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The technique for inset mosaic crochet may look quite complicated and fiddly but I promise it isn’t once you get the hang of it!
Mosaic crochet in general, but especially the inset or 2 row crochet technique, has become really popular in the last few years. You can create some amazing geometric and fun designs with it.
It looks similar to interlocking crochet but the technique is quite different.
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In this version you work two rows of crochet in one colour leaving spaces wherever stated in the mosaic chart or pattern and then work a further two rows in another colour.
This second colour allows you to ‘fill in’ the spaces you left to create the design whilst then also leaving new spaces for subsequent rows.
Like anything craft related, the crochet mosaic stitch sounds complicated at first. Just follow this tutorial and you’ll see how simple it is. I’m really excited to show you how I do it!
Video Tutorial
How to Read a Mosaic Crochet Pattern
You can use worded mosaic crochet patterns or mosaic crochet charts. I think the easiest way to work a mosaic crochet technique is by reading the chart, but I provide a worded version in my patterns just in case people prefer that.
In this tutorial I’ll be showing you how to read the mosaic chart.
A mosaic chart generally looks something like this: (this is my Wanderers Mosaic Crochet Blanket Pattern if you’d like to make it!)
You might often find mosaic crochet charts with symbols instead of colours in them. If this is the case, just make sure to follow the key for that specific chart. The principals for reading the mosaic chart are the same though.
The chart is read from the bottom to the top with each row representing 2 rows of the same colour of crochet.
The first pass Row 1,2,3 etc (RS: right side) is read from right to left, the second pass Row 1a, 2a, 3a etc (WS: wrong side) is read from left to right.
Each square on the chart represents a stitch or skipped stitch.
The colour you are working with are the stitches for that row, any other colour are the skipped stitches and you need to work a ch1 (or more traditionally a ch2) and skip the stitch.
For a RS row any stitch into a dc (US sc) of previous row is a dc (US sc), any stitch into a skipped stitch 3 rows below is a tr (US dc).
If you would like to learn another way of doing it, read about the overlay mosaic crochet, back loop only technique instead which you can use in rows (with lots of ends) or rounds.
Inset Mosaic Crochet Technique
The following tutorial photos are just a guide to show you how the technique works and are not following the above chart directly.
Once you find the mosaic crochet pattern you’d like to make then you can just apply these principles to it.
Also – you can make your own charts! Once you’ve mastered the mosaic crochet technique, the sky is the limit. With a bit of planning and thought you can make whatever you like.
Special Stitches
The mosaic UK treble/US double crochet is worked in front of chain stitches on the 2 rows below, into skipped stitches of the same colour three rows below.
As an example, here’s what a worded version of a mosaic crochet pattern might look like: the term st stands for either a mosaic UK treble/US double crochet stitch or a UK double/US single crochet as required.
Row 2: ch1, st in 4, *(ch1, skip st, st) 6 times, st in 4, (ch1, skip st, st) 6 times, st in 6, rep from * once more, (ch1, skip st, st) 6 times, st in 4, (ch1, skip st, st) 6 times, st in 3.
Row 2a: Rep Row 2, change colour.
Row 3: ch1, st in 3, *ch1, skip st, st in 11, (ch1, skip st, st) twice, ch1, skip st, st in 11, ch1, skip st, st in 5, rep from * once more, ch1, skip st, st in 11, (ch1, skip st, st) twice, ch1, skip st, st in 11, ch1, skip st, st in 3.
Row 3a: Rep Row 3, change colour.
Photo Tutorial
Step 1
Mosaic crochet begins like any other pattern with a foundation chain.
Step 2
Beginning in the second chain from the hook work a row of UK double crochet or US single crochet stitches.
This is Row 1 reading from right to left on the chart. Then follows a repeat of the row – this is Row 1a reading from left to right on the chart. Each row on the chart represents 2 rows of actual crochet.
Each square on the chart represents a stitch or skipped stitch. The colour you are working with are the stitches for that row, any other colour are the skipped stitches and you need to work a ch2 and skip the stitch. (You can work a ch1 if you keep your tension relaxed).
For any RS row any st into a dc (US sc) of previous row is a dc (US sc), any st into a skipped st 3 rows below is a tr (US dc).
Step 3
You now need to work Row 2 by following the rules above, work a dc (US sc) for any square that is the colour you are working in, work a chain space (you can work a ch2 or ch1) for any square that is a different colour.
Step 4
Row 2a is going to be a repeat of Row 2 reading the chart from left to right.
Step 5
Change colour at the end of the row before turning.
Step 6
Row 3 is now worked in the new colour, reading the chart from right to left. Again, each square in this new colour is either a dc (US sc) or tr (US dc) and any square in a different colour is a chain space and skip the stitch.
Step 7
To work a mosaic UK treble/US double crochet into a skipped stitch 3 rows below insert the hook into the unworked stitch – note how the hook is not through to the back of the work but rather hooked around the stitch so that your stitch will be sitting at the front of your work only.
Step 8
Yarn over the hook and pull through two loops. Yarn over and pull through two loops again to complete stitch.
Chart Example
As you see here – Row 3 shows where you need to work the darker colour into the stitches into Row 1 below. (Which will actually be 3 rows of crochet below).
Step 9
Continue along the row working either a dc (US sc) or tr (US dc) as indicated and any square in a different colour is a chain space and skip the stitch according to the mosaic chart or pattern.
Step 10
Row 3a is a repeat of Row 3 reading the chart from left to right. Work a UK dc/US sc into any stitch worked on the previous row, regardless of what that stitch is. Work a chain space in the same places as the chain spaces on the previous row.
Step 11
Change colour and continue with Row 4 in the same way.
Step 12
Work Row 4a reading the chart from left to right.
Step 13
Continue to work the pattern in the same way following the chart or worded instructions for colour changes and stitch placement.
Mosaic Crochet Patterns
Once you have the hang of the technique it’s time for the fun part – choosing a pattern to make!
I have a post showing you the 14 best mosaic crochet patterns on Etsy I’ve found but make sure you check exactly which technique they use as it might be different to this one!
Wanderers Blanket
Free Mosaic Crochet Blanket Pattern designed by me!
14 Best Mosaic Crochet Patterns to Make
A great selection of patterns to choose from.
Check out these additional patterns using the single row technique in the round or rows:
- Hayden Bag – Free Mosaic Crochet Tote Bag Pattern – worked in the round
- Diamond Overlay Mosaic Crochet Blanket Pattern – worked in rows
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I look forward to seeing your finished crochet projects, especially this easy crochet pattern, so please share them with me in the HanJan Crochet Facebook group or on Instagram and tag #hanjancrochet.
