The Mixed Loop stitch is made with just half double crochet stitches (hdc) and is fabulously stretchy. It feels like it should have elastic in there somewhere, but it’s just from how the stitch is made. This is an easy crochet stitch to make, perfect for beginners, and has a gentle double sided texture that is enough to look interesting but not going to overwhelm the eye.

In this stitch guide I will show you how to crochet the Mixed Loop stitch with all the pictures that you need along with a video guide that you can follow along with too.

Keep reading for the full written instructions on how to crochet the Mixed Loop stitch. But if you’d prefer to crochet along with me, then you can watch the video below which is available in both left and right handed versions.

Click here for the left hand video

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I first used the Mixed Loop stitch in the FrankenScrap sampler blanket as one of the pieces of the quilt like blanket. I created the FrankenScrap as a yarn destash project, so each piece is made from a random ball of yarn that I just pulled out of my stash. The only criteria was that they all had to be the same yarn weight. You can access the whole pattern for free here.

What Can You Make With It

The Mixed Loop crochet stitch will suit a wide range of projects with its solid, no hole, stretchy fabric. Everything from sweaters to scarves, shawls to snoods and anything else you can think of. I wouldn’t use it for bags or anything that needs a more rigid fabric due to just how stretchy the Mixed Loop is.

This guide is part of Froggity Frog’s free crochet stitch dictionary, the Stitch Vault. Over 100 free crochet stitch guides in one place.

Difficulty and What You Need

You don’t need any specific yarn to make the Mixed Loop stitch, but if this is your first time making a stitch where you are working into individual loops, I would recommend using a lighter colour so that you can pick out which loop you need to work into more easily.

For a more close and solid fabric use a hook size smaller than your yarn recommends. For a fabric that is looser and even stretchier use a hook size larger than recommended.

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Works in: Rows and in the round
• Yarn weight: Any
• Colours needed: One
• Top tip: Use a lighter colour if you’re new to working into individual loops

For the sample in the picture below I used Rico Cotton Essentials DK. This is one of my go to yarns, and I have several balls of it in my stash. It’s 100% cotton and is lovely and silky and soft to the touch. It is a really nice cotton to work with and doesn’t split overly much.

The yarn I used in the pictures of this stitch guide below is Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK, a 100% cotton yarn. It’s a non mercerised cotton that is lovely and soft, but it can get a bit splitty if you frog it a couple of times. It does makes lovely cosy blankets though and is the yarn that got me hooked on cotton as my fibre of choice. I think I first got a ball of this yarn in a mystery bag I got off ebay, and it was a great yarn discovery for me and I’ve been loving using this yarn ever since.

I also used my trusty Clover Amour hooks which are perfect if you are looking for a good value ergonomic crochet hook that won’t cause your hand to ache if you are crocheting for long periods of time. I’ve tried many different crochet hooks over the years, but I always end up coming back to my trusty Clovers. They just sit so well in my hand and never let me down.

How To Crochet The Mixed Loop Stitch

The Mixed Loop stitch is made by taking advantage of the 3rd loop of the half double crochet stitch. It gives a unique texture to this stitch and all by alternately working into the front and back loops of the stitch. Working only in a single loop at a time gives the Mixed Loop a really stretch fabric that feels like it’s been made with an elasticated thread.

Click here for the left hand video

Click here for the right hand video

Abbreviations

All abbreviations are in US terms.

• Ch = Chain
• Sk = Skip
• St = Stitch
• Hdc = Half Double Crochet
• FLO = Front Loop Only
• BLO = Back Loop Only

Start by making a foundation chain in multiples of 2 plus 2 (plus 2 for your turning chain)

Row 1. In the 4th ch from your hook make a hdc (your turning ch counts as your first st of the row). Make a hdc in each ch across

Row 2. Turn and ch1. Make a hdc in the first st using both loops and then *make a hdc in the FLO (3rd loop), then make a hdc in the BLO of the next st* repeat between *and*. Finish the row by making a hdc in the last st (using 2 loops)

Row 3. Turn and ch1. Make a hdc in both loops of the first st 

*Make a hdc in the BLO and then in the next st make a hdc in the FLO (3rd loop) of the next st* repeat between *and* Finish the row by making a hdc in both loops of the last st.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have as many rows as you need.

I used the Mixed Loop stitch as one of the pieces in the scrappy quilt like FrankenScrap crochet along – find out more about this free pattern here, and join in and access the entire pattern for free.

Tips And Common Mistakes

Working in just a single loop throughout your entire project can feel a bit wrong. Like it won’t hold or won’t be sturdy enough, but it will work out fine. Those loops will tighten up as you work across your rows and the whole thing will work together to be stretchy but strong.

Half double crochet stitches have 3 loops. It’s important that you only work in the very front loop or the very back loop. That middle loop will be ignored and never used apart from the very first and last stitch of each row. These stitches are made through 2 loops just to give the edges a bit more structure.

FAQs

Can I use a turning chain instead of a hdc stitch with the Mixed Loop stitch? You can use a chain of 2 for your turning chain if you prefer. This should either be treated as the first stitch of your row, or after your turning chain make a hdc in the 1st stitch if you prefer for it not to count as a stitch.

Can I use an even number of stitches for my starting row for the Mixed Loop stitch? The Mixed Loop stitch can be made with an even number of stitches. It will need to change into a 2 row repeat though where you will alternate which loop you start each row working into to maintain its look.

Can the Mixed Loop stitch be made in the round? The Mixed Loop stitch can be made in the round. It will need a 2 row repeat though so you start each round by working into the opposite loop than what you started the last round with.

What kind of turning chain do you use for half double crochet stitches? You can use a chain 2 for hdc based stitches, or just turn, ch1 and make a hdc st as your first stitch of the row.

I can’t find the 3rd loop in my hdc stitch. The 3rd loop unique to half double crochet stitches is on the back of the stitch. It will kind of look like you have 2 sets of top loops that both use the middle loop to form them. Check out the video and pictures in the guide above to see where to locate the 3rd loop.

What is a hdc in UK terms? The UK term for a half double crochet is a half treble crochet.

Related Stitches

The Camel Stitch also made with only hdc stitches with a similarly stretchy result.

The Seed Stitch easy to make with a subtle texture, great for the same range of projects.

The Linked hdc a slightly more challenging stitch but also made with only hdc stitches if you want to push yourself further.

You can find more free crochet stitch guides here in Froggity Frog’s stitch vault. Come on over to our Facebook group – Froggity Frog’s Ribbit And Stitch and show us what you made with the Mixed Loop stitch. I’d love to see what you created with this crochet stitch. 

Interested in trying more crochet stitches? Download my free guide – 7 Overlooked Crochet Stitches Worth Trying, and discover some stitches with a difference.