More Crochet Stitches

Still haven’t had enough crochet stitches?

(Me either!!)

Here are a few more to spice up your next crocheted gift.

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Click here for pdf version of ALL stitches.

Front Loop (fl)/Back Loop (bl)

This isn’t exactly an additional stitch, it’s a different way to work your stitches. By going into the front or back loops only, you get a different look in your finished stitches.

Front Loop

The front loop is the part of the “V” that is closest to you when your work is facing you. It is in the front. When you are crocheting, you insert your hook into only the loop closest to you, not both. It gives a completely different look to the front and back of your work. My swatch shows you how working every row (bottom 6 rows) in front loop only looks. It also show how working a row of front loop on the right side, and back loop on the wrong side looks (top 6 rows).

Back Loop

The back loop is the part of the top “V” that is farthest away from you when your work is facing you. It is in the back. When you are crocheting, you insert your hook into only the loop farthest to you, not both. This also gives a different look to the front and the back of your work. My swatch shows both crocheting in the back loops only for 6 rows (bottom) and alternating back loop (right side) and front loop (wrong side) for 6 rows (top).

Extended Single Crochet (exsc)

An extended single crochet is just a little bit taller than the single crochet. It is still just as easy, with just one more step. (You do need to increase your turning chain to a chain 2, it’s almost twice as tall as the single crochet.)

Insert your hook into the “hole” (or back loop of foundation row). Yarn over. Pull loop through. (Two (2) loops on hook) Yarn over and pull through one loop only. Yarn over again and pull through both loops. Extended single crochet made. (English term is a extended double crochet (exdc).)

Click here to return to the more basic stitches.

Double Treble Crochet (dtr)

The double treble is a little taller than a treble crochet. The difference is you wrap three (3) times around the hook first and do an additional yarn over, pull through two (2).

For the double treble crochet, you yarn over the hook three (3) times, first (yarn over, yarn over, yarn over). Then insert your hook (three (3) loops already on) into the “hole” (or back loop of foundation row). Yarn over again. Pull loop through. You will now have five (5) loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through two (2) loops. Yarn over and pull through two (2) loops again. Yarn over and pull through two (2) loops again. Yarn over and pull through both remaining loops. Double treble crochet made. (English term is treble (triple) treble (trtr or ttr).)

Popcorn Stitch (pop, pc or p)/Bobble Stitch (bo)

The popcorn stitch is sometimes referred to as a bobble stitch (and visa versa). These crochet stitches are made up of several double crochet (or taller) stitches grouped together that form “bumps” in your work. The pattern will usually specify how many of which stitch will equal their “popcorn” stitch.

Since I can never really follow “rules”; the way I do my popcorn stitch is the way some books refer to a bobble stitch. I usually use 5 unfinished double crochet stitches and connect them all at the end and do a chain stitch to lock them in place.

(An “unfinished” stitch simply means you do not do the final yarn over and pull through. You leave the “open” stitch loop(s) on your hook and move onto the next one.)

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The Popcorn Stitch

For a popcorn/bobble stitch, you yarn over the hook first. Then insert your hook (one (1) loop already on) into the “hole”(or back loop of foundation row). Yarn over again. Pull loop through. You will now have three (3) loops on your hook. Yarn over again and pull through two (2) loops. Your first “unfinished” double crochet is made. Repeat this step 4 more times, leaving all loops on your hook. You now have six (6) loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all six (6) loops. Yarn over and pull through loop to make a locking chain. You just made my popcorn stitch.

Note: When completing the row above a popcorn stitch row, be careful not to count or crochet into the chain stitch. Otherwise, you will end up increasing your stitch count with every popcorn stitch.

You do not have to do the final chain stitch, you can move right into your next stitch after pulling through all 6 loops on your hook. Experiment with it. See which way you like best. Once again, just because someone tells you this is how they do it, doesn’t mean you have to do it that way!!

According to some of my books, they say a popcorn stitch is done with several complete double crochet stitches (or other taller crochet stitches). After the last stitch, they have you remove your hook from the loop. Then insert it into the top of the first stitch of your group of stitches. Then put the hook back through the loop, yarn over and pull through both the loop and the stitch. This is what closes their stitch. If you are working on a wrong side row, you insert your hook from the back and into the top of the first stitch. Then you push your popcorn stitch to the right side of your work. (What I described above as my popcorn stitch, is what some of the books describe as a bobble stitch.)

I think that method is too big of a pain. I don’t like to do stitches that I have to remove my hook from my working loop. I’m always too worried it will get pulled out, and then my work will unravel! Personally, I do not see enough of a difference between the two methods to do it the hard way!! (You might, so go ahead and try both methods and see which you like the best.)

You can surround a popcorn/bobble stitch with other stitches of the same height. This will make it look like it’s just a “bump” of the same stitches. Or, you could try some shorter stitches. This will give it a whole different effect.

If you are feeling really ambitious, why not graph out a name, date or simple shapes pattern. Then use the popcorn/bobble stitch to fill it in. You could make a really simple project (nothing but double crochet stitches) look like it was much more intricate!

Sample afghan using popcorn stitch

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Cluster Stitch (cl)

A cluster stitch is just a group of crochet stitches that are only connected at the top. It is very similar to the popcorn/bobble stitch. The difference is, instead of putting all the crochet stitches in the same stitch (hole), you complete them as if they were going to be separate stitches. Each one worked in its own stitch.

You work each stitch to just before your last yarn over and pull through, leaving them unfinished. Continue working your stitches (and collecting the last loops on your hook) along your row until the desired number of stitches are done. Yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook to connect the cluster. A cluster stitch is made. (You can work a chain stitch to close.)

Puff Stitch (ps)

A puff stitch is a group of unfinished half double crochet stitches grouped together and connected at both the top and the bottom. It is a little like the popcorn/bobble stitch, only using half double crochet instead of double crochet or taller.

Yarn over the hook first. Then insert your hook (one (1) loop already on) into the “hole” (or back loop of foundation row). Yarn over again. Pull loop through. You will now have three (3) loops on your hook. You now have an unfinished half double crochet. Repeat this into the same stitch/hole as many times as desired. (Three (3) half double crochet stitches is pretty standard.) On your last stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops left on your hook. Puff stitch is made. (You can work a chain stitch to close.)

Shell Stitch/Fan Stitch

The shell stitch is sometimes referred to as a fan stitch. It gives the look of a sea shell, or fan. It is also a very simple stitch that groups double crochet stitches (or other taller crochet stitches) together. This time, they are going to be connected at the bottom. This will create the “V” shaped shell/fan.

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The Shell Stitch

The shell stitch is always made with an odd number of stitches. This way it has a center point to attach the next row of crochet stitches to. It is, very simply, 5 (or some other odd number) double crochet stitches that are all completed in the same stitch of the row below. A shell stitch is usually preceded and followed by a single crochet. Stitches before and after are usually skipped to allow the shell/fan to lay flat within the project.

The shell stitch also creates a beautiful edging. Click here to check out crochet edging stitches.

Simple Shell Stitch Pattern

Foundation Row:

Ch in multiples of 6 (plus 1).

Row 1:

5 dc in 3rd (4th) chain from hook. *Sk next 2 ch, sc, sk next 2 ch, 5 dc. Rep from * across. End with sc. Ch 2 (3), turn.

Row 2:

2 dc in first sc. *Sk next 2 dc, sc in 3rd dc (center of shell/fan) , sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in sc. Rep from * across. End with 3 dc in ch 1 of turning chain. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3:

Sk first 3 dc. *5 dc in sc, sk next 2 dc, sc in 3rd dc (center of shell/fan) , sk next 2 dc. Rep from * across. End with sc in ch 2 (3) of turning chain. Ch 2 (3), turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 as many times as desired.

Want some variety? Try changing colors. Change colors on every row, or make a pattern of color changes. Color changes really bring out the beauty of this stitch. Alternate this with a popcorn/bobble stitch for a fun lace look.

Want more patterns?

Click here to go to Crochet Patterns Page

Sample afghan using popcorn and shell stitches

Bullion Stitch (bs)

A bullion stitch gives you a wrapped post effect. It is a very simple stitch, but has a very interesting look. You wrap the working yarn around your hook the desired number of times. (Usually 7-10, but I made a baby blanket once that called for 25!! Notice the “once”? Ya, didn’t want to do that one again!!)

Make sure not to wrap it so tight you can’t get your hook back through it when it’s time, but it’s tight enough not to fall off your hook. Insert your hook into the stitch/hole (or back loop of foundation row). Yarn over and pull through one loop. This “locks” your stitch in place. Yarn over again and pull through all remaining loops on your hook.

(Sometimes it is easier to pull through two or three loops at a time, rather than trying to pull through all of the loops at once. Work them off one by one if you need to. It also helps get your hook through if you use your finger to push from the back side of the wrap making it a little looser.)

Yarn over and pull through again making a chain stitch. This “locks” the top of the stitch. Practice makes perfect with this stitch. It can be a little tricky to work with, but have patience and you will get it. (Take a look at my swatch, the first one on the bottom right is much looser and messy looking than the last one on the top left. I think I redid that stitch 3 times!! This isn’t one of my favorite stitches, if you hadn’t noticed.)

Spike Stitches

Spike stitches are just standard crochet stitches that you work into rows below the current row you are working on. (The picture above is also called the blanket stitch. It is formed with a single crochet spike stitch.)

In a pattern, on row 5 it might call for you to create a single crochet into row 4. That just means when you get to that spot, instead of inserting your hook into the next stitch on row 5, you would find the stitch that is directly below it in row 4, and insert your hook there. You would yarn over, pull the loop until it was at the height of row 5, and complete your stitch normally. When your stitch is complete, row 5 is all even, and on the right side of your work, you will see a single crochet “spike” coming down from row 5 to row 4.

Raised Stitches

Raised stitches are also just standard crochet stitches worked in a certain way. It gives the stitch a raised ridge effect. Instead of inserting your hook into the top of the stitch in the row you are working on, you wrap it around the stem of that stitch.

Raised Front Stitches

Front / Back

For raised front crochet stitches, you insert your hook between the first and second stitch, from front to back. Bring your hook back to the front between the second and third stitch. You should now have the “stem” of the stitch on the row below behind your hook. Yarn over, pull the yarn back around the stem and complete your stitch normally. A ridge will form on the back side of your work.

Raised Back Stitches

Front / Back

For raised back crochet stitches, you insert your hook between the first and second stitch, from back to front. Bring your hook to the back between the second and third stitch. You should now have the “stem” of the stitch on the row below on your hook. (Because you are working into the back side of your project, you should only be able to see the part of your hook that is behind the second stitch.) Yarn over, pull the yarn back around the stem and complete your stitch normally. A ridge will form on the front side of your work.

Surface Crochet/Overlaid Chain (och)

Surface crochet stitches are used for decoration. You can use surface crochet/overlaid chain stitches to decorate pretty much any crocheted fabric you want. I use them to decorate my belly dance tassel belts. It adds a splash of color. I have used it both ways, created a line of “v” shapes and also as a dashed line. It just depends whether you crochet with the right side of the fabric facing you, or the wrong side.

To surface crochet, you hold the yarn at the back of your work. Insert your hook to catch a loop. Pull the loop up through the fabric. Insert the hook into the next spot you want to crochet in. (You can follow a row, or create a freeform pattern.) Yarn over and pull up through fabric and the loop on hook. A series of “v”s will appear on the top of the work, while dashed lines appear on the back. If you want the dashed lines to be the final product, simply work on the wrong side of your fabric.

Holding your project can be a little tricky the first time you try to do this. You need to hold your project flat, while working on it. You can’t really see what you’re doing, so you have to do a lot of flipping of your project, or searching for your yarn with your hook. Once you get going, it is much easier. You get a feel for where you need to hold your yarn to be able to easily catch it with your hook.

You can use this to “write” or “draw” on your crocheted fabric. It works great when you are in the mood to crochet, not sew!! You can use it to write names, create shapes or geometric designs on your finished work. The only limit is the completed fabric you are working with. It looks much nicer when you are going into the natural “holes” in the fabric rather than splitting the fibers to go where there aren’t natural “holes”.

Note: If you want your finished design to work out precisely, make sure you spend some time graphing it or figuring out how it will fit. Trust me, the extra time spent is well worth it!!

Click here for pdf version of ALL crochet stitches.

Most crochet patterns are made up of simple crochet stitches done in a certain way, order, combination, number, color, etc...

By simply alternating basic stitches you can get cool patterns:

• Alternate a single crochet and the chain stitch, you get a woven stitch.
• Alternate 5 single crochet and 5 double crochet and you get a checkers pattern.
• Alternate a shell stitch with 2 double crochet and you get a thistle stitch.
• Alternate an extended single crochet and a chain stitch and you get a pike stitch.

By changing up crocheting into the front loops or back loops adds another dimension to your patterns. Try going into the front loops on one row, and the back loops on the next. This would put ridges on only one side of your fabric (every row). You could go into front loops only and make your fabric reversible. Ridges on both sides (every other row). Throw in some raised stitches or spike stitches, popcorns or clusters for other interesting effects. Maintain a certain number of stitches per type and you will start to see your patterns emerge.

It is all just a matter of how you put the crochet stitches together. Once you know the crochet basics, and a few basic stitches, making beautiful crocheted gifts becomes so simple. You will definitely be asking yourself why it took you so long to get started!!

Looking for the basic crochet stitches? Click Here

Crochet Edging

Crochet Circles

Finishing Your Crochet

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