Expand Your Skills with New Crochet Stitches
Crochet is a fun hobby that some people take lightly while others, well-skilled in the art, know that it can be used to make all sorts of items and clothing. A lovely quote that captures the broad range of what one can do with crochet comes from Francine Toukou. She once said that “Crochet is an accessible art that comes with a license to be prolific.” Pretty good, right?
Crochet allows you to make nearly anything. Sure, there’s the lovely doilies and dishcloths that you remember your grandmother making, but there’s also slippers, stuffed toys, cushions, shawls, blankets, sweaters and more. In fact, just click this link to check out the latest Bernat blanket yarn options and see what kind of gorgeous materials you can stitch into a multitude of garments and home décor projects.
This article will outline some popular crochet stitches that you can use for your upcoming crochet projects.
Chain Stitch (ch)
This is the most basic of all crochet stitches and you’ll see it abbreviated as “ch” in crochet patters. You do need to know how to do a slip knot first to get the yarn on the hook, but it is possible to make an item using just this stitch. The chain stitch is the starter stitch for most crochet projects and a group of these stitches at the beginning of a project is often called a “base chain,” “starting chain,” or “foundation chain.”
Single Crochet Stitch (sc)
You’ll see this stitch abbreviated as “sc” in crochet patterns, crochet books, and websites. This short stitch appears in many different patterns and is used to create a weave that can be loose or tight depending on your size of hook or yarn. You can modify the look of this stitch depending on which loops you work through.
If you want to make any cute amigurumi figurines, the single crochet stitch is the one you’ll need to know since it is the foundation stitch in all amigurumi crochet patterns.
Crochet Moss Stitch (Granite Stitch)
Using the single crochet and the chain stitch, the moss stitch (also known as the granite stitch) is a dense, smooth stitch that’s great for a beginner baby blanket. The moss stitch is also excellent for simple crochet accessories like a scarf, headband, beanie, and fingerless gloves.
Single Crochet Mesh Stitch
Like the moss stitch, the single crochet mesh stitch uses basic stitches. But here it creates a different look that is great for dishcloths or table placemats. This stitch creates a slightly tighter weave that still carries the softness of your quality yarn, making it great for something that’s meant to be durable and soft at the same time.
With new crochet stitches in your repertoire, you can start to create different projects for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones. As Francine Toukou once said, “A crocheted piece is the lovely manifestation of a thought, expressed through hand, heart, hook, and yarn.” With a new way to express yourself, you can make crochet the language to express your creativity.
