As a designer, you are always trying to come up with different techniques and easier ways of crocheting the projects while keeping a smooth even look to the project.
Most of you know that when a pattern tells you to chain 3 at the beginning of a row that it typically stands for the first double crochet stitch in that pattern. It’s just the standard way of writing a pattern. You can find it written in my patterns too.
Lately, I’ve been playing around with different way of achieving the height of the chain 3 without actually doing the chain 3… Hope that makes sense. You’ll always see this technique done in the Naturally Southern Shawl and Scarf!
When a pattern tells you to chain 3 at the beginning of a row try this instead:
Ch 2, insert your hook in the back bump (or bar) of the first chain, YO, pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook), YO, pull through both loops.
If you typically crochet tight, you’ll want to make an effort to do the 2 chain stitches a little loose in order for it to reach the same height as the normal double crochet stitches.
I’ve included videos for both the right and left-handed crocheter to show you how to perform the technique. I hope you’ll like it. You may already know this technique or may decide it’s not for you. That’s okay too. I just wanted to share something that’s been working for me!