Joining as you go is used when working a piece in strips. You will begin by completing the first strip before joining subsequent strips as you go. This method has a seamless, almost invisible appearance.
The photos below show the front (top) and back (bottom) of two strips that have been joined using the join-as-you-go method.
To start a new strip, join yarn in the lower right corner of the previous strip with a slip stitch. Chain the required number of stitches loosely for the next strip.
Foundation row: Draw up a loop from each chain across as usual for a foundation row.
When you reach the previous strip, insert your hook into the “V” of the edge stitch and through the loop directly behind it at the back of your work. Return: Yarn over and draw through these loops and the next loop on your hook (this will be the last loop of the foundation row just made), yarn over and draw through two loops to the end of the row as usual.
Subsequent rows: Work all stitches on your forward pass as usual, join as described above when you reach the end of the row. Return as you did in the foundation row.
These photos show the front (top) and back (bottom) of two strips that have been crocheted together.
Hold pieces to be joined with right sides together. Attach yarn with a slip knot to a regular crochet hook of the same size used for your Tunisian piece.
Insert hook under the edge stitches of both pieces, yo and pull through both loops on hook (slip stitch made). Continue along edge.
YOU CAN ALSO JOIN PIECES USING SINGLE CROCHET INSTEAD OF A SLIP STITCH, AND YOU CAN USE IT AS A DESIGN FEATURE. IF YOU HOLD THE PIECES WRONG SIDES TOGETHER, THE JOIN WILL SHOW ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR WORK AS A RAISED DESIGN.
The photos below show the front (top) and back (bottom) of two strips that have been sewn together with mattress stitch.
Lay out pieces side by side with right sides facing up.
Insert needle through the corner of one piece leaving a long tail end.
Insert needle through the corner of the other piece, then through both pieces again to secure.
Insert needle under the horizontal bars next to the edge stitch on one of the pieces. Repeat on the other piece, working into the bars next to the corresponding edge stitch.
Continue making pairs of stitches this way, pulling up the thread every few stitches or so. Pull the thread fairly firmly so that the stitches disappear into the seam, being careful not to pull too tightly and distort the fabric.