Do you like stitches that have a simple geometric pattern?  Do you like a solid fabric without extra holes?  Then linked stitches are for you.  They take the standard crochet stitches and with a simple twist give you tons of new uses.

I always think of linked stitches as half-Tunisian-half-standard crochet: instead of yarning over all at once, you yarn over after you insert the hook into the previous stitch.  By linking the stitches you get a solid fabric, but the great thing is that you don’t lose the drape.  It creates a great fabric that can be used for lots of projects where you do not want the standard holes that the taller stitches can give you.  My favorite is for kids clothes, not only do taller stitches go faster for me, but the fabric also snags less.

Directions for the Linked Treble (LTR)

Set up stitch

1. Ch any number of sts, add 4 for turning ch.
2. Insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop.
3. Insert hook into 3rd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop.
4. Insert hook into the 5th ch from hook, yo, draw up loop - 4 loops on hook (see Fig.1)
   
   
   Fig. 1
5. Yo, draw through 2 loops on hook.
6. Yo, draw through next 2 loops.
7. Yo, draw through last 2 loops (first stitch made) (see Fig. 2).
   
   
   Fig. 2

Next Stitch

1. Insert hook into upper horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop (see Fig. 3).
   
   
   Fig. 3
2. Insert hook into lower horizontal bar, yo, draw up loop (see Fig. 4).
   
   
   Fig. 4
3. J  Insert hook into next ch, yo, draw up loop, (4 loops on hook).
   
   
   Fig. 5
4. Yo, draw through 2 loops on hook.
5. Yo, draw through next 2 loops.
6. Yo, draw through last 2 loops (see Fig. 6).
   
   
   Fig. 6
7. Continue stitches as above to end of row, ch 4, turn.

Set up stitch next row

1. Insert hook into the 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop (see Fig. 7).
   
   
   Fig. 7
2. P  Insert hook into 3rd ch from hook, yo, draw up loop (see Fig. 8).
   
   
   Fig. 8
3. Insert hook into the next st from hook (note: the top of the last st of the previous row does not count as a st), yo, draw up loop (4 loops on hook) (see Fig. 9).
   
   
   Fig. 9
4. Yo, draw through 2 loops on hook.
5. Yo, draw through next 2 loops.
6. Yo, draw through last 2 loops (first stitch made) (see Fig. 10).
   
   
   Fig. 10

Following Stitches

1. Follow steps under "Next Stitch" section, above.
2. Continue stitches as directed to end of row, ch 4, turn.

Swatches

Linked trebles each row. Notice how the horizontal bars on the first row show prominently and are hidden on the setup row.

Linked trebles on the right side and Single crochet front-loop on the back side.  Same stitch pattern as Summit Hill Vest.

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