Tricks that Make your Crochet Stitches Stiff

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Have you ever needed firm crochet stitches when making something that requires structured sides or firm shapes? Well, many crochet projects such as baskets, hats, and home décor require the stitches to be stiff and take shape. There are many ways to do so, including choosing the right crochet hook. You can either choose a yarn that creates structure.  Another option is to stiffen the project after it's finished with added material or follow particular methods that help you crochet tight fabric that has a stiff structure.

In this blog post, we have seven easy tricks to make your crocheted designs have structure and shape.

1. Change your hook size. 

The label on your ball of yarn or the pattern instructions will tell you what crochet hook size is recommended for that particular yarn. A crocheter with average tension will use the suggested hook size to create a fabric with some elasticity and flexibility which will hold its shape.

By choosing a smaller than recommended hook, you can make your fabric denser. This is a technique often used in patterns for Amigurumi toys, going a size smaller for denser fabric. If you want to know more, take quick glance at our guide on choosing crochet hooks.

2. Use two strands of yarn instead of one.

Using the same size crochet hook, work with a double strand of yarn. This will create a  piece of very thick fabric, but you’ll need double the amount of yarn. Make sure you calculate beforehand with a gauge swatch. Crochet a swatch according to the pattern or by your own design to know the amount of yarn you will need for the crochet project. If you are unsure about gauge, our previous blog on how crochet hook sizes affect gauge will guide you.

3. Felt your finished fabric. 

100% animal fiber yarns such as wool, mohair or alpaca, will shrink and turn into thick felt when washed at a warm temperature. This does not work on superwash or synthetic fiber yarns.

Pop your finished item into the washing machine along with a couple of tennis balls or a pair of old jeans, to add friction. Set the water temperature to warm or hot. Do not add fabric softener

If it doesn’t shrink enough the first time, you can always run it a second or third time. This technique is often used in making bags.

4. Stiffen your fabric with a liquid.

There are lots of different solutions that you can use to chemically firm up a fabric. Among these are starch, corn starch, a sugar solution and even a 50/50 combination of glue and water. You can find a lot of useful articles on the web.

Whichever solution you choose, simply immerse your finished item in the liquid until it has soaked through, squeeze off any excess and reshape and leave to dry. This technique is often used for crocheted Christmas decorations and doilies.

You can also stiffen crochet projects using starch. This is how many crocheters block their crocheted doilies. You can use the powdered kind that is dissolved in water or you can use the pressurized starch sprays that are available in the laundry section. You will have to get the object totally wet with the starch and then press it with a hot iron. There is a drawback to this method though. It isn't recommended to use starch for white objects as it will yellow over time. You can use it for colored objects. Another drawback is that you cannot wash and use it again. This method is only suitable for that you want to frame or keep it as is. This is also how to stiffen a crochet basket or bowl which is made of lace.

5. Knit in or crochet some beading wire. 

A wire is very harsh on your hands and has sharp ends so you’ll need to be very careful, but using a mouldable beading wire is a great way to make a fabric that you can bend and shape.

Crochet one strand of wire along with the strand of yarn that you are using for the project.  You will find that your finished piece is easily bent and molded into your desired shape.

6. Use Half Double Crochet Stitch (HDC) instead of Single Crochet Stitch (SC) in the brim. 

If you are not interested in adding any wire or starching the material then a simple way to make a hat hold its shape is to use hdc (half double crochet) in place of all the sc (single crochet).

7. Use reverse SC at the edge if you need to stiffen the hat brim. 

Another option is to finish a hat with reverse single crochet on the edges. It looks professionally done and the edges have a crisp finish. This is the best hat brim stiffener without using starch or glue or any need to stiffen yarn at all.

One of the most important things to remember when making your crochet stitches stiff is to have patience. Each crocheter is different, as is every project. The idea is to enjoy your craft and have fun with crochet.