Learn the crochet alpine stitch with this tutorial

Learn the crochet alpine stitch in this comprehensive tutorial.

The crochet alpine stitch is perfect for everything from garments and accessories to blankets and home decor.

In this tutorial, you’ll work a small swatch in order to see the crochet alpine stitch come to life. The principles of the swatch will carry over into any project you happen to work.

How the crochet alpine stitch works

The crochet alpine stitch is a 4-row repeat with front post double crochets creating the fabric’s texture.

Every other row is single crochet. The other rows in the pattern feature alternating front post double crochets and double crochets.

Instead of being worked around the stitches in the row directly below as usual, the front post double crochets are worked around the double crochets 2 rows below, making them slightly longer.

Tips for working the crochet alpine stitch

Here are a few tips to make working the crochet alpine stitch a little easier:

• In the rows where you’re working the FPdc, the following will apply: If the stitch 2 rows below is a dc, work a FPdc around it. If the stitch 2 rows below is a FPdc, work a dc in the top of it.
• Do not work into the dc behind the FPdc.
• I try to pull up the first loop of the front post double crochet to the height of a normal double crochet to prevent the fabric from curling.

If you prefer a video tutorial…

What you’ll need

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Yarn

Paintbox Yarns “Simply Aran” 100% acrylic (3.5oz/201yd; 100g/184m)

You’ll need approx. 1 oz of this or any worsted weight yarn for a 6″ swatch

Color used for the sample – #235 Duck Egg Blue

Hook

US size H-8 (5mm) – Choose a size that prevents the stitches from being too tight.

Abbreviations – US crochet terminology

• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• FPdc – front post double crochet
• sc – single crochet
• YO – yarn over

Special Stitches

Front post double crochet (FPdc) – YO, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the dc directly below the previous row, YO, pull up a loop the height of a regular dc (3 loops on hook), YO, draw thru 2 loops (2 loops on hook), YO, draw through last 2 loops on hook.

Stacked single crochet (STsc) – (This stitch is used at the beginning of a row or round to replace the traditional turning ch-3. It has the appearance of a dc.) – Insert hook in same st as loop, YO, draw up loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (bottom sc made), insert hook in left vertical bar of bottom sc, YO, draw up loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (top sc made). 

Note: I use the STsc in this swatch because it’s easier to work into than a turning chain and creates a straight line edge. However, if you prefer to use a ch-3 instead, be sure to work into the top of the turning ch at the end of all sc rows.

Swatch Instructions

Ch 20.

Foundation rows

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (19 sc)

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), dc in next st and in each st across, turn. (19 dc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st across, turn. (19 sc)

Start of the Alpine Stitch repeat

Row 4: STsc (counts as dc).

FPdc around dc 2 rows directly below.

Dc in the next st.

[FPdc around dc 2 rows directly below, dc in the next st] across, turn (10 dc, 9 FPdc)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in the same st and in each st across, turn. (19 sc)

Row 6: STsc, dc in the next st.

FPdc in the next dc 2 rows below.

Dc in the next st.

[FPdc in the next dc 2 rows below, dc in the next st] across to last st. Dc in the last st, turn (11 dc, 8 FPdc)

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in the same st and in each st across, turn (19 sc)

Repeat Rows 4-7 for the pattern.

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Use your newfound alpine stitch skills to make this beautiful but simple winter accessory.

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