Easy Knots

When you start a knot stitch, you will need to avoid knot stitch the first square. Instead, start in the first row, chain stitching one time and release crocheting in the identical stitch. Draw up you loop to 3/4 inches and Yarn over Yo through your loop on the crochet hook.

Next, combine your hook so that it is beneath your release back strand, Yarn over Yo and pull it through, Yarn over YO again and pull it through both your loops at the hook twice, and skip two stitches, release crochet in the following stitch, and repeat your steps across and to the end, and turn. Complete your knot stitch on the second row. Chain stitch five in the first double crochet and another two chains in the next release across the middle knot of your starting loop. Chain two stitches, a release crochet in the middle knot of your following loop, continuing across, to the end and chain two stitches a double crochet in the beginning chain of your preceding row. Repeat the steps outlined in the first row to complete your pattern.

NOTE: Chain stitching is sometimes called “Yarn over Yo.” SO when we bring up Yarn over, start chain stitches. From here on out but, I will refer to Yarn over as chain stitching.

One of the well loved methods used in crocheting Afghans is the popcorn stitch. The stitch works your favorable number of stitches into the following stitch. Once you complete the steps pull up your loop into the following cluster stitch, and then drop the loop away from your crochet hook. Combine your hook into the beginning cluster stitch, and continue by plummeting, a loop, and drawing from side to side to the loop, completing your step with constricting.

How to puff stitch:

Experts in crocheting use the puff stitch to make patterns in completing the Afghan. To start keep your loops on your crochet hook and chain stitch followed by interspersing your hook in the identical stitch. Draw your loop up a few times and chain stitch through the nine loops on your crochet hook. Once you complete your steps go to the shell stitch.

How to shell:

You will need multiples of six, plus one to make a base. In the first row release, crochet into the second chain away from your crochet hook. Skip two chain stitches and five double crochet into the following chain, skip two more chains and release crochet the following chain stitch. Repeat your steps across, and then turn.

Moving to row, two add three chain stitches for your starting double crochet in the first stitch. Skip two double crochets and use the release crochet method to complete the following double. Skip two doubles, and work five doubles in the following release crochet, repeat the steps working across, and to the end, working three doubles in the final release, skip your turning chain and turn. In row three-chain one stitch in the start stitch, skip two doubles, and work five doubles by the side of the following double, skip two doubles and work a release into the following double. Repeat your steps across and to the end adding a release in your turning chain stitch, and then turn. You have now completed your pattern.

Once you learn how to knot stitch, popcorn, puff, shell, you may want to learn how to V-stitch, zigzag lozenge stitch, sample square, border, and finally assemble your Afghan. The V-stitch is simple, so let’s get the step out of the way and go onto zigzag lozenge stitching.

How to V-stitch:

Skip your first stitch and two doubles, chain one, double two in your following stitch and repeat your steps across.