Joining knitted strips or squares using a crochet hook is a popular and effective method to create blankets, garments, or other finished pieces. This technique allows you to seamlessly or decoratively connect knitted panels.
Preparing Your Knitted Strips
Before you begin crocheting, it's crucial to prepare your knitted pieces for joining.
Blocking
Blocking your knitted strips helps them lie flat and makes joining easier by ensuring even edges.
Alignment is Key
Based on the provided reference, a critical step is aligning your work. You need to "make sure that you are easing your work" so that the stitches along the edges of the strips line up correctly.
- Ensure that the stitches on the right side edge (often the ends of rows in garter or stockinette stitch) are lining up straight across to the stitches on the left side edge (which could be a cast-on or bind-off row, or the ends of rows from the adjacent piece).
- Proper alignment prevents puckering or stretching and ensures a neat join.
Common Crochet Joining Methods
There are several crochet stitches you can use to join knitted strips. The choice depends on the desired look – whether you want an invisible seam or a decorative ridge.
Slip Stitch Join
This method creates a relatively flat and less visible seam.
- Place the two knitted strips right sides facing up (or wrong sides facing up for a raised seam).
- Insert your crochet hook through a stitch (or the space between stitches/edge loops) on the edge of the first strip.
- Insert the hook through the corresponding stitch or space on the edge of the second strip.
- Yarn over and pull through both the fabric and the loop on your hook, completing a slip stitch.
- Repeat across the length of the join, working one slip stitch for each corresponding stitch or space on both pieces, maintaining the alignment emphasized in the reference.
Single Crochet Join
Using single crochet creates a slightly more pronounced, sturdy ridge along the seam.
- Place the two knitted strips right sides facing up (or wrong sides facing up).
- Insert your crochet hook through a stitch or space on the edge of the first strip.
- Insert the hook through the corresponding stitch or space on the edge of the second strip.
- Yarn over and pull a loop through both layers of fabric.
- Yarn over again and pull through the two loops on your hook, completing a single crochet stitch.
- Repeat across the length of the join, working one single crochet for each corresponding stitch or space on both pieces, ensuring careful alignment.
Other Methods
- Double Crochet Join: Creates a more decorative, wider seam.
- Joining through Back Loops Only: Can create a flexible seam line.
- Decorative Stitches: Shells, picots, or other patterns can be used for a highly visible, decorative join.
Tips for Successful Joining
- Choose the Right Hook Size: Use a hook size appropriate for the yarn weight used in your knitted pieces.
- Use Consistent Tension: Maintain an even tension while crocheting to avoid puckering or a wavy seam.
- Work into Edge Loops: For a neater edge, you can work your crochet hook into the small loops along the edge of the knitted fabric, rather than just the spaces.
- Practice: If you're new to this technique, try joining a few small swatch pieces first.
By carefully aligning your knitted pieces and using a suitable crochet stitch, you can effectively join strips together to create a cohesive fabric.
