
Today I am very excited to introduce my friend Katie to you all! She is going to show us a new stitch and a dishcloth to go along with it. I just know you guys will love this easy textured stitch.

Hello, friends! I’m Katie Clary, the crochet designer and blogger behind Salty Pearl Crochet. If you’ve joined us over at In Stitches! you’ve probably seen a little bit of my work, like the Venus Shell Slouch I’m wearing in my photo here. Heather and I have gotten to be great friends recently, so I thought it would be fun to share one of my favorite crochet texture stitches with you guys today on the Unraveled Mitten blog.
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How to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch
The Crochet Lemon Peel Stitch is full of texture! In fact, it’s one of my favorite crochet texture stitches to use, because it’s so soothing and easy to crochet. Plus, it just looks awesome! You’ll only need to use single crochet and double crochet in this stitch, and the crochet washcloth pattern!

This Lemon Peel Stitch tutorial was made with one of my favorite standby yarns, Lily Sugar ‘n Creme. I love this shade of yellow! (I’m not sure I could have chosen any other color for a stitch named after lemon peels.) I have seen this pattern used in crochet sweaters, dishcloths, afghans, and I’m even using it in a free crochet headband pattern that’s a part of my latest CAL!
Before you start, be sure to pin this image to your crochet stitch tutorials board on Pinterest!

Let’s get started! Here’s what you’ll need:
Materials for Crocheting the Lemon Peel Stitch:
- Scrap amount of worsted weight yarn. For this tutorial, I’m using Lily Sugar ‘n Creme Yarn in Sunshine but any cotton yarn (like Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton) will do for a spa washcloth or dishcloth (I used less than half for one spa cloth), and a practice swatch would look great in Red Heart Soft.
- For this tutorial, I’m using an H8 5.0mm Clover Soft Touch ergonomic hook. The set is definitely worth investing in!
Feel free to substitute the yarn and hook of your choice! I have a fairly average tension, so I usually use the hook size recommended by the manufacturer.
Abbreviations
Ch: chain
Dc: double crochet
Sc: single crochet
St: stitch
Crochet Lemon Peel Stitch Instructions:
Begin by chaining an odd number of stitches, plus one more for your turning chain. You’ll end up with an odd number of chains.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook. Dc in next. *Sc in next ch, dc in next ch.* Repeat * to * across the row.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. *Sc in first st, dc in next st. *Sc, dc.* Repeat * to * across the row.
Repeat row 2 until you’ve reached your desired length, or you feel comfortable with the stitch.

Lemon Peel Stitch Crochet Photo Tutorial
Now that you’ve read through the instructions, let’s break it down into more workable steps. If you notice an extra yarn tail coming along for the ride, that’s my special way of working in my yarn tail. You can read more about the Locked Loop Ends method HERE.
First, start with your chain- remember you want an even number of chains.

Next, you’ll skip your turning chain and place a sc into the second chain.

Place a double crochet into the next chain.

Make another single crochet in the next stitch, and a double crochet in the next.

Continue across the row in this fashion. Sweet and simple!

Next, chain one and turn.

Place a single crochet in the first double crochet stitch…

And a double crochet in the next single crochet.

You can repeat across the row in that fashion. Remember, you’re simply alternating single and double crochets.

Before you know it, you’ll have finished your washcloth!
There you have it! Wasn’t that easy? From here, you will have no trouble at all adapting this technique to different shapes and sizes. If you are interested in adapting this stitch to different patterns, here are some helpful tips for keeping it straight!
Tips for Understanding the Crochet Lemon Peel Stitch
The basic repeat of the Suzette Stitch Crochet pattern is *sc, dc.*
Always work your single crochet stitches into a double crochet from the previous row, and vice versa. That way, you’ll never lose your place!

Your initial chain count will always be one more than the stitch count of your rows. This is because the first stitch will be a single crochet.
One more thing I do to save time in the end is using the Locked Loop End method for weaving in my yarn tail. I never weave in more than one end for projects like this! If you noticed an extra loop of yarn coming along in the tutorial, that’s why!
Materials to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch Spa Cloth
H8 5.0mm Crochet Hook- I used my Clover Soft Touch
Lily Sugar ‘n Creme Yarn in Sunshine or 100% cotton Worsted (4) weight yarn. I used a bit less than half a skein.
Abbreviations
Ch- chain
Sc- single crochet
Dc – double crochet
Sk – skip
Gauge / Finished Size
7 stitches and 6 rows per 2”
Lemon Peel Stitch Crochet Dishcloth Pattern
Ch 27.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook. Dc in next. *Sc in next ch, dc in next ch.* Repeat * to * across the row. [26]
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. *Sc in first st, dc in next st. *Sc, dc.* Repeat * to * across the row. [26]
Row 3-22: Repeat Row 2, adding or removing rows as necessary to achieve a square shaped washcloth.
Break yarn and weave in ends.

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning the Lemon Peel Stitch! I would love to see your WIPs and Finished Projects using this easy crochet texture stitch! Share them with me on the Salty Pearl Crochet Facebook Page or tag me on Instagram @SaltyPearlCrochet or use the hashtag #saltypearlcrochet.
What a fun stitch! What are you going to make with the lemon peel stitch? Let Katie and I know in the comments. Don’t forget to hop on over to her blog and social media and give her some love!
Nice one!! I’ve got a question, it might be really stupid but, Can you use the DC foundation chain to start ANY thing?? instead of a LONG chain and then go back n do the DC in each chain. That just KILLS ME!!! I love the foundation chain idea, just not sure you can use it all the time.
Thanks!!
Susie
Trying to figure out why you’re calling the Suzette stitch the lemon peel stitch; am I missing where you add something different to it?
It does make nice washcloths, it’s the first style I learned.
Actually you’re wrong. The Suzette stitch is sc and dc in the SAME stitch, while the Lemon peel is sc in stitch and dc in NEXT stitch.
Thank your for clarifying.
Just came across this tutorial today. Thanks for explaining the stitch. When I finish the socks I’m knitting maybe I’ll give it a go.
In row 2, after chaining 1 and turning, which stitch do you single crochet into? The turn chain stitch, or the next one? I always get confused on that! Row one always says single crochet in second chain from hook! Please explain! I always have trouble with this! Thank you!
Can you please tell me how I would go about doing this stitch in a circle, like a doily or coaster?
Wondering how to add the increase stitches without losing the pattern.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thankyou.
I want to make a toddler blanket. How many chains do I need?
It really depends on your yarn and hook and tension. But generally you just make a chain (using the correct multiple) the width you want your blanket to be and go from there.
It is lovely, I did it one time holding yellow and baby pink together as a bulky yarn, and it was pink lemonaide!! 🙂 Also, if you use two colors, alternating each color every row, it is the crochet hounds tooth stitch. Very versatile.
I’ve made lots of these and given as teacher gifts, rolled up and tied with a nice bow. They’re really pretty and hold up very well. Highly recommend this pattern!
I’m so excited to find this lemon 🍋 pattern the color is very beautiful you can almost smell the fresh lemony flavor. I love the lemon trees when they bloom. We’re expecting another great granddaughter in January, when the lemons will be picked, she will have a lemon blanket to snuggle with. Thank you, Grammy Franie
Could you convert this pattern to a round (like a coaster) size please
Hi I also really love this pattern and I’m uskng it to make a baby blanket. I’ll post a picture when I evfinished!
I really Love this pattern. And the color. I am crocheting a blanket for a toddler. Using some awesome colors from Red Heart. I practice d w/ different size hooks. I chose to use an L8. mm Hook. I am a little confused w/1 thing. First you say crochet even #+1. Then you say chain odd#. HELP PLEASE! I HAVE BEEN CROCHETING FOR YEARS. THANK YOU. ANGELA.
Just chain any even number and add 1 more chain, that will give you an odd number.
I love the website
Wishing you lots of prayers to you and your family. I enjoy your website.