The Invisible Join / Crochet Tutorial

The invisible join is an easy to master technique that will give your crochet pieces the smooth finish they deserve.  I'll admit that I avoided it for a long time.  I thought, why bother with threading the needle and "sewing" my stitches together when a slip stitch/finish off does the job quickly and efficiently? I finally decided to give it a try last year when I was doing a lot of thread crochet.  After working so hard to create even, perfect squares I was frustrated by the obvious lump the slip stitch left behind.  Like everything, it takes a bit of practice, but once you've done it a few times you'll wonder why you procrastinated for so long!

I don't always use the invisible join. When I'm making grannies I only use it on the last round, since you don't see the others.  I've found it works well with most yarns and is ideal with thread.  Along with being smooth and well, invisible on finishing rounds, the other place I like to use it is when you have to count stitches to make a border come out right.  There's no fudging or trying to cram the hook into the joining stitch.

To help you on your way I created this tutorial.  Lots of the instructions I've seen try to show you in two or three steps. While that may be ok for some folks I prefer to see how-to in as much detail as possible. Including how to weave in the end to ensure a secure join. (That's the part no one shows you!!)  Are you ready?

Here's How You Do It

1. Finish the last stitch.
   
2. Pull the thread/yarn through the loop (like finishing off).
3. Thread needle.
4. Working from back (WS) to front (RS) pass needle under both lops of the first stitch (NOT the starting chain). If you work into the starting chain you will end up with an extra stitch.
   
5. Working from front (RS) to back (WS) pass needle through the middle of the loop that you pulled the thread/yarn through in step 2.
6. Adjust the thread/yarn so that it sort of lays on top  of the starting chain and looks like a stitch.
7. Pull snugly (but not too tight or it closes the stitch).
8. Now here's the part that no one tells you how to do!! To weave in the end, turn work over to the back (WS) and run the needle down through the back of the starting chain.
9. Pass the needle under several stitches working from right to left.
10. Turn and pass the needle under several stitches in the opposite direction (left to right).
11. Snip the end using your favorite scissors.
12. A beautiful join with no unsightly lumps and bumps!
    

That's all there is to it!  While it's not necessary for every join, it's nice to have an alternative that gives your crochet project a smooth, even finish. Enjoy!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!