Texture · Easy
Grit stitch
Grit stitch is pairs of single crochet (UK double crochet): two single crochets worked into one stitch, with one stitch skipped before each pair. On every later row the first stitch you come to of each pair below is skipped, and the new pair goes into the second. One row repeats, and the fabric is firm and closely textured.
How to work it
Two single crochets in one stitch
Start the row with one single crochet. Then skip one stitch and work two single crochets into the next stitch. That is one pair. Go on in the same way: skip one, work two into the next.
Where the pairs go on the next row
Chain 1, turn, and work one single crochet into the first stitch. From here the stitches of the row below come two by two, a pair at a time. Skip the first stitch of each pair and work two single crochets into the second.
The stitch pattern, row by row
- Multiple
- Chain a multiple of 2 plus 1 (7 or more).
- Starting chain
- The rows here are written for a chain of 21, which is 10 times the multiple of 2, plus 1.
- The ch 1 at the start of a row does not count as a stitch.
- Row 1 is the right side.
- Stitches in parentheses, or several of one stitch, are all worked into the one place named after them.
- Foundation. Ch 21.
- Row 1 (RS). Sc in 2nd ch from hook, [sk next ch, 2 sc in next ch] 9 times, sc in next ch (20 sc).
- Row 2. Ch 1, turn; sc in first st, [sk next st, 2 sc in next st] 9 times, sc in last st (20 sc).
Repeat row 2 for the pattern.
What each symbol meansHow to read a chart
Abbreviations in these rows
- ch
- chain stitch
- sc
- single crochet (UK double crochet)
- RS
- right side
- sk
- skip
- st
- stitch
At a glance
- Also called
- single crochet grit stitch
- Used for
- dishcloths and washcloths; blankets; scarves
- Multiple
- The chain is a multiple of 2 plus 1 (7 or more).
- Row repeat
- Row 2.
- One pair
- Two single crochets in one stitch
- Between pairs
- One stitch skipped
- Start and end of a row
- A row begins with a chain 1 that does not count and one single crochet in the first stitch, and ends with one single crochet in the last stitch.
Two stitches go into every second stitch and the one between is skipped, so the count stays the same from row to row. Nothing but the chain and the single crochet is used, and the fabric comes out firm, with a close texture.
The name is given to more than one stitch pattern, which is why tutorials call this one the single crochet grit stitch. Published rows also differ at the edges: some count the turning chain as the first single crochet and work the last stitch of the next row into it. The rows here begin with a chain 1 that does not count and a single crochet in the first stitch.
When it goes wrong
- I am not sure which stitch to work into.
- After the single crochet that starts the row, count the stitches of the row below in twos. Skip the first of each two and work the pair into the second.
- My rows get longer or shorter.
- Count the pairs at the end of each row: every row has the same number, with one single crochet on its own at each end.
Left-handed
The pictures show the hook held in the right hand. For the left hand, read each picture as its mirror image.
Variations
- A taller second stitch. Work a double crochet (UK treble) in place of the second single crochet of every pair. These are the pairs of suzette stitch.
Patterns that use it
Questions
- What is the multiple for grit stitch?
- The chain is a multiple of 2 plus 1.
- Is grit stitch good for beginners?
- It uses only the chain and the single crochet, and one row repeats. The one new thing is working two stitches into one and skipping the next.
- What is the difference between grit stitch and suzette stitch?
- The second stitch of each pair. Grit stitch has two single crochets in a pair; suzette stitch has a single crochet and a double crochet.