Which loop to crochet under - Front Loop - Back Loop or Both Loops

If there is no indication to go through the front loop of a stitch or back loop, what I do is put my hook below both loops.  The reason is that I find it looks nicer and will be more secure than one loop.   For example,  when I was first learning to crochet, I was following instructions from a leaflet I had purchased.  It was for a shell afghan.  The instructions were telling me to put the hook through the back loop of the single crochet.  By the time I was done, I had big holes with each shell I had made. The shell is a heavy combination of crochet stitches, so it is bound to pull on the individual strand creating big holes.  Going under two strands will keep it more secure and evenly distribute the slack.  That taught me to go through both loops of the single crochet for that pattern and any other pattern that does not have a decorative purpose.  I also recognized that many of the patterns were advising to go through the back or front loop, when there is no decorative purpose. In the end, it all boils down to your personal preference and the combination of stitches that work best for you.

Rainbow and Star Crochet Applique'

Crochet Rainbow & Star

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Star Crochet Rainbow Applique'

Video Tutorial:  Left Hand Star Crochet Rainbow Applique'

Skill Level - Easy

Abbreviations
HDC - Half Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch
FSC - Foundation Single Crochet

Materials
Size I/5.5 mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle

Stitch Instructions and Definitions
Single Crochet Decrease - insert the hook through the first stitch,  wrap the yarn over, pull it through, insert the hook through the next stitch, wrap the yarn over, pull it through, there are 3 loops on the hook, wrap the yarn over and pull through all 3 loops to complete the Single Crochet Decrease.

Foundation Single Crochet - This stitch eliminates the chain. Chain 2, insert the hook through the 2nd chain from the hook, wrap the yarn over your hook, pull it through, wrap the yarn over your hook, pull through 1 loop, wrap the yarn over your hook, pull through both loops to complete the first stitch. The foundation stitches are worked vertically.  Insert your hook below the 2 loops to the left of your work, if you are right handed, to the right if you are left handed. Wrap the yarn over your hook, pull it through, wrap the yarn over your hook, pull through 1 loop, wrap the yarn over your hook, pull through both loops to complete the stitch. 


Star

Chain 4, join with the beginning chain.
Round 1: CH 1, *Work 2 SC through the loop, CH 2, Complete 5 times total from *. join with the beginning  stitch. SL ST to the chain 2 space.
Round 2: CH 1, * Work 2 SC, CH 2, 2 SC in the same CH 2 space, Work a single crochet decrease, insert the hook through the same CH 2 space, wrap the yarn over, pull it through, insert the hook through the next CH 2 space, wrap the yarn over, pull it through, there are 3 loops on the hook, wrap the yarn over and pull through all 3 loops to complete the Single Crochet Decrease. Complete 5 times total from *, join with the beginning stitch. SL ST to the chain 2 space.
Round 3: CH 1, * Work 3 SC, CH 2, 3 SC in the same CH 2 space, Work a SC DEC through the first SC next to the chain and the last stitch on the opposite side, skipping the stitches between. Complete 5 times total from *, join with the beginning stitch. SL ST to the chain 2 space.

Cut off a long length of tail for sewing the star.

Rainbow
Note: You can work increase stitches on any row of the rainbow to give it more of a curve.

Row 1: Work 20 foundation single crochet on the first row. (see description above) Cut the yarn and change color.
Row 2: Attach the new color with a slip stitch. Work 1 SC in each stitch across. Cut the yarn and change color.
Row 3: Attach the new color with a slip stitch. Work 1 SC in each stitch across. Cut the yarn and change color.
Row 4: Attach the new color with a slip stitch. Work 1 SC in a few stitches, work a single crochet increase. Evenly work 4 or 5 single crochet increases. Cut the yarn and change color.
Row 5: Attach the new color with a slip stitch. Work 1 SC in each stitch across. Cut the yarn and change color.
Row 6: Attach the new color with a slip stitch. Work 1 SC in each stitch across. Cut the yarn and change color.

Crochet Holly Leaf Crochet Geek

Crochet Holly Leaf

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Crochet Holly Leaf

Video Tutorial: Left Hand Crochet Holly Leaf

Skill Level - Easy

Abbreviations
SC - Single Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
DC - Double Crochet
TC - Triple Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch
EA - Each

Materials
Size I/5.5 mm crochet hook
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle

Chain 15.

Round 1:

• Work 1 SC in each of the next 2 Chains.
• Work 1 HDC in each of the next 2 CH.
• Work 1 DC in each of the next 2 CH.
• Work 1 TC in each of the next 2 CH.
• Work 1 DC in the next CH.
• Work 1 HDC in the next CH.
• Work 1 SC in the next CH.
• Working on the opposite side
• Work 1 SC in the same chain
• Work 1 HDC in the next CH.
• Work 1 DC in the next CH.
• Work 1 TC in each of the next 2 CH.
• Work 1 DC in each of the next 2 CH.
• Work 1 HDC in each of the next 2 CH.
• Work 1 SC in each of the next 2 Chains. SL ST to join.

Round 2:

• Work 1 SC in the next stitch, CH 2, SL ST in the top of the SC. SC in the same stitch. SL ST in ea of the next 2 STS
• *Work 1 HDC in the next stitch, CH 2 SL ST in the top of the HDC, HDC in the same Stitch. SL ST in ea of the next 2 STS. Repeat this part 2 more times from *.
• Work 1 SC in the next stitch, CH 2, SL ST in the top of the SC. SC in the same stitch. SL ST in ea of the next 2 STS
• Slip stitch along the bottom of the leaf and around the stem.
• Work 1 SC in the next stitch, CH 2, SL ST in the top of the SC. SC in the same stitch. SL ST in ea of the next 2 STS
• *Work 1 HDC in the next stitch, CH 2 SL ST in the top of the HDC, HDC in the same Stitch. SL ST in ea of the next 2 STS. Repeat this part 2 more times from *.
• *Work 1 SC in the next stitch, CH 2, SL ST in the top of the SC. SC in the same stitch. Repeat one more time from * if you would like a point at the top of your leaf.

This leaf can easily be modified and made to be a larger leaf with a longer chain and more stitches.

Right Hand Crochet Holly Leaf



Left Hand Crochet Holly Leaf

Crochet Oak Leaf

Crochet Oak Leaf

Written by Teresa Richardson

Video Tutorial: Crochet Oak Leaf

Video Tutorial: Left Hand Crochet Oak Leaf

Skill Level - Intermediate

Abbreviations
SC - Half Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch
EA - Each

Materials
Size I/5.5 mm crochet hook - You can use different size hooks and yarn
4 ply yarn
Tapestry Needle

Round 1
Segment 1: Chain 6.
Slip Stitch in each of the next 2 chains.

Segment 2: Chain 6, Slip Stitch in each of the next 3 chains.

Segment 3: Chain 7, Slip Stitch in each of the next 4 chains.

Segment 4: Chain 6, Slip Stitch in each of the next 3 chains. Slip stitch at the base

Segment 5 and 6: Chain 4, Slip Stitch in each of the next 3 chains. Slip stitch at the base.

This part will be working down the opposite side of the leaf.

Segment 3: Slip Stitch in each of the next 2 chains. Chain 5, Slip Stitch in each of the next 4 chains.

Segment 2: Slip Stitch in each of the next 2 chains. Chain 4, Slip Stitch in each of the next 3 chains.

Segment 1: Slip Stitch in each of the next 2 chains. Chain 3 Slip Stitch in each of the next 2 chains.

Round 2
Segment 1: Work 1 SC in the next chain. Work 3 SC in the next CH, Work 1 SC in the last CH. SL ST at the base, SL ST in each of the next 2 chains.

Segment 2: Work 1 HDC in each of the next 2 chains. Work 3 HDC in the next CH. Work 1 HDC in each of the next 2 Chains. SL ST in each of the next 2 chains.

Segment 3: 1 HDC in each of the next 3 chains. 3 HDC in the next chain. 1 HDC in each of the next 3 chains. SL ST in each of the next 2 chains.

Segment 4,5,6: 1 SC in each of the next 2 chains, 3 SC in the next chain, 1 SC in ea of the next 2 chains, SL ST in the base.

This part will be working down the opposite side of the leaf.
Segment 3: 1 HDC in each of the next 3 chains. 3 HDC in the next chain. 1 HDC in each of the next 3 chains. SL ST in each of the next 2 chains.

Segment 2: Work 1 HDC in each of the next 2 chains. Work 3 HDC in the next CH. Work 1 HDC in each of the next 2 Chains. SL ST in each of the next 2 chains.

Segment 1: Work 1 SC in the next chain. Work 3 SC in the next CH, Work 1 SC in the last CH. SL ST at the base.