'No holes' crochet: 3 techniques how-to

If you're creating items for a baby, you'll know how important it is to ensure that little fingers and toes don't get tangled. Equally, sometimes a close-textured crochet is the only thing warm enough for a really snuggly scarf or throw.
Here are three of the best 'no holes' crochet stitches, to help you make draught-free projects for everyone: The moss stitch, a no-holes baby blanket and the ribbed half double crochet.
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Materials
You can use any type of yarn for no-holes projects, with hooks that are appropriate. The yarn band will have the manufacturer's recommendations for hook sizes.
Pro tip: If you are making a baby blanket, you want to avoid yarns that shed fibers or could be itchy for delicate skin. Think of soft, smooth yarns like baby Arans or baby DKs.
Pro tip: If you are making a scarf, a fluffy textured yarn can produce a lovely felted effect with a no-holes stitch. Pick plush angora or mohair mixes for the best effect.
Pro tip: With a solid texture and a unified stitch, a variegated yarn can ramp up the visual interest value without you having to change yarns constantly.
Abbreviations
Ch st chain stitch
Ch chain
Hdc half double crochet
Sc single crochet
Dc double crochet
St stitch
Sk skip
Rhdc ribbed half double crochet, explained below
1. Moss Stitch
Watch Make & Do Crew's moss stitch video tutorial:
Written pattern
The moss stitch is a lovely straightforward stitch producing a smooth-textured fabric. Start by chaining an even number of stitches.
Row 1: Sc in 4th ch from hook. Ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc next ch, continue to end and turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch 1 sp, continue to end of row ending with 1 sc into ch 3 sp at start of row 1. turn.
Row 3: Ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch 1 sp, continue to end of row finishing with 1 sc in ch 2 sp at start of row 2. Turn.
Continue row 3 until project is desired size.
2. No-holes baby blanket
There is a lovely simple no-holes baby blanket available from Linda Davie on Ravelry which crochets up quickly and easily.
Written pattern
Start with a foundation ch of 50 st, plus two.
Row 1: hdc to end, then ch1.
Row 2: sc in the first stitch, 1 dc in next stitch, then alternate 1 sc, 1 dc to the end of the row, ch 1, turn.
Repeat row 2 until you have reached your desired length, making sure that the initial 1 sc always sits on top of the dc from the previous row while the dc always sits on a sc and so on along the row.
3. Double crochet blanket
If you'd like to try something with a little more texture, try the ribbed half double crochet blanket from Rebecca at Little Monkeys Crochet.
Special stitches involved in this pattern
Ribbed half double crochet
The ribbed half double crochet stitch is formed by stitching into a loop directly below the one usually used. You can identify this stitch on the back of your work so keep turning to check you are finding the right loop. Using this loop creates the ribbed effect which makes the pattern so pleasing.
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Written pattern
Start with a foundation chain of enough stitches for the project size you desire, plus one.
Row 1: hdc in second chain from hook and continue to hdc all sts in row. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 2: Rhdc using loop below normal hdc loop, completing st in usual way. Continue rhdc into all sts in row.
Continue rhdc until project is desired size.