CROCHET ST Get Started Borders With step by Explore new Finish projects step guides techniques with flairNAN NNN NNN DADA aR DAD DD DDD NNN NNN NNN ad DO DAD ARADRADR DDD DD DDD Daa Ik I NNN NNN ae a DAA RAR ADR RAR AR ADA DD > Da Ik I I Dk ie J ae DARA RRR DDD ARR RAR ADDR hha AD DDD Daa DD 44 AA y | 77 VV VV TV VV VF V7 AMAAAAAAAA 7 7 7 vy AAAs "VV VV Vv) AAAsad vv VV "VV VV Vv AAAAAA rVVVrVvV y v VVVVVVVVVVVVr mi ad ai ddd > ba ddd > ddd ad dd! ba aad add db ai i! , -s. » VVVVVVrr) 44444444 OV OVO" | vy} vyWELCOME TO CROCHET STITCHES lovers a new way to make thoughtful gifts, inexpensive accessories and homemade decorations. The big book of crochet stitches is the perfect companion for crochet crafters of any skill level that are looking to discover fun and creative new stitches. Packed with all of the basic techniques to refresh your memory, this book contains all of the information that you need to complete an array of stitches that will mean you can tackle your next crochet project with confidence. : Crochet has boomed in recent years, offering craftThis bookazine is printed on recycled paper. I's important that ‘we care about our planet and make a diference where we can, or usand every generation that follows.CROCHET STITCHESCONTENTS THE SAS 10 READING CHARTED STITCH DIAGRAMS a2 MAKING A FOUNDATION CHAIN 14 WORKING THE CHAIN 16 CHAINLESS FOUNDATIONS 18 DOUBLE CROCHET TREBLE CROCHET HALF TREBLE CROCHET 24 DOUBLE ‘TREBLE CROCHET 26 SLIP STITCH IDENTIFYING AND ‘COUNTING STITCHES 30 INCREASING 32 DECREASING 34 POST STITCHES 36 LINKED STITCHES 38 JOINING GOING FURTHER 44 GRANNY SQUARES 46 GRANNY STRIPES 48 CORNER TO CORNER 50 HERRINGBONE 52 MIXED GRIT STITCH53 GRANITE STITCH 54 WAISTCOAT STITCH 56 LEMON PEEL STITCH 57 FILET STITCH RIPPLE STITCH 60 ‘SHELLS, FANS AND. V STITCHES 61 VBOBBLES 62 DIAMOND FANS 64 DIAMOND OVERLAY 66 OFFSET ARCHES CHAIN MESH MINI PICOT MESH 72 BROOMSTICK LACE 74 WATTLE STITCH 76 CROSSED STITCHES 78 CLUSTER STITCHES 80 PUFF STITCHES 82 POPCORN STITCHES POPCORN SQUARES 86 POST STITCH RIB BRAIDED CABLE STITCH 88 CATHERINE WHEEL 90 HARLEQUIN 92 PETAL STITCH 94 DAISY STITCH 96 PRIMROSE STITCH SEDGE STITCH 100 PEBBLE STITCH 102 ALPINE STITCH 104 WAFFLE STITCH 106 BASKETWEAVE 108 TRIANGLE SPACES 110 TUMBLING BLOCKS EDGES & FINSHES 114 BASIC EDGING 116 REVERSE DOUBLE CROCHET 118 FRINGE 120 PICOT EDGING 122 FLOWER MOTIFSTHe ESSENTIALS Get started and learn the basics that will lay the foundations of all of your crochet projects.10 READING CHARTED STITCH DIAGRAMS 12 MAKING A FOUNDATION CHAIN 14 WORKING THE CHAIN 16 CHAINLESS FOUNDATIONS, 18 DOUBLE CROCHET 20 ‘TREBLE CROCHET 22 HALF TREBLE CROCHET 24 DOUBLE ‘TREBLE CROCHET 26 SLIP STITCH 28 IDENTIFYING AND ‘COUNTING STITCHES 30 INCREASING 32 DECREASING 34 POST STITCHES 36 LINKED STITCHES 38 JOINING= READING CHARTED TECH D Some crocheters find these visual easier to follow than TAGRAM representations of crochet patterns a written-out pattern Made up of symbols to represent stitches, charted stitch diagrams lay out a pattern ina visual way, and will look similar to the actual piece of crocheted fabric. The symbols are uniform and internationally recognised, so you ‘wil be able to follow them with ease. Diagrams (sometimes also called charts) can often be found accomparying written-out patterns but may also sometimes be used instead of them, especially for particularly detailed patterns such as lace work and motifs. ‘To begin with it may be best to read a chart alongside a ‘written pattern. Even if using a diagram becomes your preferred method of following a patter, don't completely disregard written instructions, as these will include importantinformation about special stitches and any repeats you may need to make, Standard stitch symbols The symbols for the most commonty used stitches and techniques are designed to look ike the stitches they represent. The treble crochet symbol s twice as al as the double crochet symbol. withthe half treble crochet halfway between the two, The horizontal bars onthe taller sitches represent how many yatn overs need to be made to begin the stitch, Use the tale below to see what stiches the symbolsrepresent on ene ast Xone de T her 7° F tr O magic ring Variable stitch symbols \when the basic stitches are combined to make special stitches ~ such as puffs, popcorns, bobbles and shell, to name just afew the sttch diagram represents this, showing the exact combination of basic stitches that is used in the pattern you are following. These may be different from pattern to pattem ifthe stitches are made inslighty different ways. Here are afew examples of how some special stitches are drawn: dc2tog decrease tiStog cluster/decrease S-dtr shell 44tr bobble Shir putt 4-tr popcorn ch-3 picot (closed) ch-3 picot (open) 2¢eceS >> “Symbols of crochet charts have been designed to look like the stitches they represent” 10Modified stitch symbols \When you need to work the next ttch into a specitic part Of astitch ~ for example in the back or front loop only or around the back or front ofthe post stitch below — the stitch symbol s modified to represent this. Stitches that need to bbe worked into the front or back loop only include a curved symbol below them to represent ths, Stitches that need to bbe worked around the front or back post are shown with @ hook on the bottom, Foundation stitches show the stitch joined to the chain below. When stitches are crossed, the stitch that needs to go behind the other is slightly more faded than the one that sis to the front: FPtr foundation de crossed trs JING ¢ How to read a chart Now that you have our handy reference tables to determine what all the different crochet symbols mean, you will need to know how to put them together in an actual piece of crochet. The diagram below represents the stitches as you willsee them from the right side of the work (as opposed tothe wrong side}, and you will notice that each stitch is shown above the one that itneeds to be crocheted into, When working in rows from a sttch diagram, you almost ‘always begin with the foundation chain and then start to ‘work Row 1 from rightto left. When you get to Row 2 you are turning your work, you need to work from left to right, All subsequent odd rows should be followed from rightto left and even rows fromlefttoright \When working in rounds for example when ‘crocheting granny squares), start from the . ‘central ring and folow the stiches ina TOP TIP \\ ‘counterclockwise direction. Do this for enrowsarenomaly | every fOUNd, unless an arrow atthe start apt ‘owninadiiwent” | of the round indicates to change selourtantnecddones direction, n this case, umn the work and sameneeraeent™ follow the pattem around clockwise. x dc in back loop only x 4c in front loop only “When working in rounds (for example when crocheting granny squares), start from the central ring and follow stitches in a counterclockwise direction” SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOSSO=o MAKING A FOUNDATION CHAIN When working in rows to make a piece of flat crocheted fabric, you will need to create a foundation chain to work your first row of stitches into, ASOLID FOUNDATION - Make a foundation 14 START WITH A SLIPKNOT YARN OVER ‘The first step isto createasipknot on your hook. ‘Move yourhook under your yarn to create a yarn over. PULLTHROUGH KEEP GOING Move the hook back through the loop already on your Repeat steps 2and 30 make more chains. Holdthe hook, making sure to catch the working yam. You have now stitches youve already made in your lefthand closeto the ‘made your fist chain hook for stably. Your pattern will tell you how many you need tochain,DOS AND DON'TS fl] PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT ‘Youneed to keep your chainsa ite loose so thatyou ‘can get your hook backinto them when itcomes toworking your fist row. = LOOSEN UP If youre finding that your chains aretoo tight, try loosening your tension or going up a hook size. 02 | ‘COUNTING CHAINS ‘When beginning aproject, the pattern youre folowing wil tll you how mary chains you need tocteate, eitherin otalorasa ‘multiple. I'simportantto create ‘exactly the right number, 25 ‘geting this wrong will ean you have tounravelyour ork when you findout you've either got toomanyor notenough atthe ‘end of your rstrow. To count the chains identify the Vson the side tha’ facing you: each of these ist chain. The Vabove the slipknot isyourfirstchain, but do. ‘not count the loop on your hook. this the working loop and ‘does not countasa chain. Ifyou {ate creating avery long chain it might help tomark every 10 or 2osstitches with astitch marker.=o WORKING THE CHAIN It doesn't matter which method you use as long as you are consistent when moving along the chain. Working under the top loop is the easiest approach for beginners, but it doesn't create as neat an edge as working under the back bumps. With practice you'll find the most comfortable method for you. GET TO KNOW THE FOUNDATION CHAIN \— oom yy) FRONTOFTHECHAIN BACK OF THE CHAIN Looking at the front side of your chain, you willseea row |When youlookat the backside ofthe chain, you will ‘of sideways Vs, each witha top loop anda bottom loop. see line cf bumps in between the oops. These ate called the back bumes: UNDER THE TOP LOOP sy] FINDTHETOPLOoP INSERT YOUR HOOK For thisrmethod, hook under the top loop only ‘Move yourhook to insertit under the top loop ofa.D> worinorvecsan | UNDER THE TOP LOOP AND BACK BUMP. ria UNDER TWO INSERT YOUR HOOK Hooking under both the top loop and the back bumps Move your hook to inser it under the back bump and sometimes referred to as the tap two loops ofthe chain. top loop of achain, UNDER THE BACK BUMP FIND THE BACK BUMP. INSERT YOUR HOOK “Turn over your chain so thatthe back bumps are Move your hook to insert itunder the back bump. facingyou.CHALNLESS FOUNDATIONS IFyou've got to grips with chains, why not try creating your first row without making any chains first? Creating your foundation chain and the subsequent first row of crochet can sometimes result inthe chain becoming twisted, but this can be avoided by starting your project witha chainless foundation instead. This combines the foundation chain and the first row in one row of crochet rather than the usual two. Using a ‘chainless foundation is a great way to create a stretchy edging compared to a more rigid chain start. Given that you {are working the two rows at once, it does take alte longer to create the chainiess foundation than a foundation chain, butts easier to work your second row into the chainless foundation than into the chain, as you don't have to worry ‘about your chain becoming too tight or twisting while you ‘work nt it. Chainless foundation stitches form vertically so the chain part of the stitch is at the bottom, on the left, and the tops of the stitches are formed on the right. FOUNDATION DOUBLE CROCHET (FDC) - Create your first two rows at once ‘CHAINTWO Chain 2. You willbe making your fst crochet into the 2nd chain from your hook on gy INSERT YOUR HOOK EB Insert yourhook into the 2nd chain your from hook, yarn ‘ver and draw un a loop,AR i) CREATE THE CHAIN my YARN OVER Now yarn over once more and pullthe yarn through the ‘Yarn over and pullthrough the two loops that are on your Istloop onyour hook this forms the chain stitch that youwill hook. You have now created your ist double crochet. create your fist double crochet into. KEEP GOING ‘CREATE YOUR NEXT DOUBLE CROCHET Each fllewing foundation double crochetis worked into Insert yourhook under the top and backloopse the the two [oops that form the chain atthe bottornof the stitch you chain yarn over and draw up the loop. Make sureitis eve before have just worked you continue to workthe sich Ifyou make ittoo tight itil be aificutto stat your nextstitch, Now repeat steps Sand 4, repeating unt you've made the right rurnber of stiches, CREATE LONGER CHAINLESS FOUNDATION STITCHES You doritjusthave to create yourfirstrow with double Crochets: you can make longer stitches by following the same systern. To create achainiess {foundation with haf webe and tteble crochets, you usthaveto complete thesttchin thesame way as you usually woulg ance youhave created the chain ‘that you wil be working into,DOUBLE CROCHET Master the basics by learning the simplest stitch. Double crochet is a very important stitch in crochet as itis one of the simplest, and therefore the one that most ccrocheters tend to learn to use first. Mastering this stitch ‘willalso help you when it comes to creating taller stitches, as most are created by just adding steps to the method for ‘making a double crochet Using only double crochets creates a very compact, dense fabric, which makes it great for thick, warm winter ‘garments. Iti also a very commen stitch in amigururnt and toy making, asthe tight weave is perfect for holding stuffing in, You will be able to create a variety of projects just by mastering this stitch, If you plan to double crochet into a foundation chain, as we wil inthis tutorial, then you will need to make one ‘more chain than the number of stitches you want to create, as the first stitch is never worked into the first chain from the hook. However, this will be accounted for in apattern, so always chain the number stated. — FOUNDATION CHAIN ‘Make a foundation chain tothe requited length. Ifyou Justwantto practise, startby making about20 chains Ifyou. ‘want to makea piece exactly 20 stitches wide, chain 21 DRAW UPALOOP. Yatn over, then draw up a loop, youll now have2 loops yourhook INSERT HOOK Identify the 2nd chain from your hook and then insert yourhookhere PULL THROUGH TWO Yam over and then draw the yarn through both loops Con the hook so you have loop left on your hook. You nave completed thesttch= Remember to count your stitches as you go along, especially when you're learning. It's easy to add in an extra stitch at the beginning or miss one off the end, and counting how many you have will alert you to a mistake at the earliest opportunity. = i KEEP GOING Continue making double crochetsby inserting your hhookinto each remaining chain andrepeating steps Sand 4 When youhave finished the row, chain ‘AAS ep) STARTANEW ROW REPEAT Identity the 1st stitch of the row not the turning chain Insert your hook here TIMETO TURN “Turn your work counterclockwise, so thatthe next stitches ready to be worked into are tothe let of the hook. Follow steps 3 and 4 tocompletethe stitch,=o TREBLE CROCHET This stitch is twice the size of the single crochet, and worked in a very similar way. ‘The treble crochet is a very common stitch that is double crochet itis a very common and recognisable simple to create, especially once you've mastered the stitch. as seen in granny squares. When working a treble technique of making a double crochet. Itis made simply crochet into a foundation chain, you must make two more by adding a couple of steps to the method forcreatinga chains than your desired number of stitches because a double crochet treble is usually worked into the fourth chain from the hook Due tots increased height, this stitch createsa much __ when being worked into a foundation chain. and the three less compact and therefore more versatile fabric than the __unworked chains will form your fist treble crochet stitch. gf FOUNDATION CHAIN YARN OVER ‘Make a foundation chain tothe requitedlenath. Fora ‘Yam over and insert your hook into the ath chain fromm precise numberof stitches, chainthat mary plus? Findthe 4th the hook ‘chain rornthe hook. DRAW UPALOOP. Yain over, then draw upa loop: there should now be 3 ‘Yam over then draw the yam through 2of the loops on loops yourhook your hook. There should now be 2loops on your hook gy PuLLTHROUGH Two2 “This stitch creates a much less compact and therefore more versatile fabric than the double crochet” eo COMPLETE THE STITCH KEEP GOING Yatn over and then draw the yarn through the 2 loops ‘Continue making teble crachets by making ayem over lefton the hook. You have competed the stitch and should ‘and then inserting your hook into each remaining chain and now have Iloop on yourhook repeating steps 3-5, Whenyyou have finshed the row, chain 3. fy TURN ‘CONTINUE DOWN THE ROW Turn your work counterclockwise ready to tartthe next ‘Yarn over, put your haok into the next stitch and repeat row. The chains you just made countas the iststich, soyour _steps 3-5 to make the stitch, Continue to the end of the row, rest onewill need ta be madein thesecondstitchot the row. remembering to put the final rebleinto the top af the turning chainof the row below,=o HALF TREBLE CROCHET It's less common and sits between double and treble crochet in height, but the half treble is still important, ‘This stitch is strange when compared to the double created when using double crochet by itself. Mastering the ‘crochet and treble crochet in the way that it's made. techniques used to create the double and treble crochet, Instead of drawing a loop through two loops, the yarnis__will help greatly when creating the half treble crochet, instead pulled through three to create ahalf treble crochet. _Like with working a double crochet into a foundation ‘This produces asttch that's about halfas all asthe treble chain, youwill need to make one more chain than your ‘crochet, but taller than the double crochet. desired number of stitches. This is because the treble Itcan be quite tricky to get the hang ofthe frst time, so.a_crochet stitch will be worked into the third chain from the litle practice may be necessary, but the half treble crochet hook, and the two unworked chains will form your fst hall produces a fairly compact fabric, similar in texture tothat treble crochet stitch. FOUNDATION CHAIN YARNOVER ‘Make a foundation chain tothe requied length, not Make a yarn over and then insert your haok into the 37d forgetting to chain 1 more than the number of stitches you chain from the nook desire Identily the 3rd chain from the hook DRAW UPALOOP. PULL THROUGH THREE Yain over, then raw upa loop, There shouldnow be 3 ‘Yam over then draw the yam through all3 loops on your leopson your hook hook Thesstith snow complete and there shouldbe tIcop ‘onyour hookKEEP GOING Continue making half treble crochets by making a ‘yarn over inserting your hook into each remaining chain and repeating steps $and 4. When you finish the row, chain 2, am gy) STARTNEWROW Yain ever and insert your hook into the 2nd stitch of therow, TURN “Turn your work counterclockwise ready to start the next row, The 2 chains you just made count asthe Ist stitch 0 your next one will need to be made in the 2nd stitch of therom. CONTINUE TO CROCHET Repeat stens 3 and 4 to complete the stitch,DOUBLE TREBLE CROCHET ‘While the other stitches you have learned create quite lose, compact stitches, the double treble crochet creates very tall stitches that make a loose, stretchy fabric. For this reason, itis most often found in lace work The stitch is created by making two yarn overs before inserting the hook into the stitch or chain below, and this ‘can make it quite fdaly to work with. I's important to check that you have the correct number of loops on your hook after you've drawn up the frst loop as i's very easy for the second yarn aver to slp off the hook before you insertitinto gi] FOUNDATION CHAIN Make a foundation chain tothe requited lenath, making sure to chain 3 mare than the number of stiches youneed, Identity the th chain rorn the hook. YARN OVER TWICE ‘Make 2 yarn aversand then insertyourhookinta the th ‘chain ror the hook. your fabric, However, this isa valuable stitch because when Compared to the double crochet, which works up rather slowly, is very easy to create a large piece of fabric quickly with the double treble crochet ‘When it comes to creating a foundation chain to work your double treble crochets into, you need to remember ‘to make three more chains than the desited number of stitches, asthe fist stitch will be worked into the fifth chain ‘rom the hook, with the four chains making the first double treble crochet. DRAW UPALOOP Yan over and draw up a oop; there should be 4loops on yourhook,DOUBLE TREBLE CROCHET Oi PULL THROUGH TWO AND AGAIN. Yain over, then draw the yamn through 2of theloops on Yair over then draw the yarn through 2of the laopson your hook. There should naw be 5 loops on your hook your hook again. There should naw be 2loops on your hook |AND ONCE MORE ‘COMPLETE THE ROW Yarn over, then draw the yam through the 2 loops.on your Repeat steps 2-6 nto each remaining chain tofinishtherow. hook. There should nowbe J loop on yaurhook. \Wnen you reach the end othe row, chain 4.and turn your work Clockwise, The ch-4 counts as the Ist stitch, so youwill need 10 ‘make the nextinto the 2nd sich from the end, ‘CARRYON Yarn over twice. insert the hook into the 2nd stitch from the endo the rewand repeat steps 3-6 0 complete== LIP STITCH While rarely used on its own to create a pattern, this versatile stitch is really handy for joining stitches and moving the position of the hook and yarn without adding heigl sy FOUNDATION CHAIN INTO CHAIN Make afoundation chain tothe requitedlenath Fora Insert your hookinto the 2nd chain from the hockand precisenumber of stitches, chain that mary plusan extra yam over Ident the 2nd chain ram your hook. Ce, DRAW UPALOOP. PULL THROUGH Pullyourhook back trough the chain; there should be 2 ‘Avoiding the urge to yam over, continue to pulltheyarn loopson yourhook through the 2nd loop on the hook —youhave completed the stitch and should have loop on your hook. Repeat steps 2-4 0 finish the row.ai py TURN clockwise WHICH STITCH? There wil be very few instancesin which you need to There'sno turning chain witha lip stich, so you wilneed crochet more than {row ofsiipstitches, However.ifyoudo, __tommake your Iststitch nto the st stitch ofthe row beginby turing the yarn clockwise when you reach the end of the row, so the working yams towards the back. es FRONTOR BACK ‘CONTINUE Yourpattern should specify whether to make your next Repeat steps 3and 4tomakethe sip stitch, stith in the frontor back oop ofthe stitch as slipstitchisrarely ‘worked under both loops. Insert your hook under the loop specified inyour pattern,=o IDENTIFYING AND COUNTING STIICHE All crocheted fabric is made up of different kinds of stitches, but learning what those stitches look like on their own is essential to creating your own work. With the guides in this book you will already have those stitches [ook kein your work so that you know how discovered how to create a foundation chain, as well to count and build upon them. itcan be daunting at fst ‘as different kinds of stitches like double, treble and 10 look at what you've crocheted and to try to count the half treble crochet. While i's important to knowhow to stitches you have just made, but ifyou follow these simple ‘create these stitches, is also necessary to know what steps youll see just what your fabric is made of IDENTIFYING STITCHES Each sttch is made up ofa post lich difersin height The Vsare the stitches most commonly worked into you ‘depending on the stitch worked) anda V hich consists of turyourworkat the endof row. the Vs thatyou work into _afrontioop and a back loop). The Vsitssightly to the right, willbe pointing to the left. Insert your hook underneath the V ofthe post. thats slighty to theleft ofthe post Ityoudo not turn your workat the end of each row forexample ifyoute ‘workingin the round), then the Vsthat you willbe working into will point to the right. In thisinstance. insert your hook underneath the V that i sat siightly tothe right of the post.IDENTIFYING STITCHES There are two waysto countstitches: ether by counting the Vs along the top of the work orby counting the posts. fyou count the Vs, make sure you never count the loop that son your hook ‘When counting ethers or posts, ‘you must take careful Consideration when yyoucometo the turning chain. tis counted asa stitch in your pattern, then countit, butifnot, leaveitout, COUNTING ROWS Counting the postsis the easiest way to Count how mary rows youvve crocheted When working with talstitches, such as those made bya treble crochet, these wil be easy to identify and countio matter how you're working with them, However, when working with shorter stitches, such asthose made by a double crochet, the stitches can look itferent dependingon whether you're turning your workor not COUNTING & IDEN When using double crochet inrows and turning your work, what looks ike one distinct postis actually made up of two rows, as youre seeing the front and the back of the stitch. This makesiteasierto Count themin twos ‘When using double crachet and working inthe round, the stitches are more distinctas you're only seeing the front Oofthestitchinevery round. Asa result this makes thern much easiertocount in single rounds “Counting the posts is the easiest way to count how many rows you've crocheted”more it Increasing isa very useful technique in crochet and ‘one that's incredibly easy to execute. t's essential when ‘working in the round to create something fat as the extra stitches add width; without increasing, you would just build Upwards, not outwards. This technique also comes in handy ‘when shaping items - such as amigurumi -asitcan be combined with decreases to make the shapes you need for heads, ims and more. the number of s To increase the number of stitches in your round or row, simply crochet two or more stitches into one stitch of the row below, For example, if you have ust crocheted a round of eight stitches, then crochet two of each stitch into each stitch below - your next round will hve 16 stitches atthe €end. In patterns, increasing is written as the number of stitches to be made into the stitch below. For example, 2 tr innext st Making ots or erases ‘none pace wilmake Bulge piece larger mthout daring (tacos engine!ADDING STITCHES sy) TREBLE CROCHET INTO THE SAME STITCH ‘Make L treble crochetin the next stitch, Make another treble crochetin the same stitch. You have increased your sith countby 1 INCREASING AT THE START OF A ROW noe CHAIN THREE AND TURN ge) INTO THE FiRsT sTITCH ‘TWO STITCHES Aste turning chain orally Where you would normally make ‘Thestitch you've just made and counts asa stitch (except in double YyOurLtstitchintothe 2ndstitch from the turning chain count as2 stitches, Crochet) increasingatthestartatarow thehook toincrease, insertyourhook and you havemade an increase isslighty diferent into the Ast stitch at the base of the chainandmake the stitch,