Welcome to my themed blog series, Crochet Specialty of the Month! Each month in 2015, I’ll feature a specialized crochet technique, stitch pattern, or project type through several posts.
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I first became familiar with intermeshing crochet through Tanis Galik‘s 2010 book, Interlocking Crochet: 80 Original Stitch Patterns Plus Techniques and Projects
So, what is intermeshing crochet anyway?
Intermeshing is a technique where you crochet two separate pieces of filet crochet simultaneously. The layers are interwoven as you alternate between the pieces, creating a reversible fabric that is cozy. This technique goes by many names, including interlocking, intermeshing, intermesh, and double filet crochet.
What’s special about intermeshing crochet?
It creates a reversible fabric where there is no “wrong” side, you can create seemingly complex colorwork while using just one color in each row, and you use variations of two basic crochet stitches (the chain the US double/UK treble crochet), so you don’t need advanced skills to try it.
To see examples, check out my growing Intermeshing Crochet Pinterest board!
Follow Underground Crafter’s board Intermeshing Crochet on Pinterest.
Free Intermeshing Crochet Tutorials for Beginners Roundup
It isn’t that easy to find intermeshing tutorials for free online, but doesn’t that make it more exciting? Here are my four favorite beginner intermeshing tutorials (shown from left to right above).
Sylvia Cosh and James Walters seem to have popularized this technique through their many workshops. Their website has many great workshop handouts, including the downloadable PDF, “Intermeshing – Double Filet Basics” (along with a beginner project, “Intermeshing – Double Filet Neckpurse”). You can opt to download in US or UK terminology.
Niccupp Crochet has a photo tutorial Beginner’s Guide to Interlock Crochet, along with a simple beginner project: her free ZigZagging Hot Pad pattern.
Un poquito de todo is a Spanish-language blog with a photo tutorial here. The pictures are pretty clear and with the Google translate enabled, most English-language readers should be able to follow along. (Tip: Avoid clicking the English link at the bottom. It goes to a different blog with a lot of pop ups and possible malware.)
And, finally, Tanis Galik has a video tutorial series on YouTube to accompany her book. Start with Interlocking Crochet: An Introduction and take it from there.
I hope you enjoyed this post! I’ll be back later this month to share more intermeshing crochet fun!
I’ve crocheted several blocks of interlocking crochet and sometimes I get all mixed up with the patterns and then my own pattern develops. I just love doing it.
Hahaha, I’ve had the same issue, Margaret! I’d love to see what you’ve made with interlocking crochet.
I love the idea of doing a themed niche of the month for your posts and I think you’ve chosen a great one to begin with. Happy, happy new year to you!
Thanks so much, Kathryn! I tried to arrange things somewhat seasonally. Happy New Year to you, too!