Have you jumped on the mosaic crochet train? I sure have! If you know anything about me, you know I have been running the Monthly Mosaic Mystery CAL in 2022, and I am also hosting the Mosaic Nordic CAL for Christmas!

What is Overlay Mosaic Crochet?

Overlay Mosaic Crochet is a technique that requires you to work in the BLO and then drop down to pick up the front loop of stitches from lower rows which creates textured stitches that lay over the stitches from previous rows and can be used to create wonderfully intricate patterns. These patterns work in one direction only, fastening off the working yarn at the end of each row and beginning again at the beginning of the piece — no turning involved. Each new row consists of only ONE color, but with the use of the sc and drop down dc stitches, you get the mosaic design. Most overlay mosaic patterns come with a chart. The symbols on the chart tell you when to use a dc and when to use the special drop down dc.

It seems complicated, but I promise, it’s super easy (and addictive) as you go.

I have created a tutorial of overlay mosaic crochet to make this technique more easily accessible to you all. I really hope you find it easy and learn to love it like I have!

Don’t have time to work up this tutorial right now? Pin this image for later.

If you like this stitch tutorial, check out this blanket pattern!

Mosaic Nordic Blanket CAL

This is a great crochet project that will help you practice your new skill of crocheting up overlay mosaic designs!

The CAL is free on my blog, with free charts released every Monday

Or you can purchase the complete ad-free pattern from wth written instructions TODAY. Click here.

The yarn I used:

I used Wool Ease by Lion Brand in Linen & Cranberry. This yarn was provided to me by Lion Brand to use for the Mosaic Nordic Blanket CAL.

This is a wool & acrylic worsted weight yarn. There are so many colors to chose from. If you’re looking for a natural fiber/acrylic blend worsted yarn, I would highly recommend Wool Ease by Lion Brand. Have you used it? What do you think?

The hook I used:

I used a size G/5.0mm Laurel Streamline wooden hook by Furls Crochet.

I love this hook! It feels so good in my hand. The ergonomic design means I can keep crocheting these granny squares all day, no problem! The yarn slips easily (but not TOO easily) from the hook while working up your stitches. And it looks so pretty!

Do you have a Furls hook?Tell me about it. I’d love to hear your experience.

Overlay Mosaic
Crochet Tutorial

If you make any crochet creations using this stitch, be sure to post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtag #juniperandoakes. I would love to see your work!

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Basics

Patterns/charts are worked from bottom to top.

Worked from right to left on Right Side only.

(If left-handed, can work left to right)

Every row worked in a different color.

(The design results from the FLOdc stitches -some times called drop-down dc. If you look at the backside, you simply see stripes! )

Fasten off at the end of each row.

(Most overlay mosaic patterns utilize. double/envelope border, so no need to weave in all the ends that result in fastening off at the end of each row.)

Video

Stitches Used

All of these can be found in the video of a swatch below.

Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

For my mosaic patterns, I like to begin with a row of FSC stitches.

This way I can easily add or remove stitches when i miscount after making a foundation row of 200+ stitches.

Beginning Border Stitch (BBS)

Every row begins with a sc through the post (or the ‘v’) of the stitch below, ensuring that both legs on the WS of the stitch are secured to the outside of the blanket.

Back Loop Only Single Crochet (BLOsc)

Front Loop Only Double Crochet (FLOdc)

Ending Border Stitch

Every row ends with a sc through the post (or the ‘v’) of the stitch below, ensuring that both legs on the WS of the stitch are secured to the outside of the blanket.

Envelope Border

As mentioned earlier, most overlay mosaic crochet designs (unless they are small or are worked in the round) utilize a double/envelope border to hide all of the ends that result in fastening off at the end of each round. You work a border on the back side, then a border on the front side, and seam them together, ensuring all ends are enclosed inside.

Click here for a video tutorial of an envelope border.

 

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Swatch

Materials

• Yarn: small portion of worsted weight yarn  in 2 colors or whatever you’d like to work your swatch up in.

  • I used Wool Ease by Lion Brand in Linen & Cranberry

• Hook: G / 4.0mm

  • I usually use an H/5.0mm hook… but this is the one I had on hand while working up my swatch.

    • I used my Furls Streamline Wooden Laurel hook
• Scissors

Stitch Abbreviations

• BBS – Beginning Border Stitch
• BLOsc – Back Loop Only Single Crochet
• EBS – Ending Border Stitch
• FLOdc – Front Loop Only Double Crochet
• Fsc – Foundation single crochet
• RS – Right Side
• sc – Single Crochet

 

Notes

• US Terminology 
• Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
• Pattern is worked from right to left on Right Side only.  (If you are left handed, feel free to work from left to right according to the chart below).
• Every row is worked in a different color.
• Fasten off at the end of each row. 
• Every row begins with a beginning border stitch. 
• Every row ends with an ending border stitch. 
• SC are worked in BLO of previous row, unless otherwise noted.
• DC are worked in FLO of stitch 2 rows below, skipping the stitch behind unless otherwise noted. 
• Each pattern begins with 1 border stitch, has a repeat of 2 stitches, 1 stitch to even out the pattern, and 1 border stitch at the end. 
• You may choose to repeat the pattern as many times as you wish. Make sure your Foundation Row is made up of any odd number of stitches. I will be using a foundation row of 15.
• The swatch pattern includes a chart, written instructions, and a video walk through below. You may want to refer to each.
• Please join the Juniper & Oakes Crochet Community FB Group and share pictures and questions that arise. 
• Click here for a playlist of video tutorials for the this technique. 

Chart

Instructions

Row 1: With Color A, BBS in 1st st x1, BLOsc across, EBS in last st.
Row 2: With Color B, BBS in 1st st, BLOsc across, EBS in last st.
Row 3: With Color A, BBS in 1st st, * FLOdc x1, BLOsc x1, * repear across, FLOdc x1, EBS in last st. x1
Row 4: With Color B, BBS in 1st st, BLOsc across, EBS in last st.
Row 5: With Color A, BBS in 1st st x1, * BLOsc x1, FLOdc x1, * repeat across, BLOsc x1, EBS in last st. x1
Row 6: With Color B, BBS in 1st st, BLOsc across, EBS in last st.
Rows 7-15: Repeat Rows 3-6, ending with a repeat of Row 3.

Video Walk Through:

Please LIKE my video & SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel. Also COMMENT on the video with an idea for a project you have using this stitch.

Overlay Mosaic Patterns:

If you like using this technique, then you should check out these Juniper & Oakes original patterns:

• Peaks & Pillars Pillow
• Monthly Mosaic Mystery CAL
• Mosaic Nordic Blanket CAL

Thank you for being interested in my patterns!
Make sure you tag me in your social media post about this tutorial!
@juniperandoakes #juniperandoakes #jaomosaic

 

The Fine Print

This pattern and its images are the property of Juniper and Oakes ©2023. The pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own. You may sell products made by this pattern, but please credit @juniperandoakes and remember to link back to juniperandoakes.com or credit Juniper & Oakes on the craft fair tag.

You may post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtags #juniperandoakes and #jaobookmark. If you make this pattern, please email a picture to [email protected] and I will include it in a gallery on my website. You can also post pictures on my Facebook Page, or in the Juniper + Oakes Crochet Community Facebook Group.

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Let me know if you run into a problem. I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.