How to Crochet the Beginning Cluster

Work clusters in rows or in the round.

Crocheters use clusters to produce bubbled fan shapes with yarn. You make a cluster by working a few stitches halfway, and then joining the stitches together at the end of the cluster. Crocheters also use clusters to reduce the number of stitches in a row, called decreasing. Clusters are made up of basic stitches, such as the double crochet. The trick to mastering clusters is only a matter of counting and keeping track of where you are in the cluster, and the row.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Crochet hook

Instructions

1. Double crochet in stitch one, but do not finish the double crochet. Yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over again, and pull the yarn through two loops on the crochet hook. Leave two loops on the crochet hook.

2. Double crochet in the next stitch, but only halfway. You have three yarn loops on the crochet hook.

3. Double crochet halfway in the next stitch. Now you have four loops on the crochet hook.

4. Yarn over and pull the yarn through all four loops on the crochet hook.

5. Continue crocheting according to your pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the yarn be slightly looser so finishing the cluster will be easier.

• Red Heart warns, "Be sure to read the instructions carefully to see how and where the hook should be inserted for each 'leg' of the cluster. The 'legs' can be worked over adjacent stitches, or stitches can be skipped in between the 'legs'."

References

• Red Heart; Learn to Crochet - Clusters; August 2011

Resources

• Annie's Attic: Double Crochet Cluster
• Bernat: Crochet Abbreviations