Introduction
There are many ways of joining crochet squares and they all have different characteristics. The Zipper Join results in a smooth, flat seam on both sides, forming a flat chain of stitches on the top side and a running stitch on the reverse. This method can be used to join any kind of square or seam where each side to be joined has the same number of stitches. For this tutorial I have used a contrasting color yarn so you can see the seam more easily, when you use the same color yarn the seam blends in to your squares beautifully.
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For this method our squares are placed side by side with both their right sides facing up. In this position you can see the front loops of the stitches (marked in red in the photo below) and the back loops of the stitches (marked in yellow). The zipper join is worked in the back loops only.
For this tutorial I am joining two of my Baby Dragonflower Squares, these have a chain 2 corner space so, for the purposes of joining, 1 chain “belongs” to each side and the seam will start and end in these stitches. If you are joining squares with a different number of corner stitches and/or chains you will need to allocate the stitches to each side evenly. If you have an odd number of corner stitches you can decide wether to skip the central stitch completely, or only join it on either the horizontal or the vertical seam.
In the photo below I have placed a stitch marker in each of the chains I will be starting my seam in, you may find it helpful to do this too. Once the starting point is located we can begin.
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Slip stitches aren’t as elastic as other crochet stitches so go up a hook size to avoid the seam pulling in and puckering. |
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If you are joining multiple squares (ie rows of a blanket) there is no need to finish off after joining the first two, lay the next two squares in place and repeat the process until all squares in the row are joined. After joining all the rows turn your work 90° to join the columns in exactly the same way.
