newbie questions : crocheting in rounds, versus joining or turning -bad idea?

[money2burn]

This is only the second item I have ever crocheted, so my terminology might not make any sense. Anyway...


I am making very simple chemo hats and have a basic question.  The hat is made in rounds using single crochet stitch.  I don't like turning, so I chose to use the joining method after each row. Once I finished the crown of the hat (60 sc) it repeats until the hat is long enough, roughly 8" from the top of head.  When the hat is done, I should still have 60 sc around the brim.

If I work the last section in a continuous round, what will happen?  
I realize I will have to join the last stitch, so the edge will be even.
Will the hat stretch out of shape?
Will a dc or taller stitch worked in a continuous round, be very noticable on the last row?
I have theories on how to resolve the problem, but I thought I would ask the experts.

I did the very first one that way and like how easy it was.
(I didn't read the instructions correctly, but I do like the results)
No ugly seam (except on top)
No turning.
I joined the 2nd to last row with a slip stitch, then turned and sc around the hat.
I just want a tiny edge decoration.

[fantasticmio]

There's nothing wrong with what you're doing - you can tell because it works! :-)

What you're doing, it seems, is working in a spiral. When I do this with sc I usually do a slip stitch or two to make the step less noticeable.

The alternative to working this way is to work in rounds, which is where you join the last stitch of a round to the first stitch of that round.  You can either keep going in the same direction, or you can turn and go back around the other way.

The benefit to turning is that the stitches don't skew, so if you're using colourwork to add a design, it'll be straighter. The item also becomes "reversible" in that it should look the same from either side.

I would say that, in general, working sc in a spiral is the way to go in most cases. It tends to be less work, you don't get any seam at all, and it's barely (if at all)  noticeable.

With taller stitches, it becomes a lot more noticeable with fewer benefits, so you don't often see people working, say, dc in a spiral (unless that's the look they are going for!)

[BeaG]

I second what fantasticmio said!

I crochet sc in spirals a lot, for small items like cozies/cases.
But for larger items, like hats, I would go for joining rounds. Especially, like fantasticmio mentioned, when using larger or more open stitches.

PS: I forgot to mention that your hat looks great!

[drowninginpaper]

I alternate between the two methods, personally.
I like the organization of joining rounds, but I like the way spiral-worked rounds look, very clean and neat.
It's a matter of personal preference, I think. I suppose I prefer the spiral for aesthetic purposes.
The hat looks wonderfully cozy! 

[HaKurama]

I used to work entirely in spirals, but I've come around to working in rounds for neater colour changes.
Use what works best for you; it is possible to convert between the two if you know how.