by Donna Collinsworth

Created on: March 09, 2010

Some call then spirals, some tendrils and others call them curicues, but they are all one in the same.  A length of crochet stitches that have been allowed to twist and turn until a coil has formed.  They are simple to make and work well in either yarn or crochet thread.

To Make A Spiral:

Chain a length about as twice as long as you would like the finished spiral to be.  In the second chain from the hook work three single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet or treble crochet stitches depending on how wide you’d like your spiral to be.  Then work 3 stitches in each chain across to the end and fasten off.

Now that you have made a spiral just what can you make with them?

Make two or three in any colors and lengths you like and glue them to a barrette for your hair.

Make a dozen or more; sew them all together at the top to make a tassel.  You can even add a top of crochet, fabric or a very large wooden bead to finish it off.

Make a dozen or more for a bow for a pretty package.

Add them to bouquets of real flowers or crochet flowers as an accent.

You can even edge pillows, afghans or skirts with a crochet boarder made using spirals.

Here is a spiral boarder I’ve come up with.  It’s worked crosswise or vertically, which makes it easy to crochet to any length you need.

Abbreviations Used In This Article:

Ch = Chain

St = Stitch

Sl St = Slip Stitch

Hdc = Half Double Crochet

Rnd = Round

Beg = Beginning

Ea = Each

Sk = Skip

Sp = Space

Row 1: Ch-6, hdc 2nd ch from hook, (ch-2, sk next ch, hdc next ch) across, ch-1, turn.  (3 sts + 2 ch-2 sps)

Row 2: Hdc 1st st, (ch-2, hdc next st) twice, ch-11, hdc 2nd ch from hook, work 2 more hdc in same ch, 3 hdc ea ch across, do not turn.

Row 3:  Hdc 1st st, (ch-2, hdc next st) twice, ch-1, turn.

Repeat row 2-3 for desired length.

Here is a block I’ve come up with that uses spirals in its center.

Ch-3, sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch-1, work 12 hdc in ring, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.  (12 sts)

Rnd 2: (Hdc next st, ch-11, hdc 2nd ch from hook, work 2 hdc in same st as last hdc made, 2 hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.  (18 sts + 6 spirals)

Rnd 3: (2 hdc next st, hdc next st) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.  (27 sts)

Rnd 4: (2 hdc next st, hdc next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.  (36 sts)

Rnd 5: (Hdc next 9 st, ch-2) 4 times, sl st top beg hdc, ch-1, turn.

Rnd 6: Hdc ea st around working (2 hdc, ch-2, 2 hdc in ea ch-2 sp), sl st top beg hdc, fasten off.  (48 sts)

This block would look good at the center of a pillow or purse.  Add the same size mitered square to the block, alternate blocks and make an afghan or throw.  These are just a few ideas I came up with, the possibilities are endless, so get designing with spirals. 

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