The skilled use of a crochet hook and yarn can turn out a product that appears to have been woven by a machine and bought in a store. The reality is simply knowing how to put the right stitches together turns out amazing products. The raised wave stitch, also known as the double wave and textured wave, creates a beautiful weave that's perfect for sweaters, scarves, afghans and more. Since the stitches are closer together, your end product will be nice and toasty warm.
According to B. Hooked Crochet, you only need to know three stitches to create this look: the chain, the slip stitch, and the half double crochet. You will work your piece in multiples of 10 plus an additional six. Brittany, who is the host of b.hooked, points out that the textured wave stitch does not look the same on both sides. The right side has the raised pattern, and the wrong side does not. Keep this in mind when deciding when you want to use it.
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Oombawka Design Crochet still has a textured wave but makes the waves larger by using double crochets, triple crochets, double triple crochets and triple-triple crochets.
If trying to do an entire piece in the textured wave sounds a little daunting, Mom's Crochet shares the idea of just using that stitch for the neck of a mock turtleneck.
By changing yarn colors, you can really make the waves pop.
Another variation for the textured wave is to lengthen out the stitches. Mom's Crochet shows how you can get three distinct looks simply by changing the slip stitch for a single crochet or half double crochet and the single crochets for double crochets or triple crochets.
B.hooked's method of doing the textured wave is great for beginners. To practice, start with a chain of 20 (two sets of 10) and then do an additional six. Place a slip stitch in the second chain from the end and in the next five chains. Do 5 half double crochets (hdcs) in the next five chains followed by 5 slip stitches in the next five chains. Continue with this pattern until the end of the row. Turn your work and repeat the process in the back loops only, all the way across the row.
Turn your work. For the next to rows, when you turn, do 2 chains and then do 5 hdcs in the next five stitches followed by 5 slip stitches. Repeat across the row. Keep alternating between sets of two rows.
For those who want an expert guide them through the process, watch Brittany's step-by-step video on how to do the textured wave. Soon, you'll be making waves yourself.
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