If you know how to single crochet, double crochet, and the front post double crochet stitch, you’ll be able to master the Alpine Stitch in no time! If you want to try the Alpine Stitch, use this Alpine Stitch Crochet Tutorial.
The Alpine Stitch first caught my interest when I saw photographs of the Alpine Stitch Blanket free crochet pattern by YarnHookNeedles. I was swooning about the combination of the stitch texture and colors she utilized.
Crochet Alpine Stitch Overview
The Alpine Stitch, like the Waffle Stitch, is a fun stitch combination: a four-row repeat of single crochets, double crochets, and front post double crochets. It produces a textured and dense fabric that is ideal for patterns such as an afghan, baby blanket, scarf, cowl, and others.
I wouldn’t advocate attempting the Alpine Stitch as a novice, but if you’ve mastered the single crochet stitch, ordinary double crochet stitch, and front post double crochet stitch, you’ll be ready to tackle the Alpine Stitch crochet pattern.
The Alpine stitch’s backside, or wrong side, provides a flat texture with wonderfully defined rows. The fabric looks good on both sides, especially when done in a solid color.
Explanation of the Crochet Alpine Stitch
The Alpine Stitch design begins with two rows, a single crochet row and a double crochet row, that serve as the pattern’s basis but are not repeated in the main stitch pattern.
- Row 3 is a simple single crochet row, followed by a double crochet/post stitch row in row 4.
When you get to the double crochet/post stitch rows, alternate working front post double crochets around the double crochet two rows below and regular double crochets into the single crochet row below. Don’t worry if it sounds complicated; there are lots of illustrations to guide you through each step!
- Rows 5 and 6 are similar to rows 3 and 4, however the pattern of dc and fpdc in row 6 differs from that of row 4. After a few repeats, you’ll be able to tell that for the even-numbered rows, you’ll be working a front post double crochet around the double crochets two rows below, and you won’t need to look at the instructions any longer.
Before we begin learning how to crochet Alpine stitch, add this crochet stitch instruction to Pinterest so you can locate it later!
Alpine Stitch Tutorial Supplies:
Components:
The picture tutorial example swatch was made using Category 3 lightweight yarn (Patons Grace in Citadel) and a US size D, 3.25 mm crochet hook.
Abbreviations:
- ch(s): chain(s)
- sc(s): single crochet(s)
- dc(s): double crochet(s)
- fpdc(s): front post double crochet(s)
- st(s): stitch(es)
Notes:
- All guidelines and abbreviations are given in US crochet language.
- The ch 1 at the start of single crochet rows does not count as a stitch. The ch 2 at the start of the double crochet rows counts as a stitch.
- Starting the dc/post stitch rows with a ch 2 is preferable to starting with a ch 3. Feel free to select a turning chain amount (ch 2 or 3) that looks best with your crochet tension.
Instead of a foundation chain and single crochet row, you can begin this pattern with a foundation single crochet row (fsc). If you begin with a fsc, use an odd number of stitches and proceed to row 2 as directed.
Your finished material will most likely curl and will benefit from blocking.
Alpine Stitch Written Crochet Pattern
Ch 30 (start with an even number)
- Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch until the row is finished, turn. (29)
- Row 2: ch 2 (counts as a stitch), dc in the next st and in each st until the row is finished, turn (29)
- Row 3: ch 1, sc in each stitch until the row is finished, turn (29)
- Row 4: ch 2 (counts as a stitch), *fpdc around dc two rows down (skip over sc in previous row), dc in next sc of previous row, repeat from * to end of row, turn (29)
- Row 5: ch 1, sc in each stitch until the row is finished, turn (29)
- Row 6: ch 2 (counts as a stitch), *dc in the next st, fpdc around the dc two rows down (skip over the sc in the previous row), repeat from * until there are two stitches remaining, dc in each of the last two stitches, turn (29)
- Repeat rows 3-6, finishing with a row 3 when you’ve reached the desired length.
Photo Tutorial – Right Handed
Crochet Alpine Stitch, however, is not mine; it is by Jessica.
Ch 30 (start with an even number)
Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch until the row is finished, turn. (29)
Row 2: ch 2 (counts as a stitch), dc in the next st and in each st until the row is finished, turn (29)
Row 3: ch 1, sc in each stitch until the row is finished, turn (29)
Row 4: ch 2 (counts as a stitch), *fpdc around the dc two rows down (skip over the sc in the previous row), (In the image below, the needle is behind the dc in row 2 and you will front post dc around.)
Pull up your stitch to the height of your chain 2 so that your front post double crochet is the same height as your regular double crochets.
dc in the previous row’s next sc,
repeat from * to the end of the row, turn (29)
Row 5: ch 1, sc in each stitch until the row is finished, turn (29)
Row 6: The image below illustrates where the first six stitches of row 6 will be placed. It’s similar to Row 4, where you work double crochets in the single crochets of the row below and then front post double crochets in the double crochets of the row below.
ch 2 (counts as a stitch), *dc in the next st, fpdc around the dc two rows down (skip over the sc in the previous row),
repeat from * until two sts remain, dc in each of the last 2 sts, turn (29)
Repeat rows 3-6, finishing with a row 3 when you’ve reached the desired length.
Photo Tutorial – Left Handed
Ch 30 (start with an even number)
Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to the end of the row, turn. (29)
Row 2: ch 2 (counts as a st), dc in the next st and in each st to the end of the row, turn (29)
Row 3: ch 1, sc in each st to the end of the row, turn (29)
Row 4: ch 2 (counts as a stitch), *fpdc around the dc two rows down (skip over the sc in the previous row), (In the picture below, the needle it behind the dc in row 2 you will front post dc around.)
Pull your stitch up to the height of your chain 2 so that your front post double crochet is the same height as your regular double crochets.
dc in the next sc of the previous row,
repeat from * to the end of the row, turn (29)
Row 5: ch 1, sc in each st to the end of the row, turn (29)
Row 6: The picture below shows where you will place the first 6 stitches of row 6. It is like Row 4 where you are working the double crochets in the single crochets of the row below and then working the front post double crochets in the double crochets two rows below.
ch 2 (counts as a stitch), *dc in the next st, fpdc around the dc two rows down (skip over the sc in the previous row),
repeat from * until two sts remain, dc in each of the last 2 sts, turn (29)
Repeat rows 3-6, ending with an additional row 3 when you’ve reached your desired length.
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