Get up to 60% off Yarn Shop Yarn Deals

New items added! View Our Newest Items

Buy 3 Puzzles, Get the 4th 50% Off! Shop Now

FREE SHIPPING on orders of $89 or more

US shipping only.

Mary Maxim·
craft:crochet, type:stitch-guide

How to Crochet the Lemon Peal Stitch | Crochet Stitch Tutorial

How to Crochet the Lemon Peal Stitch

The lemon peel stitch is an easy stitch combination using the double crochet stitch and single crochet stitch to produce a nicely textured, closed fabric. With just two basic stitches, you can create something beautiful and unique!

Once you have mastered this stitch, there are so many possibilities for what you can create — blankets, scarves, hats, bags, or anything else you can imagine. We love using this stitch in garments; it's great for reducing the natural stitch lines so it's more difficult to see the natural striping in crochet. We also like to use it in blankets when we're trying to introduce subtle texture. Looking for a project to try it on? Browse our free crochet patterns for inspiration.

Supplies and Stitches Needed

Yarn: Mary Maxim Mellowspun, 1 ball Crochet Hook: Size I-9 (5.50 mm)

You'll need to know the following skills:

Instructions

Step 1: Chain an even number of stitches for the pattern and add one more chain (2 + 1). We chained 24 sts + 1 st = 25 stitches in total.

 

Step 2: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook.

Step 3: Double crochet in the next chain.

Step 4: Single crochet in the next chain. Repeat to the end of the row.

This is how the pattern would be written:

Chain 25

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next st, *sc in next st, dc in next st, rep from * to end. (24 sts = 12 sc, 12 dc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, *dc in next st, sc in next st, rep to last st, dc in last st.


Repeat Row 2 until the fabric reaches the desired length.


Mary Maxim Kits That Use the Lemon Peel Stitch

Checked Blanket — A classic check design, this cozy blanket kit includes Mary Maxim Starlette and Starlette Ragg yarns and pattern. Finished size 46" x 57". Requires a Crochet Hook I-9 (5.5 mm).

Lemon Peel Stitch Tips

  • When crocheting the Lemon Peel stitch, you're working the opposite stitch from the row below. For instance, if the last stitch of Row 2 is a double crochet, then the first stitch of Row 3 will be a single crochet.
  • Most mistakes happen when you accidentally crochet the same stitch twice. If you find yourself working a single crochet into a single crochet, you'll need to rip out some work and go back to find the double — hopefully it's in the same row, but not always.
  • The lemon peel stitch can be worked into an odd number of stitches, but each row won't be exactly the same. Most designers use an even number of stitches so rows can be easily repeated, though there are always exceptions.

Stay Tuned

We have many more stitch tutorials coming soon. Take a look at the latest in acrylic yarn, or explore more crochet patterns, and don't forget to follow us on social media.
Back to top