Design Elements: Stitch Length

Changing the length of one's stitch changes the depth of the ruffle and the thickness of the fabric. This is most apparent in crocheted work, as seen in the following examples of Flaunt:

Stitch length in Flaunt (Loops & Threads)
left to right: single, double, treble crochet

 As the stitch length increases, the visual effect of "ruffle" increases, as does the length of intervening unruffled stitch, so that in the treble crochet sample, we see distinct rows of ruffles, separated by spaces of solid work. Viewed from the edge, the front-back thickness of the work diminishes as there is less overlap between the "front side" and "back side" ruffles.

In wide-mesh yarns, this is evidenced in the tiered structure of the double crochet and treble crochet samples.

Stitch length in Starbella (Premier Yarns)
left to right: single, double, treble crochet

As gravity causes the stitches to pull in a vertical direction, these tiers can separate to the point of feeling stringy.

Starbella scarf, close up

 


Varying the stitch length can also be used to confound the row structure on dense work, as seen in this hat:

Sashay hat

Ruffles, close up Interior of hat