After making my four strand crochet tote bag, I wanted to add a little something extra to it…
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-39.jpg)
…so I added a friendly message with some surface crochet!
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-34.jpg)
Surface crochet is basically slip stitches on the well…as you can imagine ;)…the surface of your project. It’s like drawing with crochet.
You don’t need any fancy materials, just a hook, yarn, and a yarn needle for weaving in the ends.
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-9.jpg)
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-43.jpg)
It can be a great way to use up yarn scraps!
You can use it with any yarn type or hook size, but this is what I used for this specific project:
Materials
- Super Bulky or size 6 yarn (I probably used maybe ten yards? It doesn’t take much.)
- K or 6.5 mm hook
- yarn needle and scissors
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-materials.jpg)
Video Tutorial
This video offers a really quick tutorial/overview on how to surface crochet.
The video player should have already popped to the top or side of your screen as you’ve scrolled down this post. *The tutorial will play after the opening ads.*
Music is by Pleasant Pictures Music Club.
Tutorial
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tutorial-1.jpg)
1. Prepare your hook and yarn.
Tie a slip knot and push it through from the back or inside of the bag, where you want to your design to begin. Then insert your hook.
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tutorial-2.jpg)
2. Slip stitch your design as desired.
To Slip Stitch: Insert your hook, yarn over from the back, pull the yarn up/through and then it pull through the loop already on your hook.
TIPS:
- If you make a mistake or want to change your design, simply pull on the yarn from the back to pull out your stitches, and reinsert your hook. Then continue with your design.
- As you work be sure to keep your tension loose, otherwise it will make the bag pucker.
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-12.jpg)
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-15.jpg)
3. Tie off.
When your design is complete, cut an 8 inch tail. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle, and push it to the back/inside of the bag. Then secure it with a knot and weave it in a few times before cutting off the excess. Repeat the process for the other tail from the beginning of your design.
Optional: To dot the “i” of my hi, I decided to sew on a heart with a scrap of red yarn and then I secured it at the back in the same way as I did the surface crochet.
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tutorial-3.jpg)
That’s it!
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-21.jpg)
You can create any designs or words you want. As for me, I tried longer words but I kept crochet “writing” too large and it would start to wrap around the bag and not be as legible. Ha! So “hi” it is.
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-24.jpg)
I’ve only made one other surface crochet project. I created a window pane pattern on a beanie…Check out the free pattern and tutorial here… so maybe I just need more practice. But I also suspect sizing down the hook and yarn could allow for sharper turns and pivots.
![How to: Surface Crochet // www.deliacreates.com](https://www.deliacreates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/surface-crochet-tote-48.jpg)
If you missed the instructions for this bag, I have a free pattern and video tutorial here.
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