Anytime I begin something new, I try to keep in mind where it could take me on my crochet journey. Is it new stitches, texture, or technique? Most often I lean toward textures. The ability to create a fun texture with simple stitches is something that I love doing. (pssst… stay tuned for February’s square. 😉)
However, with the first Block of the Month motif, I was challenged to dive into learning a new technique that our collaborator and crochet designer Devan Winchester loves — standing stitches.
Some designers swear by them and prefer to substitute these stitches into the pattern instead of using the beginning chains that are written. I will admit that the standing stitches are particularly useful and can help eliminate the unsightly gap that can occur if inserted most often when a color change is happening or at the end of rows when turning chains are involved. If you’ve worked with the MacNamara Square motif pattern (also by Devan), you’ll notice that it’s chock-full of these. Now, I personally am not a huge fan of cutting yarn while mid-project. The panic that I *may* need to frog back with cut yarn — EEK!
Devan has often stated that she prefers these and finds them the best way to work projects and clearly doesn’t mind all the tails. So, as collaborators on the squares for our ‘Tour of the Season’, I decided that it’s high time I learned to work — and try to love — standing stitches.
Now, not every Block of the Month pattern will include these standing stitches, but it’s a possibility. And they really aren’t that hard to get the hang of once you complete a few rounds with this technique.
So let’s dive into these stitches and how they can benefit your skills to learn!
First, as with any new technique, practice is key. I highly recommend trying this on something small like a dishcloth or even just a swatch square until you get the hang of it. Once you have it down, you’ll notice that the piece has a much smoother and polished look than your beginning chains ever achieved.
There are several different types of standing stitches, but they can all be boiled down to most crochet stitches (single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, triple crochet, etc.). If you know how to make a basic crochet stitch, you can complete the standing version with no problem.
Each standing stitch is worked by attaching the yarn in a specific location on the row or round just worked and do not require beginning chains to form the stitch. Just be sure that you’re placing the stitch in the proper place according to your pattern instructions.
I’ll explain how to do a single crochet (in US terms) and hopefully it will make more sense in how you’d work the others as well.
To start with, you’ll need to complete a round or row to work from. Then fasten off your working yarn. Then choose your next color and make a slip knot on your hook, leaving a good 4-5 inch tail of yarn to weave in later.
Next, you’ll want to hold your slip knot in place with a finger and insert the hook into your indicated stitch or chain space where the standing stitch is to be placed.
Then wrap the yarn over the hook (yarn over) and draw a loop through the stitch. There should be two loops on your hook. Complete a second yarn over and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.
Ta da! That’s all there is to it! You’ve now completed a standing single crochet and can continue the rest of your row/round as normal.
For a half double or double crochet, you’d yarn over before inserting your hook into the appropriate space and a triple would have two yarn overs, and so on.
There are some tutorials that exist which also indicate that you can slip stitch the yarn into the appropriate place before beginning the standing stitch, but that is not quite correct as it would require a chain stitch or more before completing the standing stitch indicated.
Now that you know the wonders of the standing stitch, do you think you’ll include this in your next project? Or is it only as necessity requires? Personally, I’m still on the fence! I do love the look and seamless blending that comes with using standing stitches… but I’m not sure if that love can overcome the weaving in of ends.
Feel free to share your love or hate of these stitches as we progress through our monthly blocks!
Until next time,
Grace
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Pigments of Imagination 