Some beginning crafters knit dozens of squares to practice their stitching, and if you've been knitting for a long time, you probably have leftover squares from swatching projects. If you've knitted several knitted squares, don't unravel them. Instead, connect them to create knit fabric that you can turn into everything from a blanket to a tote bag. The method you use for connecting the squares depends on the stitch you used to knit the squares.
Things You'll Need
Knitted squares of any size (see tip)
Tapestry needle
Yarn
Scissors
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Tip
Knitted squares can be any size. Small squares, such as 6-inch and 12-inch squares, are common but larger squares can also make equally beautiful designs.
- Determine the size of the item you are going to make. For example, if you are knitting a blanket, consult a blanket size chart to find out how big the blanket should be. You will base the number of squares in each row on these measurements.
- Plan the design of your squares by laying out all the squares and placing them in rows. If your squares are different colors, play around with the placement until you are happy with the design.
- Pick up the first two adjacent squares and seam them together using one of the methods described -- mattress stitch or invisible vertical seam.
- Work your way across until you have joined every square in the row.
- Move on to the second row, joining all the squares in the second row just as you did in the first row.
- Repeat step 5 for each row until you have created long strips of knitted squares.
- Pick up the first two adjacent strips of squares and seam them together using one of the methods described.
- Seam the third strip to the other side of the second strip.
- Continue adding strips in this way, building on the group of strips until you have seamed all the knitted strips together.
- If you'd like, add a border to the blanket.
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Method 1: Mattress Stitch
Ideal for: sewing together side-to-side seams knit in stockinette stitch or ribbing
- Thread a tapestry needle with the same yarn you used to knit the squares.
- Align two squares side by side with right-sides up. Bring the threaded tapestry needle from back to front at the bottom edge of the right square, leaving a long tail for seaming in later.
- Gently pull on the edge of the left square to reveal the horizontal bars that run between each knit stitch. Insert the tapestry needle under the bar that is between the edge stitch and the stitch next to it of the left square.
- Moving back over to the right square; insert the needle under the bar that is just above your first stitch.
- Moving back over to the left square, insert the needle under the bar that is just above the last stitch you picked up on that square.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5, working vertically until you have seamed the entire edge of the square.
- Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Weave in any loose ends.
Tip
When knitting your squares, leave a long tail when binding off and use it for seaming the squares together.
Method 2: Invisible Vertical Seam
Ideal for: sewing together side-to-side seams knit in garter stitch.
- Thread a tapestry needle with the same yarn you used to knit the squares.
- Align two squares side by side with right-sides up.
- Insert the needle from bottom to top through the top loop on the right square's edge, leaving a long tail for weaving in later.
- Insert the needle from bottom to top into the bottom loop of the corresponding stitch on the left square.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4, working vertically until you have seamed the entire edge of the square.
- Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Weave in any loose ends.
Tip
- If you want an invisible seam when you join the squares, use the same yarn you used to knit the squares for seaming.
- Alternatively, seaming with a contrasting yarn can be decorative. For example, traditional granny square blankets use black or another contrasting yarn.