One of the best things about crochet is its versatility. While knitting is developed from 2 main stitches (knit, purl), crochet starts with more stitches in its arsenal, and since you're only working with one stitch at a time (unless you're doing Tunisian crochet), you have more flexibility to change height, direction, etc. You can make a solid fabric, with either a smooth or textured feel, a delicate frothy lace confection, or anything in between. New stitch combinations are developed by designers and with the internet and social media, these designs can be shared around the world with a few clicks!
The flip side of this is that some stitch combinations are called by multiple names. Sometimes I think I'm experiencing deja vu when I start to follow a new pattern and realize that I've done the stitch before, but it was called something different. If you use Ravelry, it can be frustrating to try and find a pattern if you remember the "wrong" name that they called the stitch, and there are too many for Ravelry to track them all.
For example, a solid panel made of alternating single crochet & chain stitches, with the following row SC into the CH, is called Granite, Linen, Moss, Sand, Seed, Tweed, and more names, depending on who you talk to. In this example, I alternated cakes of yarn every other row to get the striped effect.
The flip side of this is that some stitch combinations are called by multiple names. Sometimes I think I'm experiencing deja vu when I start to follow a new pattern and realize that I've done the stitch before, but it was called something different. If you use Ravelry, it can be frustrating to try and find a pattern if you remember the "wrong" name that they called the stitch, and there are too many for Ravelry to track them all.
This is a variation on moss stitch, using HDC instead of SC, which makes it more open, because HDC is a taller stitch.
If you alternate DC & SC, it may be called Cobble, Griddle, Lemon Peel, Mixed Grit...
Sometimes the same name is given to two different stitch combinations. For example, this tutorial by Desert Blossom Crafts is for the Woven stitch - what she's doing is sometimes called the Waistcoat or Single Center stitch. However Crochet 'n Create has this tutorial for the Woven stitch, which describes the Granite/Moss/Linen/etc. stitch I've shown above. And The Stitchin' Mommy has this tutorial for the Woven stitch, which uses front and back post stitches to create a very textured block. If someone asks you to make them a scarf with the Woven stitch, you will want to ask for more information (photos are extremely helpful) to make sure you're on the same page. If you teach crochet, be prepared for students to ask you about stitches they've seen or heard about.
I don't think there's an easy solution. I've started a list of stitches with their alternate names, to help me remember.
Comments
Post a Comment