Today, I’m going to kick off a new series on my blog of stitch tutorials. I’ve wanted to start adding tutorials to my blog for awhile now. I occasionally will link to other people’s stitch tutorials, but I like to use my own so I have a reliable source to point you all to. To start off this series, I’m going to be adding a stitch that is used in the Pineapple & Pine Cowl and Scarf.
About the Stitch Combo
So this stitch is a variation of a stitch called the 3-Strand Zigzag. It uses a combination of Double Treble crochet stitches to create a zigzagging effect. These little zigzags remind me of the peaks and valleys of a mountain range. With some slight adjustments, I nicknamed this stitch, the Mountain Stitch, to be used in the Pineapple & Pine Scarves.
This stitch combination is reversible, so it looks very similar on the front and the back. It is worked in multiples of 6 +1. For example, if you wanted to do 3 repeats you would need 19 stitches (Ex: 6×3=18; 18+1=19). It uses rows of hdc between the “mountain ranges” to create spacing. The number of hdc rows that you use are totally up to you; however it looks best with at least two rows. For this tutorial, I’m going to be using two rows of hdc between “mountain range” rows.
I’m going to be walking you through this technique, but if you’d rather skip that and just watch the video, scroll all the way down to the bottom.
Stitches Used
This “stitch” is actually a combination of stitches. You’ll need to know three stitches to complete this combo: double treble crochet, half double crochet, and chain.
Double Treble
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the stitch. (4 loops on hook)
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. (5 loops on hook)
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (4 loops on hook)
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (3 loops on hook)
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (2 loops on hook)
- Yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
Half Double Crochet
- Yarn over once, then insert hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop.
- Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
Special Techniques
This stitch combo has a few special techniques that involving the Double Treble Crochet stitch. It’s important to be familiar with the DTR stitch before we get started though. I’ll be adding a tutorial for this stitch eventually, but for now, if you’re not familiar with it check out this video from Crochet Crowd.
Double Treble Group (DTR Group)
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 2 loops left on your hook.
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 3 loops left on your hook.
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 4 loops left on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops left on your hook.
Double Treble Group Two Together (DTRGroup2Tog)
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 2 loops left on your hook.
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 3 loops left on your hook.
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 4 loops left on your hook. (1st Group Made)
- Skip 5 stitches.
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 5 loops left on your hook.
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 6 loops left on your hook.
- Yarn over 3 times, then insert hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 times), leaving 7 loops left on your hook. (2nd Group Made)
- Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops.
My Thoughts on the Stitch
I think this stitch has some very unique attributes. For one, because it uses DTR stitches, it works up to be a fairly tall row. This allows you to build your work pretty quickly. It is also a fairly open stitch pattern and gives a lacy effect to your work. This is a stitch that really looks best after blocking to open up the stitches so you can appreciate that laciness.
Pattern Swatch
Chain 25 (or another multiple of 6+1)
Row 1: Ch 1 and turn. Hdc in 2 ch from hook and each stitch across. (25)
Row 2: Ch 5 and turn (counts as first DTR). Sk first 3 st. DTR Group in next stitch. *Ch 5. DTRGroup2Tog beginning in same stitch as last* Repeat from * to * until 3 stitches remain. DTR Group in same stitch as last, stopping before you pull through the last 4 loops. Sk 2 st. Work 1 Dtr in last stitch until you have 1 loop remaining. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook. Ch 1 to close last DTR Group.
Row 3: Ch 1 and turn. *Hdc in top of DTR Group. Hdc 5 in ch 5 space.* Repeat from * to * across until you reach last DTR Group. Sk last DTR Group and Hdc in the 5th ch of the turning ch.
Row 4: Ch 1 and turn. Hdc in each stitch across.
Optional: For more spacing rows, Repeat Row 4
Repeat Rows 2-4 one more time (or until work reaches desired height)
Video Tutorial
I hope you enjoyed this stitch. Be on the look out for more stitch tutorials in the future. Until next time, Happy Crafting!
Kelsie
