Join Moss Stitch Squares Using the Join-As-You Go Method

This border is the second in the Moss Stitch series – please see the other pages on How to Crochet a Moss Stitch Square and How to Add A Moss Stitch Border to Moss Stitch Squares.

In this photo tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to join moss stitch squares as you work the final round, eliminating the need for sewing and keeping a seamless, flexible join that complements the stitch pattern. This method is especially great because it blends naturally with the moss stitch’s alternating of double crochets and chain spaces, maintaining both the look and drape of your work.

A free video tutorial is available as well a low cost PDF version of this page – see details further down the page.

A low-cost pdf version of this page is available (see below for details).

Purchase an Ad- free PDF Version of this Pattern

An ad-free PDF version (digital download) of this pattern/tutorial is available to buy now from Ravelry. This PDF is 29 pages long and is a 3-in-1 PDF for the Moss Stitch Squares pattern, the Moss Stitch join-as-you-go joining method and the Moss Stitch border pattern. It includes a photo heavy version of all three of the patterns on pages 1-25, just like the free versions on this page and the respective pages on my website for the How to Crochet Moss Stitch Squares and the Moss Stitch Border. It also includes just the written pattern (on pages 26-29) with only two photos for those who do not want lots of photos to print out.

Equipment

Yarn and Hook: Yarn of your choice and the appropriate crochet hook. Some people like to use a larger hook for the moss stitch.

The example uses Stylecraft Special DK 100% Acrylic and a 4mm hook

Other items: scissors, darning needle, stitch markers (if required).

Crochet Skills Used

A simple pattern using UK treble crochet, double crochet, half treble crochet and chains.
Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques (including working in the round) and terminology is assumed.
Knowledge of the join-as-you-go joining method is advantageous.
Using a magic ring to start the square (although not essential for the pattern).

Abbreviations/Crochet Terms

UK terms are used throughout.

beg-ch	Beginning chain
ch	Chain
ch-sp	Chain space
dc	Double crochet
htr	Half treble crochet
moss stitch	(1dc in ch-1 space, ch1)
RS	Right side
sp(s)	Space(s)
ss	Slip stitch
st(s)	Stitches
tr	Treble crochet
[…]	Repeat pattern stated number of times
(…)	Instructions to be worked into the same stitch or space
WS	Wrong side

UK/US Stitch Conversion

UK term	US term	Description
Treble Crochet (tr)	Double Crochet (dc)	Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook
Half Treble Crochet (htr)	Half Double Crochet (hdc)	Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining three loops to leave 1 loop on the hook
Double Crochet (dc)	Single Crochet (sc)	Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook
Slip Stitch (ss)	Slip Stitch (ss)	Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch and through loop

Supporting video tutorial

The following video tutorial is available: How to join Moss Stitch Squares with the Moss Stitch Join-As-You-Go Method

Pattern Notes

This pattern is for joining the moss stitch squares using the Moss Stitch join-as-you-go method. The pattern is for joining the specific Moss Stitch Squares described on my blog.

With respect to the moss stitch squares, please note the following (as there are differences compared to moss stitch squares described elsewhere): How to Crochet A Moss Stitch Square

This pattern suggests that you turn the work over after each round – this helps to keep the square even and it helps to make the work reversible.

This moss stitch square pattern starts like a Granny Square, with 4 groups of 3 UK treble crochet stitches. This pattern uses a magic ring to start the square, but it is not essential to the pattern.

Many moss stitch squares start a new round in the first chain-1 space of the round. This means that the start of the round shifts along with each round. This can make a noticeable join. This pattern starts each new round in a corner space.

Instead of closing each round by working the corner chains and a slip stitch in the first stitch of the round, this pattern works a UK half treble crochet into the first stitch. This means that the loop is in the centre of the corner, so that you can turn and start the next round without needing to slip stitch into the corner.

The UK half treble crochet stitch closing the round counts as a chain-2 corner space.

Notes on Joining

The squares are joined together using the join-as-you-go joining method whilst working a final round of moss stitch for each square.

A step-by-step photo tutorial is provided below explaining how to do this method of joining with the moss stitch.

The example below (Fig 1) shows four squares (1, 2, 3 and 4), being joined in a 2 by 2 block, subsequent squares would be added to the block.

Alternatively you can work row by row – ie. join the squares in a horizontal strip then add a second row below this. The technique described works with whichever method you choose.

The squares in the example below all have five rounds and they are joined whilst working the fifth round.

Instructions

Square 1 Complete square 1 with the required number of rounds as per Moss Stitch Squares pattern. The example below has five completed rounds.

Square 2 Work square 2 with four rounds and turn it over ready to start round 5 (Fig 2).

Work the first side of square 2 as for square 1. Stop before the first corner (Fig 3). Work (1dc, ch1) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 2 (Fig 4).

Fig 3
Fig 4

Ss in the corresponding ch-2 corner sp of square 1 (Fig 5).

Ch1 (Fig 6).

Fig 5
Fig 6

Complete the corner of square 2 with 1dc in the corner sp of square 2 (Fig 7).

Work the second side of square 2 whilst joining to square 1 – this will be done by replacing the ch1 between the dc stitches with a slip stitch into the corresponding ch-1 spaces of square 1 as follows:

Ss in the first ch-1 sp of square 1 (Fig 8).

Fig 7
Fig 8

1dc in ch-1 sp of square 2 (Fig 9).

Continue to work along with (ss in ch-1 sp of square 1, 1dc in ch-1 sp of square 2), stop before the corner, ss in the last ch-1 sp of square 1 (Fig 10).

Fig 9
Fig 10

Work (1dc, ch1) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 2 (Fig 11).

Ss in the ch-2 corner sp of square 1 (Fig 12).

Fig 11
Fig 12

Complete the corner of square 2 with (ch1, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 2 (location shown by needle in Fig 13) (Fig 14).

Fig 13
Fig 14

Ch1, work along the third side of square 2 with (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) (Fig 15) to the corner.

Work (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp, ch1 and continue with (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) along the fourth side to the corner, 1dc in ch-2 corner sp, 1htr in the first dc of the round (Fig 16). Fasten off (Fig 17).

Fig 16
Fig 17

Square 3 Work square 3 with four rounds and turn it over ready to start round 5 (Fig 18).

Work the first side of square 3 as for square 1. Stop before the first corner (Fig 19).

Fig 18
Fig 19

Work (1dc, ch1) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 3 (Fig 20).

Ss in the ch-2 corner sp of square 2. Note: this is the diagonal corner (Fig 21).

Fig 20
Fig 21

Go back to square 3 and complete the corner with (ch1, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 3 (Fig 22).

Continue with (ss in ch-1 sp of square 1, 1dc in ch-1 sp of square 3) to the corner, work a ss in the last ch-1 sp of square 1 (Fig 23).

Fig 22
Fig 23

At the corner work (1dc, ch1) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 3 (Fig 24).

Ss into the ch-2 corner sp of square 1, then complete the corner of square 3 with (ch1, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 3 (location shown by the needle in Fig 25) (Fig 26).

Ch1, work along the third side of square 3 with (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) to the corner, (1dc, ch2, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp, ch1, continue with (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) along the fourth side to the corner, 1dc in ch-2 corner sp, 1htr in the first dc of the round. Fasten off (Fig 27).

Fig 24
Fig 25
Fig 26
Fig 27

Square 4 Work square 4 with four rounds and turn it over ready to start round 5. Work the first side of square 4 as for square 1. Stop before the first corner. Work (1dc, ch1) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 4 (Fig 28).

Ss in the ch-2 corner sp of square 2 (Fig 29).

Fig 28
Fig 29

Complete the corner of square 4 with (ch1, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 4 (Fig 30).

Continue with (ss in ch-1 sp of square 2, 1dc in ch-1 sp of square 4) to the corner, ss in the last ch-1 sp of square 2 (Fig 31).

Fig 30
Fig 31

On reaching the corner work (1dc, ch1) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 4 (location shown by the needle in Fig 32) (Fig 33).

Fig 32
Fig 33

Ss in the ch-2 corner sp of square 1 (the diagonal corner sp) (location shown by the needle in Fig 34) (Fig 35).

Fig 34
Fig 35

Complete the corner of square 4 with (ch1, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 4 (Fig 36).

Now join square 4 to square 3 by working (ss in ch-1 sp of square 3, 1dc in ch-1 sp square 4) to the corner. Ss into the last ch-1 space of square 3. Work (1dc, ch1) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 4 (Fig 37).

Fig 36
Fig 37

Ss in the ch-2 corner sp of square 3 (Fig 38), complete the corner of square 4 with (ch1, 1dc) in the ch-2 corner sp of square 4 (Fig 39).

Fig 38
Fig 39

Ch1, continue with (1dc in ch-1 sp, ch1) along the fourth side to the corner, 1dc in ch-2 corner sp, 1htr in the first dc of the round (Fig 40). Fasten off. (Fig 41).