Embellishing your crochet with... crochet

Huzzah... I just recently started using a new crocheting skill when I'm making amigurumi (millions of swirly cupcakes, ahem) and I wanted to share it with you! Using this technique, you can create swirls and lines on your amigurumi, I've even done zigzags. Basically you'll be crocheting additional yarn onto crocheted pieces you've already made in order to embellish or decorate them. I'm not sure what this technique is called in real crocheting language (Making lines? Embroidering? I tried to look it up! Anyway, if you know please tell me!) (Psst... It's called "surface crochet"... thanks June!!!)


Actually, it's a really simple technique. To start, take your crochet needle and push it through your crocheted piece from the outside to the inside. Using the hook of your needle, pick up another piece of yarn (conveniently colored red in the pictures) and pull a loop through the piece from the inside to the outside. Repeat the process with the loop on your hook; you'll basically be pulling one loop into another to form a chain onto your crocheted piece. Try to place your hook/loops between your stitches... that way your loops will come out nice and smooth! Don't forget; you can skip stitches or even go perpendicular!


The above picture shows what this technique should look like on the inside of your crocheted piece, in case you're having trouble. I hope this technique will be useful to you guys!