Spike stitch is a powerful tool to have in your stitching arsenal – it helps you break up rows or rounds in a much more controlled way than a raised stitch would (worked around the post), without adding too much texture. This makes it a great decorative stitch and it can be the basis of an entire design.

How to work a spike stitch

Insert your hook into the top of the stitch on the row you’re working into. Count down from the top to help you find it, and be aware that how the stitches look will be different if you’re working in the round compared to in rows.

Spike-stitch-step-1

Yarn round the hook and pull through to the right side of the work. Continue to draw through the work until it’s at the same level as the row you’re working on, ensuring it’s not too tight as to deform the crocheted fabric. Nice and loose is the order of the day!

Spike-stitch-step-2

Yarn round the hook and pull through both loops. One spike stitch made!

Spike-stitch-step-3

A plain old spike stitch is pretty reversible if you’re tidy about it, making it great for blankets in particular where you don’t want a non-pretty side.