Dogwood Mountain Arts

Pjoning, Shepherd’s Knitting, Bosnian crochet, Slip Stitch crochet etc…

The only way slip stitch is currently used is to connect rounds in hats, or squares of a blanket. Occasionally slip stitch will be used in order to create a ribbing for a project. However, slip stitch was the origin of all other crochet stitches, used for warm garments with country folk.

Termed “Shepherd’s Knitting”, “Bosnian Crochet”, or “Pjoning” (depending on the location) this crochet ancestor can be traced to almost any countryside throughout Western and Eastern Europe.

The earliest mention of the craft was in an 1833 edition of “Penelope” where it was recommended to use a large, flat hook for heavier yarns. The “shepherds knitting hook” was the utensil for the country crocheters. Typically handmade, these hooks would be carved from old hair combs, ivory, wood, anything that was around.

As a utilitarian craft, Shepherd’s knitting (using one simple stitch, the slip stitch) makes a thick, warm fabric perfect for hats, mittens, scarves, and sweaters.

Pieces of Bosnian crochet in particular have been found, and preserved, with colorful mosaic patterns and textural complexity depending on what part of the stitch the hook uses. In modern crochet communities, we call the mosaic technique “Tapestry Crochet”.

In the 19th century information started coinciding and the more unified form of crochet using Shepherd’s knitting and tambour techniques was documented through various publications of the Dutch magazine “Penelope”.

Unfortunately I am unable to use pictures of the beautiful mosaics, but search up Pjoning or Bosnian crochet and you will be stunned with how much one simple stitch can do.

In current crochet circles, Shepherd’s Knitting is known cheifly by the term “Slip Stitch Crochet”. There has been very little research, experimentation, or designing done with this technique. However, in order to learn this technique I was able to purchase a booklet through Annie’s Attic called “Learn Slip Stitch Crochet” by Nancy Nehring.

I have also designed a very simple, beginner-friendly purse using the slip stitch technique. I am intrigued by the elegance possible in the simplest stitch we have as crocheters, by only changing which loops we decide to use. As with many things, I hope to design more using this ancient technique and make it known once more in the crochet community.

Please let me know if you have experimented with Slip Stitch Crochet or Mosaic Shepherd’s Knitting! I would love to hear what you have made.

*Thank you to Interweave Press and Loopholes Blog for their information on crochet history*