See the awesome effect you get with the camel stitch (video & written instructions)

The camel, also known as knit stitch, is a very easy stitch which gives your work an appealing ribbed appearance - a bit like in traditional knitting.
This stitch is perfect for you if, like me, you enjoy the look of knitting, but don't want to tangle with two needles. As the video tutorial from New Stitch a Day shows, the camel is effortless to master and gives your work a pretty, braided-looking effect.
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Watch the camel stitch video tutorial:
Camel stitch written instructions
First, create a foundation chain of any length that suits the project you're working on. Remember, if you're making something like a scarf, that the stitch builds up vertically rather than horizontally, so make your chain nice and long, bearing in mind you may want to loop the finished product around your neck.
First row
Put a single crochet into the second chain stitch from your hook, then continue to single crochet every stitch right along the row.
Second row
Turn your work but don't create a turning chain. Instead, slip stitch into every stitch along your row. Chain one and turn.
Third row
Single crochet into every stitch in the row. Be very careful, as you go along, to single crochet into the back part of the slip stitch, not the front part or even both parts. This can be tricky at first, but the right spot will become more obvious as you go along. This is really the only hard part of the stitch. When you crochet into the back part of the stitch, you form a raised row of stitches which creates the braided effect, looking so much like knitting.
This is the basic stitch pattern. Just repeat this until you have the desired length of camel stitch that you need. As well as making lovely scarves and throws, you can use a trim of camel stitch as a neat cuff or border on other projects, like the sleeves of a sweater, the edge of a hat or the wrists of gloves. The camel stitch is quite stretchy and functions well as a close-fitting yet flexible band.
Or you can create fun projects like these jaunty cacti:
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I really like camel stitch in a variegated yarn. This adds a little color interest, without having to change skeins and weave in ends, and the knitted-looking surface looks really impressive this way. Have a try and see how you think it looks best.