Corinne Freeman - Box Stitch Crochet: Use the Corner-to-Corner Stitch in New Ways to Make 20 Hats, Wraps, Scarves & Accessories

T o my dearest husband, I thank you for all your support and for cheering me on; youre the love of my life.

A special thank you to my dearest friend Gina. I will forever be thankful for those Tuesday morning coffees and pattern writing. Love you lots for your help, your guidance, and most of all your friendship!

As this is my first book, I have to say that my editors have gone above and beyond to help me. I have learned a lot from them, and I truly understand the effort and patience that is required to work with an author and to manage the process of creating this book. Candi and Julie have become my heroes through this process. Thank you both for your patience and teaching.

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Copyright 2017 by Rowman & Littlefield

Photographs by Corinne Freeman unless otherwise noted

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The contents of this book are for personal use only. Patterns contained herein may be reproduced in limited quantities for such use. Any large-scale commercial reproduction is prohibited without the written consent of the publisher.

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information available
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Freeman, Corinne, author.

Title: Box stitch crochet : use the corner-to-corner stitch in new ways to make 20 hats, wraps, scarves & accessories / Corinne Freeman.

Description: First edition. | Lanham, Maryland : Stackpole Books, 2017.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017013497 (print) | LCCN 2017018534 (ebook) | ISBN 9780811765732 (e-book) | ISBN 9780811717649 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: CrochetingPatterns.

Classification: LCC TT825 (ebook) | LCC TT825 .F724 2017 (print) | DDC 746.43/4dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017013497

First Edition

Printed in the United States of America

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

To my granddaughter Neavaya;
I love you more than you will ever know.

M y interest in the box stitch started many years ago when, at a family gathering, my cousin learned this stitch from our grandmother who was blind. This dear woman loved the crochet craft, and even without her sight, she could teach my cousin. Several other family members watched in amazement as our grandmother ripped out and corrected my cousins progress just by feeling the stitches. Later my aunt showed me the stitch; I instantly loved it, but when I asked the name of it, no one seemed to know what it was called. Sometime later I saw the stitch worked on a blog and learned the name box stitch. But many of you may know it as the corner-to-corner stitch, or C2C.

Looking back, learning the box stitch helped me realize a confidence I may never have gained in the crochet craft. I made several million (okay, maybe a bit fewer) dishcloths using this stitch, which I gave as gifts. If I bestowed one on another crocheter, she immediately wanted to learn the stitch.

I love the texture and unique look of the box stitch. It provides a distinct definition that I have not yet found in any other stitch. Over the years, I have seen many beautiful afghans and blankets made with the stitch, but not a lot of variety of other items. Why keep this stitch in a box?! With just a little ingenuity, it can be used to create gorgeous shawls, mittens, scarves, hats, cowls, and so much more. And it is easily customizable; for sizing, I will show you how to modify a box stitch garment as you work to make it fit you just as you like.

Whether you are new to box stitch or a seasoned pro, I bet youre itching to move forward and start a project. But if you are at all unsure of the stitch, or if it is completely new to you, I urge you to look through the next chapter on techniques and practice the stitch before starting a project. It is important to note that the stitch works up diagonally and forms a triangle, which presents special considerations when creating the projects in this book. The chapter also demonstrates how to work various shapes, such as a rectangle or motif, and how to change colors while working the box stitch. Give it a look, and then begin!

T raditionally the box stitch is worked diagonally, increasing the number of boxes on each row until it is the desired width and then decreasing to make a square or rectangle. Squares and rectangles are great for blankets, which is why this stitch is often thought of as a blanket stitch. But it can be used for so much more.

First I will teach you the traditional increase and decrease for making rectangles. Then Ill show you techniques for making beveled edges and motifs and for joining so that you will be able to create the variety of shapes needed to make the designs in this book. The stitch is fairly easy and repetitive, so once you understand how it works, youll be able to take these projects on the go and work on them without lengthy row-by-row instructions.

The box stitch works up into a triangle; this is the basic starting stitch:

Chain 6.

Double crochet in 4th chain from hook and in next 2 chains.

Chain 6, turn.

Note: When you turn the work to make your first double crochet in the chain 6, the first box stitch should flip from the right to the left as shown. Double crochet in 4th chain from hook and in next 2 chains. You will have 2 box stitches now.