How do I work a zipper join?

Here’s an easy way to join motifs using slip stitches…

This flat join can be used with almost any square to create a flat join without extra bulk. We’ll work slip stitches into the edges of two squares, in the same way as you’d make surface crochet stitches. You’ll need a crochet hook and some yarn, either in a matching or contrasting colour – I’ve used a contrasting yarn so you can see the stitches. To start working the zipper join, place your motifs right sides up, with the two edges you want to join next to each other. Starting at one end, line up the corner stitches on each motif. Place the two corner stitches so that their back loops are touching – the back loop is the yarn strand at the top of the stitch that lies at the outermost edge of the motif. Make a slipknot in your yarn.

Step 1 Insert the hook under the back loop of the stitch on the square nearest to you.

Step 2 Then insert the hook under the back loop of the stitch on the other square, making sure you insert it into the front of the fabric – the hook should emerge at the back, where you’ll be holding the yarn.

Step 3 Work yrh – this can be a little tricky without seeing the yarn, so just try to feel the yarn instead.

Step 4 Pull the yarn through the two stitches…

Step 5 …then pull it through the loop on the hook.

Step 6 Repeat from Step 1 with the back loops of the next stitches. The squares should be neatly ‘zipped’ together. If your squares have a different number of stitches on the edges, work twice into some stitches on the edge with fewer stitches.

Tip If you have lots of squares to join, work seams in long lines. So, join all the squares in rows, then go back and join all the columns. This helps to create straighter lines and a neater look at the corners of the squares. At the end of each long join, fasten off securely and weave in any remaining ends.

Tip Leave ends long when you fasten off squares and use them for seaming.