Stitch of the Week: The Crazy Stitch

The name is irresistible. I mean, really, how can you pass up learning something called the crazy stitch?

The sad thing is that it doesn’t really live up to its name. If you clicked on this post hoping for something crazeballs, I extend my apologies. This stitch is too orderly and polite to be called the crazy stitch. But just because it’s misunderstood doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for it in the world. In fact, I found a ton of fun patterns that use this stitch, from afghans to scarves to wrist warmers.

As with most patterns, color really makes this one pop. But even if you work it in a single color, it’s a nice pattern to use when you want a little texture without the straight lines and ridges you get with regular sc or dc.

Onward to the instructions!

Crochet Crazy Stitch

I used worsted weight yarn with an H hook.

Multiple: 4

I chained 24 for my swatch. I recommend making your foundation chain loose. I found that Row 1 was tight compared to the other rows, so I think this pattern just needs a little more breathing room than normal.

Row 1: 3 dc in 4th ch from hook. (skip next 3 ch, sc in next, ch 3, make 3 dc in same ch as sc) Repeat to end of row and end with a sc in the last ch. Change color if desired. Your row should have a bunch of “teeth” or slanted triangles like this:

Here are the teeth up close:

Row 2: Ch 3, turn. Make 3 dc in sc, the last st of the prev row. (sc in ch-3 sp from prev row, ch 3, make 3 dc in same ch-3 sp) Repeat to end of row, ending with a sc in last ch-3 sp. Change color if desired. You should have a new row of spikes!

Here’s Row 2 up close:

Repeat Row 2 until the piece reaches the desired length.

Enjoy!

Stitch of the Week: Triangle Crochet

Boy, am I frustrated with myself. Not only do I blow off an entire week for my brother’s wedding, but I skip Stitch of the Week last week and I skip Off the Shelf this week. In my defense, I’ve …

Stitch of the Week: Bobble Kitchen Sponge Pattern

Ask 10 people what they use to wash dishes, and you’ll get 10 different answers. I used to have one of those brushes where you fill the handle with soap. Then I went through a rag stage. But most recently, …

Stitch of the Week: Granny Square

Is it any surprise given my Off the Shelf pick this Monday what the stitch of the week was going to be? I’m cheating this week because I do know how to make a granny square, so I’m not learning …

Stitch of the Week: Up-Down Stitch

I mentioned before that I’m a big fan of using color to call attention to the easy-to-miss aspects of a crochet pattern. This stitch is laughably easy and doesn’t make much of a splash when crocheted in a single color, …

Stitch of the Week: Layered Waves

Living an arm’s length away from the beach — OK, maybe a little farther than that — I love the sight of waves arriving on the shore, one after another endlessly, some curling and crashing, others elegantly slipping up the sand.

I wax poetic.

Waves are beautiful in person, but they’re also pretty in crochet. That’s why I chose the wave stitch to learn next. I decided to feature a variation on the wave stitch: the layered or ridged wave. That’s because the regular wave stitch doesn’t look that great to me. It can often look blocky, even pixelated, if you get what I mean. Making a ridge softens the lines and makes the whole thing more … well … wavy.

This particular pattern is super easy. It only requires a sc and dc, and there’s no complicated counting. Perfect for TV watching.

Here’s the pattern!

Multiple: of 6 plus 3

Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of nxt 2 ch. (1 sc in each of nxt 3 ch, 1 dc in each of nxt 3 ch) repeat across, changing color on the last dc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: In BLO, work 1 sc in each of the first 3 dc. (1 dc in each of nxt 3 sc, 1 sc in each of nxt 3 dc) repeat across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: 1 sc in each of first 3 sc. (1 dc in each of nxt 3 dc, 1 sc in each of nxt 3 sc) repeat across, changing color on the last sc. Turn.

Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). In BLO, dc in each of nxt 2 sc. (1 sc in each of nxt 3 dc, 1 dc in each of nxt 3 sc) repeat across. Turn.

Row 5:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc in each of nxt 2 dc. (1 sc in each of nxt 3 sc, 1 dc in each of nxt 3 dc) repeat across, changing color on last dc. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat Rows 2 to 5.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

Stitch of the Week: Diagonal Cluster

I stumbled upon MoCrochet’s Alwine’s Dishcloth this week, and after taking one look at the stitch, I knew I had to try it. I’ve done a few patterns with diagonals, but not many, so it was good to get my …

Stitch of the Week: The Starburst

“Starburst” makes me think of a glittery explosion of pixie dust, and while this week’s stitch doesn’t sparkle, it’s a lot of fun to work up, especially if you like clusters. Starburst Crochet Stitch Special Stitch – Cluster: (YO, insert …

Stitch of the Week: Striped Woven Stitch

Busy week! But not too busy for stitch of the week. Never too busy for that…but it’s a quick one this time.

Without further ado, I proudly present the striped woven stitch!

I’m not sure if the “woven stitch” is an actual stitch in crochet. It’s what my Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework calls it, but I’ve never heard of it before. All it is is a series of ch-1 and sc, and that’s pretty much all there is to it.

The thing that makes this stitch is color. I chose neutrals, but I can envision some really nice color combos for an easy stripe like this.

Here’s the stitch instructions:

Multiple: 3 plus 2 (I did 14 for this little swatch)

Row 1: Sc in 3rd ch from hook, (ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 sc) repeat to last ch. Ch 2, turn.

Row 2: (Sc in ch-1 sp from prev row, ch 1) repeat to last ch-1 sp, then ch 1 and sc in ch-2 sp from prev row. Ch 2, turn.

Repeat Row 2.

 

Stitch of the Week: Solomon’s Knot Beach Bag

This week, I chose to learn Solomon’s knot — or lover’s knot, as it’s also called. It’s a lacy bit of openwork that seems neither wise nor romantic,  so I can’t account for its two monikers, but I do think …