Mosaic vs. Interlocking Crochet: Free Patterns & Resources
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![Download the free PDF pattern for this 50 inch by 60 inch Beach Blanket. Crocheted with Medium Weight Yarn [4] and a 5.5 mm (I) hook. Designed by Melissa Leapman.](https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Mosaic-Crochet-Beach-Blanket.webp)
Explore the differences between Mosaic Crochet and Interlocking Crochet. Learn how to create your own charts and patterns, and find over 10 free patterns for both techniques. Have fun exploring and crocheting!
Mosaic vs. Interlocking Crochet: Free Patterns & Resources
Free Mosaic Crochet and Interlocking Crochet Patterns
Since many designers are using the terms interchangeably, this roundup includes Mosaic and Interlocking Crochet Patterns. Have fun exploring these free patterns and tutorials!
Optical Illusion Square
This beautiful Optical Illusion Square is a 12 inch by 12 inch square. Medium Weight [4] Yarn and a 5.5 mm (I) hook were used to create the project. Designed by Kati Donahue.
Houndstooth Wannabe Afghan Square
The Houndstooth Wannabe Afghan Square is a 12 inch by 12 inch square. You will need Medium Weight [4] Yarn and a 5.5 mm (I) crochet hook to make this square. Designed by Kati Donahue.
Mosaic Ripples Square
The Mosaic Ripples Square Pattern creates a 12 inch by 12 inch square. You will need Medium Weight [4] Yarn and a 5.5 mm (I) hook to make this square. Designed by Kati Donahue.
Squared Ripples Square
The Squared Ripples Afghan Square Pattern creates a 12 inch by 12 inch block. You will need Medium Weight [4] Yarn and a 5.5 mm (I) hook to make this square. Designed by Kati Donahue.
Nya Mosaic Blanket
This Nya Mosaic Crochet Blanket Pattern is written in both English and Dutch. You need DK Weight (Light Weight) [3] Yarn and a 4 mm (G) hook. Designed by Tatsiana Kupryianchyk.
Plush Plus Rug
The Mosaic Crochet Plush Plus Rug was crocheted with Super Bulky Yarn [6] and a 9 mm (M/N) hook. The finished rug is 22 inches by 32 inches but can be customized to any size. Designed by Tamara Kelly.
Mosaic Crochet Beach Blanket
Download the free PDF pattern for this 50 inch by 60 inch Beach Blanket. Crocheted with Medium Weight Yarn [4] and a 5.5 mm (I) hook. Designed by Melissa Leapman.
Interlocking Crochet Stitch Blanket
Make the Interlocking Crochet Stitch Blanket with Medium Weight Yarn [4] and a 5.5 mm (I) hook. The finished blanket is 32 inches by 38 inches. Available as a free downloadable PDF from Yarnspirations.
Mosaic Basketweave Placemat
These Mosaic Basketweave Placemats are 13 inches by 19 inches in size but you can easily resize them to make them 12 inches by 12 inches. You need Medium Weight Yarn [4] and a 5.5. mm (I) hook. Designed by Susan Lowman and available from Yarnspirations.
Southwestern Mosaic Cross Throw by Tara Sensenbaugh
The Southwestern Mosaic Cross Throw Pattern creates is a 57 inch square throw using Medium Weight Yarn [4] and a 6 mm (J) hook. The free PDF download is available from Ravelry.
One Step Beyond Blanket by Martin Up North
The One Step Beyond Blanket was made with Medium Weight Yarn [4] and a 5 mm (H) hook. The finished blanket is 33 inches by 40 inches and is super pretty!
So what’s the difference between Mosaic Crochet and Interlocking Crochet?
Even though many crocheters use the terms interchangeably online, the techniques used for Mosaic Crochet is actually quite different than the technique used for Interlocking Crochet.
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Here’s what you need to know!
Interlocking Crochet
- Also known as double filet crochet, triple filet crochet, locking crochet and intermesh crochet.
- Interlocking Crochet uses a technique that combines two, or more filet mesh stitch patterns together to create intricate geometric and mosaic designs.
- This means, the finished fabric is double thick because you are essentially placing 1 piece of crocheted fabric on top of a second piece of crocheted fabric and working around and through the opposite color of stitches.
- You are never actually working into the fabric you are crocheting with the other color of yarn. When you are working with Color A Yarn, you will never crochet into Color B Yarn.
- You will work around the stitches and spaces you crocheted in Color B yarn and then back into the Color A Yarn side of your fabric. This creates 2 pieces of fabric that are stuck together by working around the chain spaces and stitches of the opposite color. When you look at the back, there is a different design than the design on the front.
You can create great mosaic designs using this technique but it is not actually the same as Mosaic Crochet.
You can see a great visual example of how use the interlocking crochet technique in this post from Tanis Galik:
Interlocking Crochet Techniques
Mosaic Crochet
- Mosaic Crochet is similar to Mosaic Knitting.
- You follow charts which are worked back and forth in rows, using a single color of yarn for every row you work.
- The finished fabric is thinner because you are only working with one fabric layer.
For the purposes of this explanation I am using white and black yarn.
To begin you will work your foundation row in single crochet. You would choose the opposite color to the first square on the bottom right of the chart. So if your chart has a black square in the bottom right corner, you would begin with your white yarn and work 1 row of stitches (the same number as the chart across = 10) in foundation single crochet (FSC).
- Row 1: Using white yarn work 10 FSC.
Then you would begin working the chart back and forth in rows.
- Each row on the chart represents 2 rows.
- So, you begin bottom right and work across the chart from right to left (from the 1 to the 2), then turn your work, ch 1 and work back across the same row of the chart, from left to right (from 2 to 1).
- The return row will be the same as what you just crocheted.
- At the end of Row 2 you can either finish off your yarn or carry it up the side edge of the project if you are adding an edging later on.
When you are working the rows in black yarn:
- For every black square on the chart, you will single crochet and for every white square you will chain.
- When you chain, you chain the number of squares in white + 1 extra chain.
When you are working the rows in white yarn:
- For every white square that is located above a black square, you will work a single crochet.
- When you see a white square over a white square, you will work in front of the chain stitches and crochet a dropped double crochet stitch into the sc 2 rows below.
When you look on the back, you will see horizontal rows of each color in Mosaic Crochet.
There is a fantastic tutorial available at ClearlyHelena to explain how Mosaic Crochet is done when following a Mosaic Knitting Chart.
Dropped Double Crochet Method
An alternate method for Mosaic Crochet is loosely based on mosaic knitting. It is the Dropped Double Crochet Method from Shady Lane Crochet. She has a video tutorial and lots of beautiful patterns designed using this method and it is super simple to master.
Interlocking Crochet Resources and Mosaic Crochet Resources
Wacky Weave Babette by Hilda Steyn
You definitely want to check this resources out. It includes 27 different block designs using interlocking crochet. Watch the video tutorial here.
Interlocking Crochet with Tanis Galik
Find excellent interlocking crochet tutorials here. You will also find free patterns for many interlocking crochet projects. Watch the video tutorial here.
Crochet Worksheets
There are tons of great resources here, including patterns. Scroll to #18 for Double Filet Basics and #19 is the Double Filet Neckpurse. These are archived resources from past workshops from Sylvia Cosh & James Walters.
Intermeshing Tutorial
Learn the difference between double filet and triple filet and see examples of intermeshing projects.
Dropped Double Crochet Method by Shady Lane Crochet
Dropped Double Crochet can also be used to achieve a beautiful Mosaic Design. Shady Lane has a lovely assortment of premium patterns you can purchase and a free video to show you how to use the technique. Watch the video tutorial here.
Extra Interlocking Crochet and Mosaic Crochet Resources
- Interlocking Crochet with Tanis Galik
- Sylvia Cosh & James Walters Crochet Double Filet Crochet and Intermeshing crochet which outlines the difference between double filet and triple filet crochet.
- How to Mosaic Crochet Using Mosaic Knitting Charts
- Create your own Mosaic Knitting Chart
- Mosaic Knitting Pattern Generator from Laura Kogler
I hope you enjoyed learning about mosaic and interlocking crochet. With these resources and free patterns, you’re ready to start your practising your new skills. Happy crocheting!
You may also enjoy these posts:
- 50 Beautiful Blanket Patterns
- 280 Crochet Shell Patterns
- Midnight Aura Wrap Pattern Free
- Expectation Square (Mosaic Dropped Double Crochet Method)
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Mosaic vs. Interlocking Crochet: Learn the differences, explore free patterns, and find valuable resources. #crochetpatterns #mosaiccrochet #interlockingcrochet
Discover the differences between mosaic and interlocking crochet! Explore free patterns and resources to start your next project. Check it out now!
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Hi Tara, I’m not going to change the post to remove the references because I have indicated that it is being referred to as the same as Interlocking Crochet. Since Designers and Readers alike are actually using the terms interchangeably, I think it is still important to reference both in the article – I am adding your comment to the post because I believe it is valid issue and it may help people clear up the differences. To be honest I didn’t realize there was a difference because most of the information I was referencing online indicated they were one and the same type of technique. From your explanation, it sounds like Mosaic Crochet is very similar to Overlay Crochet…and many who are calling their patterns Mosaic Crochet are actually making Overlay Crochet Patterns (like the Mandalas I have crocheted in the past which has a flat back and single colors for every round on the back. Feel free to email me or use the contact form to send me some references online that specify the differences and I will add some more information to my post for my readers 🙂 All the best, Rhondda
I didn’t know how else to contact you, but Mosaic Crochet and Interlocking Crochet are NOT THE SAME. Mosaic Crochet works like Mosaic Knitting, working one row (or round) in each color and using a taller stitch (sl st in knitting) to create the vertical lines. When you look on the back, you will see horizontal rows of each color in Mosaic Crochet.
Interlocking crochet (AKA Double Filet and Locking Crochet) is a different animal. You are creating your lines by working a filet mesh around the filet mesh of the previous color, but both colors are technically the same row. When you look at the back, there is a different pattern than on the front. It is also Double Thick, whereas Mosaic Crochet is thin.
Charts for Interlocking Crochet can be used for Mosaic Crochet. However, the same cannot always be said of Mosaic Crochet charts being used for Interlocking Crochet. The rules for Interlocking Crochet are very strict, and Mosaic Crochet can get away with a lot more.
Please help end the spreading of incorrect information by updating your page. Please remove all references to Interlocking Crochet from any article on Mosaic Crochet. They are not at all the same. Thank you.
I’m not sure Lori…to me a mosaic pattern is very geometric and almost repetitive – you may be able to incorporate a name into a mosaic style design. I honestly do not know where to start with that though.
Is it possible to generate a mosaic pattern of a name??