Crochet With

May A Guide to Overlay

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Mosaic Crochet
This is not a comprehensive guide to all things mosaic. I have included the basics
First! to get you started, as well as some tips and tricks to address some common
issues.
The Overview
Before I dive into the details of the technique, I thought it would be beneficial to explain the
general idea behind this form of crochet. Overlay mosaic crochet is a technique that relies on the
overlaying of yarn to create an image. These pieces are always worked from the front (correct
side) of the work. This is opposed to other forms of crochet which require you to turn your work
and crochet from both the front and back (wrong) side.

Each row is worked with a single-color yarn that is cut at the end of the row. Alternating rows
will be worked with a contrasting color. There are two main stitches used in this technique, a back
loop only single crochet and a front loop only double crochet two rows down. This may seem like
a complicated stitch, but it is simply a double crochet worked in a previous row.

More advanced stitches, such as angled stitches, can be found in some of my patterns. I do my
best to disclose the need for these stitches in the pattern descriptions. In patterns requiring these
stitches, I have added specific tutorial photos, as well as a tutorial video, to help you conquer
them!

From what I have gathered, from both my experience as well as speaking with others new to this
technique, there will be a ‘Eureka!’ moment where it all clicks into place. Sometimes this takes
Look for this box for learning this technique from multiple teachers until you find one that works for you. I will do my
trips and tricks along best to explain the technique here, but please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via the email listed
above if you’d like more tutorials or have clarifying questions.
the way!
You may be thinking; what about all those ends we cut for each row? One of the wonderful parts
of overlay mosaic crochet is you can create what is called an envelope border. This essentially
tucks in all those ends at once, so no weaving necessary!! The vast majority of my patterns
include a tutorial on how to make an envelope border. I have added it to this document as well to
make it easier to access.

The pattern that is created is only seen on the front side of the piece. There are some methods of
double-sided overlay mosaic crochet that can be found on YouTube.
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Getting Started
Finding Information
Where?
In the background information section of my patterns, (this is the same for most designers) I
include the basic information for the yarn and hook used in the prototype, the yarn usage per size
Hate chains? There is a (and suggested hook size), different color combinations, different sizes/layouts, and contact
information.
method called
“chainless foundation” That darn first row!
that avoids this tedious
Included in the background information section are basic directions for the various sizes. This is
part. where you will find your starting chain count, stitch dimensions, and pattern order. When you
start your mosaic piece, you will chain the indicated number of chains, turn, single crochet (SC)
YouTube is your friend!
across, fasten off and cut yarn. There are 2 tails of yarn after you fasten off; they should both be
on the same side. Keep these tails on the LEFT side. This ensures you are working from the front
of the row. If you are left-handed, these tails will be on the RIGHT side.

Reading the Graph

Where to start?
The graphs for overlay mosaic crochet are read from right-to-left, bottom-to-top. The graph
represents what the final product looks like. The color for each row is indicated on the far right
and left side of the graph.

The red arrow is pointing to the color

indicator for row 1. The green arrow
points to the color for row 2.
Alternating rows will start with
If you find following
alternating colors. For this example,
the graph difficult, try all ODD numbered rows are white,
following the written and all EVEN numbered rows are
instructions. All brains green.
think differently; what
works for me may not Although the colors are shown to change mid-row on the graph, that does not mean you will be
work for you! changing colors; it is just to show what the final product will look like. Below is how the graph
would look if it was representing how it is made, NOT how it looks.

You can see how it is easier to

visualize the resulting pattern when the
graph is formatted like the one above,
not the one to the left.

Putting it together
© Crochet With May
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Symbols
Reading the Graph –
continued

Any blank square will indicate a back loop only single crochet stitch with the color indicated for
the row, not the color of the square. Any downward triangle will be a regular single crochet
(through both loops) in the indicated color. The SC are used to anchor the start and end of each
row. Any box with an “X” will be a front loop only double crochet two rows down with the
indicated color. The instructions for these stitches are on page 5.
*BLOSC will always be
done into a stitch of
the opposite color.
Starting
Row 1 is part of your foundation chain. These images can be found enlarged on the last page.
*FLODC2D will always
use the loop of the To begin row 2, you will attach the
SAME color two rows indicated color (green for this example)
down. onto the far-right stitch with a slip stitch.
SC into the same stitch, SC into the next
stitch, then continue to follow the graph
across. In the graph above, that will be
all BLOSC since all boxes are blank in
that row. For the last 2 stitches, you will
do a SC in each. Then you will fasten off
Getting lost when and cut the yarn.

making multiple Row 3: again, you will attach the

indicated color (white for this example),
repeats? Place with a slip stitch. SC into the same stitch,
stitch markers at SC into the next stitch, then continue to
follow the graph across. In this case, you
the start and end will do 2 FLODC2D, followed by 7
of each repeat to BLOSC, followed by 2 FLODC2D. You
will then do 2 SC stitches, fasten off, and
help you see where
cut the yarn.
they end!
Continue by attaching indicated colors per row, following the row’s instructions, and fastening
off/cutting the yarn. Work from bottom to top.

Repeats
There are lines indicating where the repeat section of the pattern is. In this case, the lines are
purple. If you are doing multiple repeats, you will repeat what is between the purple lines as many
Video tutorials on times as needed.
overlay mosaic If you are doing multiple repeats horizontally, you
crochet stitches, will start at column 1, crochet until you reach the
final indicator line (purple in this case); this is your
angled stitches, 3-
first repeat (shown with the red arrow below). For
color techniques, the second repeat, start at the beginning indicator
and center-out! line (also purple) and continue across (shown with
the blue arrow).

© Crochet With May

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Reading the Written

Terminology
• Ch = chain
• F = FLODC2D
• B = BLOSC
• [ ] = repeat inside the brackets
Some designers will designate different symbols/letters for their written pattern. I prefer “F” for a
The tables are color front loop stitch, and “B” for the back loop stitches. You will see SC and DC for some, FLO and
BLO, etc. Checking the terminology section of the pattern will help you differentiate.
coordinated! Any row
that is white will be Below is a sample of how I write my written patterns. I have written it to match the graph above.
done with a white yarn,
Row Instructions
any row in color will be
done with the 1 With color A: Foundation row. (Ch. indicated number, turn, SC across)
contrasting color 2 With color B: [10B]. 1B.
(green in this example). 3 A: [2F. 7B. 1F.] 1F.
4 B: [2B. 1F. 5B. 1F. 1B.] 1B.
5 A: repeat row 3.
6 B: repeat row 4.
7 A: repeat row 3.
8 B: repeat row 4.
9 A: repeat row 3.

The color for each row is in bold. The number of each type of stitch precedes its symbol. (i.e., 7F
means 7 stitches of FLODC2D).

The repeating stitches in each row are marked with [ ]. For example, a line that reads “[2B, 3F.] x
3”, you would repeat what is in the brackets a total of 3 times. Written out, this would be: 2B, 3F,
Getting lost when 2B, 3F, 2B, 3F.
following the written
pattern? Make check For horizontal repeats, simply repeat the stitches in the row you are working on. The repeating
stitches in each row are marked with [ ]. The remaining stitch is only completed in the final repeat
marks to indicate as the LAST stitch of the ENTIRE ROW. For example, if I was working 3 horizontal panels, the [
which rows have been ] stitches would be repeated a total of 3 times and the last stitch is only be included after the 3 rd
completed, or cross repeat, as the last stitch of the entire row.

off completed stitches

Color A is White. Color B is Green. The instructions are for a single repeat of the graph.
in each row as you go! Repeat what is in the row instructions until the last 2 stitches of the row.

Don’t forget your anchor stitches!! The first 2 and last 2 stitches of every row are SC. After
you have completed the row, fasten off and cut yarn.

**Red Rows 1-2 are only completed for the first vertical repeat of the pattern.

**Green Row 9 is only completed on the last vertical repeat of the pattern.

For example, if you would like to make 3 vertical repeats, you would complete rows 1-8, then
rows 3-8, then rows 3-9.

© Crochet With May

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Stitches BLOSC
The BLOSC is a single crochet that uses only the back loop of the stitch you are on.

Can’t find where to

place your FLODC2D?
Instead of inserting the hook through both
loops of the previous row, insert the hook
Try counting the
through the back loop only. Yarn over, pull
spacing with the loops 2
through, yarn over and pull through two. This
rows down to ensure
leaves the front loop open for FLODC2D.
your count is correct!
The back loop is shown with the pink marker.
The front loop is shown with the green
marker.

If the front loop is **These images are enlarged on the final

pulling up as you make pages.
the FLODC2D, try
placing your nail on the FLODC2D
front loop to reduce
The FLODC2D is a front loop only double crochet two rows down. This means you will utilize
the tension on it. the front loop from two rows below your stitch.

Using the front loop of the stitch 2 rows

down, yarn over, insert your hook from
the bottom of the loop, yarn over and pull
through. Yarn over, and pull through two,
yarn over and pull through two.

The front loop is shown with the pink

marker.

**These images are enlarged on the final

pages.

What’s different?
Left-Handed If you are left-handed, the instructions for how to follow the graph and written pattern are a little
different. Some designers will include left-handed specific instructions. The BLOSC and
FLODC2D stitches are the exact same!

YouTube has some left- There are 2 options when following the graph. The graph can be followed left-to-right, bottom-to-
handed tutorials on how top so that it flows in the same direction as your hands. You can also decide to follow right-to-
left, bottom-to-top, which will mirror the pattern.
to read patterns and
create stitches. For the written pattern, you can follow the instructions as written, but this will create a mirror
image of the pattern. For symmetrical images, this won’t be a problem!

If it is not a symmetrical image, you can either read the instructions backwards (right to left)
which will create the pictured image, or you can read the instructions forwards (left to right),
creating a mirrored image.

© Crochet With May

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Finishing

Options
There are quite a few finishing options to your piece! You can leave the ends as a fringe on the
sides, you can add ends for a thicker fringe or twist them for a twisted fringe! The most common
You may find the way to finish these pieces is to make an envelope border. This border encloses all the ends and
envelope border a prevents the need to sew them in or crochet over them as you go.
*little* tedious. It is
worth it in the end, Fringe
trust me! With a fringe, you will tie the ends to ensure they do not come undone (I use an overhand knot).
Next, trim the ends so they are of uniform length and that’s it! Simple and fast! There are some
variations such as adding additional ends for a thicker fringe or twisting the ends.

Envelope Border
The instructions below are for a simple envelope border. Some patterns will include stylized
borders, mosaic borders, and other alternatives.

To make an envelope border:

If your border is • You will first tie the loose ends together in to ensure they do not come apart.
wavy, try down-sizing • You will use a hook that is 0.5-1 sizes smaller than the hook used for the body of the
project.
your hook. • Next, you will crochet a slip stitch around the posts of your work from the front side
(shown below). This will be done continuously on all four sides.
If your project is
wavy, try increasing At each corner, chain 2 before
your hook size. turning to continue the next
side (marked by the yellow
stitch marker).

o
• Double crochet in all slip stitches for 2 rounds (or however many you’d like)
o Fasten off.

At each corner, chain 2

before turning to
continue the next side
(marked by the yellow
stitch marker).

© Crochet With May

Finishing
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Finishing - Envelope Border – continued

continued • Flip the piece over and double crochet in all slip stitches for the same number of rounds
o Fasten off

The needle is marking the

back of the slip stitches
made from the front side.
Use these stitches to
double crochet.

o
• From the front of the piece, slip stitch through both the double crochet of the front and
back border pieces using the same color.

You did it!!

This can be difficult

to learn, and I
appreciate you
hanging in there until
the end. I hope this
guide was helpful!
o
• Fasten off and cut the yarn. Hide the end of the tail

PHEW!
That was a lot! Overlay mosaic crochet is such a unique way to create beautiful colorwork
without needing to carry the yarn along. It may take some time for everything to click into place,
but that’s okay! YouTube really is your friend and there are many, many tutorials on how to do
overlay mosaic crochet. We all learn differently and if this tutorial doesn’t work for you, try
watching some others and hopefully it will help! There is so much more that can be done with
overlay mosaic crochet; this is just the beginning!

I am here to help you so please contact me if you are still confused or need other links to help you
learn.
Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Crochet With May – Overlay Mosaic Designs link

Instagram : Crochet.With.May

© Crochet With May

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Enlarged Images

BLOSC

Instead of inserting the hook through both

loops of the previous row, insert the hook
through the back loop only. Yarn over, pull
through, yarn over and pull through two. This
leaves the front loop open for FLODC2D.

The back loop is shown with the pink marker.

The front loop is shown with the green
marker.

© Crochet With May

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FLODC2D

Using the front loop of the stitch 2 rows

down, yarn over, insert your hook from the
bottom of the loop, yarn over and pull
through. Yarn over, and pull through two,
yarn over and pull through two.

The front loop is shown with the pink

marker.

© Crochet With May