I know it’s Tuesday and not Wednesday, but this seemed like a extenuating circumstance.
Last week we went on a quick tour of finished Facets Cowls; new projects have popped up almost daily since then. Each one is unique and inspiring, and I’ve seen every skill level from beginner (with Facets as their first-ever crochet project) to advanced. However, a question that has come up over and over again is, “How do I stop the stripes from jogging?”
Jogging stripes are a well-known problem in both knit and crochet. When working in the round, the joining of the round doesn’t align exactly, which means that the ends of our lovely stripes are offset. This can be particularly annoying in a project like Facets, where the stripes are narrow and the ends may miss each other completely.
In this tutorial I’ll show how I join my rounds in Facets to minimize the jogging stripes and create the neatest possible join. To follow along, you’ll need a copy of the pattern, which you can download for free here. (If you purchased a kit or a copy of the WeCrochet Magazine, Issue 1, you’ll have it in hard copy.) For the sake of visibility, I’m demonstrating these steps on Rounds 1 & 2, which I’m working in the light color (CC); but they can be applied equally to Rounds 3 & 4, worked in the dark color (MC). Also, while I do indeed crochet right-handed, you won’t see my right hand in any of the pictures, as it’s holding the camera. Thus, all the photos show the step I’m describing after it has been worked.
Let’s begin!
Starting a Round in a New Color
I’ve just finished working Round 4 in the pattern; or, if you’re just starting your cowl, you will have just finished Setup Round 2. I’ve worked two rounds in MC and am ready to begin working Round 1 with CC. As directed, drop MC and pick up CC. Chain 2.
You should have one chain in MC, one chain in CC, and one loop in CC on your hook, as shown here. I’ve deliberately done these rather loosely to make them easier for the camera to see, but they’ll need to be tightened to avoid a jog.
Now, pull on your MC until the MC chain disappears. Then tighten the CC chain and the loop on your hook.
Your work should look like this.
Now single crochet in the marked space as instructed—
—and move your marker, also as directed.
Continuing with the instructions, blissfully work the rest of your round (in this case, Round 1).
When you reach the end of the round, it should look like this:
Congratulations! You’re ready to work the next round in the same color.
Joining a Round in the Same Color
This is much more straightforward than changing colors at a join, as above. Chain 2, but be sure to do this tightly:
It doesn’t need to be agonizingly tight, but there shouldn’t be any slack hanging out.
Now single crochet in the marked space. This can be done at normal gauge; no need to make it super-tight.
Move your marker…
…and hey presto! You’re ready to work the rest of Round 2. When you reach the end, join in your MC again the same way that you joined your CC above.
And that’s it! As you can see, it doesn’t eliminate the jog completely, because of the linen stitch pattern; but up close the joins blend so much that they’re quite inobtrusive. The slant helps to spread them out so that they aren’t so distracting to the eye.
I hope this tutorial was helpful for you, whether you’re just considering giving Facets a try or preparing to make your umpteenth. I can’t wait to see what you make!
The Facets Cowl is a free crochet pattern designed by Ruth Nguyen and published by WeCrochet.
