Crochet decorative patterns

Decorative patterns are to crochet what embroidery is to a plain fabric – it adds interest to an otherwise plain surface. Picots, cluster stitch (sometimes called the pineapple stitch in some of the older publications), popcorn stitch or the puff stitch are the most popular decorative stitches incorporated into patterns.

Instructions for working these stitches into patterns:
These patterns assume you know the basic crochet stitches.

[Note: - the same stitch that is called dc (double crochet) in European publications is referred to as sc (single crochet) in American publications. Similarly tr (treble) in European publications is referred to as dc (double crochet) in American publications.]

1. Picots – are usually worked into the last row of the pattern to give the project a decorative finish. For e.g. suppose the last row in a project, say a vest is worked in dc/sc.
* Work (1 dc/sc into each dc/sc in the previous row) 4 times. 3 chains, slip stitch into the 3rd chain from hook (1 picot formed) – repeat from * till end of row.

2. The Cluster stitch or the Pineapple stitch – produces a beautiful textured fabric.
Row 1-3: work in dc/sc.
Row 4: dc/sc in the first 3 dc/sc of row 3, draw up a little the loop of thread out of the next stitch (the loop should be slightly longer than usually taken for dc/sc). Now work as follows: * in the 4th dc/sc of row 1, 6 tr/dc leaving the last loop of each on hook (you will now have 8 loops on hook); yarn over hook and draw through all the loops – 1 puff stitch or pineapple stitch formed; skip the next dc/sc; 1 dc/sc into each of the next 3 dc/sc in the row 3; repeat from * to the end of row.
Repeat rows 1- 4 for pattern.

You’ll find a picture of this stitch in the book – The Encyclopedia of Needlework by Therese De Dillmont – Chapter 9 - Fig. 430- Raised stitch with dots. The instructions in the book use terms not currently in use. You can download the book from here (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20776) absolutely free of cost. The book is a treasure a needlework lover would kill for.

3. The popcorn or puff stitch:
Row 1-3: work in dc/sc.
Row 4: 1 dc/sc in each of first 3 dc/sc; into the 4th dc/sc, work as follows: * 1 chain, 6 tr (trebles), drop the last loop of the 6th treble, put the hook into the chain stitch between the last dc/sc and the first tr/dc take up the dropped loop of the last tr/dc and draw it through the one on hook; 1 chain, skip the next dc/sc; 1dc/sc into each of the next 5 dc/sc of row 3; repeat from * to the end of row.
Repeat rows 1- 4 for pattern.

You’ll find a picture of this stitch in Fig 431 of Encyclopedia of Needlework by Dillmont. In both the decorative stitches described above, in the subsequent rows, the popcorns or pineapples are placed between those in the rows below.

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