How to Crochet the Criss Cross Stitch

Working the Basic Criss Cross Stitch

Make a chain. You can make your chain as long as you want it to be. Try making a short chain of 12 stitches for practice or make a longer chain for a scarf or blanket. Just make sure that you have an even number of stitches in your foundation chain. Always remember to check the gauge for the yarn and hook you are using. This will help to ensure that your finished product is the size you want it to be.

Crochet into the second chain from the hook. Count two chains from the hook (not counting the chain that is on the hook) and then single crochet into this stitch. To single crochet, insert the hook into the stitch, then loop the free end of the yarn over the hook and pull it through the stitch. Then, loop the yarn over the hook again and pull this yarn through both of the loops on the hook. Continue to single crochet to the end of the row. Continue to single crochet every stitch to the end of the chain. When you are finished, you will have your foundation for the criss cross stitch.

Turn and chain 3. Once you reach the end of the first row, you will need to turn the stitches around and chain 3 new stitches. These stitches are called turning stitches. They will give you some slack to begin the new row.

Skip a stitch and double crochet. With the criss cross stitch, you will be crocheting one stitch ahead and then going back across the stitch you just made to crochet the one you skipped. Start by skipping over the first stitch in your row and crocheting into the second stitch instead. To double crochet, start by looping the free end of the yarn over your hook. Then, insert the hook into the stitch and loop the yarn over the hook again. After that pull the hook through the stitch and loop the yarn over again. Pull this new loop through the first two loops on your hook. Then, loop the yarn over the hook once more and pull it through the last two loops on the hook.

Return to the stitch you skipped and double crochet. After you have finished your first double crochet, you will need to go back to the stitch you skipped and double crochet into it. After you finish double crocheting into this stitch, you will have completed your first criss cross stitch.

Continue to follow the pattern of skipping and returning. Work in the criss cross stitch all the way to the end of the first row and in all rows following this one. You can use this pattern for all of the rows in your project or you can alternate with a simpler stitch, like single or double crochet. Remember to turn and chain 3 at the beginning of each row.

Using the Criss Cross Stitch

Start with a washcloth. A washcloth is one of the quickest and easiest projects to crochet. All you need is a size H hook and some cotton yarn. Start with a chain of 26 to 36 stitches (depending on how large you want your washcloth to be) and then work the rows according to the basic criss cross stitch pattern. Continue to work in the criss cross stitch until the washcloth is a square. If you like, you can even keep going and turn your criss cross washcloth into a hand towel.

Make a hat. You can use the criss cross stitch to crochet a beanie. Start by making the crown for your hat and then transition into using the criss cross stitch for the remaining rows. To make a crown for your hat, start by making a chain of 4. Then, insert the hook into the first loop to make the chain into a circle and begin to double crochet around the chain. You will need to double crochet 11 more times into the chain of four to complete one round. Slipstitch to connect the round. For the next round, chain 3 and work a double crochet into the first stitch. Double crochet twice into each stitch for the entire round so that you are doubling the number of stitches (24 total at the end of the round). Slipstitch to connect the round. Four round three, chain 3 and then double crochet into the first stitch. For the rest of the round, double crochet into every other stitch twice and double crochet into the other stitches once. At the end of the round you will have 36 stitches. Slipstitch to connect the round. Repeat round three two more times to complete your crown. Then, you can begin working your rounds in the criss cross stitch until the hat is the size you want it to be.

Try a scarf. Making a scarf is a great option for turning your practice stitches into a wearable project. Start by making a chain that is long enough for a scarf and then work in the criss cross stitch until it reaches the width that you want it to be. You can make the scarf as wide or as narrow as you like. If you really like the way the stitch looks, then you can always keep going and turn it into a blanket.