Extended Single Crochet (ESC)

In this video, Brenda K. B. Anderson demonstrates how to work in the extended single crochet stitch pattern (abbreviated ESC). This stitch pattern is smooth and stretchy and flat, and creates a fabric with lots of drape. It has many great uses including a flat background when making cables in the round, and works great for crochet colorwork too.

Brenda points out that this stitch pattern looks quite different when worked in the round compared to worked flat in tuned rows.

To begin, chain any number of stitches. Use a slip stitch to join in order to work in the round. Brenda chains one stitch to get started (this does not count as a stitch). To make an extended single crochet stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through just one loop, yarn over and pull through two loops to complete the stitch. She continues working one stitch in each chain until she reaches the end. Brenda explains how you can choose to join each round with a slip stitch. If you work in joined rounds, you will need to work a beginning chain-1 to begin each round. Normally she does not count the beginning chain as a stitch, and places the first ESC of the round into the very first st of the round (the same place as the slip stitch join was made into).

Alternatively, this stitch pattern can be worked in the round without joining. This is Brenda’s preferred method of working ESC in the round. Brenda explains that each ESC stitch looks like a pair of “V”s- one stacked right on top of the other. She then demonstrates how to count the rounds in her sample.

The extended single crochet stitch pattern can also be worked in turned rows. Brenda demonstrates this by making the ESC stitches in exactly the same way as previously demonstrated, but this time across the row, and when she gets to the end, she adds 1 chain for a turning chain, then turns her work.

Brenda mentions that the ESC is a tiny bit wider than some of the other basic stitches, which is why she does not usually count the beginning chain (or turning chain) as a stitch when working in this pattern. On a related note, she suggests working the Foundation chain just a little bit more loosely than you normally would to prevent the foundation edge from constricting your work.