Common Questions

How do I add two sc stitches between the next two stitches?

See the row below for an example of this particular stitch description.

Example:
Row 4: Sc, TBS, TFS, sc, sc, sc joining stitch, FPS, FPS, FPS, add two sc stitches between the next two stitches. {In the next six post-stitches and skipping any stitches in between, make a BS2 stitch. Add two sc stitches between the next two stitches.} Repeat {} two times. FPS, FPS, FPS, sc joining stitch, sc, sc, TBS, TFS, sc.

Explanation:
This stitch is always added between two post-stitches (either alone or within cables) in order to add addition sc’s and move two cables or cable threads apart. Since post-stitches are worked on top of (or around) stitches in the previous row, you have to work in the space between the post-stitches to add any stitches between them. In order to add the stitch you just find the space between the two post-stitches (or post-stitches within a cable), and you make one or two sc stitches (depending on the instructions) into that gap or space between the stitches.

How do I work the TBS and TFS stitches?

Video Tutorial
Twist Stitches (TBS and TFS): Crochet Twist Front and Twist Back Cable Stitch Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dIDgHCA7DU

Descriptions:
Twist Back Stitch (TBS): Skip a stitch, TFPS in next stitch, single crochet in the skipped stitch. Note: the single crochet in the skipped stitch should be worked behind of the TFPS. (two crossed stitches)

Twist Front Stitch (TFS): Skip a stitch, single crochet in next stitch, TFPS crochet in the skipped stitch. Note: the TFPS crochet in the skipped stitch should be worked in front of the single crochet. (two crossed stitches)

Example:
Row 2: Sc, TBS, TFS, {sc, sc, BS1}. Repeat { } three times. Sc, sc, TBS, TFS, sc.

Explanation:
The TBS and TFS are two-stitch pseudo-cables. So let’s start with TBS, for this stitch you skip a stitch and then make a front-post-stitch. Then you work behind that post-stitch and make an sc in the stitch you skipped. The sc is not a post-stitch so you would make it into the skipped stitch like you would normally do.

The TFS is the same but worked in the opposite order, you skip a stitch, make a normal sc stitch, and then make the post-stitch in front of the sc stitch (back into the stitch you skipped). So it is a two-cross cable stitch but with one of the stitches a sc stitch.

An additional note: When you are in the next front-facing row after the first TBS TFS, you should work those new TBS and TFS into the central two sc stitches between the TBS and TFS of the previous row. You want to basically make a new “V” with every other row, so that the V’s are layered one on top of each other. Look at the image of the pattern for guidance.

Does the chain 2 or chain 3 at the beginning of each row count as a stitch?

No, I do not count the beginning chain of each row as a stitch.

In the first row the number of stitches and the chain are listed in the written pattern at the end of the row.

In each subsequent row of the pattern the chain is added on the left or right side in addition to the stitches in the stitch diagram. In the written pattern the chain is listed in addition to stitches for the main pattern.

Why are there are extra stitches when I finish the instructions for the second row of the pattern?

Usually this happens because the cable stitches (which you start in the second row of most of my patterns) are on top of the stitches in the previous row and the sc stitches are between the stitches in the previous row. Therefore, as you transition back and forth between the cable and sc stitches, you have to skip the gap before the cable stitch or the gap after the cable stitch, in order not to add an sc stitch to the pattern.

A good way to check whether you are doing it right, is to match each sc or post-stitch to a single stitch in the row below as you move along the pattern. This will help you not add or subtract stitches as you make the second row.

If you would like to see an example of how to do this, you can watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0qD33zZCbE&t=21s . The second row of the pattern has cable stitches, and you can pay attention to the placement of the sc stitches before and after each cable stitch.

Celtic Garden Cable Scarf