The tulip stitch is a quick and easy unique crochet stitch perfect for blankets, scarves and more! Doesn’t the texture remind of a corner-to-corner crochet stitch? This crochet stitch is one I recreated from a well-loved baby blanket.
When I was pregnant with my first child I received a lovely crocheted blanket at my baby shower. I have used it with all three of my girls and it is certainly well-loved. Ever since I learned to crochet the stitch of this blanket intrigued me. I always had intentions of sitting down and figuring it out. Well, the girls dug it out of the closet the other day, so I figured I might as well figure out this stitch.
Tracking down a name for this stitch was quite a difficult process. The closest I’ve come to find is the Tulip Stitch… also very similar to the Crazy Stitch, Slanted Shell Stitch, and the Brick Stitch. For today’s tutorial, I am going to call it the Tulip Stitch. This pretty stitch creates a heavily patterned fabric that has a really fun texture. The groups of double crochets look like they are made in a zig-zag pattern.
There is just a 1 row repeat so it is easy to memorize and it creates its own lovely scalloped border. How cool is that?! After the foundation row, all the stitches are crocheted into chain spaces rather than in a stitch. This makes this for a very quick growing project. This is a versatile stitch that would suit a variety of different yarns and projects. From experience, I know that it makes a great baby blanket!
Check out the Video Tutorial Here!
For this tutorial I used
- #4/Worsted Weight Yarn (specifically Red Heart Soft in Seafoam)
- 5 mm hook
Abbreviations
- I use US terminology
- Ch(s): chain(s)
- Sc: single crochet
- Dc: double crochet
- St(s): stitch(es)
Tulip Stitch Crochet Tutorial
Ch a multiple of 4
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sc in next ch * skip 2 chs. 2 dc in next ch, ch 2, sc in next ch. Repeat from * across. Turn
Row 2: Ch 2, Skip 1st st. (2 dc, ch 2, sc) in ch 2 sp. *Skip 3 sts. (2 dc, ch 2, sc) in ch 2 sp. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Repeat row 2 until project is desired size
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Is there anyway this stitch could be made into a diagonal shawl? I love this pattern and think it would be beautiful in a shawl.
Thank you in advance!
Sincerely Vicki
Hey,
a wonderful piece.
I am German and although I understand your terminology, I can`t be successfull.
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sc in next ch * skip 2 chs. 2 dc in next ch, ch 2, sc in next ch. Repeat from * across. Turn
What please is the difference between “ch 2” and “sc in next ch”?
Thank you for your answer and regards from
Marie
This may not help, now, and I don’t want to speak out of turn, but ch 2 means that you are going to chain 2 free stitches on their own and then anchor them to the next chain (next ch) with a single crochet (sc). This will give you a little loop, that you can use in the next row.
In the Row 1 picture, the tiny triangle gaps between the double crochet stitches and what looks like a single stitch (almost) are from your ch 2’s.
In row 2, after the first stitches, the direction is to: (2 dc, ch 2, sc) in ch 2 sp. You will stitch the 2 double crochets into that space you created with the 2 free stitches in Row 1, then make a 2 stitch chain AND stitch 2 more double stitches into that original 2 free stitches in Row 1 space. You will be able to see the double crochet start to zig-zag, as a result!
Great instructions and totally understandable to be new to the way it all comes together! 🙂
I’ve actually made a lapghan and baby blanket with the tulip stitch. This pattern is similar, but is a bit lighter weight, and seems to work up a bit faster. Thank you for posting this, I’m very excited to see how it turns out as a baby blanket.
How big did you do for a baby blanket? How many st?
It depends on your yarn and hook but here is a baby blanket pattern I designed with this stitch. https://theunraveledmitten.com/2018/08/10/crochet-baby-blanket-free-pattern-south-shore/
This is such a simple stitch kind of reminds me of the crazy stitch. Well off to my lapghan. Thank you
Hello everyone! Love this stitch, about to start it for my niece being born at the end of October in a Seafoam green! just wondering what kind of border did you, or anyone else commenting here, use? Its such a pretty stitch I feel like maybe a simple border? just not sure but would love some inspiration! thank you again for the pattern!
i cant think what it is called but shell stitch on u tube has at end of program looks hard to do but after watching i am sure it is not. i believe she is making a all colored afghan.
Hi Deja! Love this pattern and want to make a lap blanket. Rookie question! How do I figure how many skeins or yards? I will use the I hook and type of yarn you used but I’m kind of new and don’t know how to figure that! Thanks!!
If I want to increase by one stitch at the end of a row, how would I do that? Can you help?
Working this stitch right now in a Blanket/Throw …… loving it,but might have to make a run to Joann’s in Petoskey for another skein of Caron one pound in off white.
Hello! Thank you very much for sharing with us. I want to make a hat but I do not know how to finish each round. Pease could you help me?
Thank you for all the excellent tutorials.
Do you have a picture that points out what your talking about with the ch 2 sp then ch3. Are you saying to hook down to the first row into the ch 2 sp. Or a video maybe. I see the pics but nothing is pointed out about what your talking about.
You say in the comments it should be a multiple of 3 to come out even but your pattern states a multiple of 4 which is correct?
Love it. Beautiful.
I’m planning to use this pattern for a queen sized blanket. Would you have any idea how much yarn it would take?
Hi! Thank you for Sharing this stitch. I love it! Very easy
Vivian
That sounds like the Jamie blanket stitch. I’ll have to look up the pattern in my reader’s digest book for the other name, but i love this stitch, my favorite. I love the way it makes a shell like edging on the sides of the blanket. The first row is a little different, but once you get on the Patten repeat it’s the same. I can’t remember if there is one sc or two sc in the Patten.
yes, indeed this is Jamie, old school. One of my all-time favorites! I make the bottom edge!
On the first row, when you get to the end, is there supposed to be one chain st left over??
Nope all the chains are used.
Love this stitch. Thanks for the share!
I forgot to mention, for a slightly lacier look and a really nice drape, I often use a j hook.
I have been using this stitch for years, I just didn’t know it had a name! This always makes up so quickly for baby gifts and the stitch lends itself to stripes of whatever thickness you like. I sometimes leave the edges as is, since it turns out with that cute scallop, but to change things up it’s easy enough to add nearly any kind of border. Love this pattern.
This stitch is very similar to one I did this winter for a “bun” hat. It was called “Tumbling Block” because it resembles baby blocks. Really cute when each row is done in separate colors. Works up very fast.
It is lovely!! And easy.
Also, when working the first row, do you pick up two threads of a chain or only one?
I usually pick up two but this is a matter of preference. You can do it either way.
Hi! Crochet is brand new to me, so I hope you won’t mind helping me with your pattern. After chaining one hundred sixty and working the first row, I ended up with 39 and a half shells and two chains left over. Is there supposed to be half of a shell at each end of the row? If so, how do I work the last half shell? Thank you for your kind help!
If you start with a multiple of 3 and do your first dc in the 3rd chain you won’t have any leftover chains. That being said, everyone miscounts once in a while. If it bugs you, you can pull it out and redo it, but if it were me I would “fudge” it. I would either squeeze a full shell in the end or I would unpick the last stitch or two of the chain. Alternatively, if you are putting an edge around the blanket that’s fairly substantial, you can just work over those last two stitches as part of the tail.
It’s a lot like the pompadour stitch I came across just this week! I used a variety of both the stitches on an Afghan I did for my cousin and a baby Blanket I did. The stitch I’m working on for a baby Blanket is actually called Jamie’s Pompadour. It’s a pattern I found on some old yarn of my grans
I enjoy your site very much and I read the pattern on how it is done and I am going to use the cabbage stich for my Dallas cowboys afgan thank you
As I was writing the pattern out it reminded me of a stitch I have used for years. When I read the comments, I remember the Jamie yarn and probably where I got the pattern. Thank you.
I’ve been crocheting since my teen years but have never done an Afghan with chain in multiples. Question is how do you do that?
I also do not understand what multiple of 4 means ?
It means you can make the piece any size, by choosing any number that is a multiple of 4 for the start. 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28…..64….120, etc.
A multiple is the number of chains you must repeat to have the correct basis (foundation chain) for your project. So that you have the exact number of chains to work with, not too many or too few. Very often you will see a multiple of two plus one. The one is one extra chain tou must at at the end of the multiple number. Crochet takes time to master but once you have understood it, you will fly like a rocket. Good luck. It’s very enjoyable and rewarding but occasional frustration will try to spoil it. Don’t give up!
awesome
Love this pattern but mine has more holes visible. Using Caron One Pound. Your picture looks tighter. Do I need heavier yarn?
Thanks
It could just be your tension and the fact that caron one pound is a little bigger than the red heart soft I used in the tutorial.
Can you give me the approximate size of the blanket you made? And also the number of skeins you used. I know mine may be different but that would give me a general idea to start. Love the stitch, nice instructions.
Hi Kathy, the blanket was gifted to me. I am unsure about what yarn she used to make it so I can’t really give you an idea how many chains to start. I have a blanket size chart HERE you can reference. Just make you starting chain the width you want the blanket to be and then add a few more to account for the slight scallop a the bottom.
I have a variety of hand spun yarn, I am going to make a vest. I have been unable to decide what to do so I am just going to go for it. Wish me luck.
Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started isn’t it! Sending you all the wishes of luck. ?
The tutorial doesn’t say how long the chain stitch should be and how many stitches there should be in it.
Hi Ginger, I didn’t put those numbers in because it is not an actual pattern for something, just instruction on how to work the stitch. As long as your starting chain is a multiple of 4 the stitch pattern will work out.
Hello! Thanks for your tutorial. I’m trying to use this stitch in a circle scarf working in the round- do you have any advice for how to work row 2 if I want to keep going in the round as opposed to turning the work? Thanks for letting me know!
I’m making a baby blanket with this stitch. Can you suggest and give directions for an edging? I’m not sure what to do with the beginning (straight) edge.
Thanks so much. This is turning out beautiful- looks like it’s complicated and it’s not!
Yes! Go back to the foundation edge and join your yarn at the corner in the space between the sc and 2 dc. Ch 2 and make (2dc, ch 2, sc) in that space. Repeat the (2dc, ch 2, sc) in the spaces between the sc and 2dc across the row, finish off. This will give you the slight scallop aling the bottom like the other 3 sides.
Another comment! I’m really struggling with the second row. Specifically the part that says Skip 3 sts. (2 dc, ch 2, sc) in ch 2 sp. I can’t tell which would be the third stitch 🙁 I think because maybe some got covered from the previous step? Help!
Don’t worry so much about counting the skipped stitches. You will work the (2dc, ch 2, sc) in each ch 2 space across the row. Does that help at all?
Yes. The problem is it looks like there are also spaces near the bottom of the row as well. I may have it though. Hopefully! Its a beautiful pattern! Is there a video tutorial I could watch?
Let me know if you have anymore trouble. ☺ I don’t have a video tutorial at this time.
Could you recommend a number of stitches to chain for a baby blanket? 🙂
It really depends on your yarn weight and hook size and your tension. My advice is to chain as long as you want it and make sure its a multiple of 4. If I was using the same 5.5mm hook and Red Heart Soft like in the tutorial I would use a starting chain of 124.
I love this pattern and started a baby blanket. I should have made it a little wider (I’m at 30″ wide). Could I add a border around to increase the width? If so what border would you suggest?
It may just take a little experimenting to find the right border. I would try a plain single crochet border to start. I think the smoothness of the single crochets would pair nicely with the texture of the stitch.
Heather, thank you for such a lovely easy to follow pattern. I love it. Am planning on a baby blanket using this stitch. It sure is easier and faster than the stitch I was planning on. You are terrific.
Thank you Lynda for your kind words. I am so glad you are enjoying this stitch!
what does SP mean?
SP means space ☺
It’s my favorite Stitch I’ve been using it for years, on scarfs, blankets, dishcloths, you name it. Works really nice with cotton, acrylic & it’s especially quick when used with Bernat Blanket yarn… talk about a quickie Afghan. Thank you for reviving this oldie but goodie ?
My pleasure Lori Ann! Its a fun stitch and definately all-purpose.
I am self taught and I enjoy crocheting. I am retired and have several grandchildren. I have done baby blankets and other simple projects but am trying to teach myself more complicated stitches and patterns. A tutorial like this so helpful. Thank you
You’re welcome Diana. Happy Crocheting!
I love the Tulip Stitch…. I’m working on an Afghan for my grandson using this stitch. Thank You for sharing your patterns.
If making a washcloth, would it be better to make it out of cotton? The pattern look easy to do. Thank you for putting this one out there.
Your welcome! Yes, cotton would definately be the best choice for a dischcloth. ☺
Thank you for the tutorial. I don’t have a lot of confidence in myself crocheting but I have been able to do the floret stitch, and the modified silt stitch. I’m using cotton yarn and making square dish cloths for my daughter.
You’re welcome Tina! Your crochet confidence will come, just keep practicing.
Lovely stitch. I tried it
Glad to here you liked it! ?
A lovely stitch. I am going to give this a go. Thank you for the great photos and easy tutorial.
You’re so very welcome Sunny! ??
According to my crochet stitch pattern book I have had since the 70’s, this stitch is called a “Forget Me Not stitch “. I have been making afghans using this stitch since 1974…
*Just thought you should know.