✨ Mathematical Colourwork✨ Inset or Inlay Mosaic Crochet

Close-up of my first attempt at Inset Mosaic Crochet

Slow craft meets bold design

At Meraki by Hand, I love working with techniques that feel both timeless and modern — and inset mosaic crochet is exactly that. This beautiful colourwork method might look intricate at first glance, but it’s a rhythmic, meditative process once you get into the flow. It’s one of my favourite ways to add bold, geometric patterns to handmade pieces without overcomplicating the stitchwork.

A little personal truth...

As a child, I hated maths. In the form that the subject was taught to me, I had a very shaky understanding of the basics — and the disillusionment only grew from there. Growing up in a system that prized rote learning over comprehension, if you didn’t understand a concept, the only solution offered was to memorise it and regurgitate it in exams. There was no space for logic, puzzles, or wonder — It was just about getting the answer ‘right’. Naturally, I hated this.

I wasn’t academically inclined, and that made school life hard. But it was something I had to get through — there was never any other option. Anything even remotely maths-related was always met with a firm, resounding no in my brain.

But now (rather begrudgingly, I might add) I’m beginning to see maths in a different form. A way to play, to magic myself into a world of creation. The correlation between maths and making is only just starting to reveal itself to me, as I experiment with yarn, stitches, and patterns that keep me engrossed for hours. And inset mosaic crochet is the perfect example of that. It’s a technique I’ve sunk my teeth into fairly recently, but it has me by the roots.

So where did it come from?

Inset mosaic crochet is a relatively new twist on some very old traditions. Crochet itself doesn’t have ancient roots like knitting or weaving, but colourwork in textiles has been around for centuries — from tapestry weaving in Peru to patterned kilims in Anatolia.

In crochet, colourwork has evolved in many forms over time, and for me, inset mosaic is one of the most exciting. Unlike the more widely known overlay mosaic crochet, inset mosaic uses basic stitches (mostly double crochet and chain spaces) worked directly into earlier rows. This gives a cleaner, more reversible finish, and creates the illusion of intricate mosaic tiles — hence the name. The best part? You never have to change colours mid-row.

Though versions of the technique have existed in scattered forms for years, the modern resurgence of inset mosaic happened around the late 2010s. Designers and crocheters began sharing their own approaches through blogs, Ravelry, and Instagram, refining the method and offering visual patterns that made it accessible to a wider audience. Today, it’s a favourite among slow makers for its balance of creativity and calm — perfect for mindful crafting.

Why I love it...

For me, inset mosaic crochet is where math meets magic. The patterns unfold row by row like a quiet surprise, and the end result always feels a little bit special. Whether I’m making a cushion cover, a tote bag, or a statement throw, it’s a technique that invites you to pause, focus, and take joy in the process — something I believe is at the heart of all slow, handmade work.

Original Inset Mosaic Crochet design created into a cushion.

🧶 The Technique:

Inset mosaic crochet uses simple stitches to create bold, graphic patterns. It looks complex — but at its heart, it’s slow, methodical, and deeply satisfying to work. Unlike other crochet colourwork methods like tapestry or overlay mosaic, inlay crochet doesn't require you to carry yarn along the back or switch colours mid-row. Instead, you work with just one colour at a time, and the pattern emerges by carefully placing stitches into previous rows.

✨ How It Works

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• You alternate two rows of each colour (e.g. two rows in Colour A, then two in Colour B).

• Within each row, you chain over stitches you want to “skip” and later “fill in” from above.

• Then, you work long stitches (usually UK trebles/US doubles) into earlier rows — creating the design. These longer stitches form the visible pattern, while the skipped chain spaces provide the contrast.

• Unlike overlay mosaic crochet, tere are no loose ends in inset crochet. You work the colours back and forth so you can carry them from one row into the next creating a neat edge for your work.

The result is a structured, almost tiled effect — like tiny woven mosaics.

🪄 Why Makers Love It

• One colour at a time = less tangling

• No floats or bobbins or loose ends

• Reversible (depending on the design)

• Makes a dense, durable fabric

• Perfect for homewares, bags, and statement pieces

Even though it may look intricate, the rhythm is relaxing — and ideal for slow craft lovers who enjoy both beauty and logic in their work.

🧵 What You Need

• Two (or more) contrasting yarn colours

• A hook that matches your yarn weight

• A mosaic/inlay crochet chart (these are easier than written instructions!)

• Patience + a good podcast 😉

  
  

🌟 Want to try it?

This technique has become the new bee in my bonnet; so I've started out by publishing a step-by-step tutorial to my YouTube Channel on how to do this technique. You can also watch it on the video section of this website, Maker Studio. This video includes instructions on how to read a chart and the different charts one might find. I will also be sharing some patterns and graphs that I've been creating.

You’ll find some of my favourite inlay crochet pieces that I've created in the Meraki by Hand Etsy store. I'll be uploading a few of my pattern charts for sale as well for those interested in delving into a little more complex patterns. Alternatively, reach out to me if you’d like to commission a custom pattern or piece — I love talking stitches!