Chic Crochet Bag: Solomon's Knot For Summer

The Solomon's knot is a crochet stitch that creates a unique, lacy design. Also known as the Lover's Knot, Love Knot, or Hailstone Stitch, it is a combination of chains and single crochet stitches. The stitch is worked in pairs or sets to form a diamond shape. The height of the loops can vary, with the pattern usually indicating how high to make them, and this can be adjusted to create different fabrics. The Solomon's Knot is commonly used for shawls, scarves, and bags, and can be used to create a flat edge or an edging with shells.

Solomon's Knot stitch basics

The Solomon's Knot, also known as the Lover's Knot, is a crochet stitch that creates a unique, lacy design. It is a versatile stitch that can be used to create a range of openwork patterns, from extra-lacy to slightly open, depending on the height of your stitches. Here are the basics of how to crochet the Solomon's Knot stitch:

Getting Started

Start by making a slip knot, and then chain 1 or 2. Some patterns may tell you to chain 2 and then work a single crochet into the second chain from the hook, but you can also begin with just 1 chain and start your knots from there. The number of chains you make will depend on the specific pattern you are following.

Creating the First Knot

Hold your slip knot and first chain firmly. Pull up a loop with your hook as if you are going to make a long chain. As you pull up the loop, catch the yarn around your hook so that you can pull it through the loop. Then, pull the yarn through the long loop. You have now made a long chain stitch.

Working the Single Crochet

Work a single crochet into the back loop of the long chain stitch. This will be the "back loop" or the "middle" of the chain stitch. This single crochet is the "knot" portion of the stitch.

Creating the Second Knot

Make another long chain stitch, and work a single crochet into the back loop again. You have now completed two Solomon's Knots. Repeat this process to work a total of 8 knots for your foundation row.

Turning Your Work and Working Rows

Turn your work. You should now have two loops at the top between the single crochet stitches and one loop at the bottom. Count to the 5th single crochet from the hook. Work a single crochet into that stitch. Then, work 2 Solomon's Knots. Skip the next single crochet, and work a single crochet into the next single crochet. Repeat this pattern (2 Solomon's Knots, skip 1 single crochet, single crochet in next single crochet) across the row, ending with a single crochet in the final stitch.

Continuing the Pattern

To continue the pattern and create additional rows, you will need to work 3 Solomon's Knots at the beginning of the next row. Then, work a single crochet into the single crochet between the 4th and 5th loops from your hook. Repeat the pattern from the previous row (2 Solomon's Knots, skip 1 single crochet, single crochet in next single crochet) across the row, ending with a single crochet in the last stitch.

Turn your work and repeat this process for as many rows as needed, maintaining the same height for your loops throughout.

How to crochet the Solomon's Knot stitch

The Solomon's Knot stitch is a delicate combination of chains and single crochet stitches. It creates a lace texture of intertwined diamonds and is perfect for lightweight shawls, scarves, bags and toy hammocks.

Firstly, you will need to make a slip knot and foundation chain. For your foundation chain, you will need a multiple of four stitches plus two stitches (4+2).

Then, make a single crochet in the second chain from your hook and in each chain across. Chain 1, then turn.

Now, make a single crochet in the first stitch. Work 2 knot stitches, skip the next 3 stitches, then make a single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat this sequence across the row. Chain 4 (counts as a treble crochet stitch), then turn.

Next, work 1 knot stitch, make a single crochet in the top of the next knot stitch, work 2 knot stitches, skip the next knot stitch, then make a single crochet in the top of the next knot stitch. Repeat this sequence across the row until 1 knot stitch remains. Work 1 knot stitch, then treble crochet in the final single crochet. Chain 1, then turn.

For the rest of the pattern, simply repeat these 2 rows for as long as you like.

Tips:

• The height of your loops will be determined by the pattern you are following. The shortest is typically about 1/2" tall, while the largest can be over 2" in height.
• When following a pattern using the Solomon's Knot, the designer will tell you how tall to make your loops.
• Keep the height of your loops as consistent as possible.
• When reading a crochet pattern, this stitch will be abbreviated with Sk (Solomon's Knot) or Lk (Lover's Knot).
• Every 2 Solomon's Knot stitches are called a "pair" or a "set". You will almost always have 2 together, with a single crochet in the centre. The single crochet is the "knot" of the stitch.
• You can start by working into a row of single crochet stitches, which is easier to learn than starting with the knots themselves. Once you have mastered this, starting from scratch will be easy!

Solomon's Knot stitch abbreviations

The Solomon's Knot stitch is a unique, lacy stitch that is under-utilised in modern patterns. It is sometimes referred to as the Lover's Knot, the Love Knot, or the Hailstone Stitch.

In crochet patterns, the Solomon's Knot is most commonly abbreviated as SK or LK (for Lover's Knot). Some variations include SmK for Solomon's Knot, and occasionally ESK and MSK, which refer to "edge" and "main" Solomon's Knot patterns, with the "edge" stitches being shorter than the "main" stitches.

Some crochet patterns will also use abbreviations for the use of two or three Solomon's Knot stitches in a row. For example, Double Love Knot (DLK or dLk) and Triple Love Knot (trLk).

• Dc – Double Crochet
• Hdc – Half Double Crochet
• Knot St – Knot Stitch
• Sc – Single Crochet
• Sl St – Slip Stitch
• RS – Right Side
• Rep – Repeat
• WS – Wrong Side

How to start and end a Solomon's Knot project

To start a Solomon's Knot project, you can begin with a row of single crochet stitches. For example, start with a row of 21 single crochets. Then, chain one, turn, and single crochet into the very first stitch.

Alternatively, you can start with a slip knot, then chain one. Pull up a loop with your hook as if to make a long chain. Yarn over and pull through the loop on the hook. You've just made a long chain stitch. Work one single crochet into that loop (the "back loop" of the long chain stitch). Then make another long chain stitch and work one single crochet into the back loop again.

To end a Solomon's Knot project, you can create a flat edge by chaining five, turning, and working a single crochet into your first single crochet stitch. Loosely chain three stitches, then work a single crochet into the centre of the next Solomon's Knot set. Repeat until you reach the end of the row.

How to crochet a Solomon's Knot bag

The Solomon's Knot, also known as the Lover's Knot, is a beautiful crochet stitch that creates a lacy, mesh-like pattern. This stitch is perfect for making bags, as it is sturdy and maintains its shape. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to crochet a Solomon's Knot bag:

Materials:

• Any type of yarn
• A crochet hook suitable for your chosen yarn (e.g. a 4mm or 5mm hook for DK/lightweight yarn)

Step 1: Starting the Solomon's Knot:

• Begin by making a slipknot and chaining 1 or 2.
• Pull up a loop with your hook as if you're making a long chain.
• Yarn over and pull the yarn through the loop.
• Insert your hook under the back loop of the chain and make a single crochet.

Step 2: Creating the Foundation Row:

• Repeat the above steps to make a row of Solomon's Knots to the desired length.
• Turn your work.

Step 3: Working the Next Rows:

• Single crochet into the single crochet between the 3rd and 4th loops from the hook.
• Create 2 Solomon's Knots (a "pair" or a "set").
• Skip 2 loops, then single crochet into the next single crochet.
• Repeat the above steps across the row, ending with a single crochet in the final stitch.

Step 4: Continuing the Pattern:

• Turn your work and create 3 Solomon's Knots.
• Single crochet into the sc between the 4th and 5th loops from the hook.
• Repeat the following steps: create 2 Solomon's Knots, skip 2 loops, and single crochet into the next single crochet.
• Do this until you reach the end of the row, placing the last single crochet in the top of the half arch.

Step 5: Finishing the Bag:

• Repeat Row 3 until you reach your desired height for the bag.
• To create a flat edge at the top of the bag, chain 1, single crochet in the first stitch, then chain 3 loosely.
• Skip 2 Solomon's Knots and single crochet into the next single crochet.
• Repeat this across the row.

Additional Tips:

• The height of your loops can vary depending on the pattern and your personal preference. Typically, they range from 0.5 inches to 2 inches.
• You can adjust the look of your Solomon's Knots by using different stitches to join the knots, such as double crochet stitches.
• Practice keeping your chain heights consistent to improve the overall look of your stitches.

Frequently asked questions