64-Crayon Afghan - finishing up and lessons learned

I'm nearly finished with my 64 Crayons afghan. I love love love it, and my son does too. It's a really striking piece and so much fun to knit. Last time I blogged about it, I was just joining the first few strips. I received a response to that post from a crocheter suggesting that I try a slip stitch instead of the single crochet. So I did.

It's a very different look.  Here is the single crochet

 And here is the slip stitch

Both the slip stitch and the single crochet go through both layers of fabric, but as you can see, the single crochet brings the yarn up and over the joined edge. I wanted a substantial look to the join that highlighted the solid yarn, so this is the technique I'm using.

 Also, the pattern has you slip the first stitch of the second row but no where else. The result is that each strip has a smooth selvedge edge on one side of the fabric but a standard selvedge on the other side. The non-slipped stitch selvedge has twice as many rows as the slipped stitch selvedge.  The non-slipped stitch selvedge is bumpy and messy looking too.  Can you see it in the image below?

I  know it's a little hard to see, so here is an image marked up to show what I'm talking about.  

Clearly the slipped stitch edge looks better, which is important since this is the last strip, and that side won't be caught up in a seam.  Also, it's much easier to join the strips when there's a slipped stitch edge on both sides.  So here's what I did on my last strip. On row 2, work to your last stitch, then with yarn in front, slip the last stitch purlwise. This method of slipping gives you a nice smooth edge on that edge of your strip without messing up the color change that happens on row 1. I recommend you do this, even if you're half way through a strip. Your join will be easier and cleaner, and the open edge of your afghan will look more professional when you're finished.

I'll be finishing the last strip and joining it to the others tomorrow afternoon.  Come by the shop and I'll be happy to show you the slip stitch technique as well as the single crochet join I'm using!