Get busy with the beehive stitch, a clever, creative pattern that builds rapidly to an attractively raised surface.
The beehive mimics the honeycomb texture inside a hive, but you won't have to slave all day like a worker bee to produce this effect. You'll love it for warm throws, baby blankets and pillow covers.
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Watch the beehive stitch video tutorial:
Materials
You can use any yarn for the beehive stitch, but be aware that a very chunky weight yarn will mean that you lose definition on the intricate pattern. I would recommend a DK weight yarn which is thick enough to be warm yet not heavy enough to make your work look clumsy. You'll also need an appropriately sized hook, so check your manufacturer's band for suggestions. A pair of scissors and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends are also useful.
You can use any yarn for the beehive stitch, but be aware that a very chunky weight yarn will mean that you lose definition on the intricate pattern. I would recommend a DK weight yarn which is thick enough to be warm yet not heavy enough to make your work look clumsy. You'll also need an appropriately sized hook, so check your manufacturer's band for suggestions. A pair of scissors and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends are also useful.
Abbreviations
* repeat number of times required
ch chain
dc double crochet
FPdc front post double crochet
rep repeat
sk st skip stitch
st(s) stitch(es)
* repeat number of times required
ch chain
dc double crochet
FPdc front post double crochet
rep repeat
sk st skip stitch
st(s) stitch(es)
Special stitches involved in this pattern
The beehive stitch uses the front post double crochet, or FPdc. This is a simple variant on an ordinary double crochet. To work a FPdc, yo and then insert your hook behind the dc from the previous row, so that the hook pushes the post of the previous stitch forward. Bring the hook out between this stitch and the one next to it and complete the dc as usual. The FPdc has the effect of pushing the post of the stitch forward and creating a raised pattern.
The beehive stitch uses the front post double crochet, or FPdc. This is a simple variant on an ordinary double crochet. To work a FPdc, yo and then insert your hook behind the dc from the previous row, so that the hook pushes the post of the previous stitch forward. Bring the hook out between this stitch and the one next to it and complete the dc as usual. The FPdc has the effect of pushing the post of the stitch forward and creating a raised pattern.
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Written instructions
To create this stitch, you'll need to make a foundation chain in multiples of 2, plus 1 for turning.
Row 1: insert hook into 4th ch from hook, work 1 dc, then work 1dc in each ch across row.
Row 2: ch 3, sk st, *1 FPdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, rep from * across, finish row by putting 1 dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Row 3: ch 3, sk st, *1 FPdc in next FPdc, 1 dc in next dc, rep from * finish row by putting 1 dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the project reaches your desired length.
To create this stitch, you'll need to make a foundation chain in multiples of 2, plus 1 for turning.
Row 1: insert hook into 4th ch from hook, work 1 dc, then work 1dc in each ch across row.
Row 2: ch 3, sk st, *1 FPdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, rep from * across, finish row by putting 1 dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Row 3: ch 3, sk st, *1 FPdc in next FPdc, 1 dc in next dc, rep from * finish row by putting 1 dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the project reaches your desired length.