Have you ever heard of pixel crochet? It’s a huge trend in the crochet world—and it’s so much fun to do! It’s no wonder Annemarie kicked off our celebration week with a super fun free pixel crochet workshop. In this blog, we’re going to make a cute flamingo. This is especially for everyone who couldn’t make it last week or just can’t get enough of this technique!
In short, pixel crochet is similar to embroidery, but done with a Crochet Hook. Once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be crocheting the most beautiful pot holders, rugs, and blankets with your favorite pixel pattern in no time. There are several ways to do this: for example, you can crochet corner-to-corner, or you can use double crochets for pixel crochet. In this pattern, we’ll be using double crochets, working only on one side of your piece at a time. For this technique, it doesn’t matter whether you’re right- or left-handed. Right-handed crocheters crochet the pattern from right to left, and left-handed crocheters crochet from left to right. The example is explained for right-handed crocheters.
Tools & Supplies
- Stylecraft Special DK colors 1130 Candyfloss, 1241 Fondant, 1116 Green, 1001 White, 1002 Black, 1256 Jaffa, 1003 Aster, 1019 Cloud Blue, 1257 Fiesta — to get ready, make a few small balls of yarn from the different colors we’ll be using.
- 4mm and 3.5mm Crochet Hooks
Preparing for Pixel Crochet
For each square, crochet 2 double crochets. At the beginning and end of each row, crochet an extra double crochet so you can crochet the border around it later. These are not shown in the diagram. We crocheted the sample using Stylecraft Special DK, a 4mm Crochet Hook, and a 3.5mm Crochet Hook.
It's very helpful to start the pattern with a row of single crochets:
Using a 4 mm Crochet Hook, chain 37 (the pattern consists of 17 blocks, so 17 × 2 = 34 stitches + 1 double crochet at the beginning and end of the row = 36 stitches). Now continue crocheting with a 3.5 mm Crochet Hook. Work 36 single crochets into the chain. After the last single crochet, pull your yarn through the loop and tighten. This closes the round. Do not cut the yarn, however.
Download the pattern diagram here: Pixel Crochet Flamingo
Attaching the pattern
You are now going to start crocheting Row 1 of the pattern.
Row 1: Attach a new strand of yarn to the first v of Row 1. Crochet 3 double crochets (first double crochet). You will now follow the squares in the pattern (which are marked with an * in this diagram). In Row 1, there are 6 blue blocks. For each block, you’ll crochet 2 double crochets. At the last double crochet in this color, change to orange for the leg. To change colors, when you have 2 loops left on your Crochet Hook, finish them off with the new color. Do not cut the blue yarn. Leave it hanging from your work. Now crochet 2 double crochets in orange, changing colors on the second double crochet. During this color change, pick up the blue yarn that is already hanging at the end of the row. Bring this yarn along the back of your work toward the color change. For the last squares of your pattern (the ones marked with $ in the diagram), make sure you also crochet around this thread on the back side. Crochet 21 double crochets to the end of your row (20 pattern stitches, and 1 as the last double crochet). After the last double crochet, pull the yarn through the loop again and tighten. This is how you close off each row. But do not cut the threads.
Row 2: Now bring the blue yarn (which is hanging behind your work at *) to the first stitch. Chain 3 (first double crochet). Now continue crocheting according to the pattern. When changing to orange, pick up the orange yarn that is hanging behind your work. And when changing back to blue, pick up the end yarn as well.
This is how you crochet all the rounds of the pattern. Whenever possible, pick up the strands and guide them behind your work to the turn. If a different color appears in between—such as the Green in row 3—attach a new thread at the beginning of the row. This way, you’ll always crochet around just one strand at a time. Also, don’t crochet around multiple strands, because that will make your work too stiff or cause the strands to show through your work.
After row 17, finish your work with 1 row of 36 single crochets. To finish, crochet 1 row of single crochets around the entire piece, working 2 double crochets around each double crochet on the sides. At the corners, crochet 1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc. Weave in all loose ends neatly.
