Vintage Vixen Press

The Spider Stitch (aka Baby V Stitch or Small Berry Clusters) is a variation on the classic V stitch, made with single crochets instead of double crochets. You Will Need: Materials:   I used Hikoo Simpliworsted by Skacel.  Worsted Weight (4).  Superwash wool blend. Tools:   Since I used Worsted Weight Yarn, I grabbed my trusty H-8/5.0mm Skills:   Chain (CH), Skip (SK), Single Crochet (SC), Half Double Crochet (HDC).  Working in chain-1 space (ch-1 sp). The Spider Stitch Worked over an even number of stitches  Foundation Row:   Chain an even number of stitches. Row 1:   CH 1, SK 1. SC to end. (Or, make one row of foundation single crochet) Row 2:   CH 2, SK 1.  In the next stitch, sc 1, ch 1, sc 1.  [sk 1, (sc 1, ch 1, sc 1)] until you have two stitches left.  SK 1, HDC 1. Row 3:  Repeat Row 2, working in ch-1 spaces. Continue to repeat Row 3.

The two essential stitches in a knitter's skill set are Knit and Purl, and they can be combined in endless variations to create gorgeous textured stitches.  The Seed Stitch (aka Moss Stitch) is one such lovely variation. The Seed Stitch (Even): Cast On:  2N Row 1 (Right Side):  (K1, P1) x N. Row 2:  (Wrong Side):  (K1, P1) x N. Repeat Rows 1-2 as needed. The Seed Stitch (Odd): Cast On:  2N + 1 Row 1 (Right Side):  K1.  (P1, K1) x N. Row 2:  (Wrong Side):  P1.  (K1, P1) x N. Repeat Rows 1-2 as needed.

The two essential stitches in a knitter's skill set are Knit and Purl, and the best way to practice these by working the Stockinette Stitch. The Stockinette Stitch: Cast On:  Any number of stitches Row 1 (Right Side):  Knit all. Row 2:  (Wrong Side):  Purl all. Repeat Rows 1-2 as needed. Reverse Stockinette: This is the reverse side of the stockinette stitch.  The Purl side becomes the Right Side. Cast On:  Any number of stitches Row 1 (Right Side):  Purl all. Row 2 (Wrong Side):  Knit all. Repeat Rows 1-2 as needed.

Last week we learned the Moss Stitch (Offset Single Crochet Mesh).  This week we'll take a look at Single Crochet Mesh. Like the Moss Stitch, Single Crochet Mesh is a great stitch when you want flexible fabric that is still dense.  Gauge is similar to the Moss Stitch, slightly wider and shorter than Single Crochet. You Will Need: Materials:   I used Hikoo Simpliworsted by Skacel.  Worsted Weight (4).  Superwash wool blend. Tools:   Since I used Worsted Weight Yarn, I grabbed my trusty H-8/5.0mm Skills:   Chain (CH), Skip (SK), Single Crochet (SC). Single Crochet Mesh Worked over an even number of stitches with a one row repeat Foundation Row:   Chain an even number of stitches. Row 1:   CH 1, SK 1. SC to end. (Or, make one row of foundation single crochet) Row 2:   CH 2, SK 2.  SC 1.  (CH 1, SK 1, SC 1) to end. Row 3:   Repeat Row 2, skipping all ch-1 spaces and worki...

Meet the Moss Stitch (aka Linen Stitch).  As part of the Mesh Category, this stitch is Offset Single Crochet Mesh. The Moss Stitch, and its close relation Single Crochet Mesh, are great stitch when you want flexible fabric that is still dense.  Gauge is slightly wider and shorter than Single Crochet. You Will Need: Materials:   I used Hikoo Simpliworsted by Skacel.  Worsted Weight (4).  Superwash wool blend. Tools:   Since I used Worsted Weight Yarn, I grabbed my trusty H-8/5.0mm Skills:   Chain (CH), Skip (SK), Single Crochet (SC).  Working in chain-1 space (ch-1 sp). The Moss Stitch Worked over an even number of stitches with a two row repeat Foundation Row:  Chain an even number of stitches. Row 1:  CH 1, SK 1. SC to end. (Or, make one row of foundation single crochet) Row 2:  CH 2, SK 2.  SC 1.  (CH 1, SK 1, SC 1) to end. Row 3:  CH 1, SK 1.  In first ch-1 sp, SC 1.  (...

Meet the Front and Back Stitch!  It's also called Alternating Single Crochet, but the technique can be applied to other basic stitches. Working in the front loop only and back loop only creates different textures than standard crochet, where you work in both loops.  Compare this stitch to Single Crochet and Single Crochet Ribbing You Will Need: Materials:   I used Hikoo Simpliworsted by Skacel.  Worsted Weight (4).  Superwash wool blend. Tools:   Since I used Worsted Weight Yarn, I grabbed my trusty H-8/5.0mm Skills:   Chain (CH), Skip (SK), Single Crochet (SC), Front Loop Only (flo), Back Loop Only (blo) The Front and Back Stitch Worked over an even number of stitches with a one row repeat. Foundation Row:  Chain an even number of stitches. Row 1:   CH 1, SK 1. SC to end. (Or, make one row of foundation single crochet) Row 2:  CH 1, SK 1.  SC 1 blo.  (SC 1 flo, SC 1 blo) to end. Continue to R...

This is the lovely, crunchy Lemon Peel! Also called the Crinkle Stitch (so cute!) and the Up and Down Stitch, this is a great go-to textured stitch to add visual interest to any project!  Gauge is similar to Half Double Crochet. You Will Need: Materials:  I used Hikoo Simpliworsted by Skacel.  Worsted Weight (4).  Superwash wool blend. Tools:  Since I used Worsted Weight Yarn, I grabbed my trusty H-8/5.0mm Skills:  Chain (CH), Skip (SK), Single Crochet (SC), Double Crochet (DC). The Lemon Peel Stitch Worked over an even number of stitches with a one row repeat. Foundation Row:  Chain an even number of stitches. Row 1:  CH 1, SK 1. SC to end. (Or, make one row of foundation single crochet) Row 2:  CH 2, SK 1.  DC 1.  (SC 1, DC 1) to end of row. (Be sure to CH 2 for the turning chain, or your edges will be tighter that the rest of the fabric.) Row 3:  Repeat Row 2!  This time, you will SC on top of t...