Hobbies & Games

Spike Stitch

Learn How to Crochet Spike Stitch Patterns

By Amy Solovay, About.com Guide

Spike stitches are stitches that extend down further than a crochet stitch typically would. Usually, you'd work your basic stitches into the tops of the stitches in the row or round below. With a spike stitch, you might go two rows down, or even further.

Spike stitches can be used to introduce extra color, texture and interest into your crochet stitch patterns. Crochet work often emphasizes visual elements that draw the eye in the horizontal direction, since rows of crochet stitches are typically worked from side to side. Spike stitches introduce interesting vertical elements into the work. You can use spikes to create satisfying balanced effects, but you can also use them to create interesting asymmetrical designs too. There are many fascinating possibilities.

You can create spike stitches using single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, or other stitches.

There's no limit to the amount of different stitch patterns and crochet projects you can create using spike stitches. This page is dedicated to exploring some of the possibilities.

Single Crochet Spike Stitch Tutorial

Crochet Spike Stitches and Single Crochet Stitches -- Photo © Michael Solovay

In this tutorial, you first learn to crochet a basic spike stitch based on the single crochet. You'll also learn how to incorporate the spike stitch into an interesting edging pattern, pictured at left.