This slip stitch crochet join is a complete photo and video tutorial by Nana’s Crafty Home!

This slip stitch join method is also known as the Braided Slip Stitch Join or the Zig Zag Slip Stitch Join.  This slip stitch join method is a great way to join crochet squares together.  A simple and easy way to add texture to your seams.

I am always looking for interesting and different techniques to join granny squares and I am in love with this method!

I have been working on my Christmas Granny Square series and have been looking for the perfect join method.  I wanted a join that would be crocheted not sewn and that would add a touch of texture and contrast to my squares.

This slip stitch crochet join method has lovely texture but if you are looking for a flat, invisible join I would recommend the Mattress Stitch which is a seamed or sewn join.

Slip Stitch Crochet Join Details

This join method utilizes a crochet slip stitch throughout.  This slip stitch crochet join is easy once you get the hang of it but I would consider it a little bit “finicky”.  However, once you get the hang of it you can move along pretty quickly. This will not be a completely flat join but will not have the ridge you may find with other slip stitch join methods.  The loops are slightly raised on the front of your squares and have a slight zig zag or braided appearance.

I would recommend working this join with a contrasting color to the squares you are joining together.  Given that the method is a little more time consuming and finicky than a flat standard slip stitch join why would you want to have the same color for all of that extra work to disappear?

I also have a complete video tutorial available for this slip stitch crochet join method.  You can view it here on the blog if you scroll down to the bottom of this post or you can view it on YouTube.   Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to get notified whenever I post a new video. Scroll down for the complete photo tutorial for this joining method.

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You may also like the following free crochet stitch tutorials by Nana’s Crafty Home:

• 1. Lace Join for Granny Squares and Motifs Tutorial
• 2. Bobble Shell Border Stitch Tutorial
• 3. Candy Cane Crochet Border in 3 Colors Tutorial

Zig Zag or Braided Slip Stitch Crochet Join Instructions

Supplies shown:

• Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
• Red Heart With Love Weight 4 / Medium (100% acrylic, 7 oz / 370 yds)
• Holly Berry 1.0 oz / 53 yds (Red)
• Iced Aqua 1.5 oz / 80 yds (Blue)
• Tapestry yarn needle

Abbreviations:

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch

Before you begin joining your squares together you will want to assemble your squares in the order you want to join them.  Once I had the placement of my squares I could start on the joining.

You will start by joining the columns of your squares then come back and work on joining the rows.

Place your squares right side facing up.  Get your yarn on your hook with a slip knot.  Begin joining in the corners of the two squares.  The granny squares I am joining have 2 chain stitches in each corner.  You will work your first slip stitch in the chain stitch next to the first stitch of the side you are joining in the square closest to you.  If your granny square had a ch-3 corner space you would leave the middle chain unworked.

If it helps you can use stitch markers to mark the corner ch-1 stitches you will be working into. 

Insert your hook into the chain from the right side of your square to the wrong side, yarn over and pull through for your first slip stitch. Now working in the second square, insert your hook into the chain stitch closest to the stitch on the side you are joining from the right side to the wrong side, yarn over and pull through to complete a sl st.

Continue this same method in the next stitch of both squares to the next chain corner space.  At the ch-2 corner space, work a slip stitch in the first chain of the corner in the front square and then work a slip stitch in the chain stitch of the back square.  Then bring in the next two squares you will be joining with the right side of the squares facing up.  

Work a slip stitch in the chain stitch closest to the stitch on the side you are joining from the front square and then in the chain stitch closest to the stitch on the side you are joining from the back square.

Continue working slip stitches in each stitch of both squares to the next corner and repeat to the end. 

Once you have all the squares joined for the that column and you have worked through the final two sides, work a slip stitch in the front chain stitch of the final corner space and a slip stitch in the back square’s chain stitch, then ch 1 before fastening off.

Continue with the next column until all columns are complete.  Now begin joining the rows.

Start with your first row in the same manner as you began the two squares from the first column.  Continue until you reach the join at the corner.

Work a slip stitch in the chain stitch from the front square.  Insert your hook into the chain stitch from the back square and then insert hook under the join between the squares, yarn over and pull through to complete the slip stitch for the back square.

Slip stitch in the chain stitch from the next front square after the join and then slip stitch in the chain stitch from the back square after the join. Continue across the row to the end.

Continue joining each row until all rows are complete.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful – thank you so much for being here! Do you have other “go-to” join methods that you frequently use? Let me know in the comments below – I love to hear from my readers!

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