Crochet Without a Pattern: Two Easy Stitches

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Crochet without a Pattern

Would you like to learn how to crochet without a pattern?

Many of my crochet projects are self-created using stitch guides instead of patterns. How do I do this? First, I conceptualize the finished projects. After determining size and shape, I browse through my many stitch guides and back issues of Crochet! magazine to find the perfect stitch.

Most crochet magazines and even some general crafting magazines include a reference section with common stitches.

These guide books and magazines are super-handy when thinking about how to crochet without a pattern. They provide inspiration and creative ideas.

Here are two examples of simple stitches that I use in a variety of projects – The Woven Stitch and the Double Knot Stitch (aka Solomon’s Knot stitch).

Crochet with the Woven Stitch

Single crochet stitches worked in single chain spaces – Easy/Beginner

This is a softly textured stitch that is one of my favorites for baby afghans and scarves. It is lightweight and the stitches are simple, making it a wonderfully fast project for crochet. The stitch is available on page 373 of the Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework book. You can snag a copy of the book on Amazon or read about the woven stitch on this blog post.

The design requires a chain in multiple of 3 chains plus 3. What that means is to make the item to the width that you want and verify that the stitch count is a multiple of 3, then add 3 more chain stitches before turning. The second row is 1 single crochet in alternate chain stitches of the starting chain with a chain stitch between each single crochet. So, in other words, create the chain and turn at the end. Single crochet, chain 1, single crochet to the end of the row and turn, repeat.

Need a video? This is one of many stitch videos available at Annie’s.

Crochet the Double Knot Stitch

Single crochet stitches worked in single chain spaces – Easy/Beginner

The double knot stitch is a lacy crochet stitch. Also known as Solomon’s Knot or Lover’s Knot, this stitch is popular for lightweight evening shawls or as an overlay blouse to embellish an ordinary blouse. I attended the 2015 Stitches Texas event and participated in Jenny King’s “Mastering Solomon’s Knot” class. In only a few minutes, I was able to refresh my memory on how to create this lovely pattern. This is a loop design requiring stretching of the single crochet to create the lace. The trick with this design is to have consistency in the stretched stitches. The diagrams for the stitch are on page 381 of the Complete Guide to Needlework (Reader’s Digest).

Need a video? Here is a super-quick tutorial from Annie’s showing how to make the Solomon’s Knot Crochet Stitch.