How to Crochet: Inverse Stitches
By Candace – 6 CommentsCreating an inverse stitch isn’t very complicated, and those who like to experiment should not have too hard a time incorporating them into their tinkering. Since they are mostly used in slip stitch crochet, this tutorial will demonstrate the technique using the slip stitch.
Hover over the images for a left-handed view.
First, with the yarn in front of your work, insert the hook into the stitch from back to front. This can be done:
Through both loops.
Through the back loop.
Or through the front loop.
Yarn over.
Pull through all loops.
Need help? Feel free to ask in the comments section below.
I have a problem with doing a stitch: “working in BACK STRANDS of stitches” I went into the back loop and it is wrong. What is the “BACK STRANDS”? It’s making a flower in Grandma’s Zinna afghan.
I’ve had to print it direct from PDF as it’s one of those I’m unable to copy to transfer to Word for editing. (I edit all my directions to make them easier to read.) I don’t remember where I got the original.
Thank you! Bunnie Haughton, Parker, CO
I neglected to tell you it’s sc stitches.
As you hold your work level RIGHT SIDE FACING the back strand is the topmost loop. You do not tilt your work looking for the ‘back’. If is is WRONG SIDE FACING you pick up the loop just behind the top loop.
HOW TO MAKE STITCHES ‘STAND UP’? I would guess it would be by using the back loops.
This is a very useful technique. I personally use this (in sc) when ‘painting’ with yarn, so that the various strands of yarn are always to the WS of the fabric, while the RS is neat, organized, and smooth (no stranding; same stitch texture, like when crocheting in a spiral).
I’ve been looking to see if anyone else does this stitch. It can be done in sc and dc also. The important step is to lay the yarn forward before inserting the hook, then lay the yarn over the hook from front to back initially to draw through the loop, finally yarn over as normal. Thanks for the term inverse, I was using purl. I like to alternate regular and inverse stiches to make different weaves.