cluster stitch?

[crochetisfun100]

hello, i’m starting a new crochet project, and it is a granny square blanket. the pattern calls for ‘Chain 5 and join and then ch2, 1tr and slip to join to make a cluster.’ i’m unsure if this means to do a cluster stitch or it is just creating a ‘cluster’ if someone can please explain that would be helpful :)

[Granny Square]

Welcome to the 'ville!

A cluster is not 1 singly defined stitch.  It can be made up of 2 stitches of any height (like yours, where the chain is standing in for a stitch), or a dozen or more stitches, but it's a family of stitches that  are defined as 'some  number of incomplete stitches made into 1 stitch, then joined together in the same step as completing the last stitch of the cluster.'  You a turning chain that 'stands in for' a Tr, plus a Tr, is a cluster.  I'm sort of on the fence whether there is a point of slip stitching to join, but it couldn't hurt.