Category: New Stitch Techniques

Crochet basics with new stitch techniques, half double slip stitch HDSS.

I found myself so frustrated with back loop only stitches..

I found myself so frustrated with back loop only stitches when I was working on a pattern that had ribbing. I would tell close crochet friends how one day I would find a stitch that worked through more than one loop and still created a beautiful ribbing effect.

I think what bothers me the most about this stitch, is how it stretches out the yarn by pulling on the back loop. Tugging on the back loop only creates a lift on that loop and bunching up the rest of the stitch. I needed something with a little more structure but wanted to keep the ribbing texture.

I decided to test out a series of different stitches..

I decided to test out a series of different stitches until I came up with a few different ribbing textures I knew I’d use for future projects. This one is probably my favorite when it comes to a cardigan, the Half Double Slip Stitch or HDSS.

The Half Double Slip Stitch or HDSS.

• Start by chaining however many stitches you need for your ribbing.
• Half double crochet (hdc) across to create the first row. Chain and turn. Here is where you will start creating the ribbing effect by creating a half double slip stitch.

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• Insert your hook into the back loop only, yarning over and drawing up the second loop on your hook.
• Now insert your hook through the whole stitch, front and back loop. **Note: you are working in the same stitch.
• Yarn over and draw up your third loop on your hook.
• Slip stitch your third loop through the second loop on your hook.
• With two loops left on your hook single crochet. Repeat across for desired ribbing.

PIN IT FOR LATER!!

I hope you found this new stitch fun and plan on using it for all your future ribbing projects! P.s: If you’ve tried any my alternative stitches to back loop only, leave a comment below and let me know which one it your favorite!

Crochet basics, new crochet stitch. Back loop foundation crochet stitch.

I found myself so frustrated with back loop only stitches..

I found myself so frustrated with back loop only stitches when I was working on a pattern that had ribbing. I would tell close crochet friends how one day I would find a stitch that worked through more than one loop and still created a beautiful ribbing effect.

I think what bothers me the most about this stitch, is how it stretches out the yarn by pulling on the back loop. Tugging on the back loop only creates a lift on that loop and bunches up the rest of the stitch. I needed something with a little more structure but wanted to keep the ribbing texture.

I decided to test out a series of different stitches..

I decided to test out a series of different stitches until I came up with a few different ribbing textures I knew I’d use for future projects. This one being my first stitch, The Back Loop Foundation or BLF. I love the idea of this stitch for sock ribbing. Finishing off the last few rows of your sock with this stitch will add texture and bunched, layered look.

The Back Loop Foundation or BLF.

• Start by chaining however many stitches you need for your ribbing.
• Half double crochet (hdc) across to create your first row. Chain and turn. Here is where you will start creating the ribbing effect by creating a back loop foundation.

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• Inserting your hook into the back loop only, yarn over and draw up a loop, you should now have 2 loops on your hook.
• Insert your hook into the whole hdc stitch, front and back loop. **Note: you’re working in the same stitch.
• Yarn over and draw up your 3rd loop on your hook.
• Yarn over again and draw through all 3 loops, just like a half double crochet.

Basically it’s a half double crochet.

Basically it’s a half double crochet, the only difference is at first you’re going through the back loop only in order to add that 2nd loop to your hook. This gives a simple ribbing effect, but also the foundation of working through 2 loops.

PIN IT FOR LATER!!

What projects are you working on, using the back loop foundation stitch?