How to Join Crochet Motifs.

Crochet motifs can be joined to each other in one of the classical ways:

The easiest one. Hold two motifs together (right sides facing each other). Using a yarn needle and matching color and thickness thread (usually thinner than that one which was used for crocheting motifs) sew motifs together.

Motifs can be joined by a crochet hook. Slip stitch, single crochet or chain are the connecting elements. Good explanation with pictures can be found at About.com site.

"Join-as-you-go" method. Connect motifs while crocheting their last round. Method works the best if motifs have arches on the outside edges. This way connection will look the most decorative and the least noticeable A detail instruction and pictures can be found at Daphne's Tutorial page.

The are no "correct" or "incorrect" ways for joining motifs together. It is only matter of your preferences. Try them all and choose the one you are comfortable the most. All of them will work if motifs create a regular repeating pattern. When won't they work for joining motifs? Two cases at least can be mentioned here.

Motifs are large of have complicated shape.

Motifs have to be included into composition consisting of a few differently shaped elements like in irish crochet, for example.

Crochet motifs are large.

Let's consider joining of motifs #2 from Irish Crochet page. 8 petals allow to join 4 more motifs to each motif. Sew 4 motifs together on better use "join-as-you-go" method to join them. As a result, a pretty large empty space is created (see the picture below) which has to be filled in case you need more dense crochet fabric. A good solution is to use an additional small motif-insert. It looks more natural if the insert pattern is a fragment of a major motif.

Follow directions in a table below to make the inserts.

Crochet motif #1 Crochet 6 chains, join them in a ring using 1 slip stitch. Crochet 16 single crochets inside the ring, 1 slip stitch to make a circle. Place and pin insert in the middle of the opening.
Crochet motif #2 Connect the ring to each crochet motif using chains: from insert to the 1st motif, back to the insert, to the 2nd motif, back to the insert, and so on.

In case if more dense pattern is required, increase number of links between inserts and crochet motifs.

Joining crochet motifs in this manner allows to create beautiful one-of-a-kind projects: tablecloths, bedspreads, scarfs, and shawls. All of them are just simple rectangulars which are easy to assemble of motifs. Those who would like to make unique models similar to this cardigan have to use their individual patterns made according to measurements of your body. Information about it can be found at Lace Cardigan page. (is coming).

Motifs are parts of composition .

Usually motifs are inserted in some background like in irish crochet laces. In most cases it looks almost like a "rocket science" even for pretty experienced crocheters.

A page Motif Pattern shows an updated version of irish crochet technique created by the talented Ukrainian designer Antonina Kuzhetsova. A couple of her works can be seen at Crochet magazine Duplet page.

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