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This is a free crochet tutorial for three different ways to create a rounded rectangle to use as a bag bottom or shoe shoes. The tutorial contains photos and videos.
Whether it be for a bag or even the soles of a pair of slippers, one typically begins with a rounded rectangle. But what if your project requires a tight stitch with no gaps? What if the front loop only method is the only method you know?
If you would like to expand your knowledge on alternative ways to create a rounded rectangle, please continue to the tutorial below.
When creating bags or even shoes/shoe soles in crochet, one usually, (depending on the pattern), starts with a rounded rectangle by making a chain and then crocheting single crochets (or any other stitch) into each chain on both sides of the chain.
When using this technique you usually create gaps or holes like you see below.
In order to prevent or fix these holes or gaps, you can either crochet the surface crochet over it or you start by crocheting into the back bump instead of the front and back loops of the chain.
Let me show you what I mean.
The first technique: Crochet into the front loop and back loop separately
Let’s say you create a chain of 8 and then are asked to crochet 1 sc in chain starting on the 2nd ch from the hook, well, you will then also crochet on the other side of that chain after crocheting 3sc in the corner (green and blue colored below).
But by doing so, most crocheters will start crocheting first in the front loops only, then place 3 sc in the corner (here light green) and then crochet into the back loops only when crocheting on the opposite side of the chain. That works, but for most people that will create gaps.
Second technique: Surface crochet used as a fix for technique one
In order to fix these gaps, you can use the second technique which is the surface crochet. You will crochet over those gaps and close them using the surface crochet which is like creating a chain but over the existing “bars” between the gaps which I show you in the pictures below. The yarn runs in the back.
The first technique can be used with no problem, unless you can’t have gaps, in which case you have to fill them with the surface crochet.
Third technique: Back bump instead of front loops
Technique three uses the back bump of the chain and eliminates gaps from the beginning on and technique 2 is not needed after, which saves you time.
So, instead of going into the front and back loop of the chain when going around it to create round 1, you will crochet into the back bumps of the chain (instead of the front loops) and then crochet normally into the V’s that are now visible on the opposite site. That technique makes the gaps disappear and makes the bottom more sturdy and saves you time and yarn. Win win all around.
Do you still not understand what I mean? No problem! Watch my video tutorial below for a very detailed visual explanation. I hope this helps and will clarify all leftover concerns or questions.
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