Category Archives: Tutorial Series

Tutorial Series: Single Crochet in Front Loop (SCFL)

Posted in Single Crochet in Front Loop (SCFL), Tutorial Series by

Another variation of single crochet is the single crochet in front loop (SCFL). The stitch pattern gives a changed texture to a garment. This stitch pattern looks quite different from SCBL (Tutorial Series: Single Crochet in Back Loop).  

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The Suddenly It’s Summer Dishcloth Pattern is in single crochet in the front loop (SCFL). This stitch pattern can also be used for blankets, garments etc.

Suddenly It’s Summer Dishcloth
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After the foundation row for a single crochet has been worked (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet), all the following rows are worked only into the front loop. This gives the fabric a distinct textured pattern on both sides of the work. The video and written instructions provided below show how to make a single crochet in the front loop holding the crochet hook in your right hand.

How to Single Crochet in Front Loop (SCFL):

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Written Instructions on How to Single Crochet in Front Loop (SCFL):

  1. After working single crochet in the last stitch of the foundation chain row (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet), chain one and turn
  2. Skip the first stitch from the hook, and insert crochet hook in the front loop of the next stitch
  3. Catch and pull yarn loop under and through the front loop of the stitch
  4. There are two loops on the crochet hook now
  5. Yarn over (wrap the working yarn around the hook counterclockwise)
  6. Catch and pull yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook.
  7. There is one loop left on the crochet hook
  8. Repeat Steps 2 to 7 till end of the row and all other subsequent rows (chain one after working the last stitch end of each row and turn to the next row)
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Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL)

Posted in How to Single Crochet in Back Loop, Tutorial Series by

One variation of single crochet stitch pattern is the single crochet in back loop (SCBL). This stitch pattern is commonly used as a ribbed border for sweaters, blankets etc. In the February 2025 Earwarmer, the ribbing sections for the earwarmers are in the single crochet in the back loop stitch pattern.

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Once the foundation row is worked for a single crochet, the crochet hook is inserted only into the back loop for all the the stitches in the next and the subsequent rows. After inserting the crochet hook in the back loop, a single crochet is worked. This differs from a regular single crochet where the crochet hook is inserted under both loops (strands) of a stitch. Using the single crochet in back loops gives the worked fabric a ribbed look.


The video and written instructions are below showing how to make a single crochet in the back loop. This technique is used for all the rows after the foundation chain row. The video and instructions below are for right-handed crocheting

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How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL):

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Written Instructions on How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL):

  1. After working single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet) in the last stitch of the foundation chain row, chain one and turn
  2. Skip the first stitch and insert crochet hook in the back loop of the next stitch
  3. Catch and pull yarn loop under the back loop of the stitch and on to the crochet hook
  4. There are two loops on the crochet hook now
  5. Yarn over (wrap the working yarn around the hook counterclockwise)
  6. Catch and pull yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook.
  7. There is one loop left on the crochet hook.
  8. Insert hook into the back loop of the next stitch and repeat Steps 3 to 7 till the end of the row
  9. Chain one after working the last stitch of the row and turn to the next row
  10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 for all subsequent rows as specified in a pattern.
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© Coffee Tea Knits, LLC. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: Slip Slip Knit (SSK)

Posted in 2025, Slip Slip Knit, Tutorial Series by

Another way to decrease a stitch in knitting is to do a “Slip Slip Knit (SSK)”. In SSK, a stitch is decreased when two stitches are slipped and then knit together through the back loop. Decreasing stitches like increasing stitches are techniques in knitting used to give shape to knitted items. Unlike K2tog (Tutorial Series: K2tog and P2tog) technique which forms a right-leaning decrease, SSK technique forms a left-leaning decrease. The written instructions and video below show how to decrease one stitch for right handed knitting.

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Slip Slip Knit (SSK):

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The Steps for Slip Slip Knit (SSK):

  1. Slip the first two stitches knitwise (one at a time) on the left knitting needle to the right knitting needle
  2. Transfer the two slipped stitches (one at a time) now on the right knitting needle back to the left knitting needle
  3. Insert the right knitting needle through the back loop of those two slipped stitches on the left knitting needle
  4. Knit (Tutorial Series: Knit and Tink) the two stitches together through the back loop (one stitch decreased)
  5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 as needed for a knitting pattern

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Tutorial Series: The Provisional Cast-On Method

Posted in January 2025, The Provisional Cast-On Method by

The provisional cast-on is a temporary cast on method. With this technique, the “live” stitches on the waste yarn are picked up later. They are then knit in the opposite direction. A common way to make a provisional cast on is to make a crochet chain from waste yarn first. Then, with the project yarn, make stitches using the purl bumps of the crochet chain. Later, remove the crochet chain waste yarn by picking up the “live” stitches and knitting them in the opposite direction. For example, I use provisional cast on to start a top down sweater. Once the body of the sweater is finished, I pick up the “live” stitches. Then, I knit the collar in the opposite direction. There are several different kinds of knitting projects that use the provisional cast on method. The written instructions and video on how to do the provisional cast on is shown below for right handed knitting.

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The Provisional Cast-On Method:

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The Provisional Cast-On Stitches:

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The Steps for the Provisional Cast-On Method:

  1. Using a waste yarn (or a yarn different from the knitting project yarn), make a crochet chain (Tutorial Series: How to Crochet Chain) with the number of stitches specific for a project
  2. [Tip: chain a few extra stitches than needed for the project]
  3. Turn the crochet chain so that the purl bumps are facing you (image below)
  4. Insert a knitting needle into the purl bump (image below)
  5. Make a loop with the project yarn and slide it onto the knitting needle
  6. Tighten and secure the project (working) yarn as needed
  7. Bring the project yarn loop through the purl bump and onto the needle
  8. Insert the knitting needle into the next purl bump
  9. Bring the project (working) yarn around the knitting needle (counterclockwise), catch and pull the yarn loop through the purl bump and onto the needle
  10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 till you have all the stitches needed for a knitting project
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© Coffee Tea Knits, LLC. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: The Thumb Method Cast-on

Posted in The Thumb Method Cast-on, Tutorial Series by

The Thumb method cast-on is a commonly used long tail cast-on technique. A long tail of yarn is set aside on one side of the slip knot. The working yarn is on the other side of the slip knot. The thumb is used to form the loop that is used to make a new stitch on the knitting needle. Another example of a long tail cast-on technique is the slingshot method. In this method, the thumb and the index finger create a new stitch. The thumb method is beginner-friendly and a quick cast-on method. I use the thumb method cast-on mostly for knitting projects with few stitches (dishcloths, etc.). The written instructions and video below on how to do the thumb method cast-on are shown for right-handed knitting.

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The Thumb Method Cast-On:

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The Steps for the Thumb Method Cast-On:

  1. Make a slip knot (Tutorial Series: How to Slip Knot) with a yarn tail that will be enough for the number of stitches for a specific knitting project
  2. Insert the slip knot onto a knitting needle
  3. Holding the yarn tail with some tension in the left fist, wrap the left thumb under and over the yarn tail to make a loop
  4. Insert the right hand needle into the front strand of the loop on the thumb
  5. Bring the working yarn around the top of the right needle and wrap it between the thumb and the right knitting needle
  6. Catch and pick up the working yarn loop (a new stitch) with the right needle
  7. Repeat Steps 3 – 6 to cast-on the required number of stitches needed for a knitting project

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© Coffee Tea Knits, LLC. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: The Knitted Cast-On Method

Posted in The Knitted Cast-On Method, Tutorial Series by

The Knitted Cast-On is one of many cast-on techniques in knitting. Other cast-on methods include the long tail cast-on, cable cast-on, provisional cast-on, the thumb method, picot cast-on, stretchy cast-on etc. The Knitted cast-on method is ideal for large projects. Use it when a large number of stitches are required for cast-on. This is typical for a blanket or shawl pattern. This method like the cable cast-on does not need a long yarn tail. The Knitted Cast-On is also a great beginner friendly cast-on method since it is basically the knit stitch. I usually use the knitted cast-on for knitting projects where all the edge stitches are later picked up for a more decorative border. The knitted cast-on begins with a slip knot and each additional stitch is then knitted on. The written instructions and video below on how to do the knitted cast-on is shown for right-handed knitting.

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The Knitted Cast-On:

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The Knitted Cast-on Steps:

  1. Make a slip knot (How To Slip Knot)
  2. Transfer the slip knot loop onto the left knitting needle
  3. Insert the right knitting needle into the slip knot and bring working yarn around and in between the two needles as if to knit (Knit and Tink)
  4. Catch and pull the working yarn loop onto the right knitting needle
  5. Transfer the new stitch loop from the right knitting needle onto the left knitting needle by inserting the left knitting needle under the front strand of the new stitch loop
  6. Tug the working yarn to tighten the new stitch loop on the left knitting needle
  7. Insert the right knitting needle into the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  8. Catch and pull the working yarn loop with the right knitting needle
  9. Move the new stitch loop from the right knitting needle to the left knitting needle by inserting the left knitting needle under the front strand of the new stitch loop
  10. Tug the working yarn to tighten the new stitch loop on the left knitting needle
  11. Repeat steps 7 – 10 till the desired number of stitch count is reached for a knitting project
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© Coffee Tea Knits, LLC. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: WYIF and WYIB

Posted in Tutorial Series, WYIF and WYIB by

There are knitting patterns that use the abbreviations wyif (with yarn in front) or wyib (with yarn in back). Some of my patterns with these include The Dotted Dishcloth Pattern and The Brick and Mortar Dishcloth Pattern. In these patterns, wyif or wyib is usually used before slipping a stitch or two. A slipped stitch is neither knit nor purled. Slipped stitches can be used for mosaic colorwork knitting or to create an i-cord edge or textured stitch patterns. The video and written instructions below show how to slip one stitch wyif or wyib purlwise for right-hand knitting.

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How to slip a stitch WYIF and WYIB:

The video below shows K1 (knit 1), wyif S1 (with working yarn in front slip one stitch purlwise), wyib S1 (with working yarn in back slip one stitch purlwise), wyif S1, wyib S1

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WYIF:

  • Bring working yarn from the back of the right knitting needle to the front of the work
  • Insert the right knitting needle as if to purl (purlwise) into the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  • Catch that first stitch with the right knitting needle
  • Pull the stitch off the left knitting needle and onto the right knitting needle (one stitch has been slipped)
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WYIB:

  • Bring working yarn from the front of the right knitting needle to the back of the work
  • Insert the right knitting needle as if to purl (purlwise) into the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  • Catch that first stitch with the right knitting needle
  • Pull the stitch off the left knitting needle and onto the right knitting needle (one stitch has been slipped)
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© Coffee Tea Knits, LLC. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: How to Join Round

Posted in How to Join Round, Tutorial Series by

Knitting in the round, also known as circular knitting, is a versatile technique. It allows knitters to create seamless items like hats, sweaters, and socks. Using double pointed needles (DPNs) or circular knitting needles, it’s possible to join rounds seamlessly. For knitting in the round, the first stitch is joined to the last stitch in the cast on row. The video and written instructions below show how I join round using circular knitting needles.

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How to Join Round:

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Written Instructions for How to Join Round:

  • Cast on the required number of stitches using a circular knitting needle.
  • Place a beginning of round marker (BOR) on the right circular knitting needle
  • Check to see all the stitches are facing inwards in one direction in the circular knitting needle
  • Without twisting the stitches, knit the stitch on the right circular needle to the first stitch on the left circular needle to join round
  • Continue knitting in the round as specified in the pattern

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© Coffee Tea Knits, LLC. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: How to Double Crochet

Posted in How to Double Crochet, Tutorial Series by

Another fundamental crochet stitch is the double crochet. It is taller than a single crochet and a half double crochet, but shorter than a treble or triple crochet. Fabric made with the double crochet stitch is less dense than fabric made with a half double crochet or single crochet. Below, you can find video and written instructions demonstrating how to make a double crochet for all the rows after the foundation chain when crocheting with your right hand.

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How to Double Crochet (video in slow motion):

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Written Instructions on How to Double Crochet in the rows after the Foundation Chain:

  1. After a double crochet in the last chain stitch of the foundation chain row has been worked, chain three and turn the work for the second and all subsequent rows.
  2. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), skip the first three stitches from the loop on the crochet hook and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch
  3. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn under and through both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  4. There are three loops on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the first two loops on the hook. There are two loops left on the crochet hook
  6. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook. There is one loop left on the crochet hook
  7. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise) and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  8. Repeat steps 3 to 6
  9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 till the last stitch in the row
  10. For the last stitch of the row, repeat steps 3 and 6, chain three and turn
  11. Repeat Steps 2 to 9 to double crochet all the subsequent rows

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© Coffee Tea Knits, LLC. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: How to Half Double Crochet

Posted in How to Half Double Crochet, Tutorial Series by

Another basic stitch after a single crochet (How to Single Crochet) is the half double crochet. The half double crochet stitch is taller than a single crochet stitch but shorter than a double crochet stitch. The fabric made with the half double crochet stitch is also less dense than the fabric made with a single crochet stitch. The video and written instructions below demonstrate how to make a half double crochet from a foundation chain and for the following rows when crocheting with your right hand.

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Half Double Crochet from a Foundation Chain:

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Written Instructions on How to Half Double Crochet from a Foundation Chain:

  1. With a loop on the crochet hook, wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise)
  2. Skip the first two chains stitch from the loop on the crochet hook and insert the crochet hook into the top strand of the third chain stitch
  3. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the top strand of the third chain stitch
  4. There are three loops on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through all three loops on the crochet hook
  6. There is one loop on the crochet hook
  7. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), insert crochet hook into the top strand of the next foundation chain stitch
  8. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the top strand of the next foundation chain stitch
  9. Repeat steps 4 to 6
  10. Repeat steps 7 to 9 for the rest of the foundation chain stitches including the last slip knot end stitch
  11. Chain 2 and turn to half double crochet the next row
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How to Half Double Crochet:

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Written Instructions on How to Half Double Crochet:

  1. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), skip the first two stitches from the loop on the crochet hook and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch
  2. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn under and through both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  3. There are three loops on the crochet hook
  4. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through all the three loops on the crochet hook. There is one loop left on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise) and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  6. Repeat steps 2 to 4
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 till the last stitch in the row
  8. For the last stitch of the row, repeat steps 5 and 6, chain two and turn
  9. Repeat Steps 5 to 8 to half double crochet all the following rows
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© Coffee Tea Knits, LLC. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.