Standing Stitches (standing double crochet)

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Standing stitches are a neat way of starting a new colour without chaining. There are a few different chainless methods, and this is one of my favourites.

In my example I'm using standing stitches to change colour in the Good Old Granny Square (pattern here)

In this tutorial I'll show you how to make a (in US terms) standing double crochet, but it works for any height stitch. 

Step 1: YO hook twice (YO one more time than usual - 3 times for a treble, once for a sc) The first YO mimics the last st/ch that would be on the hook. 

Step 2: Insert hook in stitch or space - like the ch-2 corner space for this granny square

Step 3: Pull up loop. It now looks like a regular dc, but make sure to keep loops on hook! 

Step 4: YO, pull through 2 loops, twice (like a 'normal' stitch) 

Continue your work. The top loop may look a little loose, and it's OK to tighten it. Once you finish the round, sl st into the top of the standing st, and once the ends are woven in, it will be hard to know where you started! 

DO you like chainless starts? DO you have a favourite?

Thanks for reading,

Happy Crocheting,

Emma.