How to crochet an invisible join when working in the round – without cutting yarn!
This tutorial will show you how to crochet an invisible join when working in the round. And the best part: you don’t need to fasten off at the end of each round. With this simple technique you can easily crochet hats in joined rounds, without having to deal with an annoying seam. Read more for a quick and simple tip on how to hide your seams when working in joined rounds!
Difference with other techniques
There are many tutorials out there that will show you how to crochet an invisible join working in the round. The most explained method to create a perfect circle without any seams is also the most time-consuming method: they will tell you to fasten off and re-attach yarn every round. Doable if you only need to work a few rounds, but annoying when you follow a pattern with many rounds. The method I’m going to show you will result in a double crochet circle with straight seams which are almost completely invisible.
This method can be used for many different projects, such as hats, bags, coasters and face scrubs worked in joined rounds. I use this technique any time I have to work in the round. You can even use this technique for starting and joining rounds when making solid squares.
How this invisible join method works
It works by starting the round with 2 chains which count as the last (yes, last!) stitch. The first ‘real stitch’ will be worked in the same slip stitch. At the end of the round you skip the chain stitches and slip stitch in the first ‘real’ stitch. This way your chains become ‘stuck’ between two stitches and will look more like a normal DC. Don’t worry, it’s really simple! Below you can find detailed step-by-step instructions, including a video.
How to crochet an invisible join working in the round
Abbreviations:
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
dc: double crochet
Notes:
- The first ‘normal’ dc (worked in the sl st) counts as the first stitch
- Chain 2 counts as the last stitch
- Use a loose tension when making the slip stitches (do not pull tight!)
Begin with a magic ring
R1:Â ch 2, 9 dc into magic ring, sl st in first st (not ch-2) (10)
R2: ch 2, 2 dc in same sl st, 2 dc in next 8 st, 1 dc in sl st from previous round, sl st in first dc (20)
R3: ch 2, 1 dc in same sl st, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st* repeat 8 times, 1 dc in next st, 1 dc in sl st, sl st in first dc (30)
Continue as many rounds as needed. Remember: every row you will add one more stitch before increasing. For example:
- R4: *1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st*,
- R5: *1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st*,
- R6: *1 dc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next st*, etc.
Finish off using the invisible finish
Video
To make it easier, I made a video tutorial showing you how to crochet an invisible join working in the round with double crochet stitches.
* Click here to watch the video on YouTube
Questions?
If you have any questions about my patterns, yarn or sizing, feel free to join my Facebook Group. I created this group for you to share pictures/ progress, ask questions and to help each other out.
Get notifications of my new patterns sent straight to your inbox!
I don’t understand, I am working the same amount of stitches for each round. I am doing fpdc and bpdc alternately. How do I do this with these kind of stitches?
I can’t thank you enough for this tutorial! I l’ve been crocheting off and on for 30 + years, and never heard of the invisible join until very recently. I’ve been watching and reading so many different tutorials for different methods, and none of them were this invisible OR this easy! It really does work for any project in the round , and with any stitch! After hours and days of starting over on the same frickin’ square, I can now finally get one done and move forward with my kitchen theme! Thank you!
I just came across this tutorial, I was looking for a method to avoid the gap when joining with a slip stitch, I’ve watched lots of different videos and this is definitely the method I liked best, so easy and works really well. Thanks for sharing!
Wilma
Sincere thanks for being a good teacher.
I have read and watched several instructionals which were only confusing.
Now I get it. Your method is also simple and does not stop the flow of crocheting.
Now, is this clever or is this clever ?!
I have indeed come across that “cut the yarn” instruction, and sighed in annoyance.
What you’ve provided is, like … SUPER ! 😀
Thanks heaps, Wilma !