Surface Crochet, Part Seven - Just Some Ideas!

You know how much I like to experiment. This seemed liked an ideal excuse to play. So here are some ideas I came up with for ways you might like to use surface crochet on crochet.

The most obvious base to use is double crochet (SC-USA).

Starting with the basics this is Surface Chain stitch. I talked about that in this POST.

 

Then I tryed Surface Zigzag Chain. Find that in this POST.

 

The last example is what I called Surface Double Crochet Spike stitch. You'll find the instructions HERE.

Tunisian Crochet is also a good base. The technique creates obvious horizontal and vertical lines. I am fairly new to Tunisian work so I have chosen to use Tunisian Simple Stitch.

 

I've used two different versions of Surface Zigzag Chain stitch. The Tunisian fabric makes a very flexible base making it easy to put the stitches exactly where you want them. It was easy to make the rows of zigzag stitches very close together. Compare this one with the red/purple one made on the Double Crochet base.

 

For the second version I made longer stitches. The instructions are in this POST.

Filet makes an excellent base. This is chain/Treble (DC-USA). Having worked this sample I now realise that it is better to use a smaller hook size for the filet than the surface work! I've used Scheepjes SoftFun, a cotton acrylic yarn with plenty of body.

In this sample I've worked mostly Surface Double crochet stitches vertically. Find out how to do that in this POST. In the white row I've used Surface Chain stitches, but I've double the yarn up in order to make the stitches more substantial. I think I prefer the chain stitches, what do you think?

Making the connection between the surface crochet samples I've shown you over the last few months and some practical crochet does take a leap of faith. I hope that these few examples have helped to bridge that gap. I am now buzzing with ideas and plan to give you a few patterns soon. However I do have to admit to being the slowest crochet designer in history so please be patient!!

Surface Crochet, Part Six - Loops and Pile.

Even I have to admit that I am stretching the subject of surface crochet to the limit this week! I thought that for the penultimate post we could lift off from the surface.

The first technique should be obvious but somehow it's taken me six weeks to think of it. Surface Treble Crochet (DC-USA). Jen Tyler (Hooks 'n Tales) uses it very cleverly in her Amanzi block. 
This is my version of the Amanzi block.

Unlike all the other surface stitches we've done so far, this time both the yarn and the hook are held above the work. 

There are obviously two ways to start this stitch. We can either begin with a slip stitch and three chain stitches,

or a standing treble stitch.
 
Then make stitches into any bar of the canvas or stitch of base fabric.

 

We don't have to restrict our selves to Treble Stitch either. Use any size of stitch and place as many stitches as you'd like into each bar.
 

When you start moving about the canvas the stitches start to stand up.

 

 The final offering is an old technique for making rugs. Once again we are working above the canvas. First lengths of yarn, cord, or rag strips are laid out horizontally.Then a row of surface chain stitches are made vertically over the top, holding them in place.
 
Place a gauge under the yarn, here I'm using a ruler.
 
'Fold' the ruler over the row of chain stitches already made.
 
Chain alongside the gauge.
 
When you remove the gauge you will have a row of loops all at the same height.
 
Continue repeating this process, working from left to right.

You can now cut the loops to produce pile if you want, or use the technique to make a fringe on the edge of your fabric.
 
An alternative method to produce loops is by using surface slip stitches and chain.

In case you're thinking I've gone completely mad and you're never EVER going to want to crochet into net or canvas there will be one final post of this series.  I will show you some examples of these techniques when worked into a crochet base! I hope then you'll be as inspired as I am.