Check out the most common crochet stitches with this crochet stitch guide. These loops are the building blocks of crochet. When learning to crochet, you learn these stitches before moving on to the pattern stitches.
A pattern stitch consists of repeated successive stitches to create textures, shells, and clusters as well as decorative motifs. You use pattern stitches to create crochet items like scarves, hats, baby blankets, and more.
You can find pattern stitches in crochet books or pattern brochures and on the internet. With practice, you can learn to personalize a written pattern using different crochet hooks or yarn. A stitch pattern can be as simple as two rows or as complex as twelve. The line counter can help you keep track of where you are.
Texture Crochet Stitches
Texture crochet patterns use basic crochet stitches to create lots of compact patterns.
Alternate stitching is done on multiples of two chains plus two chains for turning. Start by pulling a chain of the length you need, turn it, and after skipping three chains (the spinning chain), make two frequent crochets into the next chain (or loops in the next rows). Then skip a chain (or stitch) and make a chain. Repeat this until the last loop or chain, make two single crochets in the last loop, pull two chains and turn. The second row will make two crochets in the single chain spaces and skip and chain over the two crochets in the previous row. These two rows create a leaf-like pattern when done.
The double stitch is similar to the alternate stitch, but instead of making two single crochets in one stitch, it covers two stitches. Thread your crochet into the loop to be worked, wrap the thread over it so you pull back one loop, then thread the crochet into the next loop. Thread so you pull back an additional loop, then pull the thread through the three loops on the hook. Repeat the double stitch for each next pair of stitches. With its soft, washable crochet yarn, this model makes a cozy baby blanket.
Other tissue stitches include:
Up and down alternating single and double stitches.
A checkerboard pattern created by alternating groups of three or four single and double crochet stitches.
A weaving stitch made by knitting a single crochet in a chain stitch, chaining one, skipping the next stitch, and then knitting another single crochet. Repeat this across the first row, then crochet one crochet into the chain space of the previous row, skip and chain one over the single crochets in the previous row.
Cross stitch that uses long stitches pulled through groups of three single or double crochet stitches.
There are many more texture stitches. After trying a few, you can start creating your own textures.
Shell or Fan Pattern Stitches
The shell or fan stitch is one of the most popular designs for baby blankets, blankets, and afghans. A shell is a single stitch or group of three to five stitches worked in a chain space. The group will be closer together at the bottom and dispersed at the top, so each group will look like a fan or a seashell.
A simple shell has a double crochet in one stitch, then two double crochets, a single chain, and two more double crochets in the next stitch. Another double crochet is made into the next loop, but the loop is carried through the three skipped stitches and a smaller fan is made. Each large shell is crocheted into the skipped stitch of the shell underneath, creating a scalloped edge.
Variations on the shell can be made by crocheting small shells in narrow chain spaces, creating an open, delicate pattern ideal for baby clothes or blankets. You can create an arch-like pattern by creating large shells over wide open spaces. Make an upwards fan over an opening and you’ll have a beautiful starburst pattern.
Cluster Crochet Stitch Patterns
The most well-known cluster stitch is probably the bobble stitch. The bobble is usually between a pair of single crochet stitches and is created by threading a yarn over it, inserting the crochet hook into the base stitch of the bobble and pulling a loop. Then thread another thread, pulling the thread through the two stitches on the hook. This is repeated five times in the basic stitch, resulting in the remaining six loops on the hook. The yarn is pulled through all six loops to create the bobble, then secured with a single crochet in the following loop.
Another popular cluster pattern is the pineapple stitch. Working on multiples of two plus four, the pineapple is made by threading a yarn, crocheting into a single stitch, and crocheting one stitch four times. Thread the crochet thread into eight loops, then make another thread and thread through the last two loops. Unlike bobbles, pineapples are not usually secured with single crochet stitches. Instead, a loop is skipped between each pineapple and a chain is made over the skipped loop. Pineapples in the next row are in the chain space between the pineapples in the previous row.
makes. The top of the pineapple is skipped and a chain is made on it.
You should now have a better idea of the types of designs you can make with basic crochet stitches. Find some crochet books, search the Web, and after you’ve made some patterns, try creating some of your own.
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