An intricate texture in crochet can be easily achieved by working around the post of stitches or in front / behind of previously made stitch(es). Here are a few of my favorite stitches from The Texture Mountain Hat pattern.
Crochet Ribbing
- Fpdc (front post double crochet) – Yo, insert the hook from front to back to front around the post of the st, yo and pull up a loop; [yo and pull yarn through 2 loops on the hook] 2 times.
- Bpdc (back post double crochet) – Yo, insert the hook from back to front to back around the post of the st, yo and pull up a loop; [yo and pull yarn through 2 loops on the hook] 2 times.
You can alternate the front and back post dc stitches to create beautiful crochet ribbing for hats, socks, and garments. In this video I’m making 1 X 1 ribbing….but using the same concept, you can create different ribbings by alternating different numbers of stitches: 2 X 2, 1 X 2, 2 X 1, etc.
NOTE: For left-handed crocheter, scroll to the middle of the video.
Decreasing
When you decrease using the regular dc2tog method, there are 2 posts gathered under the top of the finished stitch…which sometimes can be difficult to identify while working the next row of front/back post stitches. That’s why I like using the Invisible Decrease method for textured crochet.
Invisible Dc Decrease – Yo, [Insert the hook from front to back through the front loop of next st] 2 times; yo and pull through 2 front loops on the hook; yo and complete dc as usual (1 st decreased).
NOTE: For left-handed crocheter, scroll to the middle of the video.
Working in Front of Completed Stitches
To work in front of the stitches you just made, insert the hook from back to front through the indicated stitch, while your previously made stitches are behind the hook. This method clearly separates your back stitches from the new front stitch without blending them together. The video below shows the right and left-handed treble crochet, worked into the skipped stitch from back to front.
Working Behind Completed Stitch
To work behind the stitch you just made, insert the hook from front to back through the indicated stitches, while your previously made stitch is in front of the hook. The video below shows the right and left-handed double crochet stitches, worked into the 3 skipped stitches from front to back.
My Textured Mountain Hat pattern is available in 6 sizes, from Baby to Large Adult…and you will only need 1 hank of Berroco Vintage Yarn for any size.
I tend to use Pom-Poms with elastic loop in preference to magnetic or press-button pom-poms. The loop is secured inside the hat tightly, so you don’t lose your Pom-Pom, and it can easily be changed or removed.
TIP: Use a hair dryer set on hot air to blow the pom-pom on your hat. It will become full and fluffy thereafter.
NOTE: A sample hat in video above is Modern Heirloom Cable Knit Hat.
