Seaming is an essential tool if you want to make pretty much any advanced project in crochet. There are five kinds of seams that crochet and knitting offer, and this guide will work just as well for a knitter as it does for a crocheter. Seaming is just sewing pieces together in crochet because most types of yarn will jam your sewing machine; plus it's cheaper and more efficient. As a general rule, always have a tapestry needle on hand and medium-weight yarn for sewing on a button. You'll need a tapestry needle for three out of five of the types of seams.

The first step for any of the seams is to pin your pieces together. To do this, notice that all four sides of your project have "v"s kind of like the ones that indicate stitches to be done. Next, line up the edges of the pieces prescribed by the project side-by-side and poke a pin through both of those "v"s. Repeat this for every 5 "v"s, taking out the pins as you work the pieces together.

Woven Seam

This is commonly used for tying up pieces of shirts together because it's invisible and not bulky. To begin, thread a tapestry needle with the tail of your work. A good pattern will specify if you need to leave the tail long because of sewing this stitch or the others that need a needle stitch. 

1.) Insert the needle through the first stitch of both pieces, and pull gently.

2.) Make a figure-eight and insert the needle back into the stitch with the tail (the one on the left and the same one started with). 

3.) To continue, insert the needle through the next stitch on the left edge, then through the next stitch on the right edge. Continue in this manner until pieces are sewn together. MAKE SURE ROWS MATCH and that the yarn is only tight enough to keep the pieces together.

Backstitch Seam

This is mostly used for altering shirts and hemming dresses. I used this seam when I had to correct an error on the duster jacket I showed you on the first page. This seam is also very strong, so you might consider using it to sew the pockets of a bag. To begin, lay the pieces so the wrong sides (the sides that will be inside-out when the project is done) are out. Pin the pieces together on every 2-inch plane. Thread a tapestry needle using the tail from the end of the project.

1.) To secure the needle, insert the yarn up into the corner stitch. Then insert it up once more. You should see it tied around the edge.

2.) You'll notice that every crochet stitch has a small hole in the stitch rows. Insert the needle up into the next one of those holes and insert it down through the hole after that. Repeat until pieces are sewn together.

Whipstitch Seam

This is used to join quilting squares together but is not optimal for the durability a bag needs at its seams. Thread the tail from the beginning of your project onto your tapestry needle. Place the pieces so the wrong sides are facing out, the edges are even, and the stitches line up. Insert the needle into the back loop (remember, that's the leg of the "v" that's facing away from you) of the front piece, and into the front loop of the back piece. Repeat until pieces are sewn together.

Single Crochet Seam

This is used for a decorative edge, such as if you're finishing a project and need to make a border or edge. To begin, make a slip knot using the ball of yarn onto your hook. Place the sides together so the wrong sides are facing out.

1.) Insert hook through both stitches. Yo and pull through both chains (by the way, most crochet manuals will call this practice "pulling up a loop".

2.) Yo and pull through both loops on the hook. Continue this manner across.

Slip Stitch Seam

This is my favorite type of seam for bags - it's sturdy, albeit bulky. Pin and place the pieces as prescribed above, wrong sides facing outwards.

Working through both thicknesses and from front to back, insert hook between first two stitches. Catch the yarn on the wrong side and draw through a loop. *Yo, insert hook between next two stitches. Draw through a loop, then through the last loop on the hook. Repeat from *, keeping an even tension on the yarn.

Buttons

Buttonholes (and sleeve yokes) will be built into your pattern, but I'll tell you how to make them anyway. All you need to do is chain a certain amount (buttons will be 2-4 and sleeves will vary), and then skip the same amount of stitches you just chained. That's it!

Buttons are also easy to sew on. I suggest using four-hole buttons because they're sturdier. Make sure your tapestry needle can go through a buttonhole. To sew on a button, place it so it lines up with your buttonhole, on the right side of the work. Then insert the needle up through the fabric and through one of the buttonholes. Insert it down through the hole diagonal to the one you just sewed through: one hole made. Repeat this with the other buttons, then repeat at least two more times. BE CAREFUL, as your yarn will come undone if you pull too hard.

And now you've learned all the basics of crochet. I'll cover some more advanced techniques after I show you ball bands and patterns, 101.