Special Stitches

For me a special stitch is something that takes a basic dc (sc), tr (dc) and uses it in another way to add another element to crochet projects. This might be by crocheting on the surface or rows of shells added to a baby blanket on garments or cushions or throws.

Special stitches don’t have to be complicated and for a beginner a special stitch will move your crochet projects on to the next level. My crochet rug looks good in its original version but special stitches added looks something really distinctive.

Special stitches can be everything from a cluster to a picot or more difficult such as bullion stitches. With a little planning you can add special stitches to kits or patterns to make them your own and create something truly original. For example if you are making a pattern with 3tr (3dc) groups turn them into a 3tr (3dc) clusters with 1ch worked on either side. Or turn a 4tr (4dc) group into a cross over treble group which looks really smart.

Clusters, shells, picots, spike stitches are all special stitches and all easy to make and to adapt into existing work or patterns.Adding a special stitch makes designs original and really stand out.

1. Use a contrasting yarn for your special stitches if crocheting on the surface and don’t be afraid to try a finer yarn or yarn of a different texture. 
2. A very easy way to add special stitches is surface crochet with surface chain or slip stitch. Image to make
3. Finish the top row of a project to give a very pretty finish with 1ch between dc’s (sc’s) as a very easy way to create picots.
4. If your design includes large areas of chains and spaces, add a picot to the chains. This looks very pretty.
5. Wiggle stitch is a very satisfying stitch to make. Worked through crochet spaces or filet crochet squares it’s a lot easier to work than it looks and very effective. Wiggle stitch tutorial
6. One clever way to use spike stitches, use a contrasting colour to create the effect you like. – tutorial link
7. Use a pair of dc’s (sc’s) worked together in 1dc (sc) then miss a dc (sc). This  looks really good and creates a textured effect
8. Work into the back loop or the front loop only of your stitches. This is a very simple and easy way to create a special stitch and creates a textured finish. Experiment with a sample to create the effect you like.
9. Clusters, bobbles and puffs are all special stitches and look very pretty worked in the same colour as you project or with a contrasting colour or yarn 

Sugar n Cream Crochet Rug

Sugar n Cream is a soft, yet durable cotton yarn that comes in a whole range of colours and blends. I used it to make a crochet basket and loved it. Now I wanted to try it on a larger project and I love crochet rugs. As a thicker yarn it seemed perfect for a rug and as I needed a new rug for my bedroom and wanted something soft on my feet I chose sugar n Cream yarn. I chose the colours to match my bedroom and made it an oblong design.

Read more about Sugar n Cream here.....

 I chose 6 different colours so there was a lot of colour going on!  It made sense then to keep the stitches simple, too complicated and they would be lost. I used trebles (dc’s) in bands of 3 rows for each of my colour selections with some colours repeating. Then I split these bands with a row of 1 chain spaces between.

This is how I planned the stripes.

Drawing in here... Starting and finishing with green which is a slightly darker shade than the green of my bedroom curtains. Then I added repeating stripes of pink,  green, cream, one band of a colour blend and one band of yellow. The finished rug looked good.

I love to give my crochet a ‘wow’ so I wanted something else to make it special. I looked at edgings and tassels which take a huge amount of yarn and would look too fussy and detract from the main design. Searching pinterest for inspiration I came across some crochet cushions with wiggle stitches and I loved them. These stitches are made by crocheting on top of a foundation crochet mesh of 1 chain spaces.

I could see how using the wiggle stitches in the one chain rows I had created would work, look very unusual and lift the design. Looking at the rug I could see the pink, which is the prominent colour of my bedroom, was not prominent enough. So I used pink for the wiggle after first trying the darker green which gave a very different effect.

Addi Olivewood Crochet Hook

 When I began the wiggle stitch scarf I planned the design choosing colours and yarns carefully as always. I didn’t give a thought to the crochet hook I would use. I began the foundation mesh with a soft grip hook and all was well until I started the wiggle stitch rows. The Rowan yarn I used is a double knit weight and wiggle stitch is quite bulky. It became very difficult to crochet and my hand began to ache. I switched to a metal hook but this was no better.

Luckily for me the Addi olive wood hook arrived from Laughing Hens who have an excellent range of crochet hooks and knitting needles, in the nick of time and made it much easier to crochet the scarf. This shows how important it is to sue the right one. Strong and robust this hook is slightly longer than my soft grips and plastic hooks. Just goes to show you that your hook really does make a difference!

Until fairly recently we were restricted to plastic or metal hooks. Thankfully now we are spoilt for choice. I love that at last we have so much choice and crochet hooks that are fit for purpose.

This Addi olivewood hook looks good with very pretty markings. It had a ridge just where the hook rests against your thumb which makes it very comfortable to use. I know some people hold a crochet hook like a pencil so I tried the hook this way and it was just as comfortable and easy to use.

I used was a 3.250mm sized hook. The Addi olivewood hook is longer than my soft grips and plastic hooks, making it ideal for more robust projects and for chunkier weight wools. Using it made my work feel more secure. Strongly recommend this gorgeous crochet hook.

Manos de Uruguay Maxima Yarn

When it comes to yarn quality shows and using the right yarn for your projects makes all the difference between being happy with your results or disappointed. It’s essential to take time to work out what yarn would be best for your crochet or knitted project, judging on quality, colour and what you plan to make. 

Manos del Uruguay Maxima

I used Manos del Uruguay Maxima to make a cascade scarf. It was a joy to use, soft, warm and cuddly it soon became clear to make it would create a lovely finish. Whatever you use yarn for it has to show the stitches and design you have made, isn’t that the point of doing it? I’m happy to say that Manos del Uruguay Maxima delivered on this count as you can see and I love the finish this yarn created.

This extra fine merino is hand dyed yarn and this shows in the finish. You will find slubs and variations in the colour but I see this as a sign of originality and I love the original finish this produces. Manos del Uruguay is a non profit cooperative of women in the countryside of Uruguay and their yarns are Fair Trade The aim of the cooperative is to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women in Uruguay. 

Manos del Uruguay Maxima is 100% merino wool and approximately 219 yards/20m per 100g skein. I used a 4mm hook for this worsted weight. It crocheted up quickly and as a 1ply yarn there was no splitting of the yarn even when I made some more intricate stitches.

Manos del Uruguay Maxima comes in a whole range of colours from natural to the grey(Foil) I used to punchy yellows, red and blends. You can see the range and buy from Rooster Yarns. Choose this yarn and you will be spoilt for choice with something for every project. I’d love to use one of the blues to make a baby blanket. 

This dense and warm yarn would be ideal for winter jumpers and it would make lovely baby clothes and chunky toddler cardigans. Manos del Uruguay Maxima is a quality yarn. Would I use this yarn again yes I would definitely!