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Looking to add unique texture to your crochet projects? Darla Sims’ collection of 108 beautiful cluster stitches is perfect for afghans, pillows, shawls, and more! With easy instructions, you can customize designs using different yarn weights and hook sizes. Let your imagination run wild with stitches like Italian Lace, Wavelets, and Daisies Galore! Or try my Nubby Dishcloth pattern created using the Nubbins Stitch.
I love ‘stitch dictionaries’. I find so much inspiration browsing through the pages and seeing what stitch patterns I can use in my designs. 108 Crochet Cluster Stitches by Darla Sims includes 76-pages of full color stitch patterns. The written instructions are very easy to follow and if special stitches are used, they are explained in each pattern. Each Cluster Stitch Pattern includes a color photograph showing you a finished sample, to help you visualize the design. The instructions start with the ‘pattern repeat’ information to allow you to make any size project you want.
Page-74 provides an example of how to use the ‘pattern repeat’ information to create an Afghan. This is helpful to those wishing to make different sized projects like dishcloths and afghan squares too.
I chose the stitch pattern on page 50 called Nubbins to create a small cloth. You can use these cloths as dishcloths, washcloths, or facecloths. I have included 2 sizes below so you can make your perfect dishcloth.
nubbins – nubbins cluster stitch (see special stitches)
R – row
rem – remaining
rep – repeat
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
st/sts – stitch/stitches
* – Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain of multiple instructions.
() – Repeat the instructions between the parentheses the number of times indicated.
[] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
Special Stitches
Nubbins – nubbins is the name we are using for the cluster stitch in this stitch tutorial. It is created by pulling up 1 loop in the same st as the last st made and by pulling up 1 loop in each of the next 2 sts. You will have 4 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook. Ch 1 to complete the nubbins cluster stitch. (This is basically a sc3tog, ch 1.)
For the stitch tutorial please scroll to the END of the post.
R1: Ch 36
Note: I work in the back bump for R2 but you can choose to work your first row into any loop of your chain
R2: 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, pull-up 1 loop in the same ch as the last sc made and pull-up 1 loop in each of the next 2 chs. Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook, ch-1. *Pull-up 1 loop in the same ch as the last st made and pull-up 1 loop in each of the next 2 chs. Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook, ch 1**. Rep from * to ** across, finishing with 1 sc in the same ch as the last st made. Ch 1, turn. (Note: this is the ‘right side’ of the fabric so you may wish to mark this side with a stitch marker) [17 nubbins, 2 sc]
Note: You will be working in the chains and sc stitches.
R3: 1 sc in the first sc. Pull-up 1 loop in the same st as the last sc made and pull-up 1 loop in each of the next 2 sts. Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook, ch 1. *Pull-up 1 loop in the same st as the last st made and pull-up 1 loop in each of the next 2 sts. Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook, ch 1**. Rep from * to ** across to the last sc, work 1 sc in the last sc. Ch 1, turn. [17 nubbins, 2 sc]
R4 – R 30: Repeat R3 (until the piece measures approximately 9.5″)
Finishing Instructions
The finishing rounds are worked around the outside edges of the square.
R1: 1 sc in each st and row end around and work 2 sc in each corner
R2: 1 sl st in each st around, finish off and weave in any ends
Nubby Dishcloth Pattern Instructions with Stitch Tutorial
R1: Ch 36
Note: I work in the back bump for R2 but you can choose to work your first row into any loop of your chain
R2: 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, pull-up 1 loop in the same ch as the last sc made and pull-up 1 loop in each of the next 2 chs.
Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook, ch 1.
*Pull-up 1 loop in the same ch as the last st made and pull-up 1 loop in each of the next 2 chs. Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook, ch 1**. Rep from * to ** across, finishing with 1 sc in the same ch as the last st made. Ch 1, turn. (Note: this is the ‘right side’ of the fabric so you may wish to mark this side with a stitch marker) [17 nubbins, 2 sc]
Note: You will be working in the chains and sc stitches.
R3: 1 sc in the first sc. Pull-up 1 loop in the same st as the last sc made and pull-up 1 loop in each of the next 2 sts. Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook, ch 1.
*Pull-up 1 loop in the same st as the last st made and pull-up 1 loop in each of the next 2 sts. Yarn over and pull through all 4 of the loops on your hook, ch 1**. Rep from * to ** across to the last sc, work 1 sc in the last sc. Ch 1, turn. [17 nubbins, 2 sc]
R4 – R 30: Repeat R3 (until the piece measures approximately 9.5″)
Finishing Instructions
The finishing rounds are worked around the outside edges of the square.
R1: 1 sc in each st and row end around and work 2 sc in each corner
R2: 1 sl st in each st around, finish off and weave in any ends
This stitch is fun to crochet!
This is a very relaxing project and the texture is perfect for dishcloths and washcloths 🙂 I think it will also work great in a light weight yarn for a baby blanket as there are no large gaps between the stitches and the texture is slightly bumpy.
This is just one of the great stitches included in 108 Crochet Cluster Stitches. Think of all the amazing projects you can make!
*Prices subject to change*
Happy crocheting!
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Rhondda Mol is the crochet designer and blogger behind Oombawka Design Crochet. Since 2012, she has been sharing free crochet patterns, tutorials, and expert tips to help crocheters of all levels succeed. With more than 600 published patterns, Rhondda focuses on creating clear instructions and resources to inspire creativity and confidence in the crochet community.
Hi Wendy 🙂 There are 17 clusters and 1 sc on each end if I am remembering correctly. For the ch 1 sts try to make them a little bit more relaxed – you need to be able to work into them beneath the top 2 loops 🙂 Hope this helps 🙂 Rhondda
Hi, I just had a question. How many clusters should I end up with at the end of each row? Also, is it normal to have a bit of difficulty inserting my hook into the ch 1 st? Thx!
Hi Wendy 🙂 There are 17 clusters and 1 sc on each end if I am remembering correctly. For the ch 1 sts try to make them a little bit more relaxed – you need to be able to work into them beneath the top 2 loops 🙂 Hope this helps 🙂 Rhondda
Hi, I just had a question. How many clusters should I end up with at the end of each row? Also, is it normal to have a bit of difficulty inserting my hook into the ch 1 st? Thx!