Leaping Stripes Crochet Tutorial

The Leaping Stripes crochet stitch is a simple yet visually captivating two-row repeat. It's perfect for those evenings when you want to crochet without having to focus too intensely, making it ideal for creating beautiful blankets or wearable items. This stitch can look great in a solid color, but it truly comes to life when worked in multiple colors. You might be concerned about weaving in all those color-change ends, but fear not! When you work this stitch with two colors, you can drop the non-working yarn at each color change and pick it back up when needed, minimizing those pesky ends. A simple border edge can easily cover the yarn jogs, elevating your typical striped blanket to a whole new level.

What makes this stitch unique is that you work your double crochet stitches in the skipped stitches from the previous row, over the chains between double crochet stitches. This produces a delightful zig-zag block appearance due to the color changes. While this stitch may seem intricate, it's a fantastic pattern for adventurous beginners.

Instructions:

Row 1 (Right Side):

1. With Color A, chain your desired number of chains (the sample is worked with 34 chains).
2. Make 1 double crochet (dc) in the fourth chain from the hook (skipped chains count as the first stitch).
3. Continue with 1 dc in the next chain.
4. Chain 2, skip 2 chains, make 1 dc in the next 2 chains.
5. Repeat from * to * until the last stitch, and make 1 dc in the last stitch.
6. Turn. (18 stitches + 7 ch-2 spaces)

Row 2:

1. Chain 1, make 1 single crochet (sc) in the same stitch.
2. Chain 2, skip the next 2 stitches.
3. Working over the ch-2 space and in the unworked chains from the row below, make 1 dc in the next 2 chains.
4. Chain 2, skip the next 2 stitches.
5. Repeat from * to * until the last stitch, and make 1 sc in the last stitch.
6. Switch to Color B.
7. Turn. (16 stitches + 8 ch-2 spaces)

Row 3:

1. Chain 3 (counts as a stitch).
2. *Working over the ch-2 space and in the unworked stitches from the row below, make 1 dc in the next 2 stitches.
3. Chain 2, skip 2 stitches.*
4. Repeat from * to * until the last ch-2 space.
5. Make 1 dc in the next 2 stitches from the row below, and 1 dc in the last stitch.
6. Turn. (18 stitches + 7 ch-2 spaces)

Row 4:

1. Chain 1, make 1 sc in the same stitch.
2. Chain 2, skip the next 2 stitches.
3. *Working over the ch-2 space and in the unworked stitches from the row below, make 1 dc in the next 2 stitches.
4. Chain 2, skip the next 2 stitches.*
5. Repeat from * to * until the last stitch, and make 1 sc in the last stitch.
6. Switch to Color A.
7. Turn.

Continue to repeat Rows 3-4 to the desired size, alternating colors every two rows.

Last Row (even row):

1. Chain 1, make 1 sc in the first three stitches.
2. Working over the ch-2 space and in the unworked stitches from the row below, make 1 dc in the next 2 stitches, and 1 sc in the next 2 stitches.
3. Repeat from * to * until the last stitch.
4. Make 1 sc in the last stitch. (32 stitches)

Enjoy crocheting the Leaping Stripes stitch, and feel free to customize your project with different color combinations to make it uniquely yours. Weave in your ends and appreciate your stunning work! Happy crocheting!