Aren't we always looking for something a little different? This week I've been playing about with some ideas, all variations on a common stitch, Basketweave. Last Christmas I made this tea cosy for one of my sisters. You can find the pattern here. It uses the standard stitch. Let's start by looking at that. It's made using 'Raised' or 'Post' stitches. If you're not sure how to make these stitches have a look at this post. In this example I'm working into a base row of Treble stitches (DC-USA). I've chosen to show this with a multiple of 3 stitches, but you can choose any multiple. I've also shown it with one stitch at either side to act as a selvage. If you were working in the round you would omit these stitches. The American Terminology is shown in blue. [All my samples are made using Scheepjes Softfun Denim, a variegated cotton yarn.] This is what the stitch diagram might look like. The instructions would read as follows: Chain 22 sts. Row1. Tr (Dc) in fourth ch from the hook and in each ch to the end. Turn Row2. Ch2, skip first st. *Front Post (FP)Trx3 (FPDc), Back Post (BP)Trx3 (BPDc), repeat from* to last st. Tr (Dc) in last st. Turn Row3. Ch2, skip first st. *BPTrx3 (BPDc), FPTrx3 (FPDc), repeat from* to last st. Tr (Dc) in last st. Turn. Row4. Repeat row3. Row5&6. Repeat row2. Repeat rows3 to 6 to desired length. Variation 1. Overlay Basketweave. The woven effect in this sample is achieved with overlay stitches. (Front Loop and Back Loop stitches abbreviated to FL and BL.) If you are unsure about how to make any of the stitches in this sample this post may help. I've written the pattern as if it was made in 2 colours so that you can understand the construction a little better. I prefer it in just one colour. The instructions would read: Chain 21. Row1. Dc (SC) in second ch from hook and in each st to the end. Turn. Row2. Ch1 [does not count as stitch here and throughout.] FLDc (FLSc) in each st to the end. Turn. Row3. Ch1, BLDc (BLSc) in first st, *FLDTrx3 (FLTr)[DoubleTreble in front loop of row1 sts below], BLDcx3 (BLSc), repeat from* to last st, BLDc (BLSc) in last st. Turn. Row4. Ch1, FLDc (FLSc) in each st to the end. Turn. Row5. Ch1, BLDc (BLSc) in first st, *BLDcx3 (BLSc), FLDTrx3 (FLTr) [DTr in front loop of row2 sts below], repeat from* to last st, BLDc (BLSc) in last st. Row6. Repeat row4. Row7. Ch1, BLDc (BLSc) in first st, *FLDTrx3 (FLTr)[DTr in front loop of row4 sts below], BLDcx3 (BLSc), repeat from* to last st, BLDc (BLSc) in last st. Turn. Row8. Repeat row4. Repeat rows5 to 8 to desired length. Variation 2. Basket Stitch. The stitch looks slightly different on each side. I prefer the way it looks on this side, but it's up to you! I also think it looks better in more than one colour. The way I have written the pattern means that you can change colour at the end of each even row without having to fasten off each time. The long stitches are spike stitches. If you are unsure how to make these stitches this post may help. For help with changing colour try this post. The instructions. With ColourA Chain 21. Row1. Htr (Hdc) in second ch from hook and in each st to the end. Turn. Row2. Ch1 [does not count as stitch here and throughout.] Dc (Sc) in each st to the end. Change to Col.B in last st. Turn. Row3. Ch1, Htr (Hdc) in first st, *Htrx3 (Hdc), skipping the next three row2 sts, Htr in row1 sts below x3, repeat from* to last st, Htr in last st, Turn. Row4. Ch1, Dc (Sc) in each st to end. Change to Col.A in last st. Turn. Row5. Ch1, Htr (Hdc) in first st, *skipping the next three row4 sts, Htr in row3 sts below x3, Htrx3 (Hdc), repeat from* to last st, Htr in last st, Turn. Row6. Ch1, Dc (Sc) in each st to end. Change to Col.B in last st. Turn. Repeat rows3 to 6 to desired length. Variation 3. Woven spike stitch. This sample also looks slightly different on each side. The spike stitches are more like V's on the 'back'. While it's very attractive I prefer this side which makes me think of woven cane seating. You could work the spikes in sets of three like the last variation but I thought you might like to see an alternative! Instructions: With ColourA Chain21. Row1. Dc (SC) in second ch from hook and in each st to the end. Turn. Row2. Ch1 [does not count as stitch here and throughout.] Dc (Sc) in each st to the end. Turn. Row3. Ch1, Dc (Sc) in each st to the end. Change to Col.B in last st. Turn. Row4. Ch1, Dc (Sc) in first st, *skipping next row3 st, Dc (Sc) in the stitch three rows below (between the stitches as in detail below), Dc (Sc) in next row3 st, repeat from* to last st, Dc (Sc) in last st. Turn. Row5. Ch1, Dc (Sc) in each st to the end. Change to Col.A in last st. Turn. Row6. Ch1, Dc (Sc) in first st, *Dc (Sc) in next row5 st, skipping next row5 st, Dc (Sc) in the stitch three rows below, repeat from* to last st, Dc (Sc) in last st. Turn. Row7. Ch1, Dc (Sc) in each st to the end. Change to Col.B in last st. Turn. Repeat rows4 to 7 to desired length. Writing crochet instructions is not easy for a dyslexic, so I'm off to bang my head on the wall for a little light relief! Please feel free to point out any discrepancies so that I can correct them.😵 Fastening Off...