Woodland Afghan Construction - Joining Granny Squares

This post will show you how to construct your Woodland Afghan. There are multiple methods to joining granny squares, so please choose the technique you prefer! I initially tried to whip stitch the squares together, but because of each square being next to a different color, the outcome did not look as clean as I would have liked. I ultimately used the single crochet joining technique. Below I have provided pictures and an explanation of how I joined my afghan.

First thing will be to lay out your squares in the layout I have provided or the layout you prefer. You will notice not all of my squares have animals on them when I joined these. I joined them before I had all the animals designed. In your case, you will probably have all the animals together by the time you join your squares. In fact, I suggest that. Sewing on the animals after the afghan was joined proved to be very difficult and time consuming. The layout I provide is in this post here.

Once you have your squares laid out in order, simply flip over the squares so the 'right side' of the squares are facing in towards each other and the 'wrong sides' are facing out. We will be working on joining the rows vertically from the bottom to the top.

*In this photo, I am working on attaching the 3rd vertical row.*

Find the edge of the bottom right corner of your first square on the bottom. In this case, as you see in the picture above, my bottom square is the chocolate brown. The edge is the chain 2 space as pointed out in this picture. Each chain is for one side of the square. We will be working in the chain closest to my hand in the picture.

Insert your hook into the chain on both squares to join together, making sure there are two loops on the top.

Using the aran colored yarn, make a slip knot. Pull up the slipknot and start to single crochet across, including the space where you attached the yarn.

SC until you get to the edge, the last SC will be in one of the chains. Once you SC across the square, there should be 18 SC. 

Pick up your next set of squares and insert your hook into the edge of both squares as shown in the beginning. 

Continue to SC across all squares until you reach the top of the afghan. Fasten off.

Continue to do this for each vertical row. Once you have all rows joined vertically, you will start to join the squares horizontally, which is a bit easier since all the squares will be joined on two sides already.

I added a border consisting of HDCs around (making sure to put 3HDCs in each corner). I did 4 rows of Aran (cream color), 1 row of Forest Green, and 1 row of Chocolate Brown.

Click here to see the finished project.

Woodland Deer Granny Square - Woodland Afghan Series

GET THE CROCHET DEER APPLIQUE ALONG WITH THE GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN IN AN AD-FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

OR SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FREE DEER CROCHET PATTERN.

The 10th and final Woodland themed square is complete! I spent months nursing this project, and I've finally finished all the themed squares! I still have to finish last minute touches such as the border and making sure everything is secure, but I'm seeing it all come together and it feels fantastic!

This deer was by far the longest I took to design. This is one of FOUR designs I came up with. Five if you count the fact that I changed the antler on this one at the last minute. There are other deer appliques out there and I did not want to step on anyone's toes especially since some appliques out there are strictly for purchasing.

I played around with a more cartoon-y design, but decided this design fit more cohesively with the blanket. My fear was it would be too similar to the moose, but it definitely has its own charm! 

I hope you enjoy this design and that you're as stoked as I am to see the final project! I am planning on creating more designs in the future for animals that are requested. I can't promise when these will be done since I have other projects in mind, and this one took much longer than anticipated. If you sign up to be on my mailing list, you will gets updates of when I post patterns. This way you won't miss when I get around to posting new designs for this afghan!

Click here to see all the other animals I have designed as well as the suggested layout for this afghan.

GET THE AD-FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

PIN IT TO YOUR CROCHET BOARD ON PINTEREST.

Materials

Worsted weight yarn:

Lion Brand Vanna Choice in Taupe and Loops & Threads Impeccable in Soft Taupe

G hook

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Special Stitches:

Foundation Single Crochet

Pattern

Head - G hook - Taupe - worked in rounds

Row 1: Magic circle, Chain 1, 8 SC, join (8)

Row 2: Chain 1, 2 SC in each stitch, join (16)

Row 3: Chain 1, *SC, 2 SC, repeat from *, join (24)

Row 4: Chain 1, SC in next 4 stitches, slip stitch into next 7 stitches, [SC, DC] into next stitch, 2 DC into next stitch, [DC, SC] into next stitch, slip stitch back to beginning of round, join to first SC. 

Ear (do not fasten off from previous row): Chain 1, SC in next 4 stitches, turn your work

Chain 1, SC across, turn your work

Chain 1 decrease two times, turn your work

Chain 1, decrease, fasten off.

To make the neck:

Attach yarn 6 spaces to the right of the ear.

SC in 4 stitches, turn your work

Chain 1, SC increase, 2 SC, SC increase, turn your work

Chain 1, SC across, fasten off

Antler - G hook 

I have provided a step by step with pictures in order to complete the antlers. A big paragraph of explanations did not sit well with me, so I hope the pictures are helpful to you!

The antler is started with a foundation single crochet. When starting a foundation single crochet, two chains are necessary to start. 

In place of the two chains, we will be using the two stitches to the left of the ear. Attach yarn to the space just to the left of the ear. Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop so there are two loops on your hook.

Yarn over, pull through only one loop.

Yarn over, pull through both loops. This counts as one foundation single crochet.

Work 6 more foundation single crochets for a total of 7 foundation single crochets.

Chain 1 and turn your work so you work on the side that has double loops on the top. This is the main portion of the antler. Slip stitch 3 times.

Chain 4, slip stitch back down the chain including the space on the main antler. This makes one point.

Slip stitch down the main antler 2 times.

Chain 4, slip stitch back down the chain including onto the main antler for another point. Slip stitch down the main antler back to the head. Slip stitch in the space on the head as well. Fasten off.

Turn your work around. This is what your antler should look like so far. Attach yarn to the second space above the head on the opposite side of where you made the two points.

Chain 5, slip stitch back to main antler.

Fasten off and leave tail for sewing antler onto granny square.

You are welcome to share this pattern and to make this for sale, but please link back to me as the designer.  Do not in any way copy or alter any part of my patterns and publish them as your own. For copyright information, please visit the link at the top of my page "Copyright/Disclosure".

Woodland Bunny Granny Square - Woodland Afghan Series - Free Crochet Pattern

GET THE CROCHET BUNNY APPLIQUE ALONG WITH THE GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN IN AN AD-FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

OR SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FREE BUNNY CROCHET PATTERN.

Check out this cute little guy with his fluffy little tail and sweet pink nose!  I went with a side view of this bunny so he would fit in with all the other creatures I have designed so far. 

With Easter well on it's way, I didn't want to mistake this bunny to being too "Eastery". Does that make sense? I initially started designing just the head with two floppy ears, but it didn't say "Woodland" to me, it just said "Easter bunny".

I opted for a more realistic design, and I'm happy with how the design came out! I think he makes a wonderful addition to the blanket!

 If you are new here, you can click here to check out the Woodland Afghan Series to see how I will be making this afghan as well as a running list of the animals I have designed so far along with the links to their tutorials/patterns.

Just one more to design and that will be it for this Woodland Afghan! I am working hard to get this afghan assembled and ready to photograph once finished. Can't wait to share the last piece of this with you next week!

GET THE AD-FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

PIN IT TO YOUR CROCHET BOARDS ON PINTEREST.

Materials

Worsted weighted yarn in taupe, pink

(I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice)

Bernat pipsqueak in white 

6mm safety eye (can be substituted with french knot)

G hook

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Amazon Picks (affiliate links - You can support my blog by purchasing through these links at no extra cost to you!)

*These safety eyes are the cheapest I have found! You can purchase them at a craft store, but they are about $3 for only 10 pieces. Here you will get 100 pieces for under $7. I just ordered some more for this blanket. Although I will now have so much more than I need, I will have them on hand for future projects! Free two-day shipping with Amazon prime (which you can get a 30-day free trial and cancel at any time!) Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

Pattern

Head - Taupe - G hook

Row 1: Magic ring, Chain 1, SC 8, join

Row 2: Chain 1, 2 SC in each stitch around, join (16)

Row 3: Chain 1, SC in two spaces, turn

Row 4: Chain 1, SC across, turn

Row 5-6: Repeat row 4

Row 7: Chain 1, SC decrease, fasten off

Main Body - Taupe - G hook

Row 1: Magic ring, Chain 2, 10 HDC, join (10)

Row 2: Chain 2, 2 HDC in each stitch, join (20)

Row 3: Chain 2, DC in two spaces, turn your work

Row 4: Chain 1, SC decrease, fasten off

Back Leg - Taupe - G hook

Row 1: Magic ring, Chain 1, 8 SC, join

Row 2: Chain 1, 2 HDC in same space, fasten off

Tail - White - G hook - Pipsqueak white yarn

Chain 3, join to first chain, fasten off

*I also used this type of yarn with the wolf square, but if you opt out of using this yarn, you can most certainly use a regular worsted weighted yarn (or even a chunky yarn if you have it). You may need to add more chains before joining to the first chain to ensure a proportionate sized tail.

Assembly

Sew the back leg onto the main body. The front leg on the body will be facing left as well as the back leg. 

Sew the head on the main body with the ear slightly slanting to the right.

Attach safety eye to the head (you will not be able to take the safety eye off once the back is attached, so ensure proper placement before attaching).

Attach tail to the main body.

Sew on nose with small amount of pink yarn with tapestry needle.

You are welcome to share this pattern and to make this for sale, but please link back to me as the designer. Do not in any way copy or alter any part of my patterns and publish them as your own. For copyright information, please visit the link at the top of my page "Copyright/Disclosure".

Woodland Wolf Granny Square - Woodland Afghan Series - Free Crochet Pattern

GET THE CROCHET WOLF APPLIQUE ALONG WITH THE GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN IN AN AD-FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

OR SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FREE WOLF CROCHET PATTERN.

I've sat here and can not come up with words for this wolf. But just look at him. *squeal* I guess I don't have words, just excited exclamations!

When I think of wolves, I think of how luxurious their coats look. I wanted to capture that in this square, so I used a new yarn that I fell in love with! 

I used Bernat Pipsqueak yarn and it feels heavenly! This yarn is difficult to work with because you can't really see the stitches since it's so fluffy, but I made sure to keep it simple so everyone is able to join in on the fun!

It's been chilly here in Central PA, so I had a good excuse to stay in doors and get working on this afghan! We are expecting a snow storm in the next few days, and I'm crossing my fingers that it will allow me to get this whole blanket completed! 

I have joined all of my squares and am working on making multiples of the woodland themed animals to sew on. Do you like to join as you go? I am using the SC join method, if you were wondering. I think it's looking fantastic! I will be posting more details of how I join this blanket so if this is your first time doing squares, don't worry! 

There are many ways to join a granny square blanket, so by no means do you have to join the way I am. Use what works best for you! Also, YouTube is a great place to learn different techniques!

For the granny square base pattern as well as a running list and links to animals already designed click here.

GET THE AD-FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

PIN IT TO YOUR CROCHET BOARDS ON PINTEREST.

Materials

Worsted weight yarn in gray, black

(I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Silver Grey)

Bernat Pipsqueak in white (can be substituted for white worsted weighted yarn)

G hook

Safety eyes 6mm

Scissors

Tapestry needle

Amazon Picks

*I definitely recommend the 100-piece safety eyes that you can purchase on Amazon. It's the best price I can find. You can purchase at your craft store but you only get 10 pieces for about $3. You will need several for this Woodland Afghan project and are great for other projects such as amigurumi as well!

I also recommend the clover hooks especially with the smaller crochet hook sizes. The whole set of 10 definitely saves you a bit of money if you are an avid crocheter - as you can see, just one hook costs about $9 (and around $10 in stores).

Free two-day shipping with Amazon prime. You can sign up for a free trial and cancel before the trial is over if you don't want to keep it! Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

*Purchasing from these affiliate links will help support my blog at no additional cost to you! 

Pattern

Head - gray yarn - G hook

Worked in rows, turn your work after each row

Row 1: Chain 2, 2 SC into second chain from hook (2)

Row 2: Chain 1, SC increase in each stitch across (4)

Row 3: Chain 1, SC increase, 2 SC, SC increase (6)

Row 4: Chain 1, SC increase, 4 SC, SC increase (8)

Row 5: Chain 1, SC across (8)

Row 6: Chain 1, SC increase, 6 SC, SC increase (10)

Row 7: Chain 1, SC increase, 8 SC, SC increase (12)

Row 8-11: Chain 1, SC across (12)

Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto square.

To add the white fur around the face, attach white pipsqueak yarn between rows 10 and 11 on the left side of the head. SC down around the snout and back up to between Row 10 and 11 on the right side. Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto square.

Ears - white and gray yarn - G hook

Attach white pipsqueak yarn to the right corner of the last row of the head. SC in three spaces, turn your work, triple SC decrease, fasten off.

Repeat for the left ear in the three stitches on the left side of the head.

Using gray, SC around the right ear, slip stitch over to the left ear and SC around left ear.

Nose - black yarn - G hook

Chain 3, join to first chain. Fasten off. Sew onto face.

Eyes - 2 safety eyes 6mm
Attach safety eyes to head.
*Once you put on the safety eyes, you will not be able to take them out. Be sure they are spaced evenly before placing the backs of the safety eyes on to secure.

You are welcome to share this pattern and to make this for sale, but please link back to me as the designer.  Do not in any way copy or alter any part of my patterns and publish them as your own. For copyright information, please visit the link at the top of my page "Copyright/Disclosure".

Woodland Squirrel Granny Square - Free Crochet Pattern

GET THE CROCHET SQUIRREL APPLIQUE ALONG WITH THE GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN IN AN AD-FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

OR SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FREE SQUIRREL CROCHET PATTERN.

The squirrel has made it to the Woodland Afghan! It's been tough picking only ten animals, but I needed a realistic goal for this blanket. I planned for this blanket to be finished by the time March rolls around, but here we are! It's March! And this thing is still going! The squirrel is my seventh woodland themed granny square, and only THREE more to go!

I have been getting requests and messages about animals people would like to see appear on the afghan. I have my animals picked and set for the last three, but I'm thinking I may just have to visit this afghan in the near future to add additional squares that are most requested!

You can click here to see all of the woodland themed squares designed so far. And since you guys have been so supportive and sending so much love, I'm going to tell you the next three squares I will be designing. (And I'm a very impatient person, so I know I'd be giddy to know the last three animals to be designed). Ready? The next animals to accompany the other woodland themed squares will be a wolf, a bunny, and a deer. *claps*

So if you have been hoping for a certain animal that I haven't already created or on my list to design, let me know! If an animal is requested enough, I will come back and design it for an extra square option.

Now that you all know the plan for the rest of the afghan, let's get to the squirrel pattern!
As always, the pattern for the Granny Square is here where you will also find the running list of squares designed, what colors are needed for the base of the squares as well as what the overall pattern of the blanket will look like.

GET THE AD-FREE PDF DOWNLOAD HERE.

PIN IT TO YOUR CROCHET BOARDS ON PINTEREST.

Materials Used

Worsted weight yarn:

Vanna’s Choice in Toffee, Beige and Black

Lion Brand Fun Fur yarn in Chocolate (optional*)

Safety eyes 6mm

G hook

F hook

Tapestry needle

Scissors

There are two pattern options for the tail: one option is using the fun fur yarn and the other option is using the toffee colored yarn. Both options are written below. *If you use the later option, the fun fur yarn will be optional. 

I made the fun fur optional mostly because I personally couldn't find this particular color in stores anymore, and I only had it from my yarn stash.

Amazon Picks

The safety eyes on Amazon are the cheapest I have found. You can get them at the craft store for about $3 for 10 pieces, but on Amazon you can get 100 for only a little over $6. Definitely worth it if you make amigurumi, and you will also need several for this woodland afghan project.

Also, Clover hooks are amazing especially when working with smaller hook sizes. I listed the two hooks you will need for this project, but you can get a whole set of ten for about $40 - that is super cheap for these hooks!

Free two-day shipping with Amazon prime. You can sign up for a free trial and cancel before the trial ends if you don't want to keep it! Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

Pattern

Head - G hook - toffee yarn - worked in rows

Row 1: Chain 7, SC into second chain, SC across (6)

Row 2: Chain 1, decrease, 2 SC, decrease (4)

Row 3: Chain 1, 4 SC (4)

Row 4: Chain 1, decrease, decrease (2)

Row 5: Chain 1, decrease (1)

Chain 1, SC around until you get back to row one (top of the head). 

2 SC into first stitch of the row, in next stitch work the following (SC, chain 3, SC), SC into next two stitches, then work the following in the next stitch (SC, chain 3, SC), 2 SC in the last stitch. This makes the ears and the top of the head. Continue to SC around until you get back to the bottom tip of the head. Join. Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto body.

Eyes and Nose

Using 6mm safety eyes, place the eyes onto the head.

*Once you attach the back sides of the safety eyes, you will not be able to take them off so make sure you are satisfied with the placement before attaching*

Using a tapestry needle and black yarn, sew on the nose using a running stitch at the bottom tip of the head.

Body - G hook

Starting with beige:

Row 1: Chain 4, SC into second chain and across (3)

Row 2: Chain 1, SC across (3)

Row 3: Chain 1, increase, SC, increase (5)

Row 4: Chain 1, SC across (5)

Row 5-6: Repeat Row 4

Row 7: Chain 1, decrease, SC, decrease (3)

Switch to toffee color yarn

Chain 1, SC around the body, join

Chain 1, SC around the body an additional time making sure to work 2 SC in each corner of the body, join

Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto granny square

Tail

Option 1: Using fun fur yarn and toffee yarn together with G hook

Holding the fun fur and the toffee yarn together, attach to where you fastened off the body.
Chain 3, SC into second chain from hook and across (2)

Turn your work, Chain 1, SC across

Repeat for 8 rows

Fasten off.

*This yarn is very wild, so I chose to trim the ‘fur’ down a bit

Option 2: Using toffee colored yarn - G hook 

Row 1: Chain 11, 2SC into second chain from hook, SC increase, SC increase, SC in the 7 remaining stitches (13) turn your work

Row 2: 5 Sl st, 2 SC, 2 HDC, 2 SC, 2 Sl st, fasten off

Fasten off and leave tail for sewing.

Sew the tail onto the left side of the body for 3 stitches.

Paws - F hook - Toffee yarn

Chain 4, join to first chain. 

Fasten off and sew onto body of squirrel

This is what the alternative tail is if you would like to opt out of the Fun Fur yarn.


You are welcome to share this pattern and to make this for sale, but please link back to me as the designer.  Do not in any way copy or alter any part of my patterns and publish them as your own. For copyright information, please visit the link at the top of my page "Copyright/Disclosure".