What is the Integrated Tapestry Crochet Method?

I don’t know if this form of Tapestry Crochet has another official name, but I couldn't find one during my research, and have decided to name it Integrated Tapestry Crochet. 

The Integrated Tapestry Crochet Method works with any pixel grid pattern.

Top Left: Pixel Design, Top Right: Integrated Tapestry Crochet.
Bottom Left: BLO Tapestry Crochet, Bottom Right: Standard sc Tapestry Crochet

Typically, single crochet tapestry crochet is either done in BLO sc, or standard sc. This results in two different end results with different gauges: BLO sc tapestry tends to have taller stitches compared to standard sc tapestry. 

Not all pixel grid designs work with standard sc tapestry, especially for more detailed designs, as the end result may not necessarily look like the pixel design due to stitches slanting.

Most to all pixel grid designs work with BLO sc tapestry, though the design will look stretched. BLO sc tapestry has neater colour changes between rows, so the end result looks more similar to the pixel grid design. This method of tapestry crochet also results in more ends as the project is worked on the Right Side only.

There is a variation of the BLO tapestry crochet method that works all the Right Side stitches on the BLO, and all the Wrong Side stitches on the FLO. This creates a similar end result to the BLO sc tapestry method, with less ends to deal with as you will be working back and forth.

The Integrated Tapestry Crochet Method integrates (see what I did there) standard tapestry crochet with the BLO tapestry method, resulting in a project with the same gauge as standard tapestry crochet, and clean line work that BLO tapestry is known for.

How to convert any pixel grid into an Integrated Tapestry Crochet Pattern?

3 Rules to convert any pattern into an Integrated Tapestry Crochet Pattern:

1. Same colours between rows are worked into both loops.

2. Colour changes between rows on the Right Side rows are worked BLO sc

3. Colour changes between rows on the Wrong Side rows are worked FLO sc

Download an ad-free guide with worksheets here: https://guelphmarket.com/products/integrated-tapestry-crochet-guide-workbook

 

Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced

Stitches you need to know:

• Sc - Single crochet
• BLO sc - Back Loop Only single crochet
• FLO sc - Front Loop Only single crochet

Skills you need to know:

How to carry yarn:

• Due to the nature of the stitches, this method of tapestry crochet is not meant to be reversible. The Right Side of the project is meant to be the front facing side when completed.

• The Integrated Tapestry Crochet method works with any method to carry yarn

• Fair Isle

• Intarsia

• Crocheting over

• Combination of the three methods.

How to do colour changes:

• On the last stitch of colour 1, pull through with colour 1, complete the stitch with colour 2.

What does all that actually mean?

Using this design as an example to explain the three rules:

 

Rule 1: Same colours between rows are worked into both loops.

• In both grids, if the colour in the grid above is the same colour, then that stitch is worked as a standard single crochet.

• Row 1 is all Background Colour, Row 2 is all Background colour. In row 2, all BC stitches are worked in both loops.

Rule 2: Colour Changes between rows on the Right Side rows are worked BLO sc

• Using Row 3, which is worked on the Right Side, as an example. 

• Row 3, stitch 8 (Blue) is a different colour from Row 2 stitch 8 (Background Colour). In this case, the Blue stitch will be worked in the BLO.

Rule 3: Colour Changes between rows on the Wrong Side rows are worked FLO sc

• Using Row 4, which is worked on the Wrong Side, as an example. 

• Row 4, stitch 7 and 9 (Blue) is a different colour from Row 3 stitch 7 and 9 (Background Colour). In this case, both Blue stitches will be worked in the BLO.

• Following Rule 1, Stitch 8 (Blue) on row 4 is the same as Row 3, Stitch 8 (Blue), working a standard sc.

 

 

Download a FREE! guide with worksheets here: https://guelphmarket.com/products/integrated-tapestry-crochet-guide-workbook

Rest of the written pattern: