When crocheting in rows, it’s typical to chain one or two, depending on the stitch, turn your work, and crochet back the other way. A consequence of this crochet method is that every other row is wrong side facing, creating a lined effect. I’d venture a guess that most people don’t mind the way this looks, but if there were a way to keep the pretty side facing out the entire time, wouldn’t you be interested in giving it a try?
In this article, I will teach you how to crochet without turning the typical way, so your finished crochet pieces are more uniform.
In a hurry? Here’s the quick guide:
At the end of the row, put your hook through the backside of the last stitch of your work. Keeping the working yarn in front, pull the yarn through to the back. Pull your loop up, and then pull your working yarn through both loops from the front.
There are a few methods to keep your right side facing out when you crochet, and some of them are easier than others. Of course, it may be easier to visualize with a bit more instruction, too. If you’re interested in trying out the different methods or getting more detailed step-by-step instructions, check out the rest of the article.
Crochet Without Turning Your Work
There are several possible scenarios for a pattern or piece that would require you not to turn your work. One of these instances will be if you are working in the round. Working in the round is great for hats, amigurumi, socks, and lots of other apparel.
How To Crochet In The Round: Slip Stitch And Chain One
To crochet in the round, crochet the number of stitches required in the pattern, then make a circle with your work by putting your hook through your first stitch and pulling the yarn through both the stitch and the loop on your hook to make a slip stitch—chain one.
One of the most common methods for crocheting in the round requires you to work in rows but without turning. The pattern might suggest using stitch markers to keep track of the beginning of each row, so you don’t accidentally miss the last stitch and start “spiraling” upward.
For this method, you’ll work the number of stitches required for your pattern, then join it to the first stitch. To join, insert your hook into the first stitch and pull the yarn through. Instead of yarning over again, you’ll pull the first loop through the second loop to create a slip stitch.
Next, chain one to elevate your work to the next row. You’ll work your next row as usual and join at the end of each round with a slip stitch. Chain one again to begin a new row.
As easy as it is, this method does create a “seam,” where the tight slip stitch stands out from the rest of the work. There are other methods to join that avoid this.
Crochet Rows Without Turning
When working a flat piece, it seems pretty inevitable that turning must occur if you want to keep working in the same direction; however, by working backward or with your non-dominant hand, you can crochet rows without turning to keep the right side facing out.
How to Crochet Backwards
To crochet without turning, insert your hook into the back of your last stitch. Pull a loop through from the front to the back with your working yarn in front. Then, with your working yarn still in front, pull your yarn through both loops on the hook.
Crocheting backward is different than working a reverse stitch. Reverse stitches are used for borders, whereas working backward will have you working the same stitch without turning to keep the right side facing out.
This method is for working single crochet backward.
At the end of your row, chain one, pull the loop on your hook out a bit to give yourself more flexibility. Insert your hook into the back of your last stitch, meaning the one at the end of your previous row. Make sure to go through both loops on the top of this stitch.
Pull a loop from the front to the back with your working yarn in front. Pull the loops up so your hook is parallel with your work, and you can see both loops on your hook.
With the yarn still in front of the work, pull through again to create a single crochet. Continue inserting your hook into the back of the work until you reach the end of the row. Then you can return to the normal single crochet.
How To Crochet With Your Non-Dominant Hand
To crochet without turning, chain one at the end of each standard row, then transfer your hook to your non-dominant hand. Work the row as usual with your working yarn in your dominant hand, inserting the hook through the front of the stitch.
This method is pretty self-explanatory but will likely be more challenging based on lack of practice.
At the end of the work, where you’re holding the hook in your dominant hand, chain one and transfer the hook to your non-dominant hand. Hold the yarn in your dominant hand, and insert your hook into the front of each stitch like normal.
This will feel odd, and it may be challenging to keep the tension consistent. Some people wrap the yarn around the hook with their dominant hand instead of grabbing the yarn with the hook.
Single Crochet Without Turning Over
At the end of the row, chain one, insert your hook through the front of the last stitch you worked on. Pull your yarn through to the front to draw up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops.
Doing single crochet without turning your work but without working through the back of the stitch is called reverse single crochet. This creates a nice, finished edge.
To work the reverse single crochet, chain one at the end of your regular row. The working loop should be on the side of your non-dominant hand. Insert your hook through the front of the last stitch you worked on in the previous row. Pull your yarn through the stitch from the back to pull up a loop.
Yarn over and pull through both loops. Continue working by inserting your hook into the next stitch from the front. Pull the yarn from the back to the front to create a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. Continue in this way until you reach the end of the row.
Do You Always Need A Turning Chain In Crochet?
If you’re working in the round in a spiral, you do not need the turning chain. You almost always need the turning chain to elevate the work to the next row. Without the turning chain, your work will look pinched, and there will be no distinction between rows.
To work in the round without a turning chain, continue working stitches in a circle without joining or chaining another stitch.
Now you know how to crochet without turning! I hope this guide has helped you overcome some of the usual difficulties with this method and you can continue enjoying crocheting together masterpieces.
Originally posted 2022-07-06 11:53:27.