Easiest Overlay Mosaic Crochet Tutorial in Rows
This post includes affiliate links.
This is a free tutorial to learn how to mosaic crochet in rows. This technique is also known as overlay crochet. The tutorial has both step-by-step photos and a video tutorial.
Mosaic Crochet is trending and super popular right now. I’m absolutely not surprised. It’s in my opinion, the best way to get started with color changes in crochet without needing to actually change colors within a row or round. Plus you’re only using single and double crochet stitches, so it makes this technique ideal for beginners.
So to sum it up, you’re only working 1 color at a time, 1 row or round at a time using 2 basic crochet stitches. That means the back side of the mosaic crochet project is striped.
But there are many different versions of how to crochet a Mosaic Crochet technique. Generally, the different versions are either: Inset, Overlay, or Tunisian Crochet. In my opinion, Overlay is the easiest and fastest way to crochet this technique and it also saves yarn.
Now, are you ready to learn how to crochet Overlay Mosaic Crochet?
Overlay Mosaic Crochet
Mosaic Crochet is a technique to create a multi-colored crochet project without needing to change colors within a row or round and prevents yarn tangles or needing bobbins. It’s a great way to crochet beautiful multi-colored projects as a crochet beginner.
But there are different ways to “Mosaic Crochet”. Inset vs Overlay vs Tunisian Crochet. There can even be a difference between Rows vs Rounds. You can learn all of that with an ebook and video tutorials in my Crochet Beginner Guide.
You can find all the Mosaic Crochet Tutorials ad-free and printer-friendly, plus 60 crochet patterns in my ebook Mosaic Crochet Made Easy.
Reversible Overlay Mosaic Crochet
Did you know you can create a reversible mosaic crochet project, using the overlay technique? YES!
I’ll teach you how to overlay mosaic crochet in reverse here.
Overlay Mosaic Crochet in Rows
– BEST Video Tutorial
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel here:
How to: Overlay Mosaic Crochet In Rows
– Photo Tutorial
Most often you’ll see Mosaic Crochet Patterns using a graph. This tutorial will teach you how to read it and how to use it to crochet this technique the easiest way in rows.
This Mosaic Crochet tutorial focuses on the easier, less yarn-intensive, Overlay Crochet technique which means you’re always crocheting from one side to another and always cutting your yarn after finishing a row. You will not turn your work and follow the graph as stated.
When looking at the below graph, you will ignore column 1 when crocheting this Mosaic Crochet project. Column 1 is there to tell you which color you’ll be using in that row.
Righties will work this project from right to left and Lefties will work this graph from left to right.
The video tutorial above goes into a lot of detail and is a great tool to use as you work through the graph.
Single Crochet in the Back Loop Only
Let’s break down the graph a bit more.
Whenever you see a pixel that has no X, you’ll simply crochet a single crochet in the back loop only, regardless of what color the pixel has. So for example, row 3 has no X’s at all. But it has both red and white pixels. Column 1 shows that you’re using white for the entire row. So that means, you will be crocheting 1 single crochet in the back loop only per stitch – ALL in white.
The below picture shows what a single crochet in the back loop only needs to look like.
Mosaic Double Crochet in the Front Loop Only
Now let’s talk about the pixels on the graph that have an X. Those stitches are mosaic double crochet stitches and are made 2 rows down to the same colors as being used in the current row and crocheted into the left-over front loop of that stitch as a double crochet.
That is why you see pixels in the previous row in a different color because that mosaic double crochet is covering up the single crochet in the back loop only.
The picture below shows a mosaic double crochet (mdc) crocheted in the front loop of the same colored row 2 rows below.
Written Mosaic Crochet Pattern for the Overlay Graph
So, now that you understand the graph, let me still provide you with the written instructions for the graph. Keep in mind that you cut your yarn after each row and switch back and forth between the 2 colors.
To make it easier to read, the written pattern mentions “sc” for “single crochet in the back loop only” and “mdc” for “mosaic double crochet in the front loop 2 rows down of the same color”.
Row 1: (sc) x 12
Row 2: (sc) x 12
Row 3: (sc) x 12
Row 4: (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3
Row 5: (sc) x 1, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 1, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1
Row 6: (sc) x 2, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 1
Row 7: (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 5, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 2
Row 8: (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3
Row 9: (sc) x 1, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 1, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1
Row 10: (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3
Row 11: (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 5, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 2
Row 12: (sc) x 2, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 1
Row 13: (sc) x 1, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 1, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1
Row 14: (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3, (mdc) x 1, (sc) x 3
Row 15: (sc) x 12
Once you finish your small mosaic crochet project – maybe a coaster – you can cut the yarn to turn it into fringe, weave it in or use the envelope border to capture the yarn without needing to weave it in. I teach you all of this in “Mosaic Crochet Made Easy“.
THE CROCHET CLUB – CROCHET PATTERN, TIPS & TUTORIAL VAULT
You can have the most amazing pattern and yarn in the world, but if you don’t have the knowledge on how to crochet in a way that makes you proud, then all your work is for nothing.
Maybe you have a dream of having perfect straight seams or have less yarn to weave in?
Let me introduce you to THE CROCHET CLUB – AN ALL-ACCESS MEMBERSHIP! It is exactly what it says on the tin. If you sign up for the membership I will teach you different techniques and tips on how to improve your crochet projects!
You will get access to all my patterns in PDF formats and full support from myself to guide you through the tricky bits. I will also teach you what YOU want to learn! Join me in THE CROCHET CLUB – AN ALL-ACCESS MEMBERSHIP!
Does getting 8 Crochet Secret Tips delivered straight into your inbox sound like something you would find useful? If so, sign up for my crochet newsletter below. I send out a weekly newsletter packed full of crochet patterns and tutorials.
