The Useful Half-Treble

I am inspired to investigate some Half-Treble variations. If you use American terminology you will of course know that I am referring to Half-Double crochet stitches.

Garments often use Half-Treble stitches due to their half way size. They crochet up more quickly than double crochet (SC) but still create a warm garment. This year I made two LillaBjorn garments which both use the same unusual stitch. It's used in both the Fjell Cardigan and Huldra Sweater. These are my versions.

The plain stitch on both these garments is just Half Treble, but the secret is the stitches are made between the stitches in the row below, under all three loops. Why? Because the stitches on front and back look very similar. That gives you the ability to work in a continuous spiral or to turn the work at the end of each row, as required. In the swatch below I've worked in rows.

In my next offering I've worked the Half Trebles into the back loop. It gives a very light rib to the fabric.

If you want to produce a deeper rib try working into that third loop instead. This third loop is sometimes called the back bump.

Perhaps you like that row of fake chain stitches but you want a thinner fabric. Well in that case only work the Back Bump Half Treble stitches every even numbered row. Work standard Half Treble stitches of every odd row.

A lighter weight, narrower striped variation of this is to work Half Treble on the odd rows and Back Bump Double Crochet (SC-USA) on the even rows.

Let's go back to those two top loops. I love the texture of my next sample. It is achieved simply by working into alternate back loop, front loop along the row.

That extra loop, which is unique to the Half Treble, is really magic isn't it? Think of a Puff stitch. They are usually made up of three or more Half Treble stitches. But what happens if we use just two or Half Treble 2 together in each stitch?

And finally!! Try working that Half Treble cluster over the next two stitches. The instructions might read; Chain2, *Htr2tog in same stitch and next st,repeat from* up to and including last stitch, single Htr in same stitch.

If you've enjoyed these diversions you might want to revisit the post I wrote about the non standard Slanting Half Treble stitch, there are also Linked stitches and Herringbone stitches. If (for some insane reason) you are not won over by the Useful Half Treble you might also remember that I wrote two posts about the Humble Double crochet, you'll find them Here and Here!

As a Post Script, I've been getting behind with my life (!) so from now on I will be posting once a month, but hopefully bringing you more patterns.

So Fastening off for now...

Welly Socks

Now that the Autumn rains have come flooding in this pattern is well overdue! You could knock a pair out for yourself in a weekend, but I think they would also make a great Xmas present for the men in your life.

From September to May I seem to live in Wellies and I've found that these socks have a really practical purpose. Rather than slopping around in my boots these liners help my Wellingtons fit more snugly. Rubber can get very cold in winter but my feet now stay warm. I used to hate the way my trousers ballooned around the top of my boots but now they stay neatly tucked in.

I was intending to sell this pattern in my Etsy shop but I realised that it fits so perfectly into my blog. Not only am I encouraging you to expand your crochet skills but I've given you lots of information to customise your work. Because I was going to sell the pattern it's much longer than you've come to expect from me. I just want to make sure you have all the information you need. If you're printing it off you may not need every page.

I can never make a pattern exactly as it's written, so I don't expect you to either! Although I've only given you three sizes I've made sure you can easily adjust the sizing. There is also a clear diagram giving you as much information as possible.

I've used an unusual linking stitch for the body of the sock. There are step by step photos showing you exactly how to make it. It produces a very stretchy, yet sturdy fabric. More importantly the inside of the sock is smooth and comfortable against the skin. The cuff is made with front and back post crochet rib. Of course there are links to the tutorials on this blog!

I chose to use Scheepjes River Washed, a cotton-acrylic yarn which is sport weight. Use any light weight DK or sport weight yarn that takes your fancy. As I've just written a post entitled Plastic Free Vegan Yarn I should encourage you to try a linen yarn. The prototype socks that I've been wearing were indeed made with linen and it's great for wicking away moisture.

Here's me and Shadow putting my linen socks to good use! (It's really an excuse to show you my gorgeous little boy. This is just after we'd rescued him in spring. He's put on alot more weight and hair since and is now even more adorable!)

Any how! If you fancy giving the pattern a go click here for the free PDF download.

Fastening off