Single crochet stitches variations: linked single crochet stitch and front-loop-only single crochet

Often single crochet stitches are overlooked when crocheting garments... But single crochet stitches can be perfect for garments, as long as the right drape is achieved, using the perfect hook/yarn combo!

Not only that, single crochet stitches don't need to be boring, we can spice things up with little tweaks! 

Here, I'll go through how to crochet the linked single crochet stitch and the front-loop-only crochet stitch, and in particular, I'll show how those two stitches look when together!

Swatch crocheted in this tutorial

To follow the tutorials...

Skill level:

crochet beginners can follow this tutorial!

Materials:

To follow this tutorial, you can use any yarn and any hook size. If you are here to learn how to crochet the gauge swatch for the Peach&Sugar Top, then use the hook size and yarn recommended in the pattern!

Stitches and abbreviations (US terminology):

In the following tutorial, we make use of:

• chain - ch
• single crochet- sc

Stitches - Written Instructions:

1) Single Crochet:

* I crochet the single crochet with the yarn under instead of the yarn over method, so: 

Insert the hook, yarn under, pull up a loop, pull through two loops.

2) Linked Single Crochet:

Insert the hook in the first st of the row. *Pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook). Insert the hook in the next st. Pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook).

Yo, pull through all loops.* This completes the first stitch. Now, yo and insert the hook in the same st. Repeat in between ** until the end of the row. In the final st of the row, place an additional sc. This final sc is to maintain the same number of sts.

3) Front-loop-only (FLO):

Any crochet stitch can be crochet in the front-loop-only. This gives a nicer drape to the fabric, making it lighter than working in both loops. But what does it mean working in the front-loop-only?!

When looking at the top of a crochet stitch, you'll see a V-shape. The loop closest to you is the front loop. Crocheting in the front-lopp-only, Simply means that when inserting the hook in the stitch of the previous round/row, instead of inserting your hook under both loops of the V, you only insert it under the front loop. 

FLO Linked Single Crochet & FLO Single Crochet (Peach&Sugar Top Gauge swatch Totorial):

When alternating FLO linked single crochet row and FLO single crochet row, you can create a reversible fabric with a light drape.

Facing the flo single crochet

Facing the flo linked single crochet

ch as many chain as you'd like 

Row 1 (sc row): single crochet in second chain from the hook. single crochet in each ch. 1 turning chain.

Row 2 (flo lsc row): flo linked single crochet sts until the final st. Place the final linked single crochet st in the final 2 sts. 1 single crochet in final st. turning chain. turn.

Row 3 (flo sc row): flo single crochet until the end of the row. turning chain. turn.

Keep repeating Row 2 & Row 3.

You can find the video tutorial here:

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