How to crochet a Cluster Stitch
In this section, we begin a series of articles about various cluster stitches, with the help of which you can create interesting textures and add bright accents to your project. You will know how to crochet a Cluster Stitch, a Bobble Stitch, a Puff Stitch and a Popcorn Stitch. All of these stitches look like each other, therefore them often confused, but each of them is unique in their own way.
Let's start with the Cluster Stitch. The main difference between the Cluster Stitch and the Bobble or Puff Stitches - the Cluster Stitch is worked over several chains or stitches (2, 3, 4 or more), and not into one. And the Cluster Stitch has a triangular shape.
A double crochet is the most common stitch used to create a cluster so, in my example, I will show you how to make a cluster of 3 double crochet stitches (dc3tog). You can use a lower or higher stitches depending on the pattern. Cluster Stitch (dc3tog) is indicated with the following chart symbol:
Now, let's step by step learn how to make a Cluster Stitch (dc3tog).
The basic idea of the Cluster Stitch (dc3tog) is that you partially complete the next 3 double crochet stitches, each in a subsequent stitch and then joined together at the top.
And so, make yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Grab the working yarn and pull it. Then again grab yarn and pull it through first two loops on the hook. We made an incomplete double crochet stitch. Now, there are 2 loops on your hook.
Then, again make an incomplete double crochet stitch into the next stitch. There are 3 loops on your hook.
Again make an incomplete double crochet stitch into the next stitch. Now we have 4 loops on the hook.
Grab working yarn and pull through all 4 loops on your hook. And that’s it. One Cluster Stitch done!
After you have made a Cluster Stitch, make 2 chain stitches and repeat all over again. Some patterns might require you to make more or less chain stitches between clusters.
