I think every yarn twisting mama (or papa) has a few tricks in their repertoire that they favor over others. One of my personal favorite crochet techniques is the post stitch.
While this stitch may be daunting at first because you aren’t working into the top loops like with most stitches, the results are fantastic, especially if you’re designing something you want to be kinda stretchy (like in my Winter Poncho free pattern).
Alternating front and back post stitches creates a moderately stretchy fabric with the added bonus of an interesting, ribbed texture. Working it in bulky yarns enhances these characteristics for a big, cushy, warm garment. Here’s a little pattern I worked up recently to hone down my stash – a simple but fun pointed bonnet in small (child) and large (adult) sizes!
Stitches used: Chain (ch), double crochet (dc), front post double crochet (FPDC ), back post double crochet (BPDC), slip stitch (sl st). Here’s my tutorial on post stitch ribbing.
Post Stitch Pixie Hat
Hook: 6.00 mm
Yarn:
Any bulky weight #5, about 200-250 yardsGauge: 5 sts & 3 rows = 2″ in alternating BPDC/FPDC
Notes: Ch-2 counts as the first st.
Leaving about a foot of yarn as a tail, make a slip knot loop. Ch 56.
Row 1: Working in the back of the ch sts, dc in the 3rd ch from the hk and in ea of the next 53 sts. – 54 sts
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. (FPDC in the next st, BPDC in the next st) 26 times. FPDC in the next st. Dc in the last stitch (the 2nd chain of the previous row’s turning chain). – 54 sts
Row 3: Ch 2, turn. (BPDC in the next st, FPDC in the next st) 26 times. BPDC in the next st. Dc in the last st (the 2nd ch of the previous row’s turning chain)
Rows 4-15: Repeat rows 2 & 3 six times.
Row 16: Rpt row 2.
Cut yarn and tie off.
Turn and fold the square of crocheted fabric in half, matching up the sides of the foundation chain. Using the long yarn tail from the beginning, thread a tapestry needle and stitch through both layers at once to make the seam (the seam is now the back of the bonnet). Whip stitch all the way to the corner of the fold.
I like to do the next part with a contrasting yarn, which makes it easier to tell which side is the bottom 😉
With new yarn, ch 30. Yo and insert hook into the corner of the bonnet, into the side of the last dc or turning chain. Draw up a loop. Complete 1 dc. 1 dc in the side of each of the dc’s or turning chains along the bottom of the bonnet, including both sides. Chain another 30 to make the second tie.
Weave in all ends. I like to attach tassels to the ends of my ties – pompoms would look cute too!
-MF