Linked Stitches

Linked stitches are a way to join one stitch to the next stitch to create a solid fabric. They can be worked using any basic stitch, but generally you’ll see them created with tall crochet stitches that have more natural space between the post (body) of each stitch. Linked stitches use the bar(s) of the previous stitch instead of yarning over.

Note: Crochet does not have standardized naming conventions for special stitches. Designers may call stitches by whatever name they prefer. For this reason, it is difficult to search online for how a particular special stitch is created. Another reason it is hard to find the “correct” way to work a particular special stitch is because each designer might work a special stitch in their own unique way. Be sure to follow the directions stated in your pattern for how to work the stitch.

 Linked Double Crochet (abbreviated linked dc or ldc)

The video tutorial below explains how to work a linked double crochet stitch.

The beginning linked double crochet is worked in the turning chains at the start of the row.

Beginning linked double crochet (beg ldc): Chain 3, insert the hook in the 2nd chain and pull up a loop (a), insert the hook in the first stitch or space (or chain), yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on the hook (b), yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice to finish the stitch (c) as you would for a regular double crochet.

All of the next linked double crochet of the row are worked as follows:

Linked double crochet (ldc): Insert the hook from top to bottom in the horizontal bar on the last stitch made, yarn over and pull up a loop (d), insert the hook into the next chain or stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on the hook (e), yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice to finish the stitch (f) as you would for any double crochet.

Note: The illustration shows the linked double crochet being worked in the starting chain while the video shows the linked double crochet being worked into the stitches of the previous row.

Linked Treble Crochet (abbreviated linked tr or ltr)

Beginning linked treble (beg ltr): Chain 4, pull up a lp in the 2nd and 3rd chains from the hook of the beginning chain-3, pull up a lp in first stitch or space (4 loops on hook), [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times.

Linked treble (ltr): Pull up a lp in the 2nd and 3rd horizontal bars of the previous treble crochet, pull up a loop in the indicated stitch (4 loops on hook), [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times.