How to Crochet a Harlequin Stitch

This is a classic crochet harlequin stitch. A sister to Catherine’s Wheel stitch and Starburst stitch. There are slight variations in each that make them unique, but they do have a similar look. This stitch can be a bit tricky since some of the shaping relies on working several stitches together, such as dc6tog. Basically, there is a combination of shell stitches, single crochets, and dc, that creates a “wheel” effect.

This stitch pattern is amazing in different colors and can be used for many things such as a pillow, baby blanket, hat, scarf or even a colorful gradient blanket, since it works so well with stripes of different colors. It makes a fabric with wonderful texture.

You can use any weight of yarn for this stitch, but anything larger than bulky yarn starts to get clunky. That’s why I didn’t use super bulky yarn for this tutorial even though it’s what I normally favor. Any fiber should work, whether cotton yarn or acrylic or animal fibers.

Instructions:

Chain a multiple of 8 + 2.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across; turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, skip 3 sts, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next st, skip 3 st, sc; repeat from * to end of row; turn.

Row 3: Ch 4, dc3tog, ch 7, * dc6tog (skipping over the center sc), ch 7; repeat from * until 3 dc’s remain; dc3tog; dc in last sc; turn. Working a dc6tog

Row 4: Ch 3, make 3 dc in top of dc3tog from previous row, sc in ch 1 two rows below, catching the ch-7 from row 3, * make (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) into next dec st, sc in ch 1 two rows below, catching the ch-7 from row 3; repeat from * until you reach the last dc3tog, 3 dc into dc3tog, dc into top of turning ch; turn.

Row 5: Ch 4, dc6tog (skip over the center sc), * ch 7, dc6tog (skipping over the center sc) repeat from * to end, ch 3, sc into top of turning ch; turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in 1st st, make (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) into top of next dec st, *sc ch 7 and ch 1 sp from previous 2 rows tog, make (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) into of next dec st; repeat from * to end, sc in 1st ch of starting ch 4 from prev row; turn.

Repeat rows 3-6 for stitch pattern.

Tips:

When working a crochet pattern that uses the Harlequin Stitch, you might find that your edges get tight. If this happens, make sure to ch 4 at the beginning of each row that calls for a ch 3. This can help loosen it up.

Remember, for the even color change make sure you draw the new color through the last 2 loops of the last stitch on the row before the new color starts.

Happy crocheting!