Crochet Tutorial - Part II

These next stitches are combination stitches, the next in order after you have learned the basic stitches. These stitches use two or more of the basic stitches to make a stitch and generally, though not always, are worked in the same stitch of the previous row. I have placed these stitches in order of popularity but they are also in order of difficulty. The star stitch is the most difficult of these stitches and is work over several stitches.

Shell Stitch (sh)

This is generally 5 dc worked in the same stitch though there are many variations. a Cousin to this stitch and uses the same abbreviation, is the open shell. With this stitch there is usually a note within the instructions r at the beginning of the pattern that will tell you the exact amount and kind of stitches to use for that pattern.

Chain a multiple of 5 stitches, plus 1

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hk, *sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, rep form * across, ending with sc in last ch, ch 3, turn.

Row 2: Work 2 dc in same st as turning (the same stitch that was the last stitch of previous row), *sk sc and 2 dc, sc in next dc (or center dc of shell), sk 2 dc and 1 sc, 5 dc in next st, rep from * across row, ending with 3 dc in last sc.

Open Shell (sh)

This stitch has the same multiple of stitches and is done the same way. the shell is (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same st or ch-2 sp.

Chain a multiple of 5 stitches, plus 1

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hk, *sk 2 ch, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next st, rep from * across, ending with sc in last ch, ch 3, turn.

Row 2: Work 1 dc in same st as turning (the same stitch that was the last stitch of previous row), sk sc and 2 dc, sc in next dc (or center dc of shell), sk 2 dc and 1 sc, 5 dc in next st, rep from * across row, ending with 3 dc in last sc.

Cluster Stitch (cl)

holding back last loop of each dc, make 5 dc in same space or stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook, ch 1 to close (but count this chain as part of the ch 3 or what ever the pattern calls for).

Popcorn Stitch (pc)

this stitch is 5 dc in same st, drop loop, insert hook in the first of the 5 dc, and pull the dropped lp through. ch 1 to close the stitch, but in regular pattern instructions when it says ch x always count that ch 1 as part of the ch x.

Puff Stitch (puff st)

*yo (Yarn over hook), insert hook in st, pull up a loop (about the height of a double crochet stitch or 3 chain sts in that size thread and hook), repeat three times, yo and pull through all loops on hook, ch 1, to tighten stitch.

When doing this stitch there is a little trick to make it easier to keep the stitch the proper size for the hook and thread or yarn being used and that is to pull up the loops as long as 3 ch or as tall as a dc; this will keep the stitch in perfect balance with the rest of the work.

Star Stitch (star st)

When designing something using this stitch it is good to remember that this stitch only looks good on the front side

Begin by ch about 35 sts,
Row 1: Pick up and pull loop through the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th sts from hook, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook, ch 1(the ch 1 is called the eye of the stitch), * pick up and pull loop through the eye of st just made, side loop of star st(from the back of the stitch), next 2 chain, yo and pull through all loops on hook, ch 1, repeat from * across row. Row 2: ch 2 turn and hdc in each st across (there are two sts per star).