Stitches: Slip Stitch

Usually, slip stitches are used to join rounds or to add new yarn. Here's an idea of a way to work with slip stitches to create new textures.

Chain any number of chain stitches and work slip stitches into the chains. Chain one and turn. Working in the back loops only, work slip stitches across to complete row two. Continue working with routes of slip stitches in the back loops to create this pattern.

This creates a ribbed look that is similar to the look of knitted fabric. Because slip stitches have little height, this stitch is a little slow to work up, but the result is a flexible fabric.

Stitch Pattern: Cross Stitch

This stitch can be complicated when using a short stitch such as the single crochet or half double crochet. I find its easier to work this stitch using double crochet or taller stitches.

To start, you'll chain a multiple of two. When working your rows, skip one stitch and work in the next. Once that stitch is made, you'll work into the stitch you skipped. The next stitch will require you to skip the one you worked into and one more. (i.e. You'll skip two stitches total. One is worked into already.) 

When working this swatch up, I found it more pleasing to add an uncrosssed double crochet stitch on the end of each row. (The chain counts as the beginning double crochet stitch.) This helps keep the ends straighter. Ending a row with a crossed stitch will result in a wavy edge. This is just a matter of personal preference though, so try it both ways.

One of the things that I liked about this stitch is that the pattern creates almost a zigzag pattern as you work your rows. It also creates an interesting texture to the fabric that would be great for creating dishcloths when used with shorter stitches. It would be textured enough to provide a little scrubbing power. 

Stitch Pattern: Sailboats

Here's a fun stitch combination - sailboats. This creates an interesting stitch patterns that might make for a fun blanket or shawl. This pattern creates an almost lacy texture to the yarn. Adding a border of some sort helps to maintain it's shape. I made a square for Warm Up America with this pattern in it. I added a couple of rows of single crochet stitches before and after the pattern, but I'm considering adding a border on the sides to help maintain it's shape even more.


To make this stitch:
Make a chain of a multiple of 6 plus 2. Single crochet in second chain and in each chain across.
Row 2: ch 1, sc in first stitch, [ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, dtr in last ch (sailboat made), sk next 5 sc on last row, sc in next sc] across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 5 (counts as first dtr), *sc in next sc at tip of sailboat, ch 4**, dtr in sc between same point and next point, repeat from * across, ending last rep at **, dtr in last sc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first dtr, *sc in each of next 4 chs, sc in next sc** sc in next dtr, rep from * across, ending in last rep at **, sc in last st, turn.
Repeat rows 2-4 for pattern.




I can't help but wonder what this pattern would look like if the rows of sailboats were broken up by a wavy ripple to make it look like a boat on water... hmm...

Extended Stitches: Extended double crochet

To make an extended double crochet stitch: Yarn over once, insert hook, yarn over and draw a loop through one loop. Yarn over and draw through two loops. Yarn over and again draw through two loops.


This swatch of edc looks like a swatch of double crochet, but it's actually a step taller than the double crochet, making its height fit between the double and treble crochet stitches.


(From left to right) Double crochet, extended double crochet, and treble crochet.

Extended stitches could easily make a smoother line. (i.e. If you used the pattern of: sc, dsc, dc, edc, tr  you would have a smooth curve instead of a stepped or zig zag one.

Half double crochet stitch

The half double crochet stitch is nice when you want the density of a single crochet, but you want a little height. This stitch works up a little faster than the single crochet stitch, but it doesn't leave you with the hole-y look like the double crochet stitch.

To make a half double crochet stitch: yarn over once before inserting hook. Insert hook, yarn over and draw one loop through. (You will have three loops on your hook.) Yarn over again and pull through all three loops.
Abreviation: hdc

Here we have a swatch of half double crochet. 

The red is a swatch of single crochet. Notice the size difference.

To learn how this stitch is made, watch the video on the directory of stitches page.