How To Join Crocheted Fabrics With an Invisible Seam Stitch

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Here’s how it works.

One of my favorite ways to join two pieces of crocheted fabric together is with an invisible seam stitch. I have also seen variations of this stitch referred to as a mattress stitch and a ladder stitch.

It is a very easy stitch, once you get the hang of it.

How To Join Crocheted Fabric with an Invisible Seam Stitch - Oombawka Design Crochet

Step 1: Place the 2-pieces of crocheted fabric on a flat surface with the right sides facing up and the edges you wish to seam touching.

Step 2: Cut a length of yarn at least 3-times the length of the edge you wish to seam and thread one end through a yarn needle. If you are seaming a larger piece (like a garment) it is better to use shorter pieces of yarn to maintain the strength and integrity of the seam (so seam in sections). For example, limit your yarn length to a maximum of 15″ segments.

Step 3: Beginning at the far right edge of the crocheted fabric, attach the yarn. One method to do this is to insert the needle through the end stitches on both pieces of crocheted fabric to secure the yarn using a whip stitch. While holding the yarn tail in hand, pull gently to tighten the stitch and repeat. Release the tail and begin Step 4.

Step 4: You will be working the invisible seam stitches from the RS (right side) of the crocheted fabric in one stitch and then back up to the RS (right side) of the crocheted fabric in the next stitch. Insert your needle from the RS, in between the front and back loops (in the centre of the stitch) and bring the needle out (exit) from the centre of the next stitch on the RS (right side) (A).

Step 5: Zigzag across to the other piece of crocheted fabric and insert the needle into the stitch directly across from the one you just worked; insert the needle into the centre of the stitch (between the front and back loops) from the RS of the first stitch and make the needle exit from the centre of the next stitch on the RS of the work. (B)

Step 6: Repeat Step 5 for each stitch across, stopping occasionally to pull the yarn ends to tighten the stitches to make them invisible. (C) If the crocheted fabric buckles slightly just pull gently on the opposite ends of the fabric to flatten it back out.

Step 6: Finish off and weave in the loose ends.

This stitch will give you some flexibility (stretch) at the seam – just like the rest of the crocheted fabric.

I also like to use the invisible seam outlined in Moogly‘s tutorial – it gives you a very strong seam.

There are many ways to work invisible stitches – if you browse online you will see many variations including these below:

Moogly
WoolnHook
Aesthetic Nest
Crochet Ever After
Oombawka Design Tutorial

Like many things with crochet -there really is no “one” correct way to make the stitch. I do recommend you follow the specific instructions indicated in your patterns – to achieve the look for the project you are crocheting.

Substituting a different variation may not produce the results you want – if a Designer shows you how to use a stitch in their pattern, or refers you to a link – the best advice is to follow those instructions 😉

View the other tutorials in the “How to Join” collection here:

Let me know if you have any questions!

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44 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this tip! This worked in place of a mattress stitch, which had made the seam too tight on a cardigan. Good to know for future projects!

  2. Hi Shirley, which slipper pattern are you referring to? I’d need to see it to be able to help. Thank you 🙂 Rhondda

  3. Dear Rhondda, Hi,
    Thank you for the absolutely adorable slipper pattern… How do you get the heel FLAT.. Mine always come POINTY and ends up looking so ugly !! One pattern suggested doing the last row of the slipper in double crochet and doing the FOUR MIDDLE STITCHES in halfdouble !! but it didnt work for me.. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE HELP, Dear Rhondda.
    Thank you so much for such an incredible website.
    Shirley

  4. Thank you for this fabulous “How To” This will be so handy, I am bookmarking it to return to as required 🙂

  7. Thank you for this. Very helpful, as are all of your tutorials!

  8. This is the most helpful tutorial. I dont like doing granny squares because of all the joins and mine are very noticeable. Thank you for the tutorial!

  12. Again, this is one of my fav tutorials. 🙂 We’re getting close to the end of the giveaway. 🙂

  22. Awesome tutorial, I like that you don’t have to have the crochet across the top!

  23. Thank you so much for sharing this post! I have so much trouble with hiding my seams that I have been doing lots of “no sew” patterns and this helps a LOT with making seaming easy to understand and accomplish!

  25. I use this method all the time. It gives great results where you don’t want the seem to show but don’t have time to use lots of different colours to join.

  27. Realized I was doing the giveaway entries wrong these past few days! Oy! This is one of my fav tutorials. You have a lot I like! 🙂

  28. Something I really need to work on!! I love making the square, hate putting them together!!

  32. Great tutorial. I’m always on the lookout for different ways to seam my pieces together.

  38. I’ve always had a hard time sewing things together cleanly. Thanks for the tips!

  40. Thank you for all the wonderful tutorials and patterns!! God bless you!

  42. Thank you for such great tutorials, I completely forgot how to do this one =)

  43. Hi Doris, I am not sure why the box cannot be closed – I have decreased its size and moved it to the right so hopefully it is out of the way for you! When I created it to fit on my left sidebar space I never even thought it might move inward if your monitor size is smaller – that must be the reason why it is covering my post…on my screen it doesn’t even come close to my post areas it is in the white section – but then my screen is 17″ wide.

    I honestly do not know why it doesn’t close for you…I am going to go into the settings though to fix the bit where it pops up again as I thought I had set it to only appear once and if closed not to come up again.

    Thank you for letting me know! I really appreciate the feedback,
    Rhondda

  44. I am visiting your How to crochet fabric together is with an invisible seam Post and your Pinterest pop-up almost obscures the subject of the post. I see the “X” but cannot close it nor can I move it.
    If I go to a different page it goes away for a bit, then it comes back, and I can close it
    but of course that is not the page I wanted to read.
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    I thought you might like to know this so you can address the problem.
    I am running windows 8.1 perhaps I am the only one who has this problem.
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    Disappointed