Crochet Harlequin Stitch Tutorial
The crochet harlequin stitch is worked by alternating double crochets with double crochet decreases along with chains to create a pattern that resembles a series of small diamonds.
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This stitch is the August 2024 New Year’s Resolution CAL stitch!
The crochet harlequin stitch is a variation of the (catherine’s) wheel stitch and starburst stitch, which result into a similar finished look, but the harlequin stitch ends up looking like pointed diamonds.
What is the Crochet Harlequin Stitch?
The harlequin crochet stitch is a versatile and decorative stitch pattern that features a series of diamond-shaped motifs. These motifs are created by combining double crochet stitches, double crochet decreases over multiple stitches, and chain spaces in a staggered pattern. The resulting texture is both visually striking and tactile.
This stitch is builds up quickly and is easy on the yarn, so you can get a whole square for much less than we have seen with previous stitches.
This stitch pattern is quite popular among the crochet community and most often seen in worsted weight yarns with projects like blankets, scarves, shawls, and home décor items, but you can easily adjust hook sizes and yarn weights and try for different finished looks!
Although this stitch is most commonly shown striped, you can also ignore color change prompts and make this square in one solid color! It leaves a lightly textured, but still interesting, finished look.
What is the skill level?
The crochet Harlequin Stitch is considered an intermediate stitch, as it requires some experience with stitches beyond the basics, but after some practice it should become easy enough!
Crochet Harlequin Stitch Afghan Square Pattern
Option 1: Continue scrolling for free pattern instructions on this site
Option 2: Purchase the ad-free PDF that includes tutorial photos from one of my shops
Option 3: Purchase the “12 Crochet Stitch Afghan Squares” ebook.
What materials do I need?
To make the crochet harlequin stitch you will need yarn and a crochet hook. To determine the pairing of these two supplies, you can either use the hook listed on the yarn label, or play around with different hook and yarn combinations as mentioned above! For this specific tutorial you will need worsted weight yarn and a I/9/5.50mm crochet hook.
What are the stitch multiples?
The crochet harlequin stitch is worked in multiples of 8, plus you need an additional 2 chains at the start.
This stitch is worked over a four row repeat.
To work a gauge swatch, chain 26 then work the pattern below for 8 total rows.
What else do I need to know about the Crochet Harlequin Stitch?
This stitch is reversible, so there is no right or wrong side.
Because of the higher stitch multiples, it was hard to get close to 15″ without going over the measurement, so blocking will be needed to stretch the square to the proper size.
The Crochet Pattern
Keep reading for a list of what you need to make this stitch, including the stitch pattern instructions!
Gauge
3 harlequin sts x 8 rows = 6”
Finished Measurements
14” x 14” without border
Block to 15” after border
Stitch Guide
ch = chain
dc = half double crochet
dc3tog = See Special Stitches
dc6tog = See Special Stitches
sc = single crochet
sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)
YO = Yarn Over
Skill Level
Intermediate
Written in U.S. Terms
Pattern Notes
- Beginning chains do not count as stitches.
- Where asterisks appear, repeat the instructions between them.
- Where brackets appear, repeat the instructions between them as indicated.
- This pattern is worked in a multiple of 8 + 2; the instructions are written for a beginning ch-58, but you can add or remove chains in multiples of 8.
- To work a gauge swatch, chain 26 then work the pattern below for 8 total rows.
- Hook may need to be adjusted for this pattern due to the stitch count.
- This stitch pattern is worked over a four row repeat.
- Tutorial photos are at the end of the pattern.
Special Stitches
double crochet three together (dc3tog) = [Yarn over, insert hook into stitch indicated and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3X, yarn over and draw through all 4 loops on hook.
double crochet six together (dc6tog) = [Yarn over, insert hook into stitch indicated and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] 6X, yarn over and draw through all 7 loops on hook.
Instructions
With Color A,
R1. Working in the back bump of the chain across:
Ch 57, sc in 2nd ch from hook, skip 3, [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc], skip 3 chs, sc in next, *skip 3 chs, [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in next, skip 3 chs, sc in next* across, turn
R2. Ch 3, skip 1st sc, dc3tog over next 3 dcs, *ch 7, skip ch-1, dc6tog over next 6 dcs (skipping sc)* across, dc3tog over last 3 dcs, dc in top of turning ch, turn
R3. Ch 3, 3 dc in 1st dc, *sc in the ch-1 below ch-7 (working over the ch-7 and “pinning” it down), [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in the “eyelet” created from the dc6tog* across, 3 dc in last eyelet, 1 dc in top of turning ch, turn
With Color B,
R4. Ch 4, skip 1st dc, *dc6tog over next 6 dcs (skipping sc), ch 7, skip ch-1* across, ch 3, sc in top of turn ch, turn
R5. Ch 1, skip 1st sc and ch-3, *[3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in “eyelet” created from dc6tog, sc in the ch-1 below ch-7 (working over the ch-7 and “pinning” it down)* across, sc in beginning ch of turning ch, turn
Repeat R2-5 until the fabric measures 14” or as close to it without going over and finishing with an R3 repeat.
R6. Ch 1, *sc in sc, ch 3, skip 3 dc, sc in ch-1 space, ch 3, skip 3 dc* across, sc in turning ch; do not turn
R7. Ch 1, sc evenly arnd outside edge of square; don’t worry if the edge scallops a bit, since square will blocked; Fasten.
Finishing
- Block square to 15″ x 15″
- Hide all strings.
And that’s how you work the crochet Harlequin Stitch!
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Written pattern and photographs © 2024 Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. Do not sell, share, or modify this pattern, but instead share the link to where the pattern can be found. You may sell items you make with this pattern. This pattern, as with all Blackstone Designs/Sonya Blackstone patterns, are not for educational use without written permission from the designer. All rights reserved.
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