There are 2 main types of mosaic crochet - overlay and inset. (Interlocking mesh aka interlocking filet crochet is similar, but will be covered in a later post.)
Here are the basic concepts & rules for overlay mosaic crochet:
- All rows are worked with the right side facing you.
- With few exceptions, only one color is used at a time. You can add other colors within the rows, but that will be covered in another post when we get past the basics.
- Fasten off the yarn at the end of each row.
- Don't worry about all of the yarn ends. There are several options for dealing with them. You can make them into a fringe or add an envelope border aka double border. An envelope/double border worked at the end will conceal all of the ends within the border. You also don't need to leave long ends when working an envelope border since you won't be weaving them in. How to finish with a fringe and how to work an envelope border will be covered in a separate post.
- Except for the foundation row and border stitches, all single crochet stitches are worked into the back loop only of the stitch from the previous row.
- All double crochet stitches are worked into the front loop only of the stitch two rows below. Tip: the double crochet stitches will be worked into the same color.
- Border stitches are single crochet stitches at each end of the project and are worked into both loops of the stitch from the previous row. Tip: start each row with a standing single crochet.
- Be careful when you're working a double crochet into the front loop of the stitch two rows below that you don't pull that front loop up too far because it will create a weird gap. To avoid the gap, I hold the bottom of the stitch with my thumb while I work the stitch so it doesn't pull up.
- This is completely optional, but many times I keep track of my rows with a row counter. I started this after I had been using a paper clip on the side of my printed pattern to keep track of which row I was on but the paper clip fell off. Oops!