The join‑as‑you‑go method lets you connect motifs as you crochet the final round, eliminating the need for sewing later. Each motif is joined directly through the stitches of its last round, creating a clean, seamless finish.
Depending on the pattern, motifs can be joined through the center of an arch, with single crochet or slip stitch joins, or (when working with picot edging) by connecting motifs through their picots. This alternative method works beautifully in designs like my Josefina and Jeffery Blanket.
How the Picot Join Works
A Picot Join is almost identical to a regular picot stitch. The only difference is that instead of completing a tiny ch‑3 loop, you slip stitch into the corresponding picot of the neighboring motif.
Here’s the sequence:
Ch 1, sl st into the matching picot of the previous motif, ch 1, then finish the stitch as a regular picot.
This creates a secure, tidy join that blends seamlessly into the edging.
Video Tutorials
Below are both right‑handed and left‑handed demonstrations of joining motifs with picot edges, featuring the Josefina and Jeffery Elephant Blanket.
Right-Handed Crochet
Left-Handed Crochet
More Ways to Use Picot Joins
This joining method isn’t limited to squares or motifs... you can use it to connect other shapes as well. For example, I used Picot Joins to attach the spikes in my dinosaur hat patterns. The video below shows a work‑in‑progress demonstration, while the full spike instructions are included in the patterns.
Patterns Featured in This Tutorial
- Spiky the Stegosaurus Dinosaur Hat
- Tops the Triceratops Dinosaur Hat
- Tops the Triceratops Dinosaur Baby Set
