Joining Squares
There are a number of ways to join your squares. You can use crochet or knitting; don't knit or crochet - just twist together!
Joining 1 - Slip Stitch
i. Place 2 finished squares together, wrong sides facing each other, and hold the 2 sets of loops on the left, with your left hand, and flick the 2 squares open.
ii. Slipstitch from knot to knot down the 4 knots, and fasten off. Add squares in this manner until you have the desired length of your project.
iii. When you turn your work over you will have a set of loops on the front of the squares.
Diagram 4a
Diagram 4b
Diagram 4c
Joining 2 - Crochet
How to crochet very much depends on the type of yarn and size of loom you are using. This example is for a Magic Butterfly Loom using double knit and a 5mm hook.
With your choice of yarn and crochet hook, 3 trbl into each loop around the square, and when you reach the corners, 3trbl, 1ch, 3 trbl into each corner. When each square has been crocheted around, slip stitch the square together. Once you have done one row of crochet, you can use any crochet stitch you want and join together.
Joining 3 - Butterfly Braid
i. Take an appropriate size crochet hook and insert it into the bottom loop on the square.
ii. With crochet hook still in the bottom loop, insert crochet hook into the next loop above, loop 2. Diagram 5b
iii. Pull that loop through the loop already on your hook.
iv. Insert crochet hook into next loop, loop 3. Diagram 5d
v. Pull that loop through the loop already on your crochet hook.
vi. Continue in this manner all around motif. Diagram 5f
vii. Secure the last loop - see finishing.
viii. Place the finished squares side by side, with wrong sides facing up, and stitch the squares together knot to knot, and when you turn the squares to the right side, a lovely braid appears.
Diagram 5a
Diagram 5d
Diagram 5b
Diagram 5e
Diagram 5c
Diagram 5f
Joining 4 - Butterfly Twist
i. Lay the square on a flat surface, and using any size crochet hook, start at one side, (bottom loops) and put the crochet hook through the loop on the right hand side and through the loop on the left hand side.
ii. Pull the loop on the left hand side through the loop on the right hand side.
iii. Twist the crochet hook up and through the second set of loops on the right hand side, and then through the 2nd set of loops on the left hand side and pull the left hand side loops through the right side loops.
iv. Continue in this manner alternating from side to side until you have pulled through each loop, ending with the last loop on your crochet hook and fasten it off to secure it to the reverse of your square
Diagram 6a
Diagram 6b
Diagram 6c
Diagram 6d
Joining 5 - Double Butterfly Twist
i. Put the squares wrong sides together
ii. Starting at one corner put your crochet hook through the loops of both squares Diagram 7C
iii. Put the hook through the second pair of loops Diagram 7d
iv. Draw the second loops through the first, leaving the second pair of loops on the hook Diagram 7e
v. Continue to end.
Diagram 7a
Diagram 7b
Diagram 7c
Diagram 7d
Diagram 7e
Diagram 7f
Diagram 7g
Finishing
If you are making an item where the bottom of the join is going to be onto another set of motifs, thread a piece of contrasting wool through the end loop to stop it unravelling and for easy identification.
If you want to end your row or complete your Butterfly Braid:
i. Thread a darning needle with a short length of yarn
ii. Pull the thread through the back of the adjacent knot to the end loop and knot it
iii. Pass the needle through the last loop and fold it towards the knot you have just made
iv. Create a knot to secure and cut excess yarn
Diagram 8a
Diagram 8b
Diagram 8c
Diagram 8d
Diagram 8e