If you love crocheting overlay mosaic crochet, but want to expand your knowledge, then these special stitches in overlay mosaic crochet is a must discover.
With the special stitches in overlay mosaic crochet you can achieve shapes on motives that is otherwise not possible.
By working the overlay double crochet stitches (long double crochet) into other stitches and working stitches together, you’ll be able to create unique mosaic crochet motifs while still using one color per row.
Let’s explore the different stitches you can use.
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What are Special Stitches in Overlay Mosaic Crochet?
In overlay mosaic crochet you have some common stitches that are used, like the back loop single crochet and the long double crochet (overlay mosaic double crochet).
But when advancing you can also use other special stitches, which will help you get more smooth and curved shapes when crocheting overlay mosaic crochet.
With these special stitches, so many more amazing mosaic crochet motifs are possible, while keeping it simple and using only one color per row.
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The Common Stitches in Overlay Mosaic Crochet
The common stitches that is used in all overlay mosaic crochet is the back loop single crochet stitch as well as the double crochet stitch worked into the front loop of the stitch 2 rows below.
These are the common building blocks to create shapes when crocheting overlay mosaic crochet.
Back Loop Single Crochet In Overlay Mosaic Crochet
The back loop single crochet stitch is a crochet stitch that is used in many crochet patterns and techniques.
It is crocheted like a regular single crochet, but is worked into the back loop only.
Long Double Crochet In Overlay Mosaic Crochet
The long double crochet is the other common stitch in overlay mosaic crochet.
It is worked into the front loop only of the stitch 2 rows below.
This is where the name “overlay” comes from, as the stitch is worked in front of the back loop single crochet stitch of the previous row to create the mosaic crochet motif.
Shaping Motifs in Overlay Mosaic Crochet with Special Stitches
With traditional overlay mosaic crochet you can’t get soft curves.
However, by implementing the stitches below, you’ll more easily create crochet motifs with curved shapes.
Examples can be fruits like lemons and apples or even flowers.
The shapes you can create using the special stitches in overlay mosaic crochet is almost unlimited, so let’s discover these stitches below.
The Special Stitches in Overlay Mosaic Crochet
The special stitches in overlay mosaic crochet is split into 2 groups.
One group is changing what space you work your long double crochet into, by shifting it either to the left or the right.
The other group is working stitches together to create the shapes.
Below we’ll go through the most common special stitches in overlay mosaic crochet.
Working Stitches To The Left or Right
To get unique shapes on your crochet motifs when crocheting overlay mosaic crochet isn’t as difficult as it may sound.
Working the long double crochet stitches (overlay mosaic double crochet stitches) into the stitches either to the right or the left will help you achieve that result.
Long Double Crochet 1 To The Left
Crochet the long double crochet into the stitch that is 1 stitch to the left instead of the stitch right below.
Other than where you place the stitch, the steps of the stitch is exactly the same as a regular long double crochet.
Long Double Crochet 1 To The Right
Crochet the long double crochet into the stitch that is 1 stitch to the right instead of the stitch right below.
Other than where you place the stitch, the steps of the stitch is exactly the same as a regular long double crochet.
Long Double Crochet 2 To The Left
Crochet the long double crochet into the stitch that is 2 stitches to the left instead of the stitch right below.
Other than where you place the stitch, the steps of the stitch is exactly the same as a regular long double crochet.
Long Double Crochet 2 To The Right
Crochet the long double crochet into the stitch that is 2 stitches to the right instead of the stitch right below.
Other than where you place the stitch, the steps of the stitch is exactly the same as a regular long double crochet.
Other Stitches Worked To The Left or Right
You can also work stitches in different ways to the left or the right than the examples above. It may be different ways to get the shape right.
One example can be working a treble crochet into the front loop 4 rows below, 1 stitch to the right or left. Another example is working a treble crochet into the front loop 3 stitches to the right or left.
In a crochet pattern you may find other stitches used, but knowing the concept of the stitches above will help you confidently crochet those stitches as well.
Working Stitches Together To The Left or Right
Working the long double crochet stitches together with decreasing stitches you’ll be able to fill in shapes with colors without having hard edges.
In most cases you’ll not actually decrease stitches in your work, but work a back loop single crochet before or after so it’s not actually a decrease.
Lets check out the stitches worked together below.
Double Crochet 2 Together In Stitch Below & 1 To The Left
Crochet the long double crochet into the stitch that is right below and 1 stitch to the left instead of only the stitch right below.
Crochet it like double crochet 2 together.
After that you will usually crochet a single crochet into the back loop of the next stitch, unless otherwise specified.
Double Crochet 2 Together In Stitch Below & 1 To The Right
Crochet the long double crochet into the stitch that is right below and 1 stitch to the right instead of only the stitch right below.
Crochet it like double crochet 2 together.
Before that you will usually crochet a single crochet into the back loop of the previous stitch, unless otherwise specified.
Double Crochet 3 Together In Stitch Below & 2 To The Left
Crochet the long double crochet into the stitch that is right below and the 2 stitches to the left instead of only the stitch right below.
Crochet it like double crochet 3 together.
After that you will usually crochet a single crochet into the back loop of the next 2 stitches, unless otherwise specified.
Double Crochet 3 Together In Stitch Below & 2 To The Right
Crochet the long double crochet into the stitch that is right below and 2 stitches to the right instead of only the stitch right below.
Crochet it like double crochet 3 together.
Before that you will usually crochet a single crochet into the back loop of the previous 2 stitches, unless otherwise specified.
Other Stitches Worked Together
You can also work stitches together in different ways to the left or the right than the examples above. It may be different ways to get the shape right.
One example can be working 3 double crochet stitches together, 1 to the left, directly below & 1 to the right.
In a crochet pattern you may find other stitches used, but knowing the concept of the stitches above will help you confidently crochet those stitches as well.
Abbreviations for Special Stitches In Overlay Mosaic Crochet
Below you will find an overview of abbreviations used for the special stitches in overlay mosaic crochet.
These are the abbreviations that is used on Joy of Motion Crochet, however you may find other versions as well.
As long as the crochet pattern has a description of the stitch together with the abbreviation you’ll be able to crochet the pattern no matter what the abbreviation is.
- dc2tog1L = double crochet 2 together 2 rows below – the stitch directly below and 1 to the left
- dc3tog2L = double crochet 3 together 2 rows below – the stitch directly below and 2 to the left
- dc2tog1R = double crochet 2 together 2 rows below – the stitch directly below and 1 to the right
- dc3tog2R = double crochet 3 together 2 rows below – the stitch directly below and 2 to the right
- Ldc = long double crochet (worked 2 rounds below in front loop)
- Ldc1L = double crochet in the front loop 2 rows below 1 stitch to the left
- Ldc2L = double crochet in the front loop 2 rows below 2 stitches to the left
- Ldc1R = double crochet in the front loop 2 rows below 1 stitch to the right
- Ldc2R = double crochet in the front loop 2 rows below 2 stitches to the right
- Ltr1R = treble crochet in the front loop 4 rows below 1 stitch to the right
Start Using Special Stitches In Overlay Mosaic Crochet
With the help of this crochet tutorial you’ll be able to explore more advanced crochet patterns featuring special overlay mosaic crochet stitches.
The theories and steps are simple, and putting them into practice is what’s needed to get confident using them.
Start exploring crochet patterns featuring them & you’ll be able to crochet overlay mosaic with more curved shapes by using the special stitches in overlay mosaic crochet.
Happy Crocheting!
