How to Crochet Arcade Stitch (Easy Lace Stitch)

The crochet arcade stitch creates rows of delicate lacy arches and fan shapes that give crochet projects a beautiful, flowing texture. This decorative stitch pattern works especially well for blankets, shawls, scarves, summer garments, and crochet edgings because the layered arches create soft, airy fabric with lots of movement. Because the arcade stitch crochet pattern uses an easy repeating structure, it quickly becomes rhythmic and relaxing to crochet. This tutorial will show you how to crochet arcade stitch step-by-step.

What is Arcade Stitch?

The crochet arcade stitch is a lacy crochet stitch pattern made from repeating fans, chain spaces, and single crochet stitches that form stacked arch shapes across the fabric. The stitch creates lightweight open texture with decorative scalloped rows, making it especially popular for shawls, blankets, garments, and crochet borders.

Discover more textured and decorative patterns in the complete crochet stitches library.

This is an easy stitch to learn, as long as you know how to crochet chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet. You will also need to be able to crochet chain spaces and crochet into them. Arcade crochet stitch is for confident beginners. This is a 4-row repeat that uses only single crochet, double crochet, and chains.

How to Crochet Arcade Stitch (Step by Step)

Best Yarn for Arcade Stitch: Lightweight and medium-weight yarns work especially well because they highlight the lacy arches and open fan texture. Larger hooks create a more open drape for shawls and garments, while smaller hooks create a denser texture for blankets and home décor projects.

Arcade stitch requires a multiple of six plus two. So, for my sample, I chained 24sts. (6×4) and then added 2 extra chains. I will be starting with 26 ch.

1. Foundation Row

1. Work 1 sc in the second ch from the hook and 1 sc in the next ch.
2. *Ch3, sk 3 ch, 1 sc in each of the next 3 ch (i.e., 3 sc). Repeat from *across the row until 5 ch remains.
3. Ch3, sk 3, 1 sc in each of the next 2 ch.
4. If you started your trial swatch with 26 ch, you should now have a total of 13 sc and 4 ch spaces.

2. Row 2 of Arcades

1. Ch1 and turn.
2. Work 1 sc into first st.
3. *Sk 1 st, work 7 dc into ch 3 sp. Just work into the large space; you don’t need to work into any specific stitch. Your first arch, or “fan,” is formed.
4. Sk 1 st and 1 sc in the next st. This sc must go into the middle sc of the three sc sts here.

5. Rep from * all the way across the row. Your last sc should be in the final st of the row.

3. Row 3 of Chains

1. Ch3 and turn. (This counts as 1 dc and 1 ch).
2. Sk 3 sts (skip the sc and 2dc).
3. Work 1 sc in each of next 3 sts.
4. *Ch3, sk 5, work 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts.
5. Rep from * until 3 sts remain. Ch1, sk 2, work 1 dc in the last st.

You have now created new chain spaces for the next row of arcade stitch fans to be worked into. Your next row of fans will be offset and not directly on top of the last fans.

4. Row 4 of Arcade Stitch

• Ch 2 (counts as first dc) and turn.
• Work 3 dc into the first ch space. This is a ‘half fan’ that needs to be smaller to create the offset pattern.
• Sk 1 st, sc in next st.
• *Sk 1 st, 7 dc in ch3 sp, sk1 sc, 1 sc in next.
• Rep from * across the row. Only chain space will be left. Work 4 dc into this last space.

5. Row 5 Repeat

This is basically a repeat of your foundation row.

• Ch 1, work 1 sc into each of the first 2 sts. (Be careful not to skip the first dc!)
• *Ch3, sk 5 sts, work 1 sc into each of next 3 sts. These should be the central sts at the top of your fan.
• Rep from * to last 2 sts; work 2 sc into those sts. (First sc into dc, second into the top of turning ch. )

Repeat rows 2–5 until your work is the required length.

Arcade Stitch Projects

Arcade stitch is a wonderful choice for home accessories. It makes beautiful bed covers, pillow covers, and light blankets. You can line your pillow covers with a contrasting lining to highlight the stunning arches. It may not be suitable for baby crochet blankets because of all the lacy holes that can trap tiny fingers and toes. It also works well for mesh bags, summer garments, and light, airy shawls. I have seen it used as an edging on towels, and that also looks great!

Arcade Stitch Tips

I find solid colors show the fan texture best, while gradient yarns create beautiful flowing color changes across the arches.

• Count stitches carefully at the end of each row.
• Work loosely into chain spaces for softer arches.
• Use stitch markers when learning the repeat.
• Practice on a small swatch before larger projects.
• Blocking helps define the lace arches beautifully.

Arcade Stitch vs Shell Stitch

Both arcade stitch and crochet shell stitch use fan-shaped stitch groups, but arcade stitch creates more open lacy arches separated by chain spaces. Shell stitch usually creates denser layered scallops with less open space between stitch groups.

Arcade Stitch FAQs

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Conclusion

The crochet arcade stitch creates flowing lacy crochet fabric using repeating arches, fan stitches, and chain spaces. Although the layered texture looks intricate, the repeating pattern quickly becomes easy to memorize. Because the stitch creates soft airy fabric with decorative texture, arcade stitch is ideal for shawls, scarves, blankets, summer garments, and elegant crochet edgings.