Introduction

If you've ever followed a crochet pattern in the round—maybe while making a coaster, a hat, or a granny square—you might have noticed something puzzling. When you complete a round by joining with a slip stitch, the seam often appears slanted, not vertical. For many beginners (and even seasoned crocheters), this can be frustrating. Why does this happen? Is it a mistake, or just part of the technique?

In this blog post, we’ll explore the mystery of the slanted slip stitch join. We’ll break down why it happens, how to make your seam look straighter, and how to even hide it completely with advanced techniques. Whether you're a hobbyist or a crochet perfectionist, understanding this will take your finishing skills to the next level.

Why Does the Join Leave a Visible Seam?

Before we get into the slant, let’s understand why the join itself is visible. In most in-the-round crochet projects, the instructions will say something like:

“Join with a slip stitch to the first stitch.”

This creates a small "step" in the stitch structure that shows up as a visible seam. Since a slip stitch sits lower than other stitches (like a double crochet or treble crochet), the yarn naturally pulls to the side, especially if you're stacking rounds.

This is more noticeable in:

• High-contrast yarns or color changes

• Tight tension

• Projects with tall stitches

Why Does the Seam Look Slanted Instead of Vertical?

The slanted join happens due to the spiral nature of crochet and the way stitches build upon each other.

Here are the technical reasons:

1. Offset Stitches: Even though you’re technically “closing” the round with a slip stitch, each round’s starting point subtly shifts clockwise (for right-handed crocheters).

2. One-Sided Height: Taller stitches like double crochet lean slightly, causing the “stack” to drift.

3. Slip Stitch Behavior: A slip stitch pulls the working yarn toward the back and side, reinforcing the lean.

This creates a spiraling effect, even if you’re not working in a true spiral. The seam snakes its way around the project like a gentle helix.

Can You Make the Join Look Straight?

Yes—you absolutely can make your join look straighter, or even invisible, with a few easy adjustments.

1. Use an Invisible Join Instead of Slip Stitch

This method is popular for finishing final rounds or changing colors cleanly:

• Cut the yarn after your last stitch.

• Thread the tail through a needle.

• Insert it under both loops of the first stitch of the round.

• Then bring it back down into the center of the last stitch.

• Pull gently to form a “false stitch.”

Result: a neat, seamless join that mimics the surrounding stitches.

Great for: Granny squares, coasters, motif-based projects.

2. Shift the Seam Strategically

You can avoid a noticeable slant by moving the join point every few rounds. Instead of always joining in the same spot:

• Alternate the join position.

• Begin new rounds in a different stitch (just one or two stitches away).

• Mark the new join with a stitch marker.

This breaks up the visual line of the seam, making it harder to spot.

Great for: Hats, baskets, and garments worked in the round.

3. Use a “Standing Stitch” Instead of Chains

Tall chain stitches (like ch-3 to replace dc) can exaggerate the seam. Instead, try a standing stitch:

• For a standing double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, and complete the dc as normal—but using a new loop instead of chaining.

This looks like a regular stitch, not a chain tower.

Great for: Garments and visible-edge projects.

4. Work in Continuous Rounds (Spirals)

Skip the slip stitch altogether and just keep crocheting in a spiral. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.

Pros:

• Seamless appearance

• Natural flow

Cons:

• Round counts can get confusing

• Slight offset in shape (especially in colorwork)

Best for: Amigurumi, socks, and other 3D items.

How to Crochet a Seamless Circle: Step-by-Step

Let’s say you’re crocheting a flat circle using double crochet.

Traditional method (with visible slant):

• Ch 3 (counts as dc)

• Work dcs around

• Join with sl st to top of ch-3

Seamless method:

1. Use a magic ring to start.

2. Replace the ch-3 with a standing dc (or ch-2 that does NOT count as a stitch).

3. Work your dc stitches into the ring.

4. Use the invisible join at the end of each round.

5. Begin the next round with a standing stitch in a new location, not on top of the last round’s first stitch.

Voilà! Perfectly neat and straight rounds.

Pro Tips for Flawless Joins

• Mark your rounds with stitch markers to avoid confusion.

• Weave in tails carefully, following the stitch paths for true invisibility.

• Block your project—sometimes a little steam and shaping can reduce visual seams.

• Practice on swatches before applying to final projects.

Q&A Section

Q: Is it bad if my join is slanted?
A: Not at all. It's a natural result of traditional joining methods. Many store-bought or published patterns will have this characteristic. It's only a problem if it bothers you aesthetically.

Q: Can I go back and fix a slanted seam after finishing?
A: Not easily. Seam placement is structural—best to prevent it during crocheting rather than fix later.

Q: What join method is best for beginners?
A: The classic slip stitch is fine for learning. Once you're confident, try invisible joins and standing stitches for neater results.

Q: Why do my joins look especially messy when changing colors?
A: Color changes amplify seam visibility. Use the invisible join and start the new color in a different stitch (offset by 1-2 stitches) for best results.

Q: Can slanted seams affect the fit of a wearable item?
A: Sometimes, yes—especially in hats or garments where alignment matters. Use the spiral or strategic join shift technique to minimize distortion.

Conclusion

The slanted seam from slip stitch joins is one of those crochet quirks that’s totally normal—but can be controlled with just a bit of know-how. Whether you want to embrace the spiral or straighten things out, there’s a technique for every style.

Experiment with different joining methods to find the one that works best for your project. Over time, you’ll develop an eye for where joins work best and how to keep your crochet looking smooth, even, and professional.