INTRODUCTION.
In commencing our instructions in Crochet Work in all its variations, we supply what certainly is a great want in the American Household, where some sort of fancy work is essential to the completion of those domestic circles which render an American home so cheerful. In giving those general directions regarding terms and stitches, which will, we trust, prove acceptable, we have endeavored to be as concise and clear as the nature of the subject will admit.
“The Ladies’ Complete Guide to Crochet and Needlework,” may therefore be regarded as a compendium both of choice and accurate receipts and of clear elementary instruction.
We will begin by giving those which are required for Crochet, and beg our fair readers to refer to them on any future occasion of doubt or difficulty.
Chain Stitch (abbreviated into ch.) is the foundation stitch in crochet. A loop of thread made on the hook, and through this the thread is drawn, forming the first chain stitch; draw the thread through this one, and a second is formed. Continue the process until you have done the required number.
Slip Stitch (sl.) is a stitch chiefly used for the veinings of leaves, and similar parts, in imitations of Honiton lace. It serves, also, to carry the thread from one part to another, without either breaking it off or widening the work. Insert the hook in the stitch next to that already on the needle (unless the directions particularly say, miss so many,) and draw the thread at once through both stitches. Repeat.
Single Crochet (sc.)—Insert the hook in the chain, and draw the thread through it; this forms a second loop on the hook. Draw the thread through these two by a single movement and the stitch will be completed.
Double Crochet (dc.)—Raise the thread over the hook, so as to pass it round, before inserting the latter in the chain; draw the thread through, and you will find three loops on the hook; bring the cotton through two, which makes one instead of those taken off. Thus two are still on the needle; finish the stitch by drawing the thread through these.
Treble Crochet (tc.) is a stitch precisely similar to the last; but as the thread is passed twice round the hook before the insertion of the latter in the chain, there will be four loops on, when the thread is drawn through. Bring the thread three times through two loops to finish the stitch.
Long Treble Crochet (l tc.) has the thread twisted three times round the hook, before it is passed through the chain; consequently, it will require the thread to be drawn four times through two loops to finish the stitch.
To work THROUGH a stitch, is to draw the thread under instead of in it. This is stronger than the usual method, but not so neat; it is, therefore, rarely used for anything but very open work.
Square Crochet is that which is made entirely in small squares, those which form the pattern being closely filled in, and the ground open. Open squares are formed thus: 1 dc. 2 ch., miss 2, repeated. Close squares contain three dc. stitches, thus: 1 c. 1 o., would have 4 dc. 2 ch. Every pattern in square crochet requires a foundation chain of stitches which can be divided by three and leave one over; as it is obvious that if an open square were the last on the pattern, a dc. stitch would be required to form the square at the end.
Sometimes a very large piece of work may be made in treble square crochet. In this work, a close square of 4 tc. stitches; an open square, 1 tc. 3 ch. miss 3. This style requires the pattern to be divisible by four, with one stitch over.
The stars, daggers, and asterisks used in printing knitting and crochet receipts signify that any stitches given between two similar marks are to be done as many times as directed; thus, ✕ 3 dc. 2 ch. ✕ three times, means 3 dc. 2 ch., 3 dc. 2 ch., 3 dc. 2 ch.
When one repetition occurs within another italics are used at each end of the part. * 1 p. 2 k. 1 p. 1 k. (a) m. 1, k. 1 (a) 6 times * 8 times, means that one complete pattern being finished, when you have made 1, knitted 1, 6 times, 8 of those patterns, beginning again each time at the first *, will be required for the round or row.