RAR PONCHO CAL: PART 4

JOINING

PATTERN TERMS:    US

YARN:  Elle Charity Chunky (12 ply).   Stylecraft Special Chunky is an excellent quality / great value alternative yarn.

HOOK SIZE:  5.50mm (I/9 US or 5 CANADIAN)

NOTE:  The final measurements of the poncho if you have worked according to the layout is 82cm (neck to front / back bottom point;   armspan 110cm.

COLOURWAY:   Each crocheter may choose his / her own colour layout - colour changes / breaks are suggestions only.

IMPORTANT:  Read through pattern before starting to crochet.  

Joining:  We will begin by joining the 20 small squares and 4 large squares into 4 panels as indicated in the layout.

Stitch Counts:
To obtain a straight border each corner space counts as 1 stitch

Traditional Granny Square:  1ch +3hdc (corner) + 12hdc (side)  + 3hdc + 1ch (corner) = 20sts

Wheel of Time Square:  1ch + 2dc (corner) + 14dc (side) + 2dc + 1ch (corner) = 20sts

Over the Rainbow Square:  1ch + 2dc (corner) + 33dc (side) + 2dc + 1ch (corner) = 39sts

Two panels each made up of 5 x Traditional Granny Squares (15cm x 15cm) and 1 x Over the Rainbow Square (30cm x 30cm); and

Two panels each made up of 5 x Wheel of Time Squares (15cm x 15cm) and 1 x Over the Rainbow Square (30cm x 30cm).

We will be using my VISIBLE JOIN METHOD which is explained in more detail HERE.

The VISIBLE JOIN is a very forgiving joining method, which gives you a pretty “stitched” look on the right side of your work.  (This join is especially useful when joining squares with uneven stitch counts or for crocheters with uneven tension).

Begin by joining your small squares as follows:

2 Strips of 3 x Traditional Granny Squares each;  2 strips of 2 x Granny Squares each

2 Strips of 3 x Wheel of Time Squares each;  2 strips of 2 x Wheel of Time Squares each.

Now join each strip consisting of 2 x small squares to an Over the Rainbow Square;

then join the strip consisting of 3 x small squares to the Over the Rainbow Square and the small square.   Start by joining the small square of the 3 square strip  to the small square of the 2 square strip (this ensures that your join is correctly spaced);  and then join the remaining 2 small squares of the 3 square strip to the Over the Rainbow Square.

When joining the Traditional Granny Squares, crochet the sc of the join between your 3dc “granny” groups;  skipping 3dc on your larger square so the the spacing of the join corresponds,  with 3ch between each sc.     Where the corners of the two smaller squares meet crochet 1sc into corner of small square, 1ch, skip ONLY 1 dc on large square, 1sc into corner of next small square.

When joining the Wheel of Time Squares, crochet the sc of the join in every 2nd space between dc posts (i.e skip 2dc posts) with 2ch between each sc.   Where the corners of the two smaller squares meet crochet 1sc into corner of small square, 1ch, skip ONLY 1 dc on large square, 1sc into corner of next small square.

Work 1 round of dc around each panel as follows:   Join yarn in any dc, 3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each dc, 1tr into each join, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) into each corner 2ch.  Sl st into 3rd of beginning ch to close.   Fasten off.

Join the four panels as indicated in the LAYOUT – crochet the sc of the join in every 2nd space between dc posts (i.e. skip 2dc posts) with 2ch between each sc.