TUTORIAL: Joining Rounds for Perfect Stripes

Because amigurumi is crocheted in spiral, the end and the beginning of a round do not line up. Which means if you change yarn, there will be a visible step. If you need to change yarn once, it is usually not that noticeable and sometimes can be hidden with some embellishments or strategically placed limbs, tail or ears. But if you are making something stripy, you will have to join rounds to get perfect stripes.

stripy amigurumi toys

But the regular way of starting the round with a chain and closing it with a slip stitch leaves a visible seam.

crocheting in rounds

In this post I will show you a way to join rounds to make the seam completely invisible.

joining rounds for perfect stripes

This method can be used when working in single crochet stitch (double crochet stitch in UK and Australia) and is best used on projects where the back will not be visible, like stuffed animals. It is time consuming, but the result is worth it. Use it to join every round, whether you need to change yarn or not.

Tip! For the best result, move around the place where you start each round. But you have to be careful not to mess up the pattern. Also, pay attention to the next round - you don't want the join to be under an increase or decrease the next round.


 

 


1. Make a slip knot on your hook, leaving a short yarn tail.

stripy amigurumi toys tutorial

2. Insert your hook through the first stitch and yarn over.

join rounds seamlessly

3. And draw up a loop

step by step crochet tutorials

4. Yarn over and draw through both loops...

amigurumi crochet tutorials

5. ...completing the first single crochet stitch stitch.

stripy crochet toy tutorial

6. Complete the round as you would normally.

how to crochet stripy amigurumi toys

7. Cut the yarn, leaving a short yarn tail, and fasten off.

crocheting amigurumi toys in joined rounds

8.  Insert your hook through second stitch, going front to back, under both loops...

joining rounds seamlessly

9. ...and draw the yarn tail through.

how to crochet joining rounds seamlessly

10. Insert your hook under the back loop of the last stitch, going back to front...

amigurumi tutorials with photos

11. ...and draw the yarn tail through.

crocheting striped animals

12. Grab the yarn tail and pull gently until the top loop is the same size as other stitches in the round.

how to crochet striped amigurumi animals

13. Knot the yarn tails together and hide them inside your piece or weave in the yarn ends.

video tutorial

 

If you do not see the videos properly, head over to YouTube.

Right-handed version

 

Left-handed version

 

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me or leave a comment below, I am always happy to help.

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2 comments

Hi Wendy,

Sorry, I have no idea. Is there the designer’s info with the pattern, I’m sure they’d be able to clarify.

Kristi Tullus

hi Kristi I am trying to work on a crochet racoon and do not know what the following means and what language it is please
10 loops = 10 stitches
sbn=single crochet. what does PRS mean please. this is such a beautiful pattern and I thank you for it. I hope I hear from you. thank you

wendy klein

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