How to make a long single crochet stitch (aka “spike stitch”)

The long single crochet stitch is one that can be used to good effect either as a decorative “spike stitch” or, as I will show in this tutorial, a stitch to gather together two or more rows, and create both physical and visual definition.

long single crochet stitch, spike stitch
Crochet to the point you want the top of the long single crochet stitch to be
long single crochet stitch, spike stitch
Insert the hook from front to back in the space where you want the bottom of the stitch to be
long single crochet stitch, spike stitch
Yarn over then pull to the front up to the level where you want the stitch to end
long single crochet stitch, spike stitch
Yarn over and complete the single crochet stitch

This simple but powerful technique can give your work that little added bit of “je ne sais quoi” without a lot of effort on your part, and it can also be used to add structure and create a firmer motif or surface when that is what is called for.