * Repeat from * to * until you have joined the desired number of granny's daughters. To work around the end of the strip, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in 2ch corner, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next 2 ch corner. You will now be working down the opposite side of the joined motif strip. Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the strip. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the last 2ch corner, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 2 in the first 2ch corner where you initially joined your connecting yarn. Sl st in 3rd ch of the first ch 3 and cut yarn.

2nd & remaining strips

Join together the same number of motifs as you did in the first strip following the directions above but DO NOT cut yarn when you are done with the strip.

Joining Strips

Hold just completed strip with right side facing. Pick up first strip made and place right side to right side with the current strip. (The wrong side of the first strip will be facing you). Ch 1, sc in the corner ch 2 space of BOTH strips, * ch 3, skip next 2 dc, sc in the dcj of BOTH strips, ch 3, skip next 2 dc, sc in ch 1 space of BOTH strips *. Repeat from * to * until the last ch 1 space on the strips. Ch 3, skip next 2 dc, sc in the dcj of BOTH strips, ch 3, skip next 2 dc, sc in the corner ch 2 space of BOTH strips. Cut and finish off yarn.

Continue adding new strips until the desired size is reached.


Borders

Pretty much any border that you like can be added after the strips have joinined. Here are several simple ones that I use to finish my afghans.

One row of dc all around the edge with 5 dc at each corner

Three rows of sc around the edges with 3 sc worked in each corner. This looks really nice when a contrasting color is worked on the second round.

Simple shell - work one (or more) rows of sc around the edge, 3 sc in each corner. Final round of the border work simple shell as follows - 3dc skip one sc, 1sc, skip one sc, around working a 5 dc shell in each corner. (NOTE: you may have to skip a stitch or two near the corner to get the 5 dc shell in the right stitch.)

Bigger shell - work one (or more) rows of sc around the edge, 3 sc in each corner. Final round of the border work bigger shell as follows - *5dc skip four sc* repeat between *'s around working a 5 dc shell in each corner. (NOTE: you may have to skip a stitch or two near the corner to get the 5 dc shell in the right stitch.) Yet another shell - work one (or more) rows of sc around the edge, 3 sc in each corner. Final round of the border work shell as follows - sc-dc-sc in first sc, skip one sc, around working a sc-3dc-sc shell in each corner. (NOTE: you may have to skip a stitch or two near the corner to get the sc-3dc-sc shell in the right stitch.)


Granny's Daughters Projects

Important Note: The directions below are just guidelines. The hook sizes used and the number of motifs needed to complete a project may need to be adjusted depending upon the individual crocheters guage to result in the desired finished project size.

 Afghans

Child's Afghan - approximately 32" x 32"

Required numbered motifs: 240

Use worsted weight yarn in desired color and a size G or H hook. Join 20 motifs in each strip and use 12 strips per afghan using the Basic Join pattern. Complete with desired border.

It is not necessary to use all one color in your afghan. Different colors can be used for strips thus creating a very colorful afghan.


Preemie Afghan - approximately 14" x 14"

Required numbered motifs: 48

Use worsted weight yarn in desired color and a size G or H hook. Join 8 motifs in each strip and use 6 strips per afghan using either the Single Crochet Close Join pattern (using the Joining Variation) or the Double Crochet Join pattern. Complete with desired border.

Preemie aftghans can also be made using motifs and joining yarn from both baby/fingering weight and sports weight. Simple use the guidelines below for the hook size and number of motifs to use and follow the directions above.

Preemie Afghan with Sports Weight Yarn - Hook size E or F, required number motifs: 70
10 motifs per row - 7 rows total

Preemie Afghan with Baby/Fingering Weight Yarn - Hook size C or D, required number motifs: 108
12 motifs per row - 9 rows total


Adult Afghan - approximately 45" x 60"

Required numbered motifs: 720

Use worsted weight yarn in desired color and a size G or H hook. Join 40 motifs in each strip and use 18 strips per afghan using the Basic Join,Single Crochet Close Join, or the Double Crochet Join pattern. Complete with desired border.

It is not necessary to use all one color in your afghan. Different colors can be used for strips thus creating a very colorful afghan.


 Hats


Basic Hat

Hat pattern is for two sizes, small and large. Changing hook size up or down one size can be used to fine tune this hat pattern. If making this hat for a specific individual, be sure to measure the circumference of the individual's head and compare this measurement to the joined rows of motifs prior to joining the rows into a tube and adjust accordingly. A little bigger is better than a little small.

Basic Hat - Small, Required numbered motifs: 36
Basic Hat - Large, Required numbered motifs: 44

Use worsted weight yarn in desired color and a size G or H hook. Join 4 motifs in each strip and use 9 strips for size small, 11 strips for size large per hat using the Single Crochet Close Join.

After joining the required number of strips, join the first strip to the final strip creating a tube. DO NOT cut yarn. Completed the top of the hat as follows:
Working around the ends of the strips at the top of the tube - do not join rounds but work continuously. Ch 1, then work sc dec (see Special Stitches) around until 4 to 6 stiches remain. Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread yarn needle and run through remaining stitches to close top. Pull yarn tight and finish off securely on the wrong side.

Work hat ribbing around the end of the strips of the tube as follows:

Round 1: Join with a sl st in any stitch and ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc in each stitch around. Join with sl st to the 3rd chain of the first ch 3.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as first pdc). *Work fpdc around next dc, bpdc around next dc* (see Special Stitches for directions for fpdc and bpdc). Repeat between *'s around joining with a sl st to the 2nd ch of initial ch 2. Note: don't worry about whether the round ends with a fpdc or a bpdc, either one will look fine in the finished hat.
Rounds 3 - 6: Ch 2. *Work fpdc around fpdc of previous row, work bpdc around bpdc of previous row.* Repeat between *'s around joining with a sl st to the 2nd ch of initial ch 2.

Cut yarn and finish off. Add pom-pom or tassel if desired.

Curls - optional hat topping, great for Happy Hats.

To make the curls, ch 27, 4 dc in the 4th ch from the hook, 5 dc in each of the remaining chains. I then use the starting and ending yarn pieces of the curl to tie the curl onto the top of the hat, then I sew the two ends in to make sure that the curl is really secure. I make 3 curls to put on the top of a hat, though you could do 4 if you wished.


See some of our completed Granny's Daughter items in Granny's Gallery
Granny's Daughters for Charity