Stitches for Your Crocheting Arsenal- Part 3
By Erin Burger – 15 CommentsThis third installment of Stitches for Your Crocheting Arsenal (check out Part 1 and Part 2 for even more special stitches!) contains the instructions for two more special stitches, photos of those stitches and some general uses for them.
Basketweave Stitch
The Basketweave Stitch is one of my favorite stitches in crochet. It seems difficult at the onset, but once you have mastered Back Post and Front Post Double Crochet Stitches, textured stitches like this are a breeze. Great for heavier scarfs and blankets, the basketweave stitch is often used for textured kitchen and bathroom cloths.
Start by chaining a multiple of 8 plus 2 (see Chaining Multiples in Crochet for more info.)
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across
Row 2: ch 2, turn, fpdc in first st, *bpdc in next 4 dc, fpdc in next 4 dc, rep from * to end, ending with a fpdc, dc in top of ch-2 on previous row.
Row 3: ch 2, turn, 1 bpdc in first fpdc,* fpdc in next 4 sts, bpdc in next 4 sts, rep from * to end, ending with a bpdc, 1 dc in top of ch-2 ch on previous row.
Repeat Row 3 and then Row 2 until appropriate length is reached.
Crazy Stitch
I assume this stitch is called ‘crazy’ because it appears to be ‘all over the place’. One row seems to be shifting to the right and the next row seems to be shifting to the left. I’ve used the crazy stitch for childrens washcloths, it looks great in bright colors where the ‘shifting’ crazy stitch really shows up nicely.
Start by chaining an odd number.
Row 1: 3 dc in 4th chain from hook, *skip 3 ch, (sc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch, repeat from * across, ending with sc in last ch
Row 2: ch 3, turn, 3 dc in first sc, (sc, ch 3, 3 dc) in each ch-3 space across, ending with sc in last ch-3 space
Repeat Row 2 until appropriate length is reached.
Need help? No problem, just leave a comment!
Love the crazy stitch, I can’t wait to try it, I love them all.
I did some swatches of these stitches, and I kind of like the idea of using the crazy stitch (at least 2 rows) as a border for something.
Love the basketweave stitch! Thanks so much, Erin!! I knitted some basketweave mittens for my kids when they were small. I never imagined it could also be done in crochet! That’s super! : D
Wow Wendy that cool. Was it challenging making the thumb. I wish I could see a picture. But anyway, congratulations!
Ramona, they were baby mittens, so there were no thumbs on them. A lot easier to knit than the ones with thumbs I made a few years later!
Thanks, Erinl. You’re basketweave is one for me to learn. Your crazy stitch is one I’ve done for years to make shawls and I was taught it as the basketweave. It does look like it on a large place. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. Now to go and practice your basketweave that looks like you wove the different pieces together.
Erin,
Just a little note about the basketweave stitch, this is the stitch that got me hooked on crochet! My stepmother made me a throw in this stitch and I loved it so much, I decided to try to learn to crochet. I had been crocheting since Jan 2010 and in July 2010, I asked my stepmother to teach me the basketweave stitch. (I tried it on my own but could not master it) She was so patient and sat down to teach me this stitch. Now 3 months later, all I want to crochet is the basketweave stitch! I just love how this stitch comes out in the end.
Anyway just a little story,,, I am looking forward to trying the crazy stitch, too.
Thanks for all you do.
I Love your blog….I have sooooooo enjoyed reading it and learning from you.
Sara
The very first garment I attempted way back in the 70s was a man’s pullover sweater made with basketweave stitch! I thought it was so cool because it looked like it was knitted! I can’t believe I’ve never seen the crazy stitch before…I love it@ Thanks so much.
I’ve used the basket-weave stitch to make a dishcloth and posted about it on my blog, with a link back to this page <3
I use basket weave stitch at the end of my 2nd made newborn cocoon and bonnet.It’s for my 9th
grandson.I just finish this morning.
Thank you so much for sharing. I have been using the crazy stitch you posted for a few months now. It’s officially my favorite stitch.
I love stitches that only say “repeat row 2 until desired length.” Once the stitch is memorized I don’t have to keep having to look at the instructions…I can just keep going.
Needless to say, I hate following patterns lol. I mainly make scarves using stitches I know.
[…] to the basketweave stitch, the interesting and textured design gives the canister a unique look (that is actually easy to […]
I tried the crazy stitch with the variegated yarn and it looks awesome – almost like patchwork! Thanks for sharing a new stitch pattern which mixes up the boring variegated look!
For these kinds of stitches, how would you decrease/increase? I love the look of these, but it might be hard converting them into a hat…