Inset Mosaic Crochet 101: Learn the Technique Behind the Springtime Wings CAL
- Shaina Scott
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Hi, I’m Shaina from YumiYarns.com, where we turn cozy crafting into a creative retreat.
Today, I’m walking you through the basics of Inset Mosaic Crochet—the colorwork technique we’ll be using for our upcoming Springtime Wings CAL starting May 1st!
Whether you’re brand new to mosaic or just need a refresher, this skill-builder is the perfect warm-up.
Today’s new tutorial walks you through all the essentials:
Working the DC two rows down (spoiler: it's not scary!)
When to switch yarns
How to read a crochet chart
How to keep your tension soft and fabric flat
Color tracking tricks for stress-free stitching
The full Springtime Wings pattern PDF drops April 24, 2025 for Comfort Crafting Club members on Patreon, and our CAL tutorials begin May 1!
I hope this helps you feel calm, confident, and ready to dive in. Let’s make something beautiful—together.
Grab your yarn and hook, and let’s jump in!
WHAT IS INSET MOSAIC CROCHET?
Inset mosaic crochet is a beautiful and beginner-friendly way to work color into your crochet—without juggling multiple yarns at once.
You’ll only work one color per row, and by placing stitches two rows below, you can create striking motifs—like this butterfly from our Springtime Wings square.
If you're a knitter who has worked a mosaic slip-stitch knitting pattern, this is a nice way to ease into mosaic crochet since the concept is very similar.
MATERIALS & SETUP
Here’s what you’ll need to follow along today:
2 contrasting colors of yarn (I'm using Knit Picks Brava)
A hook that suits your yarn (mine is from Knit Picks)
A copy of the chart (click below for free download)
This swatch will give you a feel for the technique—and help you test out color combos for the CAL!
WORKING THE FOUNDATION
Start with Color A and chain 20. Turn your work. At this point we can work just from the chart starting at Row 1 by working into the second chain from your hook (this counts as the turning chain indicated in the first box on the chart).
Rows 1 & 2 are all single crochet and turning chains. Easy peasy!
Once that’s done, drop Color A, and pick up Color B for Row 3.
HOW THE TECHNIQUE WORKS
Now for the fun part—mosaic crochet stitches!
We always need to do a bit of set-up for inset mosaic crochet, so that's what we'll be doing on Rows 3 & 4 with Color B.
Rows 3 & 4: Using Color B, chain 1, (single crochet x 2, chain x 2, skip 2 stitches) repeat 3 more times, single crochet x 2. Turn.
Once that’s done, drop Color B, and pick up Color A for Row 5.
You’ll work double crochets two rows down into the skipped stitches in the previous row of the same color, always in front of the chain spaces, not around them.
This creates clean vertical lines and lets your design emerge row by row.
Row 5: Using Color A, chain 1, single crochet x 2, (double crochet 2 rows down x 2, chain x 2, skip 2 stitches) repeat 2 more times, double crochet 2 rows down x 2, single crochet x 2. Turn.
Row 6: Using Color A, chain 1, single crochet x 4, (chain x 2, skip 2 stitches, single crochet x 2) repeat 2 more times, single crochet x 2. Turn.
Once that’s done, drop Color A, and pick up Color B for Row 7.
KEY TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Here are a few important things to remember as you work:
Tip 1: DC two rows down always goes in front of the chains—never behind or around them.
Tip 2: Work with one color per row. Drop the unused yarn and pick it back up when it’s needed. No need to carry it across!
Tip 3: Keep your tension relaxed. Since mosaic involves layering stitches you can play around with adding an extra chain stitch or two when prepping for the Double Crochet 2 Rows Down stitches. Some yarns will make a nicer fabric with a little more or less slack in the background stitches.
Tip 4: Not sure which yarn to use?Look at the last worked row.
If both yarns are on the same side, you’ll use the opposite color.
If there’s one strand on each end, you’ll repeat the same color as the last row.
PRACTICE SWATCH WALKTHROUGH
Let’s walk through a few more rows together so you can see the rhythm. The video linked in the image above will start at this part of the tutorial so you can see this clearly.
If you need to pause or rewind, take your time—this is about learning, not perfection.
WHAT’S NEXT: SPRINGTIME WINGS CAL!
Now that you’ve got the basics down, you’re ready to take flight with our next CAL: Springtime Wings!
It’s a beautiful butterfly-themed square using this exact technique—and I’ll be walking you through every step, right here and on YouTube.
You can grab the PDF pattern Thursday on my craft-focused Patreon, and find the knit version tutorials there as well!
Thanks for crocheting with me today!
If you found this helpful, join my newsletter for new tutorials every week and let a fellow yarnie know the CAL is coming. Crafting is always more fun with friends!
And if you want to join the Springtime Wings CAL, check out the Patreon group to join the fun for less than the price of a coffee.
Happy stitching, and I’ll see you May 1 with the first CAL tutorial!
Shaina
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