If you’ve been crocheting for any amount of time, you know there are phases in your crochet journey where you lose your “crojo,” are looking to learn something new, or just need to find that perfect crochet stitch to use for your next project.
When I go through these times, I like to seek out new crochet stitches that I haven’t tried before. There are many different kinds of “crochet stitch sampler” ideas out there that are great to test out a new stitch before you buy a whole pattern.
You can also use crochet stitch samplers to find out if the stitch fits your needs. You’ll find out if it is one of those “brainless” stitches that is great for when you need something simple and repetitive, or if it’s a stitch where you need to pay attention. Both are good to learn, but then you can choose the one you want and keep the other for next time.
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What Projects Can You Make With Crochet Stitch Sampler Squares?
Crochet Blankets
Without a doubt, one of the number one projects you will come across are crochet stitch sampler blankets. Sweet Potato 3 held a stitch sampler crochet-along earlier this year, with 30 different 10×10″ (25.4×25.4cm) squares. Cosy Rosie UK held a HodgePodge Blanket CAL with 30 different 8×8″ (20.3×20.3cm) squares. Spend 5-minutes on Pinterest and you can find several other sampler blankets.
Dishcloths, Washcloths, and Towels
Try using cotton yarn to make your own dishcloths and washcloths! The size is perfect, or you can make larger versions to use as towels. Two Brothers Blankets published a Summer Washcloth Series with 8 different squares from her popular garments. After you make dishcloths, you can decide if you want to go all the way and make a garment with that stitch!
Garments & Accessories
There are many different kinds of granny square garments and accessories out there. One you should check out is the stitch Sampler Poncho CAL by Itchin’ for Some Stitchin’. It uses all 24 of the stitches in this roundup. Of course, you can swap out other squares you like, or use only a few squares and make multiples of them.
Crochet something different with this stitch sampler poncho!
- 24 different crochet stitches
- 2 different square sizes (7×7″ and 8×8″)
- Instructions for making a size-inclusive poncho (XS to 5XL)
- Ad-free, printable PDFs patterns you can access from anywhere
- 80% off the full retail price
Pillows and Cushions
Assemble four squares to make a front and back panel that can be sewn together for a fun crochet pillow. Make the squares in different colors to match your decor, or use the same for a classic look.
Placemats and Table Runners
Try making just a few squares and sew them together into placemats or a table runner. Or, you can stick to just one stitch and adjust the number of stitches and rows to fit the size you need. Using some simple math, you can make six 7-inch squares can make a 14×21″ placemat (two squares high and three squares wide), or twelve 8-inch squares can be used to make a 16×48″ table runner (two squares wide by six squares long).
Why Should You Crochet Stitch Sampler Squares?
You should crochet them because it’s the best way to learn a new stitch without being overwhelmed. But I also have two more ideas that can help.
Practice Reading Patterns and Charts
I know there are many people out there who haven’t learned how to read crochet patterns or charts. There’s nothing wrong with that, and YouTube has a video for just about everything you might want to learn. However, what happens when your power goes out and there’s no access to YouTube? Or what happens when you find that PERFECT pattern but there’s no accompanying tutorials? Or you’re like me and you’re left-handed – it can be a struggle to watch a right-handed version sometimes!
I could go on with more reasons why you should learn to read patterns, but the bottom line is that using the written versions of these crochet stitches will help you read patterns better. After all, the written instructions for a stitch are basically a pattern themselves. And visual learners can love learning charts because they often make more sense than the written instructions when it comes to where to put the first or last stitch of a row.
Plus, by utilizing the many designers in these sampler stitches, you will get a feel for the different ways patterns can be written. Some designers use highly abbreviated patterns much like magazines or books, while others like to spell out every detail. You will find some designers whose writing style is something you love. And as with anything, the more you practice reading a variety of different written patterns, the more confidence you will gain, and the more you’ll be ready to take on a more challenging design.
Reading patterns isn’t as scary as it seems!
Test Out Different Types of Yarn
Try using these crochet stitch samplers with different types of yarn. Pick your favorite square and make it using different weights or different fiber content to help answer some questions. Is the yarn too “splitty” for that stitch? Can you even see the texture in that kind of yarn? Does it get too stretchy when using cotton for a washcloth? Is it easier or harder if you use super bulky yarn instead of worsted?
This is a great thing to try before you find out the hard way that the yarn you bought for a large project isn’t going to work very well. Or, it can help you find the right project to make with those skeins you bought but haven’t figured out what to do with yet.
There are so many great crochet patterns, but often based on where you live and where the designer is from, you might not be able to use the same yarn the pattern calls for. Knowing more about how the yarn in your stash can best be used will save you from some headaches later or help you make better decisions when purchasing yarn for your projects.
Let’s Find Your New Favorite Crochet Stitch
In this roundup, there are 24 crochet stitches for you to try. Some you may know, others may be new to you. Each stitch listed below includes a square sampler pattern in at least two different sizes. Of course, once you learn how to make the stitch, you can use it to make whatever size you need or incorporate it into any number of projects we talked about earlier.
Don’t worry, some stitches are very beginner-friendly like my Alternate Single Crochet square, while others might require a bit more patience and focus until you get the hang of it, like the Treble Cross Stitch square by Creations by Courtney.
24 Sampler Crochet Stitch Squares
How to Crochet the Mini Basketweave Stitch - Pattern & Video Tutorial
To Sum It All Up – Go Practice Some Sampler Crochet Stitches
I hope these crochet stitch samplers and reasons to make them have given you some inspiration. It’s such a great way for you to learn a new favorite stitch or technique while improving your pattern reading skills. Great crochet projects are out there waiting for you to try them, and I want you to feel confident that by learning these stitches you’ll be ready for your next project.
Which stitches are you most excited to try? Leave a comment below with your favorites!
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