Crochet Tips & Tricks - Special Stitches

Now that we have covered standing stitches, next in the Tips & Tricks series is Special stitches.

What are Special stitches? Well they are simply stitches that have a little more technique than basic stitches. These include Popcorns, Puff stitches, Clusters, Front post and Back post to name a few.

Also, sometimes you will be asked in a pattern to start a round with a special stitch. In the below tutorial i will explain how to do the special stitch and how to start a round with the same stitch. 

I will stress that this is the way I make special stitches. Some may not be to industry standard, but have been altered.

Stitches used (US terms)

Ch - Chain

St/Sp - Stitch or space

Dc - Double crochet

Stitches used (UK terms)

Ch - Chain

St/Sp - Stitch or Space

Tr - Treble

Popcorn

There are several types of Popcorns, made of of either single crochet/ Double crochet, Double crochet/ Treble or Treble/ Double Treble to name a few. This tutorial will use Dc Popcorns.

• Make 5 Dc/Tr in indicated St/Sp, drop loop on last St made, 
• Insert hook into first Dc/Tr made of group around the back to dropped loop, 
• Close loop onto hook, pull through, Ch 1 to secure.

Starting a round

• Make a standing Dc/Tr in indicated St or Sp, 
• 4 Dc/Tr in same St or Sp, drop loop on last Dc/Tr made, (Pic 1)
• Insert hook into first Dc/Tr made of group around the back and to the dropped loop, (Pic 2)
• Close loop on hook, pull through, Ch 1 to secure.(Pic 3 & 4)

Puff Stitch

There are several types of puff stitches, but this tutorial will use the common 3 loop puff stittch.

• *Yarn over, insert hook into indicated St/Sp, yarn over, pull up a loop,* repeat 2 more times, 7 loops on hook
• Yarn over, pull through 6 loops on hook, 2 loops remain,
• Yarn over, pull through last 2 loops on hook.

Starting a round

• With a slip knot on hook, *Yarn over, insert hook into indicated St/Sp, Yarn over, pull up a loop* repeat 2 more times, 7 loops on hook, (Pics 1 & 2)
• Yarn over, pull through 6 loops on hook, 2 loops remain,(Pic 3)
• Yarn over, pull through last 2 loops on hook. (Pic 4)

Clusters

Clusters are basically a number of stitches made in the same St/Sp but as a decrease. Generally, in my patterns if you see Cl it refers to a Dc3tog / Tr3tog in the same St/Sp.

• *Yarn over, insert hook into indicated St/Sp, pull up a loop, Yarn over, pull through 2 loops* x 3
• Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook

Starting a round

• With a slip knot on your hook, *Yarn over, insert hook into indicated St/Sp, pull up a loop, Yarn over, pull through 2 loops* x 3
• Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Post Stitches

Post stitches are a great way to bring texture to a pattern. Some good examples where post stitches can be used are, around popcorns, clusters and puffs. Also too, the waffle stitch is another great pattern to use post stitches. 

(Pictured - Raised Squared Waffle , Pattern by Buttonnose Crochet)

Post stitches can be made with any basic stitch.

The below tutorial covers Front post double/treble crochet and Back post double/treble crochet

Front Post double/treble crochet (Fpdc/ Fptr)

• Yarn over, insert hook from front to back and to the front again around the post of the indicated St,
• Yarn over, pull through a loop, *Yarn over, pull through 2 loops* x 2

Starting a round

• With a slip knot on your hook, insert hook from front to back to the front again around the post of the indicated St,
• Yarn over, pull through a loop, *Yarn over, pull through 2 loops* x 2

Back post double/treble crochet (Bpdc/ Bptr)

• Yarn over, insert hook from back to front and to the back again around the post of the indicated St,
• Yarn over pull through a loop, *Yarn over, pull through 2 loops* x 2

Starting a round

• With a slip knot on your hook, insert hook from back to front to the back again aorund the post of the indicated St,
• Yarn over, pull through a loop, *Yarn over, pull through 2 loops* x 2

I hope this tutorial of special stitches has been helpful. If you are new to special stitches, the only advice i can give, is practice. Practice is what helps us learn new stitches. 

Next in the Tips & Tricks series, we will cover how to work with more than 1 colour at a time. (perfect little tutorial for my Wrapped up in You blanket CAL)

Until next time,

Natasha