With a really interesting variation of the single crochet stitch, the Rattan single crochet, I will give closure to the chapter on Dense stitches for crochet bags. For those of you who missed the previous posts that comprise this chapter you can catch up by clicking the following links and finding all about the waistcoat stitch, the canestro stitch, the single crochet camel stitch, the sailors knot stitch, the slanting waistcoat stitch, and last but not least the frontal half double crochet stitch.
Though the Rattan single crochet stitch can only be worked in the round it shares the basic versatile features of the regular single crochet. It is a standalone stitch and therefore does not require to be worked in even or od numbers and it is increasable and decreasable. It is also a very beautiful impressive stitch that creates a woven-like uniform fabric ideal for summer bags and many more projects.
However, there is a certain degree of difficulty to this stitch since it requires removing your hook from your open loops and inserting it back, in every single stitch. To work a Rattan single crochet you must insert your hook into the chain next in line, yarn over, and pull a loop. You must then release your hook and insert it from the opposite direction first into the second loop and then into the first. Finally, you must pull the first loop on your hook through the second and the yarn over and chain one.
Complicated as it may sound do not let this fact discourage you because, in the end, you will be compensated with an amazing texture, that resembles rattan handicrafts and totally justifies the name of this stitch.
The Rattan single crochet
Foundation:
Chain any number of chains. Insert your hook into the last chain and slip stitch to join. Chain one.
Round 1: Insert into the second chain from your hook yarn over, and pull a loop. Release your hook hold the base of the two loops with your fingers and insert your hook from the opposite direction. Insert first into the second loop and then into the first. Pull the first loop on your hook through the second. Yarn over and chain one. This was the first RSc. Repeat into the next chain and continue until the end of your chains. When you complete your last Rattan single crochet. Release your hook and insert into the 1st Ch of the beginning from the reverse side, insert into your open loop and pull it in. Yarn over and chain one.
Round 2:Place one Rattan single crochet under the Chain that completes the 1st Ratan single crochet of the 1st round. Repeat into the next stitch and continue until the end of the round. Release tour hook and insert into the 1st Chain of the beginning of the round from the reverse side, insert into your open loop and pull it in. Insert your hook into the open loop, yarn over, and chain one.
Round 3 and on:
Repeat round two
You can watch how you can work the Rattan single Crochet with increase and decreases in the following video!
Tips:
- To achieve a tight woven texture it’s crucial to place each of your Rattan Single Crochet sts, by inserting your hook under the chain that completes a Rattan Single crochet and then similarly to the waistcoat stitch, bring it out through the small v that forms behind the stitch.
- To work this stitch It is crucial to use, soft and sleek T-shirt yarn. Otherwise, the friction will definitely make your life difficult.
- A great way to minimize the difficulty of this stitch is to use a double-ended crochet hook like the ones used for Tunisian crochet. This will save you from having to remove your hook from the loops. You will only have to pass one loop through the other by letting your hook slip through the loops and changing ends in each stitch.
Dos:
- Combine the Rattan Single crochet stitch with plant fiber yarn to create awesome summer bags like beach bags and totes.
- To make the most of the looks of this stitch use it with flat yarns like ribbon yarn or T-shirt yarn.
Dont’s:
- The Rattan single crochet is all about a woven likes texture similar to wicker handicrafts. If you want to create a delicate elegant item like a clutch do not use this stitch unless you insist on giving it a summery flair.
- In my humble opinion this stitch should not be worked with thin tubular yarn like a 2mm macramé cord or cotton yarn. The visual result a thin yarn like this will produce will be absolutely unsatisfying.
- Don’t use this stitch if your yarn supply is borderline. Though it is not one of the so-called yarn-eating stitches it still consumes more yarn the many of the basic stitches.
