Long Stitches

Long stitches are a type of decorative stitch that can be made with any of the basic stitches. They are created by working the start of a basic stitch in a row below, pulling the stitch up to the current row, then completing it. Doing this produces long spike-like stitches. If long stitches are worked in a contrasting color, they produce a fun effect.

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. 

Long Single Crochet (abbreviated long sc)

Insert the hook in the indicated stitch on the indicated row, pull up a loop to the height of the working row, yarn over, pull through both loops on the hook.

You will work this stitch in the top of the stitch in the indicated row. A designer may have you work into a row two or more rows below the current one. The stitch in the video is worked two rows below.

Drop Stitch (abbreviated drop st or 2-color long sc)

When you work a long stitch like the long single crochet using a different color than the previous rows, it mimics a textured colorwork stitch pattern. The stitches are worked two rows below the row in which the stitches would normally be worked. The trick is to know where to put your hook when making the stitch. The chain-1 spaces in the sample video help to make it easier to see where to place your hook to work the stitches. The video below shows a sample fabric to work the stitches on. The drop stitch may be used in a particular pattern differently so be sure to follow your pattern instructions.

Use two colors of yarn. The video uses worsted-weight yarn and a size J hook.

Row 1: Chain a length of stitches with the first color, *single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, chain 1, skip the next chain, repeat from the * across ending with a single crochet, turn.

Row 2: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch and space across to the last stitch, insert the hook into the last stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, complete the stitch with the new color, turn.

Row 3: Chain 2, *drop stitch in the chain space 2 rows below (to do this: insert the hook in the indicated chain or stitch 2 rows below, yarn over, pull the loop through, draw the loop up to the height of the working row, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on the hook), chain 1, skip the next single crochet on the current row, repeat from the * across, chain 2, slip stitch in the last stitch of the current row.

Row 4: Chain 1, single crochet in each chain space and stitch across, ending with a single crochet in the last chain-2 space changing colors in this last single crochet, turn.

For the pattern, repeat rows 3 and 4 alternating colors every two rows.

Long Double Crochet (abbreviated long dc)

Like other long stitches, you can work the long double crochet into a stitch in different ways. You may be working it in a skipped stitch or chain space like the drop stitch or you may work it in the top of a previous stitch a couple of rows below. In the video below, the long double crochet is worked in the unused front loop of a stitch.

Yarn over, insert the hook in the indicated stitch or row, pull up a long lp on the hook (A), [yarn over, pull through 2 loops on the hook] 2 times (B).