The spike stitch is made by inserting the hook in stitches from lower rows. It can be worked with any type of crochet stitch: single, half-double, double…
The spike stitch can be made 1, 2, 3, or any number of rows below. The abbreviation sdc-1 indicates that you will be working a spike double crochet one row below, while ssc-2 indicates that you will be working a spike single crochet two rows below.
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The following example uses single crochet. From right to left, we will be working a spike single crochet one row below (ssc-1), a spike single crochet two rows below (ssc-2), and a spike single crochet three rows below (ssc-3) by inserting the hook in the spaces indicated by the red dots:
Here is a demonstration of the ssc-1:
Insert hook in the next stitch, 1 row below.
Pull the yarn through the stitch so that it will be high enough to maintain the work’s elasticity.
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook to complete the single crochet.
Here is a demonstration of the ssc-2:
Insert hook in the next stitch, 2 rows below.
Pull the yarn through the stitch so that it will be high enough to maintain the work’s elasticity.
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook to complete the single crochet.
Here is a demonstration of the ssc-3:
Insert hook in the next stitch, 3 rows below.
Pull the yarn through the stitch so that it will be high enough to maintain the work’s elasticity.
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook to complete the single crochet.
You can also watch this video that shows how to work a spike single crochet (French only):