Checkered Crochet Stitch2

Woolen Harmony Sweater in chunky yarn, handmade with soft textured stitches and a relaxed fit

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Welcome to this guide dedicated to the checkered stitch, a versatile andvisually appealing pattern that’s perfect for intermediate crocheters familiar with the Tunisian crochet technique.

This stitch is excellent for projects like blankets, scarves, sweaters, cardigans,or any design requiring an alternating block effect.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to create the checkered stitch with clear instructions and tips.

Necessary Materials

-Tunisian crochet hook or a classic crochet hook suitable for your yarn.

-Yarn of your choice (medium or thick weight is recommended for bettervisibility).

Stitch marker

Basic Concepts

The checkered stitch alternates between two primary elements to create thepattern:

Full Element: Composed of 6 rows of double crochet stitches (dcst)worked simultaneously, repeated to form solid squares.

Net (Mesh) Element: Made with 6 rows of mesh stitch(mesh st) worked simultaneously, repeated to form openwork squares .

The distinctive effect comes from alternating these two elements throughout your project.

Abbreviations and Symbols
This pattern uses standard U.S. crochet terms
Below is a list of the stitches and abbreviations used:
ch- Chain
sl st-Slip Stitch
hdc- Half Double Crochet
dc- Double Crochet
YO -Yarn Over
t-times
R-rows
**: Repeat instructions following the asterisk as indicated.

Stitch Structure
For the pattern, you will have to repeat a cycle of 4 rows.Here is how to do it:
Row 1: Full element and net element – repeat for the entire length we have.
Row 2:Slip stitch and half double crochet – repeat for the entire length we have.
Row 3:Net element and full element – repeat for the entire length we have(this row is the reverse of Row 1).
Row 4:
Slip stitch and half double crochet – repeat for the entire length we
have.
Repetition:
Starting from Row 5, repeat the previous 4 rows (Row 1–Row 4) until you reach the desired height of the project.

Tips & Tricks
Yarn Tension: Maintain a constant tension to obtain a uniform result.
Colors: For an even more interesting effect, you can alternate different
colors between the rows.
With this method, you will obtain a beautiful and dynamic checkered pattern,suitable for many types of projects.

Definitions of the Elements
Full element-6 rows of double crochet stitches worked simultaneously for 8 times:6R dc st (8t)
Net element-6 rows of mesh stitch worked simultaneously for 4 times:6R mesh st (4t)

Foundation Chain
Chain a multiple of 16 ch(8 for the dc st element + 8 for the mesh st
element) +1ch
Place a marker on the last stitch (the stitch +1ch).

Foundation Chain Chain a multiple of 16 ch(8 for the dc st element + 8 for the mesh st element) +1ch Place a marker on the last stitch (the stitch +1ch).

Start with the First Row

Row 1: Chain 17 

Start with the First Row Row 1: Chain 17 

Create the first stitch with 6 rows of double crochet worked at the same time: YO, skip 2 loops, insert the hook into the third loop, and pull through (3loops on the hook).

Create the first stitch with 6 rows of double crochet worked at the same time: YO, skip 2 loops, insert the hook into the third loop, and pull through (3loops on the hook).

Repeat:
YO, skip 2 loops, pull through the third loop (5 loops on the hook)

Repeat: YO, skip 2 loops, pull through the third loop (5 loops on the hook)

YO, skip 2 loops, pull through the third loop (7 loops on the hook)

YO, skip 2 loops, pull through the third loop (7 loops on the hook)

YO, skip 2 loops, pull through the third loop (9 loops on the hook)

YO, skip 2 loops, pull through the third loop (9 loops on the hook)

YO, skip 2 loops, pull through the third loop (11 loops on the hook)

YO, skip 2 loops, pull through the third loop (11 loops on the hook)

YO, skip 3 loops, pull through the fourth loop (13 loops on the hook)

YO, skip 3 loops, pull through the fourth loop (13 loops on the hook)

Closing the Loops:Close all the loops two at a time until only one loop is left on the hook.

Closing the Loops:Close all the loops two at a time until only one loop is left on the hook.
Closing the Loops:Close all the loops two at a time until only one loop is left on the hook.

Repeat the process 7 more times to complete the solid element, inserting the
hook into the two overlapping loops each time.

Closing the Loops:Close all the loops two at a time until only one loop is left on the hook.

Close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

Close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

Now that we have our full element ready, made from 6 rows of dc st workedat the same time and repeated 8 times, move on to the net(mesh) element.

Net (Mesh) Element -6R mesh st ( 4t):Chain 1.Work 2 yarn overs (YO), then:Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (4 loops on thehook).YO, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on the hook).ch1

Now that we have our full element ready, made from 6 rows of dc st workedat the same time and repeated 8 times, move on to the net(mesh) element. Net (Mesh) Element -6R mesh st ( 4t):Chain 1.Work 2 yarn overs (YO), then:Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (4 loops on thehook).YO, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on the hook).ch1

Repeat these steps:
YO twice,Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (6 loops on the hook).

YO, pull through 2 loops(5 loops on the hook)

YO twice, Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (8 loops on
the hook).

YO, pull through 2 loops (7 loops on the hook)

YO twice, Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (10 loops onthe hook).

YO, pull through 2 loops (9 loops on the hook)
YO twice, Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (12 loops on the hook).

YO, pull through 2 loops (11 loops on the hook)YO, skip 1 stitch on the foundation chain, pull through (13 loops on the hook).

Repeat these steps: YO twice,Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (6 loops on the hook). YO, pull through 2 loops(5 loops on the hook) YO twice, Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (8 loops on the hook). YO, pull through 2 loops (7 loops on the hook) YO twice, Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (10 loops onthe hook). YO, pull through 2 loops (9 loops on the hook) YO twice, Insert the hook through the two overlapping stitches (12 loops on the hook). YO, pull through 2 loops (11 loops on the hook)YO, skip 1 stitch on the foundation chain, pull through (13 loops on the hook).

Closing the Loops: Close all loops two at a time until one loop remains.Repeat this 3 more times to create a complete mesh element.

Closing the Loops: Close all loops two at a time until one loop remains.Repeat this 3 more times to create a complete mesh element.

Alternate full and net elements to complete Row 1

Alternate full and net elements to complete Row 1
Alternate full and net elements to complete Row 1

Row2:For row 2 and 4,
we will alternate between two stitches:a slip stitch and a half double crochet, (repeat the two stitches for the entire
row and close the row with sl st)
When we are working over the net element, we will do the following: the slip stitch will be worked over the post of the stitch from the previous row,while the half double crochet will be worked into the space between the posts.
On the other hand, when we are working over the full element, we will
work each stitch following the order .
We always finish the row with the slip stitch.
ch1*sl st(put the stitch marker)-hdc*-sl st

Row2:For row 2 and 4, we will alternate between two stitches:a slip stitch and a half double crochet, (repeat the two stitches for the entire row and close the row with sl st) When we are working over the net element, we will do the following: the slip stitch will be worked over the post of the stitch from the previous row,while the half double crochet will be worked into the space between the posts. On the other hand, when we are working over the full element, we will work each stitch following the order . We always finish the row with the slip stitch. ch1*sl st(put the stitch marker)-hdc*-sl stsl

Row3:
For row 3, we will work in the opposite order of row 1. This means
starting with the net element,followed by the full element, and
alternating them in this sequence.
Start the row:ch19
YO twice, skip 4 loops, pull through the fifth loop.Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (3 loops on the hook)

Row3: For row 3, we will work in the opposite order of row 1. This means starting with the net element,followed by the full element, and alternating them in this sequence. Start the row:ch19 YO twice, skip 4 loops, pull through the fifth loop.Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (3 loops on the hook)
Closing the Loops: To finish, close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

Closing the Loops:
To finish, close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

Closing the Loops: To finish, close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

ch1-YO twice;Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (you should now have 3loops on the hook)

-YO twice;Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (5 loops on the hook)

-YO twice; Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (7 loops on the hook)

-YO twice; Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (9 loops on the hook)

-YO twice; Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (11 loops on the hook)

-YO, skip one stitch on the previous row ,pull through(13 loops on the hook)

Closing the Loops:To finish, close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

ch1-YO twice;Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (you should now have 3loops on the hook) -YO twice;Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (5 loops on the hook) -YO twice; Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (7 loops on the hook) -YO twice; Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (9 loops on the hook) -YO twice; Insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches, pull the yarn through, YO, and pull through 2 loops on the hook (11 loops on the hook) -YO, skip one stitch on the previous row ,pull through(13 loops on the hook) Closing the Loops:To finish, close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

Continue with 6R dc st(8t)-six rows of double crochet stitch at the same time- 8 times
YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through (3 loops on the hook).
YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through (5 loops on the hook).
YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through(7 loops on the hook).
YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through (9 loops on the hook).
YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through (11 loops on the hook).
YO, insert the hook into the first stitch that follows on the previous row (13 loops on the hook)
Closing the Loops:
To finish, close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

Continue with 6R dc st(8t)-six rows of double crochet stitch at the same time- 8 times YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through (3 loops on the hook). YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through (5 loops on the hook). YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through(7 loops on the hook). YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through (9 loops on the hook). YO, insert the hook into the two overlapping stitches and pull through (11 loops on the hook). YO, insert the hook into the first stitch that follows on the previous row (13 loops on the hook) Closing the Loops: To finish, close all the loops two at a time until you have only one loop left on the hook.

Alternate full and net elements to complete Row 3

Alternate full and net elements to complete Row 3

Row4:The same as row2:ch1*sl st-hdc*-sl st.

Row4:The same as row2:ch1*sl st-hdc*-sl st.

With Row 5, we begin repeating the sequence of Rows 1 to 4 to build thecheckered structure. By alternating the full element and the net (mesh)element, you’ll create the characteristic block-like pattern of the checkeredstitch. This combination of solid and openwork sections provides a unique textureand aesthetic, making it ideal for a wide range of projects.Continue working Rows 1–4 until your project reaches the desired length,and watch as your fabric transforms into a beautiful checkered masterpiece.

Enjoy crocheting! 😊

 

If you’ve finished your project using the checkerboard stitch and want to try making the Melis Sweater,

you’ll find the free full tutorial below — just for you, my friend!
 

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