All About the Thermal Stitch
The thermal stitch (abbreviated as “thst”) is essentially a single crochet stitch, but with a slightly different stitch placement. So, if you can make a single crochet, then I can show you how to make the thermal stitch!
Now, because of this different stitch placement, the thermal stitch makes a really dense, thick fabric. It has a very tight weave with no gapping between stitches. This makes this stitch particularly useful for projects like hot pads, pot holders, and things where you want to reduce stretching, like the strap on a bag (which is one of my favorite uses for this stitch).
Ready to get started? Keep reading for the written instructions with photos or the video tutorial!
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Some Things to Know About the Thermal Stitch
Now, before we jump into the tutorial, here are a few things you may want to know about when working with the single crochet:
- At its core, the thermal stitch is simply a single crochet, you just insert your hook into different loops. So, same crochet motions as a single crochet, just a different stitch placement. Need help with the single crochet stitch? Check out this post here on the blog.
- Because of this different stitch placement, the thermal stitch requires one set-up row of single crochet stitches worked into the back loop only. The thermal stitch then starts on row 2.
- Because of how the stitch is made, it becomes shorter than a regular single crochet stitch and makes the fabric much thicker and denser than your typical crochet fabric.
- There is not a set stitch multiple needed when starting your project. Meaning, if you are not following a pattern, you can start your project with however many stitches you want.
- When working into your foundation chain, you will make your first single crochet in the second chain from your hook.
- You will typically only need to chain 1 for your starting/turning chain because the stitch itself isn’t very tall.
How to Make the Thermal Stitch
For this tutorial, I am using Dishie from WeCrochet and my 5mm Streamline Metal hook from Furl’s Crochet, but you can use any size yarn and hook you are comfortable with to practice.
Video Tutorial
Video coming soon! Keep scrolling for the written tutorial + photos!
Written Instructions + Photos
To make the thst, you first need some sort of set-up row to work from. Then, the thst starts in Row 2. Helpful Hint: This stitch can be quite finnicky to start. Trust the process.
SET-UP ROW: Work a row of single crochet stitches in the back loop only of your chain (A). If you are working a bag strap, this row of single crochets in the back loop only can be worked directly onto the top of your bag (B).
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. What was once the front loop that wasn’t worked into in your set-up row is now an open loop on the back side of your work since your work is turned. Insert your hook into the back loop only of your designated stitch in your set-up row AND the skipped loop from the row before (C). It can help to either turn your work to the side or towards you so you can more easily see both loops.
Yarn over (D) and pull up a loop (E). There will now be 2 loops on your hook.
Yarn over (F) and pull through all of the loops on your hook (G).
Your stitch is now complete!
From here on out, you will continue to repeat what you did in Row 2, always working into the back loop of your working row and the corresponding unworked stitch in the row below, until you have one row left in your project. Once you get to your last row, follow the directions below.
Last Row: To make the last row, we are going to do what we did in the prior rows, but instead of working into the back loop only, you will insert your hook under both loops of your working row AND the skipped loop in the row before (H) – then complete your single crochet as normal (D through G above). This makes it so no unworked loops are left open once your project is complete.
And that’s it! I hope you found these tutorials helpful. Be sure to bookmark this page or pin to Pinterest to always make it quick to access. Happy stitching!
