The Granny Square Book: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square (4 page)

DOUBLE TRIPLE CROCHET

Wrap the yarn over the hook three times, insert the hook into the specified stitch, and wrap the yarn over the hook again. Draw the yarn through the stitch so there are five loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and draw it through two of the loops so there are now four loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and draw it through two of the loops so there are now three loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and draw it through two of the loops so there are now two loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and draw it through the last two loops.

WORKING THROUGH THE BACK LOOP

This creates a distinct ridge on the side facing you. Insert the hook through the back loop only of each stitch, rather than under both loops of the stitch. Complete the stitch as usual.

SINGLE CROCHET TWO STITCHES TOGETHER

This decreases the number of stitches in a row or round by one. Insert the hook into the specified stitch, wrap the yarn over the hook, and draw the yarn through the stitch so there are two loops on the hook. Insert the hook through the next stitch, wrap the yarn over the hook, and draw the yarn through the stitch so there are three loops on the hook (1). Wrap the yarn over the hook again and draw the yarn through all the loops at once (2).

DOUBLE CROCHET TWO STITCHES TOGETHER

This decreases the number of stitches in a row or round by one. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook into the specified stitch, and wrap the yarn over the hook again. Draw the yarn through the stitch so there are three loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and draw it through two of the loops so there are now two loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pick up a loop in the next stitch, so there are now four loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through two loops. Wrap the yarn over and draw through three loops to complete the stitch.

FRONT POST DOUBLE CROCHET

This stitch follows a row of double crochet. Chain 3 to turn. Wrap the yarn over the hook. Working from the front, insert the hook from right to left (left to right for left-handed crocheters) under the post of the first double crochet from the previous row and pick up a loop (shown). Wrap the yarn over the hook and complete the stitch as a double crochet.

REVERSE SINGLE CROCHET

This stitch is usually used to create a border. At the end of a row, chain 1 but do not turn. Working backward, insert the hook into the previous stitch (1), wrap the yarn over the hook, and draw the yarn through the stitch so there are two loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and draw the yarn through both loops. Continue working in the reverse direction (2).

SHELL

There are many types of shell stitches. Here is one example.

Make two double crochets, chain 1, and then work two more double crochets in the same stitch (shown). This is often called a cluster. In the following row, work the same cluster into the space created by the chain stitch. Other versions of the shell stitch may have more than two double crochets and more than one chain stitch between them.

POPCORN

(Worked from the right side.) Make five double crochets in the specified stitch, draw up the last loop slightly, and remove the hook (1). Insert the hook into the first of the five double crochets made, pick up the dropped loop, and draw it through. Chain 1 (2).