How to Crochet Textured Stitches
The art of crochet has texture built into it, but some crochet stitches rise off the fabric more than others. These stitches create additional texture and dimension that you can not only see but also feel. So if you are looking to add texture to your crochet designs, post stitches, puff stitches and cross-stitches all add interesting textures to any project. Basic knowledge of standard crochet stitches such as chain, single crochet and double crochet is required before moving on to more textured stitches.
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Instructions
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Front and Back Post Stitches
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1
Make a starting chain approximately 20 stitches long and double crochet across the first row to create a base row to practice the new stitches on.
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2
Chain three stitches and turn your work to start a new row.
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3
Wrap the yarn around the hook once in preparation for making a double crochet stitch. But instead of inserting the hook in the top of the next double crochet stitch, insert it from right to left under the vertical post of that next double crochet stitch. This creates a front post crochet stitch that will sit up off the fabric more than a regular double crochet stitch.
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4
Complete the double crochet stitch by wrapping the yarn around the hook and pulling it through two loops on the hook twice.
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5
Repeat step 3, but instead of inserting the hook under the vertical post on the front of the work, tilt the fabric toward yourself slightly and insert the hook from right to left under the vertical post on the reverse side of the next double crochet stitch. This will create a back post stitch that sits up off the fabric on the opposite side.
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6
Repeat step 4 to complete the back post stitch.
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7
Use repetitions of front post stitches and back post stitches in alternating groups of four or five to create a basket weave texture.
Puff Stitch
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8
Work a row of single or double crochet stitches until you come to the spot where you would like to add a puff stitch. The puff stitch puts a little bobble in your work.
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9
Wrap the yarn around the hook, then insert it into the next stitch and pull up a loop of yarn that is about a finger width long, higher than you would normally pull up a loop for a single or double crochet stitch.
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10
Repeat step 2 two more times so you have seven long loops on the hook total.
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11
Wrap the yarn around the hook once more and pull it through all seven loops on the hook to group them together. Chain one to tighten the top of the puff stuff unless you are following a pattern that instructs you to do something different.
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12
Skip a stitch before making another puff stitch on the same row if you want to place multiple puff stitches next to each other. They are wide stitches and require extra room to prevent bunching.
Cross-Stitch
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13
Work a row of double crochet stitches until you come to the point where you would like to make a cross stitch.
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14
Skip the next stitch and then double crochet in the stitch after that.
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15
Double crochet into the stitch you just skipped either by passing the hook in back of the previous stitch to make a back cross-stitch or by passing the hook in front of the previous stitch to make a front cross-stitch.
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Continue working your crochet row. If you want to make a sequence of cross stitches, repeat from step 2.
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Tips & Warnings
Front and back post stitches can also be used to mimic cable designs you see in knitting.
The popcorn stitch is similar to the puff stitch and also creates a round bobble on the fabric. You make it by placing five double crochet stitches in the same stitch, then removing the hook from the loop and inserting the hook through the top of the first double crochet from front to back. Catch the loop you just dropped with the hook and pull it across the back of the double crochet stitches through that first stitch, thus joining the first and last double crochets together. This causes the group of five stitches to form a round shape that pops forward from the surrounding stitches.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit crochet image by Lytse from Fotolia.com
