Join-As-You-Go Method for Crochet Motifs

There are many ways to join your motifs, but I think that the join-as-you-go method is the easiest and quickest way. This method can be used for any kind of motif (try it with this vintage daisy motif!) and works especially well with pieces that already have picots or chain spaces – they’ll help guide you on where to join. For this example, we’ll be using hexagon motifs. If you’d like to read more about joining squares, I wrote a post about that here.

First, plan out how you are going to arrange your motifs (based on color and shape). I usually make a quick sketch as a guide. Then, make the first motif to the end with no changes, as you see above. We’ll be joining the rest of the motifs so that all of the corners are connected.

For the second motif, only work part of the final round. You’ll be joining the motifs together as you finish the final round. Each corner of these hexagons has a chain 3 space, and we want the joins to be in the center. So, at the corners we’ll chain one, make the join, then chain one again to complete the chain 3 space. Always join in the center. If your corner had 9 chains, you would chain 4, join, then chain 4 again. First we’ll try a slip stitch join.

Here’s what a slip stitch join looks like:

As you can see, the hexes will be joined at two points for the entirety of the first row of motifs. As you work more rows of motifs, you will need to stop the final round sooner because you will need to connect the hexes at more points, so plan ahead!

Next, we’ll try a single crochet join. I prefer the look of a single crochet join, but of course this is completely subjective. Also note that we’ll be joining at more points this time. So, make your motif and stop half way through the final round.

Insert your hook into the corner as you did for the slip stitch join, but this time make a single crochet in the corner.

For the single crochet join, your corners will go like this: chain one, single crochet in corner (insert hook, yarn over, pull loop through, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook), chain one. Here’s what single crochet joins look like:

Pretty easy, right? The join-as-you-go method eliminates the need to do any tedious sewing, but keep these points in mind:

• Plan ahead, especially if you have a specific color pattern in mind. Once you start joining, it will be a huge PIA if you find a mistake and have to rip everything back.
• Wait until you’re all done with your project to weave in the ends. This way, if you do find a mistake, it will be easier to rip out the work and start over.
• If you are joining motifs that don’t have chain spaces or picots, you may want to add a chain or two at the join so that the work doesn’t pucker. For example, if the final round of your motif is all single crochets: at the joining point chain one, join, chain one, continue. Of course, this depends on your tension, hook, and yarn, so use your discretion.
• You can either join around a chain space (as I did in this tutorial) or you can join into/through a chain or stitch – it’s up to you.

About these ads