A short introduction: Mosaic Crochet

(Using us/european crochet terms in this post)

What is mosaic crochet?

This technique gives you the opportunity to crochet two colour patterns without changing yarn in one row or round. You simple can connect rows or rounds by skipping a stitch and “filling” the skipped stitch with a double crochet 2 rows or rounds later with the alternate coloured yarn.

Picture: Two yellow (mosaic)dcs connecting two yellow rows over a blue row.

I really do not know who invented this method, it was not me, that’s for sure. I first saw it in the mosaic blanket by Lilla Björn Crochet. Since then i am totally hooked on this technique. I really use it a lot and i am always hunting for new patterns on Pinterest or Instagram which are able to crochet in the mosaic technique.

Most patterns are symmetric and “never ending”. They can be crocheted in rows or rounds. The character of the patterns worked in rounds appear like they do not have a beginning nor an end  (like the up early hat).

I will try to give you a short introduction and hope that this will help you:

The most important things with mosaic crochet in my humble opinion (besides practice) are:

Reading a mosaic crochet chart

and

the special double crochet which is used (i call it the mosaic dc)

Reading a chart:

A mosaic crochet pattern follows a chart which can look like this:

example chart:

• The Pattern  is crocheted from bottom to top and from right to left.
• Most patterns are worked in two colours (red = colour A, white = colour B). Usually you change colour after every chart row/round (= two crocheted rounds/rows). In this case: chart row 1 and 3 in yarn A, chart row 2 and 4 in yarn B.
• Every chart row represents two crochet rows or rounds in the same colour. The first row/round “creates” the pattern.
• Each square represents one stitch. If a Yarn B stitch appears in a Yarn A row you chain 2 and skip the stitch. Same when a yarn A square appears in a Yarn B row. Later you will “fill” the skipped space with a “mosaic double crochet”.
• Second round is always: one sc in every sc and dc, a chain2 over every chain 2.
• Colour changes are done in the last stitch of the row or round with two loops on hook.
• First chain in a row or round does not count as stitch.
• If you work in rows I recommend to add two stitches in the beginning and in the end of every row. Otherwise it will not be possible to start a clean row with an alternate colour stitch.
• You need at least one row or round of stitches to start be able with the mosaic pattern. These row or round is not always written in the chart.

A written pattern for the example chart would look like this (plus a few of my comments)

In colour B:

Row 1 Chain 22, turn. (17 stitches in chart plus 2 in the beginning, plus 2 in the end, plus 1 to turn) this row is not written in the chart)

Row 2 sc in second stitch, 1sc in every stitch, change to colour A chain1, turn (21 sc, this row is not written in the chart)

In colour A (red in chart):

Row 3 ch1, 2sc in first 2 stitches (not in chart), 2sc, ch2, skip1 stitch, *3sc, ch2, skip1*, rep  2 times, 2sc, (chart completed), 2 sc, turn.

Row 4 ch1, 2sc in first 2 stitches (not in chart), 2sc, ch2, skip1 stitch, *3sc, ch2, skip1*, rep  2 times, 2sc, (chart completed), 2 sc, change to colour B (in last stitch with 2 loops on hook) turn.

In colour B (white in chart):

Row 5 ch1, 2sc, (not in chart), 1sc, *ch2, skip1, 1mosaicdc, ch2, skip1, 1sc*, rep 3 times (chart completed), 2 sc (not in chart), turn.

Row 6 ch1, 2 sc, (not in chart), *1sc, ch2,skip1* rep 7 times, 1sc (chart completed), 2 sc, change to colour A. (in last stitch with 2 loops on hook) turn.

In colour A (red in chart):

Row 7 ch1, 2sc, (not in chart), *ch2, skip1, 1mosaicdc, 1sc, 1mosaicdc*, rep 3 times, ch2, skip1 (chart completed), 2sc, turn.

Row 8 ch1, 2sc (not in chart), *ch2, skip 1, 3sc* rep 3 times, ch2, skip1, (chart completed), 2sc, change to colour B (in last stitch with 2 loops on hook) turn.

In colour B (white in chart):

Row 9 ch1, 2sc (not in chart), *1mosaicdc, 3sc* rep 3 times, 1 mosaicdc (chart completed), 2sc, turn.

Row 10 ch1, 2sc (not in chart), 17sc, (chart completed), 2sc.

(pattern and chart completed)

A tabloid case using the chart /pattern above (with no extra stitches in the beginning and end, that is why a small stitch is visible in the beginning and end of chart row 3):

The Special Double Crochet

As I said before i call this special stitch the mosaicdc. It is crocheted two rows or rounds below in a skipped stitch in front of work.

The mosaicdc:  double crochet in skipped stitch two rows below, in front of 2 ch2 spaces (front of work).

The mosaicdc goes always in same colour round or row, except of course for the first round or row  with a new colour.

Yarn over, hook ins kipped stitch.

,

Yarn over, pull through

Yarn over, pull through 2 loops, 2 loops on hook.

Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (like a normal double crochet).

That is basically all you need to know to crochet the most beautiful patterns with this method.

I hope that this short introduction was helpful and understandable. If you have questions or something in my explanations is not clear, please leave a comment or write me a message. Hope you have fun with this technique!

I will show you a few things i have crocheted with this technique.

The backside of the tabloid case:

A variation of  Lilla Björns Mosaic Blanket :

A possibility to place your coffee cup:

Part of the peano scale:

And of course The Up Early – Up North Hat

More adventures ahead. More to come soon from up north…