The Loop Stitch

I first saw the loop stitch and the double-loop stitch in my favorite crochet book, New Design in Crochet by Clinton D. Mackenzie (Van Nostrand, Reinhold Company, 1972).  The instructions in this tutorial are for right-handed crochet.  If you crochet left-handed and need help working this stitch, please feel free to email me.

The loop stitch is a fun little trick for creating a loopy fringe or shag.  It's a little awkward at first, but once you get into the flow, the loop-stitch is easy and works up fast.  It is useful for trim and can be used to make a fun shag carpet or bath mat.  There are many ways to vary the stitch, as well.  For differently-sized loops, the yarn may be wrapped around a different number of fingers (or another object, such as a pen or a q-hook).  For a fuzzier look, the loops may be cut.  For a flashier look, the loop stitch can be made with a bead on every loop.

The loop stitch is worked with the wrong side of the project facing you.  If you are working flat, alternate between rows of loop stitches and single crochet unless you would like the fringe to be double-sided.

Directions:

Begin with a row of ch and a row of sc.

Step 1:  Grasp the yarn with your left hand and, with your right hand, wrap the yarn clockwise around your left index finger to make a loop.  Insert the hook into the stitch so there are two loops on the hook.  Rotate the hook clockwise -- in the opposite direction from the way you usually would -- so it goes over the yarn.

Step 2:  Pass the hook behind the yarn held by your left index finger.  Catch both strands with the hook, and pull them both through the stitch.  You should now have 3 loops on your hook.

Step 3: Yo and pull the strand through all loops on the hook.

This is a more secured and slightly stiffer version of the traditional loop stitch. For the traditional loop stitch, catch and pull only the back loop through the stitch so there are only two loops on the hook at the end of Step 2.

The Double Loop Stitch

The double-loop stitch is worked the same as the single loop stitch except the yarn is wrapped around your index finger twice.

Directions:

Begin with a row of ch and a row of sc.

Step 1:  Grasp the yarn with your left hand and, with your right hand, wrap the yarn twice clockwise around your left index finger to make two loops. Insert the hook into the stitch so there are two loops on the hook and rotate the hook clockwise -- in the opposite direction of how you usually would -- so it goes over the yarn.

Step 2:  Slip the hook under the loops around your left index finger.  Catch all 3 strands with the hook and bring all three strands through the stitch.  You should now have 4 loops on your hook.

Step 3: Yo and pull the strand through all the loops on the hook.

This is a more secured and slightly stiffer version of the traditional double-loop stitch. For the traditional loop stitch, catch and pull the back loop through the following loop and then through the stitch so there are only two loops on the hook at the end of Step 2.