Wrap yourself in the cozy warmth of crochet with the staggered half double stitch, a delightful pattern that's both simple to learn and a joy to stitch. Perfect for snuggly blankets and chic scarves, this stitch pattern forms a beautiful, serene texture that looks great from either side.
Crochet Staggered Half Double Stitch
Materials Needed:
- Lightweight yarn (number 3)
- 5mm crochet hook (adjust hook size for tighter or looser fabric as desired)
Pattern Notes:
- There's no specific stitch count multiple; simply start with an odd number of chains.
- This stitch creates a lovely, straight piece of fabric that looks the same on both sides.
- The pattern is a one-row repeat after the initial setup row.
Instructions:
Starting Row:
- Make a slipknot.
- Chain 15 (adjust this number to any odd number if you want a different width).
- Begin the first half double crochet cluster into the 3rd and 4th chain from the hook:
- Yarn over, skip the first two chains, insert the hook into the 3rd chain, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
- Then, yarn over, insert the hook into the 4th chain, yarn over and pull up another loop (5 loops on hook now).
- Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops then chain one. This completes your first half double crochet cluster.
Main Pattern Repeat:
- Yarn over, go into the next chain, pull up a loop.
- Yarn over again, move to the next chain, pull up another loop.
- Yarn over and pull through all five loops on the hook, then chain one.
- Continue this pattern across, making half double crochet clusters over two stitches followed by a chain one, until you reach the last three chains of the row.
- Perform a half double crochet cluster over the next two stitches, chain one, and in your very last chain, complete a half double crochet stitch.
Following Rows:
- Chain two and turn your work.
- For the rest of the project, you'll work into the spaces created by the chain one from the previous row, effectively skipping the half double crochet clusters themselves.
- Yarn over and insert the hook into the first space, pull up a loop, then yarn over and go into the next space, pulling up another loop.
- Yarn over and pull through all five loops on the hook, then chain one.
- You'll continue this pattern across the row, ensuring you work into the spaces between clusters. When you work into the last chain-2 space at the end of the row before the turning chain, complete the final cluster, chain one, then perform a half double crochet into the top of the turning chain.
- Chain two, turn your work, and repeat step 11.
Finishing:
- Repeat the pattern for as many rows as desired for your project. This stitch is great for baby blankets, scarves, and shawls because of its elegant texture and reversible nature.
- Feel free to adjust your starting chain and hook size according to your project needs or yarn choice.
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