05 August 2012

Block stitch and Interlocking block stitch

Block stitch seems to be a favourite on the rounds of Crochet blog land and interlocking block stitch has popped up in the 
Lets get Crafting Knitting and crochet magazine.

UPDATED: US AND UK terms
it's an easy and quick stitch to do,
simply alternate rows of 3dc [3tr], into the chain stitch loops making the blocks and 
chain stitch loops to take the next row of 'dc [tr], blocks'
I like the effect and the speed of this stitch

UPDATED AND MORE DETAIL BLOCK STITCH HOW TOO

 ch the length you require 
multiples of 3sts plus 2sts for a scarf or multiples of 3 and work the stitch in the round

For a scarf approximately 10 blocks wide 32ch sts

For a blanket you would need 200/300 hundred sts plus 2sts depending on the size you require

ROW 1: ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 1dc [1tr], in first st, 1dc [1tr], all ch sts.


NOTE 1: this row should have 4 dc to start and finish and multiples of 3 dc as a stitch count
NOTE 2: Do a colour change before completing the last st. 



ROW 2:new colour attached, ch1, turn, sc [dc], in first st, ch2, count 3dc sts,  sc [dc], in next space between not st, ch2, count 3dc [3tr], sc [dc], in next space, repeat to end, finish with sc [dc]
in the top of the last dc [tr].


NOTE 3: By making 2ch loops and not using 3ch sts, the blocks will be nicely compact and less open,  but if you want a more open and lacy effect then use ch3 loops


ROW 3: att, next colour, ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 3dc [3tr], into first ch loop, 3dc [3tr], in every ch loop to end, finish with 4dc [4tr], in last loop.


Repeat rows 2 and 3 for as many times as you require.

NOTE: EACH BLOCK ROW MUST START AND FINISH WITH 4 DC [4TR]


TIP: 
COLOUR CHANGES ON A STRAIGHT PIECE
If you are changing colour every row then cut off and weave in ends on each row, but if you are working with just 2 colours one for the sc/ch sts and one for the blocks then do a colour change before completing the last st on each row when possible....it will help with the number of ends


INTERLOCKING BLOCK STITCH.....
I first saw this stitch as a clutch bag design in the 
Lets Get Crafting magazine.

I've since seen it in a Victorian print too...

INTERLOCKING BLOCK STITCH PATTERN

instead of doing separate rows as in ordinary block stitch you just do the dc [tr], over the chain stitches of the row below and into the top of the dc [tr], of the previous row.
Encasing them in the dc [tr], it looks a little wavy when you first start out, but evens out as it grows and the checks aren't quite side by side but over all look like checks....Thanks Goose.

 I'm adding it to my library of favourite stitches for sure.

My colourful sample.... I started to make the clutch bag from the magazine but altered it to suit me


INTERLOCKING BLOCK ST PATTERN

Ch multiples of 6 plus 3 extra or work in the round and do multiples of 6sts. only
Change colour every row for this checked pattern after the base chain and first row,
worked on one side, not back and forth...so there will be a right and a wrong side
BASIC PATTERN
base chain in first colour 
ROW 1: cont. in same col. sc [dc], in every st, cut and weave in end

ROW 2: Att, new col. ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 1dc [tr], in next 2 sts, ch3 miss 3 sts, 1dc [1tr], in next 3sts, repeat to end, cut and weave in end.
ROW 3: att. new col. ch3, miss the first 3sts (top of the dc [tr]), 1dc [1tr], in next 3sts, of the base ch, (the 3 sts that are free), ch3 miss next 3 sts, 1dc [1tr], into the next 3 base ch sts...repeat to end of row.

ROW 4: Repeat row 3.


continue to repeat row 3 in a different colour to give a checked look, but if you work with two colours and change alternately you will get vertical stripes as picture below


two of my favourite stitches and a great way to use up all those small balls of left over yarns
Have a fun filled Sunday...off to dig up the back lawn lol

My Block Stitch cushions and blanket Stylecraft pattern no. 8851 
Block Stitch in the round


40 comments:

  1. Thanks Suz! This is a great tutorial.

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  2. Çok beğendim bende model arıyordum bu modelden battaniye çok güzel olur. Paylaşım için teşekkürler

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  3. I just love this stitch, I can well believe that it's very popular. It's so effective and fun to do!
    Hope you're having a gorgeous Sunday!

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  4. I'm with you! The first pattern, Block Stitch, will grow much faster and I'm far too impatient to use the second stitch. You've given a very clear tutorial though.

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  5. Lovely and colourful. Like your pattern using a row of dc (sc to you) on alt rows. Gives a totally different look

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  6. Thanks all a few amendments to post that you might want to check out an easier method of doing the interlocking block stitch or is it brick stitch lol
    Have fun x

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  7. Love these stitches! going to give them a try today! Thanks for the tutorial! :)

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  8. Gonna try rhis! Thanks a bunch! Digging up lawn.......pass on that one...jeesh!

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  9. No conocía este punto. Me encanta.
    Muchas gracias por el paso a paso.

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  10. Love this so much! Thanks for sharing it! I linked back to this page with a photo on my blog this morning - http://www.mooglyblog.com/2012/09/10/unpinning-pinterest-91012/ if you want to check it out. :D

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for link back, been a very popular stitch post
      Sue x

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  11. Hello! I came across this pattern just love it! I am the editor of AllFreeCrochet.com and would love to feature your tutorial on my site with full credit to you. I know my readers would love it as well, and in return would generate some nice traffic to your site. If you agree and would like us to feature your project, our readers will simply click the link to your blog to get your full tutorial. It's really that simple. Please let me know if this would be ok. I look forward to hearing from you!
    Jenny
    Jbenoit@primecp.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jenny no problem at all thanks for asking, I have mailed you saying it is ok with me
      Sue x

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  12. Oh I have to put this on my list of stitches to use in a pattern..

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  13. This is a great idea!! it´s so beautiful and easy to make it.
    Thanks for shiring.
    You can visit my blog: apasionadasdelganchillo.blogspot.com

    Regards from Spain.

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  14. Cant wait to give this a try . You have been very busy with making some fantastic things well done

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    1. Hi thanks....gone a little mad around here just lately with the book, magazine articles, the pattern club and now Designing for Stylecraft too....some retirement hey? lol
      This post has had almost 47,000 page views, can't believe it!!!

      hugs xx

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  15. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT PATTERN ! ! ! THANX ... Will use up my TONS of ' LEFT OVER YARN ' .... I think this pattern is nicer and will be Quicker than a Granny square.... Again THANX !

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  16. My mother and grandmother always made afghans with this stitch. It's one of the first stitches I learned 40+ yrs ago.

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    1. I Kathryn, yep A Victorian stitch I expect the oldest I've found I think x

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  17. I just finished the block stitch afghan and want to do.a.moss stitch border. How do I start and how do I maneuver the corners. Can anyone help this novice . If anyone can advise me,I would appreciate it..TIA

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    1. Hi Darlus, i have added a link on the right hand side pictures to doing a border in moss stitch and the diagonal moss stitch cushions too...hope that helps you with your moss stitch border x

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    2. Thanks for your response. Do I start with a sc foundation? My sides are a little rough. Thanks 's for your input.

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    3. Hi again..no need for the base sc as you are adding the moss stitch to your work as a border a tip here a larger hook size if it looks like its pulling up, Moss St has a tendency to tighten up and pull in a little good luck

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    4. Thanks for your input. I will give it a go. Have a great day.

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  18. Could you please tell me what is "att"? I tried to translate but failed.
    I really really like the stitch and want to do it, but I do something wrong.
    Thank you.

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    1. Hi, at. Attach hope that helps x

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    2. Oh, it is that simple... My assumption actually was that "att" is an abbreviation for the place where the new colour should be attached... ^__^
      Anyway, thank you very much for the pattern and for your reply to my comment. ))

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  19. "Thanks Goose.click link to see thread" I tried this link but it led to an error page. Any help is appreciated. Thank you, Sue.

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    1. Hi Cathleen its because the link was to a magazine in 2012 and probably now doesn't exist any longer, sorry i will delete the link, nothing I can do about the Magazine/ourside link disappearing due to being 3years old can I help with anything? xx

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    2. No but thank you for the reply. I appreciate it. Have a great day.

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  20. "Lets Get Crafting magazine. Page 40/41" This one also led to an error page. Sorry to be a bother, but I really wanted to see the links. Thank you Sue.

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  21. Hi Sue! Thanks for the tutorial. I have a question about the first stitch on row one. Does the first dc go into the 5th chain from the hook?

    Sassysean on Ravelry

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    1. hi Sassysean, 3rd st from the hook 2ch equate to first dc [tr] hope that helps

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  22. Hi Susan I love this stitch pattern but from here it takes 23 pages to print. The text is huge!so at the bottom of a page is the top half of the letters, the bottom of those letters are on the next page.
    I've never had this issue until now. Ibget the same results pfrombmy phone and my tablet. Is the pattern anywhere else owhere I can try to print it?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kathleen, thank you, have you tried copy and paste just copying the instructions? Sounds to me as if its copying all the comments too, only problem with the phone or tablet I'm afraid, a laptop you would be able to copy just what you need....other than that book mark it so you can find it easily hope that helps x

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    2. Hi Kathleen,
      For years now I use ww.printfrindly.com to save my patterns to a PDF file. It's easy to use. It deletes the ads and let's you delete anything you don't want in the file. Just copy the url, click "print preview". Anything you click on will be deleted. If you delete something by mistake you can undo. Once your happy with it you can print, save as PDF or email it. Wonderful app! Hope this works for you. Pass it on.

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    3. Hi Faye, yes a site always suggested on this bog very useful indeed xx

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