Linked Stitch Tutorial
Do you like stitches that have a simple geometric pattern? Do you like a solid fabric without extra holes? Then linked stitches are for you. They take the standard crochet stitches and with a simple twist give you tons of new uses.
I always think of linked stitches as half-Tunisian-half-standard crochet: instead of yarning over all at once, you yarn over after you insert the hook into the previous stitch. By linking the stitches you get a solid fabric, but the great thing is that you don’t lose the drape. It creates a great fabric that can be used for lots of projects where you do not want the standard holes that the taller stitches can give you. My favorite is for kids clothes, not only do taller stitches go faster for me, but the fabric also snags less.
Directions for the Linked Treble (LTR)
Set up stitch
- Ch any number of sts, add 4 for turning ch.
- Insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop.
- Insert hook into 3rd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop.
- Insert hook into the 5th ch from hook, yo, draw up loop - 4 loops on hook (see Fig.1)
Fig. 1 - Yo, draw through 2 loops on hook.
- Yo, draw through next 2 loops.
- Yo, draw through last 2 loops (first stitch made) (see Fig. 2).
Fig. 2
Next Stitch
- Insert hook into upper horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop (see Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 - Insert hook into lower horizontal bar, yo, draw up loop (see Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 - J Insert hook into next ch, yo, draw up loop, (4 loops on hook).
Fig. 5 - Yo, draw through 2 loops on hook.
- Yo, draw through next 2 loops.
- Yo, draw through last 2 loops (see Fig. 6).
Fig. 6 - Continue stitches as above to end of row, ch 4, turn.
Set up stitch next row
- Insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop (see Fig. 7).
Fig. 7 - P Insert hook into 3rd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop (see Fig. 8).
Fig. 8 - Insert hook into the next st from hook (note: the top of the last st of the previous row does not count as a st), yo, draw up loop (4 loops on hook) (see Fig. 9).
Fig. 9 - Yo, draw through 2 loops on hook.
- Yo, draw through next 2 loops.
- Yo, draw through last 2 loops (first stitch made) (see Fig. 10).
Fig. 10
Following Stitches
- Follow steps under "Next Stitch" section, above.
- Continue stitches as directed to end of row, ch 4, turn.
Swatches
Linked trebles each row. Notice how the horizontal bars on the first row show prominently and are hidden on the setup row.
Linked trebles on the right side and Single crochet front-loop on the back side. Same stitch pattern as Summit Hill Vest.
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I love the idea of a "tighter" fabric with the longer stitches. I tried it out with a hat pattern calling for double crochet, I don't like the big holes it makes in a hat, lets the cold in to much for my grandkids heads. However, the stitches are shorter than a regular DC, more like the height of a HDC when I use the linking technique. So I tried substituting the linked treble, but that was to tall. This hat is turning into a major project- has been frogged 4 times, LOL! Any suggestions?
This looks like just what I need to make my wool longies work better! What do you do when you need to inc or dec? TIA...
~Jennifer
So new I am only on my first 50 projects still!
Thank you for the clear pictures. The so helped me translate the linked crochet instructions in the Interweave Spring 2009 issue. I am getting ready to try my first sweater and this technique goes a long way to helping me ensure that my top won't be too see through!
The only problem I have with this stitch is trying to decide which is the "right" side when I alternate rows of linked with rows of sc, because I love them both!
Does anyone know how to do this stitch in the "round" without the joining holes? If so, please "Do Tell!" I love the stitch, want to make cell phone covers, but those pesty little holes! Will I have to go back with needle and thread (yarn) to close them up, or 'is" there a way to join the rounds w/o holes?
knitpickr in Seattle
I saw this tutorial a couple of weeks ago and have been experimenting. I really like the idea! I've only done linked half-doubles and doubles, using dishcloths as practice. My problem has been the edges; they come out uneven, no matter what I do, and the doubles leave a hole on the side (which they do on regular doubles as well). For the doubles, I've added a single crochet into the base of the turning chain as suggested by some crochet authorities and this does fill up the hole to some degree, but the edges just don't look neat. I do finish with a single crochet all around and this again helps. Maybe I'm just being too finicky about it. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!
such a beautiful technique! I can't wait to try it out. thanks, and I love the vest pattern too!
I've been nervouse to try Tunisian and some of the other different techniques. This article made it look easy and interesting, I think I'll be trying it very soon! Thanks for the great article!
Very nice...you have made it easy to follow... I can't wait to try it.
what does all the abbreviations mean such as: yo? I know what ch means. But the others I do not know. I just decided tonight to pick up crocheting. I will go to the store this week to buy yarn and a needle. But what is the most simple way to learn? esp. online?
thx
this stitch is awesome. i was, however, a little confused with what was meant by, "Continue as above," i.e. continue as above with the set up and the next stitch, or repeat the "next stitch" section. with just a little bit of trying and unraveling and trying again i managed to figure it out (just repeat the "next stitch" section to the end of the row). other than that, i found them to be very clear, concise, and interesting. :)
Darlene, you will see a lot of common abbreviations in crochet patterns. Some of them are:
yo = yarn over
ch = chain (which you already know)
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
Bridget, you worked it out for yourself--congratulations! It really is fairly intuitive once you master the linked stitches.