The double crochet cross is one of my very favorite stitches in the world. It can produce a variety of fabric effects depending on the hook to yarn ratio you use and of course which fibers and yarn constructions you employ.
Pictured on the left are three swatches all using dc cross and a G hook.
The bottom left swatch is a camel/silk hand spun single. I just love to spin this fiber because it is Nirvana in my hands, the dc cross is very lacy in this swatch because the G hook is quite large compared to the single ply used. Camel/silk don’t have any give/stretch but this stitch allows for movement and stretch.
The right swatch is an acrylic sport weight yarn, the size of the hook was “just right” and produced a traditional looking dc cross. The top left swatch is a mohair/ribbon yarn, the G hook was small compared to the width of the yarn and so a very firm, closed fabric was created. Same stitch, different
yarn and hook size!
Now, let’s show a difference…
The photo on the right is a swatch made with the same mohair ribbon yarn, which is at a worsted weight, but really acts like a light bulky because of the structure of the fibers. Using a hand carved wood hook (created by my son’s best friend for me during a class with the Hook Meister, Jimbo Price!) notice that the stitches are open, lighter and what you can’t feel is the immense amount of stretch achieved!
I know, I know I sound like a broken record. Hook:Yarn diameter is an important ratio! You can do so much by playing with different sized and shaped hooks with your yarn! Maybe a swatch won’t do what you want with one hook, but try another! Go up or down sizes, choose different kinds of head styles, throats and even shafts to achieve the grip you need to work comfortably.
To make a dc cross swatch:
Base chain: Multiples of two + 4
Row 1: dc into 5th chain from hook (first two chains count as a dc, it will keep your selvedge straight), *sk chain, dc into next stitch, dc into skipped chain, repeat from * across row, dc into last stitch.
Row 2, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc),* sk first st, dc into next stitch, dc into skipped stitch, repeat from * across row, dc into last stitch.
You don’t have to do dc’s up the edge, but I think it makes for a neater edge. Notice the salmon colored swatch above is a little wonky on the sides. I probably shouldn’t have done the swatch while gabbing at the LYS, but also I forgot to do my standard dc at the end of the rows!
Happy Hooking!
I can’t wait to show you the pattern I figured out for next week!
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