stitch pattern Archives | Page 4 of 6

April 2, 2019April 1, 2019

Linked Treble Crochet Stitch Pattern

Crocheters, expand your stitch pattern knowledge with linked treble crochet! While regular treble crochet stitches are quite tall, with space between the posts, linked treble stitches are connected post-to-post, creating a solid fabric.

Linked stitches are sort of a cross between regular treble crochet and Tunisian crochet, worked with a regular crochet hook. Note that I’m using American crochet terminology here. UK crocheters will know this as linked double treble crochet.

This post contains affiliate links which may provide a small income to me but don’t cost you anything extra.

Grab some yarn and an appropriately-sized hook, and practice along with me. I’m using Marly Bird’s Chic Sheep yarn from Red Heart, with a Clover Amour crochet hook, size 5.5 mm.

Be sure to watch the video, where I demonstrate two different ways to work into the chain on the first stitch of the row. Choose your favorite.

Linked Treble Crochet

Beginning Linked Treble in progress — Beginning Linked Treble

Special Stitches
Beginning Linked Treble (Beg Ltr): Ch 4 (does not count as a st), insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook into next ch, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook into st at base of ch-4, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops are on hook) [(yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times.

Arrows showing path of hook — Arrows show the three places to put your hook in linked treble crochet

Linked Treble: Insert hook into upper horizontal bar of previous st, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook into lower horizontal bar of previous st, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook into next st, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops are on hook) [(yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times.

Instructions

Chain any multiple.

Set-Up Row: Ch 1, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.

Row 1: Beginning Ltr, Ltr in each st across, turn.

Rep Row 1 for pattern.

Abbreviations
Beg Ltr: beginning linked treble crochet (see Special Stitches)
ch: chain
Ltr: linked treble crochet (see Special Stitches)
sc: single crochet

February 12, 2019February 10, 2019

Crochet Technique: Crossover Slip Stitch

Crossover Slip Stitch allows you to cross your crochet hook over a chain. It keeps the chain looking smooth and right-facing, while allowing you to do some fancy stitch patterning.

The exact location of the slip stitch—that is, what the slip stitch is crossing—will depend on your pattern and the purpose of the crossover slip stitch.

Crochet a Decorative Chain

Let’s look at a little decorative chain as an example. The “pattern” for this chain is:

*Chain 8, crossover slip stitch in 4th chain from hook; repeat from * for desired length.

Scroll on down to see a video of this in action.

How to Crochet Crossover Slip Stitch

Step 1. Insert hook into designated stitch.

Step 2. Cross chain over working yarn. Alternately, you can cross the yarn ball under the work in progress.

Step 3 Yarn over and pull through to complete slip stitch

Step 3. Yarn over, pull through everything on your hook to complete the slip stitch.

When to Use Crossover Slip Stitch

Crossover slip stitch bit of a hidden technique, in that I don’t know that it has a widely accepted name. It’s long been my argument that crochet suffers from a lack of nomenclature that would help us share knowledge easily. When I coined the term standing stitches, somehow people started “discovering” the technique. I hope that by naming this technique crossover slip stitch and using the technique in my patterns, more crocheters will learn about it and spread the word!

You can find crossover slip stitch in Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs. It’s all over the Eulerian Triangles Shawl. And watch for it in an upcoming free pattern right here on the blog!

January 24, 2019January 24, 2019

Eulerian Triangles Shawl Crochet Pattern

Hundreds of tiny triangle motifs come together to create a lacy play of positive and negative space in the Eulerian Triangles Shawl. And surprisingly, there are only six ends to weave in at the end of the project!

You don’t have to understand the mathematical concept that makes this possible. That work has been done for you. All you have to do is obey the instructions and follow the path that is set out for you.

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Eulerian Paths

Eulerian graph — Eulerian trail Sevenstar [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

In case you are wondering:

“In graph theory, an Eulerian trail (or Eulerian path) is a trail in a finite graph which visits every edge exactly once. Similarly, an Eulerian circuit or Eulerian cycle is an Eulerian trail which starts and ends on the same vertex. They were first discussed by Leonhard Euler while solving the famous Seven Bridges of Königsberg problem in 1736. ” -Wikipedia

Eulerian Triangles Shawl Crochet Pattern by Edie Eckman

While this may not be a true Eulerian path/circuit/whatever, the idea is that you can start crocheting in one place, make partial triangles on a predetermined path, then come back and finish the triangles. All of this is accomplished without ever breaking the yarn.

Eulerian Triangles Shawl Crochet Pattern by Edie Eckman view 3

It’s easier to understand when the pattern is in front of you, and the yarn and hook are in your hand!

The Yarn

The pattern calls for fingering weight yarn in three colors. You’ll need about 435 yds [398 m] each of colors A and B and approximately 230 yds [210 m] of color C.

For the sample, I used Stunning String Twinkle, which has a nice little bit of metallic sparkle. It took one skein each Spring Iris (A, pictured here), Plum Frost (B), and Regal Purple (C). Stunning String even has kits available for $75, which include both the pattern and the yarn pictured.

While you can use any fingering weight yarn, keep in mind that the shawl will need to be blocked fairly aggressively to show off the openwork. The fiber content of the yarn will play a role in your blocking.

Also, because of the path the yarn takes, a color-change yarn may be not be the best choice. One pattern tester found that her initial short color-change yarn obliterated the pattern. Another found that her long color-change yarn worked fine up to a point, but toward the end it created a problem. Therefore, I suggest you use a solid color yarn for each of the three colors. (I’m making a second shawl in Stunning String Stunning Superwash.)

The Pattern

First page of Eulerian Triangles Shawl Crochet Pattern by Edie Eckman

The crochet pattern instructions are written out and charted. A special feature is the color-coding, which maps the portion of the chart you are working on to the color of the text you are following. The pattern testers really loved this feature.

For visual learners, there’s a video tutorial to help you understand the special techniques. While the only stitches used are slip stitch, chain, and double crochet, this is not a pattern suitable for beginners. Intermediate and experienced crocheters, however, will revel in the challenge.

If you like the images you see here, thank photographer Kellie Nuss. She did an amazing job of showing the lacy negative space between the triangles!

Eulerian Triangles Shawl Crochet Pattern by Edie Eckman view 1

This is the most fun I’ve had designing something in a long time. I do hope you’ll try it yourself.

If you are interested in learning more about continuous motifs, read my book Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs .

November 12, 2018June 12, 2020

Crochet Pattern: Tower Stitch Granny Square

Here’s a new take on the classic granny square. Use it wherever you would use a regular granny square.

(This post contains affiliate links.)

The pattern is written for four colors (A, B, C & D), but use as many colors as you like. I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice for this square. It’s a great way to use up small amounts of yarn!

If you’ve never crocheted a Tower Stitch before, check out this blog post or watch the video.

Tower Stitch Granny Square

Abbreviations & Special Stitches

Ch: chain

Dc: double crochet

Edc (extended double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over hook and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 2 times.

Partial Tower St: Complete 1 edc, dc into base of edc as follows: yarn over, insert hook under both strands at base of edc, yarn over and pull up a loop, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops) 2 times.

Rep: repeat

Rnd(s): round(s)

St(s): stitch(es)

Tower St: Complete 1 edc, 2 dcs in base of previous edc as follows: *yarn over, insert hook under both strands at base of edc, yarn over hook and pull up a loop, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops) 2 times; rep from * once more.

Instructions

With A, ch 4, join with slip st to form a ring OR begin with an adjustable ring/Magic Ring..

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring, join with sl st to top of ch-3—12 dc. Fasten off.

Rnd 2: Join B in any space between 2 dcs, ch 3, Tower st in same space, *sk 2 dc, 2 Tower sts in space between next 2 dc; rep from * 2 more times, sk 3 dc, partial Tower st in beginning space, join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Rnd 3: Join C in corner space between 2 Tower sts, ch 3, Tower st in same space, *Tower st in space between next 2 Tower sts, 2 Tower sts in space between next 2 Tower sts; rep from * 2 more times, Tower st in space between next 2 Tower sts, partial Tower st in beginning space, join with slip st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Rnd 4: Join A in corner space between 2 Tower sts, ch 3, Tower st in same space, *(Tower st in space between next 2 Tower sts) 2 times, 2 Tower sts in space between next 2 Tower sts; rep from * around, ending last rep partial Tower st in beginning space, join with slip st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Rnd 5: Join B in corner space between 2 Tower sts, ch 3, Tower st in same sp, *(Tower st in space between next 2 Tower sts) 3 times, 2 Tower sts in space between next 2 Tower sts; rep from * around, ending last rep partial Tower st in beginning space, join with slip st to top of ch-3. Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

What Will You Do Next?

To learn some almost-painless ways to join these squares to make a blanket or other item, read Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs.

Or work along with me in the Baby Blanket Crochet Along.

There are SO many things you can do with a granny square, and SO many ways to put them together!

Creativebug Baby Blanket Crochet Along — Creativebug’s Baby Blanke

Crochet Answer Book 2nd edition — The Crochet Answer Book

For answers to all your crochet questions, read The Crochet Answer Book. For more online resources, check out Crochet: Basics & Beyond.

October 23, 2018February 26, 2019

How to Crochet Tower Stitches

Tower Stitches are combination of extended double crochet stitches and regular double crochet stitches. Together, they present as a nicely pointed triangle of stitches, as you can see on this Tower Stitch Granny Square. I’ll show you how to crochet tower stitches on a swatch and give you a couple of ideas of how to use them.

I’m using American crochet terminology throughout. Follow the step-by-step instructions here, or scroll on down to the video.

This post contains affiliate links.

Tower Stitch Swatch Stitch Diagram

How to Crochet Tower Stitches

Begin with a row of single crochet stitches with a multiple of 3 stitches + 2.

Step 1. Chain 3 (counts as dc), skip 1 stitch, work an extended dc into the next stitch.

Extended dc (Edc) : Yarn over, insert hook into stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through one loop (this creates a chain at the base of the stitch), [yarn over and pull through 2 loops] two times.

Step 2. Double crochet into chain at base of extended double crochet, as follows:

Yarn over, insert hook straight through the chain from front to back (you’ll be inserting the hook under two loops), yarn over and pull up a loop, [yarn over and pull through 2 loops] two times.

Step 3. Double crochet into same chain at the base of the extended double crochet.

Continue to follow the chart or watch the video to complete your swatch.

Designing with Tower Stitches

Tower Stitches can be used in crochet blankets, scarves, and even granny squares—just about anywhere!

You can see Tower Stitches used in the Summer Sorbet Cap and Wrap on the cover of Chemo Caps & Wraps.

Mod Retro Afghan from "Unexpected Afghans" — (c)Joe Hancock

I used the Tower Stitch in my Mod Retro Afghan which appears in Unexpected Afghans : Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques.

Now that you know how to crochet them, where will you use Tower Stitches?

Want to learn more interesting stitches? Take my in-person class “(You Want Me to) Put My Hook WHERE?”

Check out my Workshop Schedule for where I’ll be teaching next.

October 15, 2018December 5, 2018

Knitting Pattern: Absaroka Poncho

Fall in love with this season-spanning wrap and the yarn it’s made of. The Absaroka Poncho, a knit poncho pattern, is easy enough for advanced beginning knitters. Better yet, when you’re ready to wear it, it can be styled several ways: worn over the shoulder as an asymmetric wrap, draped over the back neck to show off the striking colorwork, or left as a rectangular shawl to be worn over the shoulders.

The Construction

Knit two rectangular panels from the bottom up, and graft them together at the center. Sew the sides together, or use clasps or screw-in leather closures to create the poncho style.

And don’t stress over the need to graft the pieces together; there’s a video tutorial on How to Graft Knit Garter Stitch, as well as written instructions. Continue reading “Knitting Pattern: Absaroka Poncho”