OVERLAY MOSAIC CROCHET
This week, I am talking about Overlay Mosaic Crochet. I created my own chart to show you how this works, but you can follow along on the Sixel Designs website with the tutorial I used to learn this technique.
I created my own original chart to be able to teach you what I did.
The way Alexis writes her pattern is that she uses a chart with color and then once you understand how the chart is written, you just follow along. There isn’t any written pattern.
I’ll be honest. I was skeptical at first. I like to see a pattern with both text and charts. BUT once I worked on the tutorial, along with her video, it became a no-brainer.
Her chart uses color in a couple of ways.
- To denote which row is which color. In this version of mosaic crochet, you work one color row so every other row you are changing color. So her charts have a “selvage” stitch on either edge, that are always colored in with that row’s color. It also has the row number in it on both sides. This is a PLUS because it makes the chart perfect for both right and left-handed crocheters.
- To show the shape of the design. Most charts with color blocks use the colored block to denote where the color changes happen. (Think Fair Isle charts for example) But in this case, she does something a little different, which actually in some ways reminds me of knitting charts. The actual changes in stitches are done by “X”s (and in more complicated patterns other marks) in the squares. The color allows you to see how the flow of the pattern looks.
To show you how this technique works here is a little video about how the chart works:
And then, I decided to create a video for you that shows you how to work from the chart right here.
What I learned:
As I worked up this swatch I had a lot of thoughts. I ripped out a lot, and I thought about things I would do next time:
- Instead of working a chain then single crocheting into it, I would use the foundation single crochet to start the project.
- Keep the Overlay Doubles loose so that you don’t pull up the front loop that you are working in
- Make sure if you have a long gap between overlay double crochets that you count over the front loops to make sure that you place the double in the right spot.
- You will always work the long stitch in the same color row as the color you are working with.
Overall, I like this technique. Although I tell everyone I don’t like to weave in ends, I can tell you that there is a multitude of ways to use this technique flat and account for those ends. However, I have already come up with a BUNCH of in-the-round designs I want to try out too.
Want more patterns like this? Check out Sixel Designs! I love all her patterns. I just bought her Winter 2021 Pack!
Have you done this version of Mosaic Crochet? Do you want to try it out?
