I made up a name for this very useful stitch. I call it “strap single crochet stitch” or “ssc stitch” or “strap sc stitch” – because I first made it up when trying to find a way to make a strong, sturdy, (almost) non-stretch, smooth edged strap.
Addendum: 10 May 2018
Thanks to the readers who left me comments, I now know that I was not the first to create it (as I suspected) and this stitch has a proper name: namely Thermal Stitch or Siberian Stitch.
Thank you Cheryl, Brigitta, May!
How to make strong crochet strap (strap-sc stitch)
I have been making some crochet bags lately. They are sturdy and strong. And I wanted to make a crochet strap that would complement the whole feel of the bags. I wanted some strong crochet straps that would not stretch nor look sloppy. But none of the crochet stitches I knew could produce what I wanted. So I had to come up with something new (to me) … and it worked beautifully!
And though I searched Mr Google thoroughly, I could not find what I wanted. The closest I could find were the woven straps for Wayuu bags. However I didn’t want to take the time right then to learn how to weave that kind of strap. It did look very time consuming.
Luckily I found a way to make the crochet strap I wanted. It is sturdy, strong, easy to crochet, and does not stretch much. Further more, it has lovely straight edges … which is not always a given but always a bonus with crochet. It is identical on both sides and quite comfortingly thick.
How To Crochet Strong Strap for Bags
Actually it can be used for bags, belts, strapping, or anywhere you think you might need a strong strap.
In this example, I am making a strap of 6 stitches.
Foundation Row: 6ch
Row 1: 1 ch (a standup chain to start new row; like you would normally do), and 6sc (single crochet) normally.
Now is when it gets interesting …
Row 2: Skip the first stitch.
Work into the back loop of the 2nd stitch AND into the corresponding loop of the row below. Pull yarn through and complete a normal sc stitch. (I called this the “Strap sc stitch”.)
Work all the way to end => 5 stitches.
We will need one more sc to make up to a total of 6 stitches. This we will do right at the the very tip of the row.
Put hook through the loop at the very tip of the row. Pull yarn through and work another sc ==> total of 6sc for the row. (There should be same number of stitches every row.)
Row 3 & every row henceforth: Start the same as R2 – skip the first stitch. sc into back loop and corresponding loop from previous row, pull yarn through and complete a sc. Work like this all the way along row => 5 sc
Tip: you can guide yourself by seeing the knit-like “V” that you will be working through.
Note: it is this stitch – working a sc through back loop and corresponding prev. row loop that creates this thick, strong fabric suitable for bag straps and bands, belts, etc.
But wait! We still have only 5 stitches along this row. Once again (and for every row henceforth), we will make up the 6th stitch at the very tip of the row.
Put hook through the TWO END loops. Pull yarn through and complete a sc.
I have provided 3 images below to explain this.
The following 2 photos show you what the row looks like before turning. Because you only work into the back loop only (BLO) on each row, the untouched front loops are left to be picked up in the next row.
Carrying on working row 3 till you have your desired length of crochet strap.
Note: when I was writing up this article, I did finally come across an article on how to make a non-stretchy crocheted strap on the wonderful Lilla Björn website. This can be found in the reference below. You may want to give that a try tho’ I really like mine.
Note also that there may be this crochet stitch/method out there and it has a proper name, but I have not come across it so I am simply calling this stitch “Strap Single Crochet Stitch”. But if you have come across this exactly stitch before and/or know its proper name, please do leave me a comment in the comments box below. Thanks!
Strap-Single Crochet Stitch
Work into the back loop of the next stitch AND into the corresponding loop of the row below. Pull yarn through and complete a normal sc stitch.
Look at Strap Single Crochet in the Round to check out how to use this stitch but working in round, rather than to and fro, as seen here.
* Addendum: (May 2018)
Double Crochet Thermal Stitch
There is also a double-crochet Thermal Stitch.
You can view the video tutorial (by New Stitch a Day: Knitting and Crochet Video Tutorials)
References
- lillabjorncrochet.com: Crocheted Strap for Bag
Great idea but am I doing something wrong? If I skip chain 1 the first stitch of round becomes hidden and I struggle to get hook into back loop of it when doing next round.
Thanks for a great tip to make edges straight. Done thermal stitch before but the chain 1 made edges bumpier.
Hi, I started Crocheting about 6 weeks ago, and I can’t stop, lol! I’ve made at least 8 bags for my friends and family members since then. I’ve been purchasing leather crossbody straps for bags, but starting to get very pricey and hard to find right ones even on Amazon. Yarn I’m currently using is
Bernat Maker Home Dec, it’s sturdy, great to work with. Just wondering if this yarn suitable for strap, if not what do you recommend.
Love the idea of having a sturdy, attractive strap, thx for posting!
Sincerely, Dianna Barrington
TY for this strap tutorial…I am making one for my mini purse
THE best technique for making a really dense and non-stretchy strap e.g. for a mochila bag when you don’t want a multicoloured, intricately patterned strap! Love it and thanks for the excellent photo tutorial (never mind a video, this works very well)!
Would you mind me linking to this post in a Facebook group or on Instagram? 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this technique. I’ve tried several other ways of making straps that don’t stretch way out. This is so nice and neat edges and I like that it’s double thick so it feels cushioned which will be a bonus, it won’t dig into my shoulder. No video needed as your description and photos are very clear. I’ll be looking at your page for other ideas and patterns.
Thank you so much for your tutorial! I’m making the bag strap now. Looks perfect!
I have reached the end of my strap that I made using your pattern. I am wondering what you do to finish it off? I still have the ridge from my last new row.
Thank you for this pattern/stitch. It is going to be beautiful with the bag I’m currently working on.
Thank you for this pattern, looking for way to bag strap, will give this a try
Thank you! I have been looking for a strong quick stic h for some backpack straps… This is perfect.
Something I have found handy in making straps for tote bags, whether made of yarn or fabric, is the wick (about 1 inch wide, woven and in a nice neutral shade) used for coal oil (kerosene) lamps. It is really sturdy and pliable and it can be covered with fabric or crochet or knitting if desired – or left as is.
Thank you Suzanne. That is a good tip. Will keep that in mind.
Wow! Great idea, pattern, and photos. I have been trying my own techniques for purse straps, but with little satisfactory results. Thank you so much for sharing. BTW, your bag designs are beautiful and very well crafted.
Hello LW, thank you so much for your kind comments. And am delighted that the post was of use to you. Yes I love this stitch for straps as well. After years of not being about to find a satisfactory stitch!
Your SC Strap Stitch is the Siberian Stitch. You may have already figured this out but here it is.
Hi May, that certainly seems to be the case. So it looks like it is called Thermal Stitch or Siberian Stitch. Thank you for the info.
Really like the way you explain the stitch (whether it’s called ‘thermal stitch or your name for it) and the way you do the edge without a ‘chain 1’. Makes for a very nice edging and pretty and sturdy strap. Making one now for a purse I knit and crocheted last year (couldn’t find the ‘perfect strap’ for it until this). Thanks!
Hi there Betsy, thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated. And so happy to hear that this post has been of good use to you. Made my day 😀
This is the thermal stitch….used for pot holders…
Thank you Brigitta. Cheryl also pointed this out to me. Your input is much appreciated.
This stitch is much like the thermal stitch for hot pads.
Thank you Cheryl! Much appreciated. Now I can use the correct name and maybe even include it in the title of this post. Thanks again Cheryl
BRILLIANT! Thank you for sharing Helena. I have just tried making one of the straps for my Mochila bags, using your technique – PERFECTION is all I can say. Its strong, hardly stretches and is quick to do. I made a strap with about 80 chain with no problem at all. Your notes are very clear. – THANK YOU
Hi Lynne, brilliant!!! Sooo happy it works for you too! Such a cool method isn’t it? I have been experimenting with this stitch lately and found more goodies about it. But will blog when I can. Meanwhile, thanks for the feedback! Makes me real happy! Yay!
Brilliant you must put It on YouTube ❤
Hi Belinda! Thank you! So glad you liked the article on crocheting strong straps. I wish I could do a YouTube, but for 2 reasons: 1) I don’t know how. I’ve tried but just can’t get the clarity and angle right. 2) I have atrophied muscles in my left hand – so when I work, it looks kind of spastic. Which just looks wrong when seen in a video!
Great technique thanks for sharing!
Hi Mel, pleasure. And thank you for your comment. Glad you liked the strap sc stitch. Hope it proves useful to you too.