Carreaux Crochet Basic Explanation

	The basic principle of Carreaux Crochet is that you always make the same row twice. One time you read the diagram from left to right and the second time from right to left. This example is a step-by-step explanation of how it works. If you like it and you want to try more or if this is too difficult and you need an extended explanation, and also if you want to support me: click on one of the links on the end of this blog. I have used "Sunny" from Cheval Blanc, a 4 ply cotton (50 m ~ 125 m) and crochet hook 3.5 mm (E).
	These are the colors I have used for this example. Around 4 meter of both main colors A and B. 5 meter of C, which is the third color and is also used as the basic foundation and for the border. Start by making a foundation with C of 10 chain stitches + 1 chain stitch to turn ('tch'). Then turn and make 10 single crochet stitches, but finish the last one with color A. Make a 'tch' (turning chain stitch) with A.
	1A - 5 sc, make these as usual, then a 'chs' = chain stitch to turn sides (see first image below). Turn the foundation towards you and insert on the back of the foundation (second image). 5 sc, finish the last one with yarn B and make a 'tch' (3rd and 4th image).
	1B - 5 sc back = 5 single crochet stitches on the back of the foundation (see first image below). Then a 'chs' = chain stitch to change side (see second image) this is for the same reasons that you make a turning chain stitch on the end of your rows. Turn your work away for you and make 5 sc on the front of the foundation (see third image). Finish with a tch and your work should look like the fourth image. Leave the end of yarn B on the outside, otherwise you can not weave it in at the end (see first image). Or hide it directly under the stitches.
	2B - You start this row with yarn B. As you can see in the diagram you have to make 5 sc on the same color. Since you have turned your work you make them on the back (see first image). In the descriptions I write this down as "5 B back (on B)".  Then make a chs and make "5 B front (on B), finish with A". Be sure to leave the B working yarn in the inside / between the two layers. See arrow on image 3 and 4.
	2A - 5 A front (on A) / chs / (see first image below). Then 5 A back (on A) - it can be a bit difficult to find the first stitch where you have to insert, so think of counting backwards (see second image) to find the right stitch. Finish with a tch.
	3A - "4 A front (on A), finish with C / 2 C front (1 on A, A on B), finish with A / chs / 4 A back (skip first A stitch), finish with B + tch" 3B - "4 B back (on B), finish with C / chs / 2 C front (1 on B, 1 on A), finish with B / 4 B front (on B) + tch
3A explanation: "4 A front (on A), finish with C" = make the first 3 sc, then put the C yarn under the 4th, start with A, then finish the stitch with C. Don't pull too tight on C! Image 1, 2 and 3 below. "2 C front (1 on A, 1 on B), finish with A". Make the first sc on the last A stitch in front, then put the A yarn under the next stitch, sc on the first B stitch in front, finish with A. Image 4, 5 and 6. Then a "chs" to switch sides. "4 A back (skip first A stitch), finish with B + tch" - The first A stitch that you skip in this row will be used in the next one (3B) - make sure to have the A yarn in the inside / between the layers (last image).
3B explanation: Make 3 sc on the back, start the 4th sc with B, move yarn B to the front (= inside) - see first image. Then finish with C and make a chs (image 2). 2 C front = one on skipped A stitch (see arrow in second image), start the second on the first B stitch (image 3), then finish the stitch with B. As you can see in image 3 yarn B is behind the first stitch. This is the inside / between the layers. Make 4 B sc on the front of the patch a turning sc (tch) - image 5.
	4B - 4 B back (on B), finish with C (leave B inside / to the front) / 2 C back (on C), finish with B (leave C to the front) / chs / 4 B front (on B), finish with A + tch 4A - 4 A front (on A), finish with C / chs / (make sure to have yarn A between the layers) 2 C back (on C), finish with A (yarn C to the front = inside) / 4 A back (on A) + tch
	5A - 2 A front (on A), finish with C / 6 C front (2 on A, 2 on C, 2 on B), finish with A (don't pull too tight) / chs / 2 A back (on A - skip first two A stitches), finish with B + tch (make sure to have yarn A on the inside) 5B - 2 B back (on B), finish with C / chs / (be sure to have yarn B inside / between the layers [5B-1]) / 6 C front (2 on A, 2 on C, 2 on B), finish with B (don't pull too tight) / 2 B front (on B) + tch [5B-2]
	6B - 2 B front (on A - this is a color change [6B-1], finish with C / 6 C front, finish with B (don't pull too tight) / chs / 2 B back (on A), finish with A + tch [6B-2] 6A - 2 A back (on B), finish with C (be sure to have yarn A inside / between the layers) / chs / 6 C front (on C), finish with A [6A]
	7A - 4 A back (2 on A, 2 on C), finish with C (yarn A inside) / 2 C back, finish with A (yarn C inside) / chs / 4 A front ([7A-1] on last two C-stitches, 2 on A), finish with B + tch [7A-2] 7B - 4 B front ([7B-1] 2 on B, 2 on C), finish with C [7B-2] / chs / 2 C back ([7B-3]on C), finish with B [7B-4] / 4 B back (2 on C, 2 on B) + tch [7B-5]
	8B - 4 B front (on B), finish with C / 2 C front (on C), finish with B / chs / 2 B back (on B), finish with A + tch 8A - 4 A back (on A), finish with C / chs / 2 C front (on C), finish with A / 4 A front (on A) + tch (if you don't make the border with C leave it outside - it is finished for the figure)
	9A - 5 A back (4 on A, 1 on C) / chs / 5 A front (1 on second C-stitch, 4 on A), finish with B + tch [9A] 9B - 5 B front (4 on B, 1 on C) / chs [9B-1] / 5 B back (1 on C, 4 on B) + tch [9B-2]
	10B - 5 B front (on B) / chs / 5 B back (on B), finish with A (leave B outside, you can cut it, it is finished) + tch 10A - 5 A back (on A) / chs / 5 A front (on A), finish with C (leave A outside, you can cut it) [10A]
	Weave in all ends and make a border with C in sc. Be sure to work through both layers! This design will give the same image on the front and the back. Only the border will look slightly different.

If you want more help, information, examples or ideas and/or you like to support me:
There are 3 PDF files available on Ravelry for a small price. Click on the link below the images.

Carreaux Patch A more extensive step-by-step explanation using four test patches.	Carreaux Collection Some varations of Carreaux Crochet.	Carreaux Dotted Potholder Design of the dotted potholder and a small test patch to learn how to read the design.

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