Popcorn Stitch

A popcorn is formed in the same way as a shell but the stitches are folded over at the top.
A popcorn stitch is made with four double crochet stitches, however you can use more.

1. On a right-side row, stitch to teh position for the popcorn. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook.

2. Skip one stitchand then take the hook, from front to back, through the top of the next stitch of the previous row.

3. Complete the double crochet stitch

4. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Take the hook through the top fo the same stitch as before.

5. Work a second double crochet stitch

6. Work two more double crochet stitches into the same stitch of the previous row

7. Remove the hook from the loop take teh hook, from front to back, through the top of the first double crochet and then through the loops.

8. Draw the hook backward to pull the loop through the double crochet stitch

9. Continue to the end of the row, interspersing popcorns with your selected stitches.

Hints:

Working popcorns in a row of shorter stitches, such as single crochet or half double crochet sttiches, will make the popcorn mare pronounced.
If you want the popcorn to "pop" to the back rather thean the front, take the hook brom the back to the front through the top fo the first double crochet stitch when folding it.
Work at leaset one row of another stitch before beginning the popcorns.

Picots: single crochet

1. On a right-side row, work to the positon for the picot

2. Work five chains

3. Take the hook, from front to back, through the first chain

4. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook

5. Draw the hook backward and pull the loop through both the chain stitch and loop already on the hook to form a slip stitich. A picot is created.

6. Work to the position for the next picot

7. Work a second picot following steps 2-5

8. Continue working to the end of the row, working the picots between your other stitches.

Astrakhan Stitch

Astrakhan stitch is worked back and forth across the fabric without turning it.

1. Row 1 - Work a row of double crochet

2. Row 2- (work left to right) Work five chains

3. Take yoru hook, from front to back, into the front loop of the top of the second to lasts double crochet of the previous row.

4. Keeping the chains behind your hook, catch the yarn in the barb of the hook.

5. Pull the yarn through both the stitch and loop on the hook to form a slip stitch.

6. Repeat steps 2-4 along the row up to the last stitch, working a slip stitch into the front loop of the next double crochet each time.

7. Work fice chains and thenwork a slip stitch, taking the hook through both loopsof the third turning chian in the previous row.

8. Row 3 - (Work right to left) Work three chains. Wrap the yarn, form back to front, over the hook

9. Take the hook, from front to back, through the back loop at the top of teh first double crochet

10. Complete a double crochet stitch

11. Continue working a double crochet stitch into the back loop of each double crochet in the first row

12. Subsequent Rows- Repeat steps 2-7 to work the fourth row

13. Repeat steps 8-11 to work a fifth row

14. Continue, alternating between a row of loops worked from left to right and a row of double crochet worked from right to left, until your work is the desired length.

Hints:

Work one or two plain stitches at teh end of each row so it is easier to assemble your project
Forming even loops takes a little practice so don't give up to o quickly.
Vary the number of chains when working chain loop stitch and astrakhan stitch to acheve different looks.

Loop Stitches: Chain Loop Stitch

1. Rows 1 and 2 - Work tow rows of single crochet. Work one turning chain.
2. Row 3 - Turn your work. Take your hook, from back to front, through the front loop of the next single crochet of the previous row.
3. Complete the single crochet stitch in the usual manner.
4. Work a single corchet into the next stitch, again taking the hook under the front loop of the stitch only. work five chains.
5. Repeat step 4 along the row until reaching the last stitch
6. Work a single crochet into the last stitch in the same manner as before. working one turning chain.
7.Row 4- Turn your work. Take the hook, from front to back, through the remaining loop of the next stitch in row 28.. Complete the single crochet stitch in the usual manner.9. Work a single crochet into the next stitch, again only taking the hook under the remaining loop of the next stitch in row 2. 10. Repeat step 9 along thr row until reaching the last stitch11. Work a single crochet into the last stitch in the same manner as before. Work one turning chain. 12. Subsequent rows - Repeat rows 3-4 until your fabric is the desired length

Loop Stitches: Fur stitch

1. On a wrong-side row, work a single crochet

2. Take the hook, from front to back, through the next stitch

3. Keeping the hook to the right of the yarn. pick up the yarn on the far side of your left finger with the barb of the hook.

4. Raise your finger to the height you wish the loop to be

5. Pull the yarn through the stitch, taking care not to cath the front of the loop. There are now two loops on the hook.

6. Keeping the hook ot the left of the loop, take the yarn, from back to front, over the hook

7. Draw the hook backward and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook

8. Drop the loop from your finger adn pick up the working yarn again.

9. Repeat steps 2-8 to work a second stitch

10. Continue working stitches across the row in the same manner. Work the last stitch as a single crochet

11. Work one chain, turn your work, and work a row of single crochet

12. Continue alternating rows of fur stitch and single crochet until your work is the desired lenght.

Loop Stitches: Loop stitch worked over a frame

A pencil, ruler, strip of stiff cardboard, or something similar can be used for your frame.

1. On a wrong-side row, work one or two single crochet sittiches.

2. Supporting the frame in your left hand, take the hook, from front to back, through the next stitch.

3. Transfer the frame to your right hand. Take the yarn, from front to back, around the frame

4. Transfer the frame back to your left hand. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook

5. Draw the hook backward and pull the yarn through the stitch. There are two loops on the hook

6. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook.

7. Draw the hook backward and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.

8. Repeat steps 2-7 to work a second stitch in the same manner

9. Continue working stitches in the same manner, slipping them off the other end of the frame if it becomes to full. Work single crochet for the last one or two stitches.

Clusters: Basic Cluster with Single Crochet

Here each cluster is made up of three single crochet stitches.

1. Stitch to the position for the cluster.

2. take the hook, from front to back, through the top of the next stitch of the previous row.

3. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook.

4. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through the top of the stitch of the previous row. There are two loops on the hook.

5. Take the hook, from front to back, through the loop of the next stitch of the previous row.

6. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through the top of the stitch of the previous row. There are Three loops on the hook.

7. Repeat steps 5-6. You will have four loops on the hook.

8. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through all the loops on the hook to complete the cluster.

9. Work two chian stitches

10. Work a second cluster following steps 2-8.

11. Continue stitching clusters to the end of the row, working two chain stitches between each one.

Loop Stitches: Basic loop stitch using single crochet stitch

Loop stitches can be spaced at intervals, worked in groups, or worked in every stitch in a row execpt for the edge stitchs.

1. On a wrong-side row, work to the position for the loop

2. Take the hook, from front to back, through the next stitch

3.  Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook.

4. Cath the yarn on the other side of your index finger with the barb of the hook.

5. Draw the hook backward and pull yarns through the stitch.

6. Wrap the yarn, from back to front over the hook.

7. Draw the hook backward and pull the yarn through all the loops on the hook. Drop the loop from your finger.

8. Work to the position for the next loop and repeat steps 2-7.

9. Continue almost to the end of the row, working loop stitches between your other stitches. work the last one or two stitches as plain stitches.

Clusters: basic cluster with double crochet stitch

1. stitch to the position for the cluster. Warp the yarn, from back to front, over the hook

2. Take the hook, from front to bac, through the top of the next stitch of the previous row.

3. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Draw the yarn backward to pull the yarn through the top of the stitch of the previous row. There are three loops on the hook.

4. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. There are now two loops on the hook.

5. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Take the hook, from back to front, through the top of the next stitch of teh previous row.

6. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through the top of the stitch of the previous row. There are four loops on the hook.

7. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. There are now two loops on the hook.

8. Repeat steps 5-7. You will have four loops on the hook.

9. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through all the loops on the hook to complete the cluster.

10. Work two chain stitches.

11. Work a second cluster following steps 1-9.

12. Continue stitching clusters to teh end of the row, working two chain stitches between each one.

Hint:

Keep your tension fairly losse tomaintain the softness of the cluster and make it easier to finish the final loop. To maintain teh same number of stitches in each row, work chain stitches between the clusters. the number of stitches in a cluster-1= the number of chain stitches required. If you work shorter stitches between clusters, the clusters will stand out more. Always make your turning chains match the height of any shorter stitches in a row, rather than match the height of the clusters.

Bullion Stitches

this stitch is reminiscent of the bullion knots so popular in surface embroidery.

1. Stitch to the postition for the bullion

2. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook seven times

3. Take the hook, from front to back through the top of the next stitch of the previous row

4. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front over the hook

5. Draw the hook backward to pull the loop through the top of the stitch

6. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front over the hook

7. Draw the hook backward to pull the loop throguh all nine loops on the hook

8. Continue to the end of the row, interpersing double crochet stitches with the bullion stitches.

Hint:

if you slowly turn the hook as you pull it through all the loops it is less likely to become "struck".
It is easier to creat a neat bullion stitch with a fine hook and thread rather than a thick hook and thread.
To help even out the wraps, hold teh stitch between your thumb and index finger and stroke the wraps with your thumb. It is easier to work bullions with a slippery thread or yarn, such a rayon.

shaping: sloped decresasing at the end of a row

This method works for stitches in the double or triple crochet family. 1. work the required number of rows without decreasing, Work one turing chain and turn your work.
2. Work a single crochet into the first stitch of the previous row.
3. Work a half double crochet into the second stitch of the previous row. (if you are working a fabric of half double crochet, continue working stitches across the row at this time).
4. Work a double crochet into the third stitch of the previous row. (if you are working a fobric of double crochet, continue working stitches across the row at this time).5. Work a triple crochet into the fourth stitch of the previous row. Continue working stitches across the row.
6. To decrease at the other end, work the starting stitches in the recerse order.
Hint: Shaping
If you need to increase at the same positon in subsequent rows, pllace a marker, such as a peice of contrasting yarn, at the position where your increasing begins.
To maintain a neat edge to your work, do not work an increase into the first of last stitches. Instead, use the second or second to last stitches.
The number of stiches used to create a slope will depend on the stitch you are working with. A row of half double crcochet will require one single crochet for the slope. A row of double crochet will require one single crochet and one half double crochet for the slope. A row of triple crochet will require one single crochet, one half double crochet, and on dourble crochet for the slope.

Shaping: decreasing by skipping a stitch

1. work to the postition of the decrease. skip one stitch and take the hook, from front to back, through the next stitch. (Remember to wrap the yarn first if working a double creaochet stitch).
2. work the stitch in the same manner as your previous stitches.

Shaping: Stepped decreasing at the end of a row

1. work with required number of rows without decreasing. turn your work without working any turning chains.
2. take the hook, from frnot to back, through the first stitich of the previous row and wrap theyarn, from back to front, over the hook.
3. pull the wrap through both the stitch and loop on the hook.
4. One loop remains on the hook.
5. take the hook through the next stitch of theprevious row and complete the slep stitch as before.
6. continue working slip stitiches across the row until you have decreased the required number of stitches.
7. work the required number of turning chain for your stitich (but do not turn your work).
8. work stitches across the row. 9. if you wish to decrease at the opposite end, stop before the end of the row, leaving the required number of stitches unworked. 10. work your turing chain, turn your work and begin the next row.

Bobbles: Bobble with five double crochet stitches

Bobbles are usually worked with three to five double crochet stitches. they are worked into the same stitch at the base and closed at the top.
1. On a wrong side row, stitch to the position for the bobble.
2. wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook
3. Take the hook, from front to back, through the tip of the next stitch of the previous row.
4. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook
5. Draw the hook backward to pull the loop through the top of th stitch. There are three loops on the hook.
6. Again, wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook
7. Drew the hook backward to pulll the loop through the first two loops on the hook. Two loops remain on the hook.
8. Wrap the yarn, from back to front over the hook
9. Take the hook, from front to back, through the top of the same stitch as before
10. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook. Draw the hook backwards to pull the yarn through the top of the stitch of the precious row. there are four loops on the hook.
11. Repeat steips 6-7, You will have three loops on the hook.
12. Following steps 9-11, work three more stitches in the same manner. You will have six loops on the hook.
13. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook
14. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through all the loops on the hook
15. Wrap the yarn, from back to front over the hook
16. Draw the hook backward to pull the yarn through the remaining loop on the hook and secure the bobble.
17. Continue stitching to the end of the row, working the bobbles between your other stitches.
Tip:Bobbles use more yarn than most other stitches and are usually worked in wrong side rows.Surround bobbles with shorter stitches, sucn as single crochet, to make them stand out more from the background

Shaping: Decreasing two double crochet stitches within a row (sc3tog)

1. Work to the position of the decrease and work steps 1-5 of Decreasing one double crochet within a row


2. Wrap yarn and take hook from front to back through next stitch. Wrap yarn and pull loop through picked up stitch, leaving five loops on hook.

3.wrap the yarn from back to front over the hook and pull the loop through the first two loops on the hook, four loops remain on the hook.

4. Wrap the yarn as before and pull it through all four loops on the hook.

shaping: Decreasing one double crochet stitches within a row (dc2tog)

1. Work to the position of the decrease. Wrap the yarn from back to front over the hook and take the hook, from front to back, through the next stitch

2. Wrap the yarn from back to front over the hook and pull the loop through the picked up stitch, there are three loops on the hook.

3. Wrap the yarn as before and pull the loop through the first two loops on the hook.

4. Wrap the yarn, from back to front over the hook and take the hook from front to back through the next stitch.

5. Repeat steps 2-3, You will have three loops on the hook.

6. Wrap the yarn as before and pull it through all three loops on the hook.

Shaping: Decreasing two single crochet stitches witin a row (sc3tog)

1. Work to the position of the decrease and work steps 1-4 of decreasing one single crochet within a row.

2. Take the hook, from front to back through the next stitch. Wrap the yarn and pull the loop through the picked up stitch as before. There are four loops on the hook.

3. Wrap the yarn from back to front over the hook and pull the loop through all four loops on the hook.

Shaping: Decreasing one single crochet within a row (sc2tog)

1. Work to the position of the decrease. Skip one stitch and take the hook, from front to back, through the next stitch. (Remembering to wrap the yarn first if working a double crochet stitch).


2. Work the stitch in the same manner as your precious stitches

3. Take the hook, from front to back through the next stitch

4. Wrap the yarn, from back to front, over the hook and pull the loop through the picked up stitch. There are three loops on the hook.

5. Wrap the yarn from back to front, over the hook and pull the loop through all three loops on the hook.

Shaping: Increasing at the other end of a row

1. Work almost to the end of the row where the increase will occur.

 Leave approximately five or six stitches unworked. Remove your hook.

2. Join a new yarn to the last stitch in the precious row.

3. Work a single chain for each additional stitch required.

4. Fasten off the new yarn.

5. Work the five or six unworked stitches and then work across te new section in the same manner as for a foundation chain.

6. Turn your work and continue working as before.

Shaping: Increasing at the end of a row

Any number of stitches can be added in this way.

1. Stitch to the end of the row. Work a single chain for each additional stitch required plus your turning chain


2. Turn your work. Stitch across the new section in the same manner as for a foundation chain and then continue across your precious stitches.