The Crochet Handbook: Learn what Equipment you need to Crochet, The Basics of Crochet, How to Read Written Patterns, Graphs, Charts and Diagrams, and More (8 page)

Yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch (not the base of the turning chain), yarn over and pull through the stitch.

Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook.

Yarn over and pull through the last two loops to complete the stitch.

Chain three to begin a new row of double crochet.

Treble or Triple Crochet

Some ripple patterns use treble crochet to create very pronounced peaks and valleys. Begin by chaining 12. Yarn over twice (wrap the yarn around the hook twice) and skip the first five chain stitches. Insert the hook into the sixth chain from the hook. Yarn over and pull through the chain stitch. You now have four loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops, yarn over and pull through the next two loops, and yarn over and pull through the last two loops to complete the stitch. Crochet 12 treble crochet stitches across the foundation chain, and then turn your work.

To begin a new row of treble crochet chain five. These are considered the first treble crochet stitch. Yarn over twice and insert the hook into the next stitch, not the base of the chain five stitches. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook three times. Crochet a treble stitch into each stitch across the row. When you reach the last stitch, it is worked into the fifth skipped chain stitch. At the end of each row after the second row the last stitch is worked into the fifth chain of the turning chain.

Yarn over twice and insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch.

Yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook three times to complete the stitch.

Slip Stitch

The slip stitch is used to move the yarn to the correct place in a pattern, and to join chain stitches to form a ring for crocheting in the round. Insert the hook into the next stitch (or designated stitch) and yarn over. Pull through the stitch and through the loop on the hook.

Cluster Stitch

The cluster stitch is a variation of the shell stitch. Three double or four incomplete double crochet stitches are crochet into one stitch. The pattern will indicate how many stitches are in the cluster. To begin yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over and insert the hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over and insert the hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over and insert the hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. You now have five loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all four loops at once. Chain one to lock the stitch.

Yarn over and pull through all five loops on the hook at once.

Chain 1 to lock the stitch.

Crocheting Stitches Together (Decrease)

If you look at a ripple afghan you will see the pattern ebbs and flows with peaks and valleys. At the valleys you crochet more than one stitch together. This technique is also known as a decrease. You may use decreases not only to form the valleys of a ripple pattern, but also to shape the crown of a hat, shape a bag, and shape garments. In a pattern you will see abbreviations such as sc2tog – single crochet two together, dc2tog – double crochet two together, sc3tog – single crochet three together, and dc3tog – double crochet three together.

To begin a sc3tog insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull through the stitch, insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through. Insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through. Now there are four loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all four loops at once. You have just crocheted three single crochet stitches as one.

To begin a dc3tog yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. There are now four loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all four loops on the hook at once. You have just crocheted three double crochet stitches as one.

Double crochet two stitches together – dc2tog

Increases

In a ripple pattern the peaks of the pattern are created by crocheting more than one stitch into a single stitch. Increases are also used to shape hats, garments, and many other projects. In a pattern you may see an increase designated by a number and the stitch abbreviation such as 3sc or 3dc. This means you crochet three single or double crochet stitches into the next stitch. For example for 3sc insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the two loops on the hook. Insert the hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the two loops on the hook. Insert the hook into the exact same stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through the two loops on the hook to complete the stitch. You have just crocheted three complete single crochet stitch into one stitch.