Learn how to do the Crochet Lemon Peel Stitch, a great basic stitch to have in your arsenal. The Lemon Peel Stitch is very easy to crochet and creates a sturdy fabric with lots of pretty texture. This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure policy here.
Hey there! Ready to learn a fab new crochet stitch today? I hope so because I am sharing one of my very favorite stitch patterns today: the Crochet Lemon Peel Stitch. I love this stitch because it is really simple do and super easy to keep track of (that’s a big deal! Everyone loves crochet projects that don’t take too much thinking!). It also creates a nice sturdy fabric with beautiful texture, so it is one of my go-to stitches that I use all the time.
Crochet Lemon Peel Stitch Materials:
- Yarn (I used Caron One Pound in Pale Green for this sample)
- Hook (I used an H 5.00 hook)
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
Okay! Let’s do this!
Begin your piece by making a chain of whatever length you like. For this sample, my initial chain was 25 chains long. (You could also start with a row of foundation single crochet if you prefer.)
Now, let’s crochet the first row. Start by working a single crochet into the second chain from your hook.
Next, work a double crochet stitch in the next chain.
Continue in this pattern alternating single crochet and double crochet stitches until you get to the end of the row.
We will follow the same pattern in the next row, making sure that you always work a single crochet stitch into a double crochet stitch and vice versa.
Since the first stitch I am working into is a double crochet stitch, I will be working a single crochet first. I start by chaining one, and then work a single crochet into the first stitch.
Since my sample has an even number of stitches, each row begins with a single crochet. If I had an odd number of stitches in my rows, then the rows would alternate beginning with single and double crochet stitches.
Next, I will work a double crochet into the next stitch (which is a single crochet).
And this, my friends, is the main reason I love this stitch (besides the yummy texture) – you never have to refer to a chart or pattern. All you need to do is look at the stitch you are working into – a single crochet gets a double crochet and vice versa. Easy peasy!
Just keep on going in this pattern until your piece is the size you want.
The Lemon Peel Stitch is perfect for any project that needs a fairly sturdy fabric with texture. I have used it in hats, headbands, bags, and many other projects. It is especially good for washcloths – just use some cotton yarn and work up a little square. But really you can use this stitch in any simple project. For example, I turned my sample piece into a cute little pouch:
I just folded the finished rectangle into thirds, stitched the pouch closed on the sides (just like how I made my raffia clutches here) and added a button closure to the front. Easy peasy!
I hope you guys will give this stitch a try. I think you’ll like it as much as I do. Happy Crocheting!
Check out some of my other Crochet Patterns and Tutorials:
Foundation Single Crochet Video Tutorial
Comments + Project Love
Jane says
Very lovely! Thank you for tutorial.
Alexis says
You are so welcome! Thank you for stopping by!
Janice says
Just learned how to do the lemon peel stitch thanks to you. Wonderful! Thank you!
Jess says
This IS so easy! I had no idea. It looks so much fancier than the effort it requires. Gotta love that 🙂
Alexis says
YES! I love easy that looks fancy. 😉
Jennifer says
This stitch has a really lovely texture, and bonus for being able to do it without following a pattern! With a small child underfoot those are the best kind! =) Thanks for the instructions!
Alexis says
Absolutely! I have a couple of those small children underfoot myself. 😉
Stacey says
Thanks for sharing. Love it 🙂 Why is it called the lemon peel stitch?
Alexis says
I think because the texture is kind of bumpy like lemon peel. I’m sure it is called different things too, but that’s how I have always referred to it. 🙂
Yvonne says
A friend shared this stitch years ago. I have made this stitch with dishcloths and never had a name for it. Thank you.
Alexis says
It is a great stitch for dishcloths! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Yvonne. 🙂
Karen says
Can’t wait to try the Lemon Peel stitch.Do you have a printer friendly version without the pictures?
Also have you ever used this stitch for a baby blanket. What yarn do you suggest?
Thank you
Alexis says
Hi Karen! I’m working on adding pdf versions of all my crochet posts, but I don’t have one for this yet. You can copy all of the text and paste it into a text document if you like. I have not used it for a baby blanket, but I think it would work great! Just make sure you use a large enough hook so it’s not too stiff. 🙂 Good luck!
Michele says
How many stitches do I need to chain for a baby blanket?
Anita says
I used it for a baby blanket. It came out great!
Reesa says
I used this stitch (calling it Crinkle Stitch) for an afghan. It gave a lovely texture to what could have been an otherwise boring striped afghan.
Alexis says
Yes! I am sure it has lots of different names, but I have always called it the Lemon Peel Stitch. I use it a lot too because as you said it adds so much yummy texture!
Jessica-Jean says
I’d never heard of either before today. Not the same stitch pattern.
Crinkle stitch: http://newstitchaday.com/how-to-crochet-the-crinkle-stitch/
I’m delighted to now know the name of the stitch my mother taught me when our son was a small child. Lemon Peel! Done with a FAT hook – I use 12mm – and multiple strands of worsted weight yarn – I’ve forgotten if it was three or four – if makes the only blanket that stayed with the sleeping/moving baby in our less-than-cozy-warm apartment those 43 years ago. Thank you for the name!
Alexis says
That sounds like a wonderful blanket – so cozy! I love working with big fat hooks too. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jessica! 🙂
Leslie says
Thanks for naming this. I have used it for years now and like to use two colors and do two rows of alternating the color. Because I carry the unused color up one side, I do a round of sc when done. This is one of my favorite go to patterns for wash and dishcloths and charity squares.
Alexis says
One of my very favorite stitches too, Leslie, and I love the idea of alternating colors. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. 🙂
Marie says
Love this stitch, must try! And let’s talk about those nails!! Gotta have great nails to crochet 🙂
Alexis says
Haha! It’s so true! The nails are an important part. 😉 Thanks, Marie!
KAREN says
I love your stitch, but uufortunately it’s been around about 30 years called the “Blanket Stitch”. I’ve made some beautiful baby blankets with this stitch,a larger crochet hook and thick and soft yarn? What I love about this stitch is it looks different with each hook and yarn mixture! Try it! It’s fast and fun blanket creating Some you can actually design to look 3D…
I can’t wait to try your water color with the rubber cement!!!
Thanks for sharing. 😉
Alexis says
Hello! Yes I have heard it called different things, but I’ve always known it as the Lemon Peel Stitch. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Mari says
Thanks for this tutorial. I love the texture of this stitch. And it’s easy to do – that’s always a bonus.
elle says
Love the stitch (and the yarn!) Just wanted to share with you, there is an extension for chrome that will take your posts and easily turn them into PDFs. Literally one click. Name is “Print Friendly & PDF”.
Camilla says
Hi, I love your blog and your stich! I’m relatively new to this so I love video tutorials… do you by any chance have that for this one? kind regards!
Alexis says
I don’t yet, but I will definitely put it on my video to-do list. I’m hoping to do a lot more videos this year. Thanks Camilla! 🙂
Rashami says
I love this pattern. Last year, I made a purse for my mom with this stitch. She absolutely loved it !!!
Alexis says
Oh I love to hear that! I love it too. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Rashami!
Linda says
I would love to make a blanket using this stitch. Can you tell me how many chains I should start with.
REBECCA says
So grateful! I learned the Lemon Peel Stitch AND the Foundation Single Crochet from your written and video tutorials today! Thank you for making these available. I knit as well as crochet and am always eager to learn new stitches, especially when they look fancy and are fairly easy to create. Thanks again, Alexis!
Ann Young says
I love the look of this stitch! I have tried a couple of samples and m having difficulties. Should I be crocheting through the “holes” , picking up both front and back stitches, or just one? If one, front or back stitch?
My yarn isn’t very forgiving, I am going to switch yarns and try again. Thanks for any assistance you can offer!
Iris says
.Would this be a good stitch for a baby blanket? I really like he texture and look of the pattern.
Thank you.
DebbsSeattle says
This is a great to to stitch. I use it for sweaters and blankets and scarves\hats\gloves. I use a “K” hook with Pound of Love for a lovely lightweight beautiful drape Afghan add a wave border for an ultra feminine touch. I highly recommend this stitch.
DebbsSeattle says
Couple years after the post, but just in case anyone reads comments like I do…I have used this stitch on a multitude of projects. Really easy to set the project down and come back to it without “being lost” and very forgiving if you do mess up and get a stitch order reversed here and there – it just blends in…also would be great for a beginner to learn to “read” their work. It makes a great blanket all the way from dense and thick (Lion Brand Thick & Quick with a “P” hook) to warm wool sweaters (Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool and an “H” hook) to a drapey and loose formal living room throw (Lion Brand Pound of Love and a “K” hook). Probably my favorite application has been a men’s shawl collared wool sweater and matching beanie cap.
Elizabeth Clarkson says
Just seeing this now, was looking for a new Stitch. The thing I cannot figure out is how many do you chain before you turn and start the next row? For example do you chain three if the first stitch on your next role will be a double or do you chain 2 if your first Stitch of the new row will be a single? Or do you chain the same amount regardless. In other words how do you keep the straight edge with this?
Elizabeth Clarkson says
I think I figured it out myself. I made practice Square and tried the different ways. Turns out that how many you chain on the end before you turn will depend upon the number of stitches weather even number or odd so the number you chain on the end of one row will depend upon what type of Stitch is going to be your first one on the new row.
For example if the first stitch in your new row is going to be a single, then you will chain 3, to accommodate the double you will be placing there and if your first Stitch is a double and you would chain 2 so you can accommodate the single that will go into it.
And I had an additional challenge sort of because I did not do this pattern as a whole blanket. I I’m already making a blanket in different colors and each color / section is a slight pattern variation on double crochets. so I did one color going into both Loops then I did the next section going into the back Loop only then I give the next section with each Stitch alternating first in the back only second stitch in the front only third stitch in the back only and it comes out looking like a basket weave. But then I got to where I said I would like to Jazz it up. I tried cable stitch design but could not master the post Stitch I am probably going to need to be shown that Hands-On. Then I found this and oh my goodness this is turning out absolutely gorgeous so my next blanket I will do one all in this Stitch. Thank you so much