knitting afghan stitch

knitting afghan stitch

Advanced Crochet Stitches

Once the basic crochet stitches are mastered, beginning crocheters can try more advanced stitches. These may look intimidating but are made up of stitches you have already learned like single crochet and double crochet. The advanced crochet stitches begin with a foundation chain like a multiple of five chains plus one. This means you will chain like 60 and then one more chain to make 61 chains for a starting chain. The stitch also may repeat a number of rows. If you feel ambitious, here are some advanced crochet stitches to try.

Afghan Stitch

The afghan stitch resembles knitting but actually crocheted. It uses a special needle called the afghan hook that has a stopper on the end. The background makes a perfect surface for cross-stitch designs. To practice the afghan stitch, use a size G afghan hook and worsted weight yarn. The afghan stitch begins with a foundation chain followed by two rows. Chain twenty like you would for normal crochet. Row 1: Insert hook in second stitch from hook. Draw up a loop and repeat across. Yarn over and draw yarn through first loop. Yarn over and draw through two loops across. Row1: Draw up a loop in each vertical bar across. Row2: Yarn over, draw through one loop. Yarn over and draw through to loops across. Don’t turn.

Shell Stitch

The shell stitch is a popular crochet stitch for clothing and household items. There are many variations to the shell stitch. Some shell patterns use two or three double crochets with a chain or two in between and others use groups of solid double and triple crochet. A common foundation chain is six chains plus 7.For practice, chain 37 and double crochet in fifth chain from hook. Skip two chains. Five double crochet in next chain. Skip two chains. Single crochet in next chain. Skip two chains and five double crochets in next chain. Repeat across skipping two chains and a single crochet in between each shell.

Bullion Stitch

The bullion stitch has recently been re-introduced as the roll stitch. Actually, the bullion stitch isn’t new at all. It started as an embroidery stitch done with fine sewing needles. The height of the stitch depends on the number of times the thread is wrapped around the hook. A crochet hook with a tapered end is recommended but it can be made with any crochet hook. For practice, make a row of single crochet and any number of chains. Wrap the yarn around the hook for or five times. As you get used to the stitch you can add more yarn overs .Yarn over and pull thread through all loops.

Now you have more stitches to improve your crochet skills. These crochet stitches will take some practice. You may have to do them over and over before you get them correct but they are worth the effort.

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