Back-Loop-Only Stitch Alterations

Altering stitches that have been worked in one loop only is very challenging because you have to work the entire length of yarn through every stitch you replace. The example below is single crochet back loop only; the most common type of one-loop stitch.

We have a crocheted piece with 8 sc rows worked in the back loop only. We will remove the middle 2 rows and replace them with 3 rows of another color. To begin, you need a crochet hook of the size used in the original work, a tapestry needle, and a scissor. In addition to the yarn used to crochet the piece, you need a length of crochet cotton a few inches wider than the original piece to make a retaining thread. The example uses #3 blue crochet cotton.

1-Position the piece so that the first row after the alteration (in this case row 6) is the "wrong" side of the the work. Using the tapestry needle, make the retaining thread. Cut a sc about 5 sts before the end of the last row your are removing (in this example, row 5):

2-Use the needle to unravel the thread in both directions. Stop at the end of the row when you get to the retaining thread. Work out the beginning of the row until the work is free of the retaining thread; then you can ravel out the lower row (row 4). With back loop only crochet, you need to remove the top row stitch by stitch; it will not ravel out.

3-Unravel the piece down to the first step of the last st on row 3. There are 2 lps on the hook. With the new color, pull a lp through for the ch 1 turn, and complete 3 rows of back loop only sc. End off, leaving a long tail (about 8").

4-Unravel the last row of the gold thread, keeping the ch-1 at the end of the 2nd gold row. Turn; pull the yarn out from the lp that should be on the hook and thread the end through the tapestry needle. Pass the yarn thorugh the first 2 bars on the retaining thread and then back through the turning ch-1 lp:

5-Pull the loop just formed to the proper tension; insert the hook from back to front through that lp and into back lp on next sc. Draw up a lp.

6-YO and through 2 lps. Remove tapestry needle, draw yarn all the way through lp just formed. Using the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand, hold the loop just formed as you are drawing all the yarn through; otherwise the loop will be too tight. Insert the needle through the next 2 bars on the retaining thread for the next stitch. Tighten the retaining thread whenever necessary. Then pass the thread through the top and bottom loops of the completed sc next to it. See next 3 photos.

7-Work each stitch across the row in the same fashion. The photo below has 3 stitches completed and the top loop for the next stitch in position.

The reverse side of step 7:

It is easier to see the 2 loops of the crochet stitch next to the one you are forming if you insert the hook from the reverse of the work.

Completed row. Knot the 2 ends together.