Perfect Picots
Picots can look so pretty as an edging, especially when working with finer yarns, either on blankets, shawls or doilies.
Some patterns will require you to work a stitch through a picot…..
And then rather than pretty picots, they become perfectly, pesky picots!!
Traditional Picot
The traditional way to make a picot is to chain 3 and join with a slip stitch in the first chain.
Now this is great when you are working on an edge, but when you need to be able to get your hook through the centre of that tiny loop you just made it can be really tricky.
The other problem I have found is that the picot tends to push the next stitch over slightly, leaving a gap in your stitches.
So here is my way of making a perfect picot every time, no gaps and easy to get your hook right in the middle of that tiny loop.
Picot worked in the side of the stitch.
The hook in photo 1 is pointing to the 2 loops at the side of the stitch, simply put your hook through, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops to make your slip stitch.
Now doesn’t that look neat!
Picot worked in front loop at top of stitch and front of stitch.
Chain 3 as normal and then put your hook through the front working loop at the top of the stitch and the 2nd front loop. Yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Again you can see how neat and tidy your picot is.
This is my preferred way of working a picot, it is quick and easy and perfect every time.
From left to right, front loop picot, side loop picot, first chain picot.
See how easy it is to get your hook through the picot?
Making your picot through the 2 front loops means it is easy peasy to make a normal stitch into the stitches before and after the picot.
And oh so simple and easy to make stitches through your picots.
Little hints and tips like this make for a much happier hooker, and the design possibilities are endless.
Please let me know if you find this helpful and if there are any other tips you would like me to share.
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Thank you Helen, I’m new to your page, but have been crocheting for a long time. This hint is wonderful. Like so many people I have always been a little miffed at how my pivots have looked, but not anymore.
Thank you again.
I wonder if you could let me know of any stores around the area close to Polperro where I can purchase nice yarn. I will be visiting again, from Queensland Australia, this June and will be taking some time for Crochet of course. Thank you in advance.
Thank you, I am working on a scarf with picots and was not happy with the first two. I am so glad I saw this, now I am excited about finishing it. Your videos are so informative and easy to follow. I am looking forward to doing the madela madness, it is beautiful.
Helen, I’m so glad you put this tip out for us. Picots are one of the things I’m never happy with. I want them to look straight and symmetrical and they seldom do. I’ll try this method soon.
Thanks, again,
Pat
Thank you so much for your perfect picot tip Helen. I am a newbie week-old-crocheter and was struggling trying to get my hook through my way too tight picots and thought it may have been a deal breaker whether I could carry on but yes I can, Helen is here to save the day! Thank you.
Helen, I did Mandala Madness last year and learned this perfect picot. I am now working on a doily with 48 picots in the last round, so I revisited this post, and not only are my picots perfect (if I do say so myself), but they’re also SUPER easy to do. THANK YOU!!
Wonderful, so glad it has helped you 🙂
Omg this is way way better!!! Thank you!!!
merci pour ces pas a pas ils sont superbes a bientôt biz
This is amazing! I really can’t thank you enough.. xx
Thanks for your tips I tried it right away and its a big big different
OMG! How have I crocheted for 50 years and not known this? I have never seen or done such a perfect picot. Thanks Helen! You’re brilliant!
🙂 Happy to help 🙂
I really like your preferred way of making picots! They do look so neat! Thank your for this tip, Helen!
you’re welcome 🙂
Dear Helen, at the risk of being a pest, I must tell you that I just started my Mandala Madness with It’s All in a Nutshell. Doing picots in Round 3 by slipping stitch through both loops of single crochet. So far they appear to be perfect!!! So excited, and Thanks!!!!!!!
Glad you are finding it works well 🙂
Never mind. Looking carefully, I’m pretty sure it’s top and second loop of original stitch. If I’m wrong, let me know. Otherwise, never mind!!!
Your Picots are SOOOoooo much better than I’ve ever seen!!! Thanks!!
Sorry – I hit enter by mistake the first time. I am a little confused on the picots – are you using the top loop of the original stitch and the top loop of the previous stitch; or is it the top loop and the second loop of the original stitch? I hope my question is clear. So sorry to be such a lame brain!!
to make the picot, you go through the front loop and 2nd loop at front of same stitch, so you got it 😉
I had no idea! Thank you for this – and what a difference it makes.
you’re welcome 🙂
Thank you! Very helpful.
Tips like these are invaluable. My mum taught me as a child, we never had the web back then, no wonder our crochet sometimes looked a bit like something granny would make.. Now granny’s crochet has become blooming lovely. I love your beautiful patterns. Thank you so much
Bless you Jane 🙂 and yes, what would we do without the internet?
I love the way you work in the picot afterwards again 🙂 Very simply explained here.
Thank you Simone 🙂
Thanks so much Helen. I too was ever very happy with my picots. This method will make them so much sharper.
It does make a massive difference…enjoy 🙂
This is GREAT! I always hate making picots, especially when you have to get your hook into them in the next row. I’m definitely trying this next time I have to do them! Thanks, Helen!
you’re very welcome…. anything to make life a little easier 🙂