What is overlay crochet

My first introduction to Overlay Mosaic Crochet

I distinctly remember the first time I saw a beautiful mosaic pattern. All those layers and colors that seemed to fall together so beautifully... I was immediately intrigued. But when I thought about changing colors and all those loose threads, I hesitated. Wasn't this way too complicated? Still, I decided to take the plunge - and how glad I am that I did!

What makes Overlay Mosaic Crochet so special?

The secret to this technique lies in the combination of fasts and chopsticks. You work mostly in the back loops, while in certain places you crochet chopsticks in the front loops of a previous row. This creates those wonderful layered patterns. And you know what the best part is? You always work with only one color per row! No hassle with multiple strands at once, as with tapestry crochet. Just wonderfully organized.

But wait... You cut your thread after each row?

Yes, that's right! After each row you cut your thread and start over on the right side with a new color. At first I thought this was a little strange (and maybe even a little awkward), but when I saw how neat and tight my work became, I was converted. The leftover wire ends? You just work those away with a double edge, giving you a super sleek finish.

How do you get started with Overlay Mosaic Crochet?

If you know the basic stitches, you can really learn this technique in no time. You only need two main techniques:

☙ Stitches in the back loop: This forms the base of your work and keeps the front loops free for the mosaic pattern.

☙ Overlay stitches: You crochet these into the front loop of a row below. This creates the relief that makes this technique so special.

The nice thing is that no complicated color changes are needed within a row. You just work row by row, using one color each time, keeping it nice and clear.

Although I have to admit, my popular Arabian Style Living Rug also has some Tapestry in it. I'll tell more about that another time....

Why I've become addicted to this technique

I admit it, ever since I discovered Overlay Mosaic Crochet, I've been sold all at once

☙ It looks super beautiful: The overlay stitches give a beautiful 3D effect to your crochet work.

☙ Clear patterns: Many mosaic patterns come with a clear diagram, making it easy to see where to place special stitches.

☙ No fiddling with color changes: You use one color per row, so you don't have to work with multiple threads at once.

☙ A clean finish: Thanks to the double edging, you won't see any loose threads, just a beautiful end result.

Would you like to try it too?

If you've become curious, I encourage you to just get started! My crochet patterns contain clear, written-out instructions, so you can get started without any problems. And if you enjoy learning how to work with crochet charts, I have good news: soon I will share a free pattern that will help you master this technique step by step.

Have you tried Overlay Mosaic Crochet yet? I'm incredibly curious to hear about your experiences and creations! Let me know in the comments and especially share your most beautiful projects - I can't wait to admire them!😊