Crochet is a beautiful skill that transforms yarn into garments, accessories, home décor, and more. The fiber art requires creativity, skills, yarn and a crochet hook. Generally, beginners learn the craft with single-ended crochet hooks. The new crafters practice the basic crochet stitches- chain, single crochet, half double, double crochet, and taller stitch formations. With a few beginner projects – scarf, dishcloth, or coaster in your kitty, it’s time to expand your repertoire of stitch patterns and skills. Even when you have years of experience, trying out new techniques can make crafting more enjoyable. To help you acquire skills and advance in your craft, in this blog, we’ll walk you through some crochet techniques to explore that will expand your skills and make your crafting easier and smoother.
Essential Crochet Techniques to Try
Foundation Crochet Stitches
Foundation crochet stitches are a great way to start your projects. You do not have to make a chain and then make stitches, but you can start straight away with a single crochet (SC) stitch or double crochet (DC) stitch. Foundation stitches (e.g., foundation single crochet, foundation double crochet) allow you to simultaneously create your foundation chain and the first row of stitches. This technique is perfect for projects where stretch and flexibility are essential. The crocheting will help you save time and effort. A trick to mastering the foundation crochet is to work with different crochet hook sizes. Go for a hook size larger than matching the yarn weight mentioned in the pattern.
Magic Ring
As the name suggests, the Magic Ring (or Magic Circle) is a magical solution to the pesky hole when you knit in the round. Some crocheters may prefer the hole in a granny square or mandala, but mastering the magic ring is a crochet skill that will assist you in tricky situations. This technique is a game-changer to forego the traditional chain method for starting projects in the round, such as hats and AmigurumiAmigurumi. You work with an adjustable slip knot plus foundation stitches, resulting in a tight, closed center that eliminates the hole formed by traditional techniques.
Crocheting in the Back Loop Only (BLO) or Front Loop Only (FLO)
This particular crochet skill of working with either the back loop or front loop of stitches creates unique textures and ribbing effects. Understanding the crochet stitch is essential here, as you must understand the front and back ends of the loop to work according to the instructions. With time and practice, you will master the technique and add textures without doing much. It’s a simple yet effective way to add visual interest to your projects.
Reverse Single Crochet Stitch
As a beginner, you learn to make single crochet stitches but reverse single crochet stitches are essential to advance your crochet skills. You make the stitch but in reverse. The stitch technique gives your projects a unique visual look. Even a basic project like a dishcloth or scarf will look gorgeous. In standard single crochet, insert the hook into the next stitch to the left and create your SC there. In reverse single crochet, insert your hook into the stitch to the right and create your SC there. The basic steps are the same, but the stitch location is different.
Invisible Joining the round
The technique of invisibly joining rounds is a skill that makes you a crochet expert. For your beginner projects, you will learn the slip stitch. You simply have to make an extra stitch in your foundation chain or work a false stitch, joining the round as neatly as possible. This trick is especially helpful when you are making color changes in the round or making AmigurumiAmigurumi.
Standing Stitches
The name itself reveals the technique. Instead of a chain stitch, you simply make a stitch in the air. You can make any of the basic stitches—SC, DC, or TR—in the air. Standing stitches allow seamless transitions between rows, especially in projects with color changes or tight edges. It is also a neat way to join the round.
Tunisian Crochet
A hybrid of crochet and knitting, Tunisian crochet is a craft that every crocheter must try to master. This technique uses a long crochet hook—an interchangeable Tunisian crochet hook—to work stitches that stay on the hook, similar to knitting. Even the names of the Tunisian stitches are inspired by knitting—Tunisian Knit and Tunisian purl stitch. Tunisian crochet produces a dense, sturdy fabric with a beautiful woven look.
With these crochet techniques, a world of possibilities opens up for your crafting journey. From adding texture to improving finishing skills to simplifying crocheting steps, there’s always something new to learn and improve. Explore premium crochet hooks from the Lantern Moon collection. The smooth ebony wood has a silken finish that allows the stitch to flow, making crocheting an enjoyable experience.
