A Guide to Multi Strand Crochet

What is Multi Strand Crochet? | Free Crochet Stitch Tutorial

Multi-stand is simply to crochet with two (or more) strands of yarn at the same time. You crochet in the exact same way as you would with one strand, but you hold the multiple strands together throughout your project as if they are one strand. 

Read on to learn about all the good things and the possible challenges you may face when working with 2 or more strands of yarn at the same time along with a chart to help you identify which crochet hook to use with 2 strands of the same sized yarn.

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Why should you crochet with Multiple Strands?

There are so many reasons why you should try crocheting with multiple strands including:

As a substitute for a bigger yarn!

On those occasions where you’ve found the perfect pattern and you have the perfect colour in your stash, but the pattern ask for chunky/bulky weight yarn and you only have a smaller weight yarn. You can old together multiple strands of thinner yarns to create a yarn as thick.

You’ll find a handy guide below to show you how many strand you’d need to create different weighted yarns.

Quick Crochet Projects!

The bigger the yarn, the bigger the stitches! Chunkier yarn can work up super quick which means you can crochet up a blanket in half the time as normal holding 2 strands of chunky yarn together! Plus, the stitches are super squishy!

Warm and Snuggly Projects

Working with multiple strands will also increase the thickness of the crochet fabric you make which make any project even more cosy and super snuggly too!

Firmer Crochet Fabric

Some crochet patterns will ask for 2 stands to be held together to create a firmer crochet fabric such as a brim on a bucket hat or the bra band on a summer top.

Create bigger versions of crochet patterns

You can hold together 2 strands of yarn, adjust your hook size and follow a pattern exactly the same and create an oversized version! This works great for Amigurumi projects where you love the pattern but want to create a bigger version, and for appliques that you’d like to attach to a bigger project.

Create your Own Colourway!

Get bold with your colour choices! No one said you had to stick to two strands of the same colour! I used 2 strands in different colours on my Stripy Granny Stash Buster Blanket which created a beautiful, variegated effect throughout the project. Use your imagination and get combining!

Stash Busting!  

Using multiple stands of yarn in one project is a great way to use up those odd balls we all have that aren’t quite enough for a whole project (or that we randomly bought on sale). You can use one stand of yarn the same colour throughout and the other strand can be those odd balls or you can simply go for it and use all the colours you’ve got! The main objective of stash busting is to clear space for more yarn – or is that just my reason lol.

You can also use differently sized yarns alongside each other! You don’t have to use 2 strands of DK/size 3 yarn, but working out the hook size that works best would be a bit of trial and error. Remember to consistently use the same sized strands throughout your project to prevent your gauge changing. 

Click here to bust your yarn stash with the FREE Strappy Granny Stripe Blanket pattern!

The Challenges with working with multiple Strands of yarn

There are a few things to consider when working multiple strands of yarn together including the types of yarn and how to adjust your hook size. There is also a couple of quite common (and one annoying) challenge you may face when working with more than one strand of yarn – tangles and tiredness!

Let’s get the annoying one sorted before you even begin:

Tangles

When working with multiple strands, there is a risk of them tangling up with each other which will lead to more time spend untangling than crocheting!

• Place each ball of yarn in a yarn bowl to stop them rolling around and getting mixed up (I love my Furls bowl)
• Use a centre pull ball where possible.
• When working 2 strands, keep one ball on each side of you.
• Wind the 2 colours together with a yarn winder before you start your project to create your own multi-strand ball of yarn.

Tiredness

Working with larger yarn and/or a larger hook will be more tiresome on your hands a wrist if you are not used to working with thicker yarns.

You may find that your usual crochet movement will be exaggerated to accommodate the size of the stitches and moving the bigger hook through the loops of the stitch. As with all crochet projects, take time to sip that cup of coffee between rows to give your hands a well-earned rest.

Different Fibered Yarns

When selecting your yarns to put together, stick to yarns that are made with the same materials.

For example: don’t pair a 100% acrylic yarn with a 80% Acrylic & 20% wool yarn.

The two yarns would no doubt have different washing instructions but also, they would wear and stretch differently after use. This could ruin the end result of your project. 

Dropping One Strand

It’s so important to ensure that all the loops from all the strands are worked through each and every stitch. It’s so easy to notice that one has slipped off and think it wont be seen, but it will be. The dropped stitch may work loose and create a loop where you don’t want one. If you spot one, frog back to that point and correct the error.

Keeping a consistent tension

Keeping an even tension can be a challenge with one strand of yarn and it’s just as important with 2 or more strands! Remember that you are working all the strands together as if they are one so aim to ensure that all the strands have the same tension at the same time

Using the Wrong Sized Hook

There is no right or wrong answer to the right sized hook to use with double stranded yarns, but there are some recommendations depending on what you want to achieve with your project. As always, if you are following a pattern and want to recreate your project as the pattern, you will need to make a tension swatch using the multiple strands to confirm your gauge matches. 

You’ll find a chart below that gives some recommendations for hook sizes for working with 2 strands of yarn. 

Hook Chart for 2 Strands of Yarn

Below you will find the answer to "Does 2 strands of DK equal chunky?" or "what size hook should I use with 2 stands of Bulky yarn?"

Although as mentioned above, it will be a bit of trial and error to get the crochet fabric to look as you would like.

If you'd like to try your hand at making a blanket that will help smash your stash or use up all those half balls of yarn, click here for the free pattern, Scrappy Granny Stripes Blanket.

Click the button below to see even more new crochet stitches to learn.

*This pattern and its images are copyright protected and the sole property of Fiona Field/Cosy Rosie UK 2020. Please do not redistribute, transfer, sell the pattern, or alter it to claim as your own. *