How to Crochet Picot Stitch (Easy for Beginners)

The crochet picot stitch is a decorative technique that creates small loops or pointed bumps along the edge of crochet fabric. It is most commonly used as an edging for blankets, garments, doilies, and lace projects, adding a delicate and professional-looking finish. Although the picot stitch looks decorative, it is surprisingly easy to make and is suitable for beginners. This tutorial will show you how to crochet a basic picot stitch, common picot variations, and how to use the picot stitch as a crochet border.

What Is Picot Stitch?

Picot stitch is a decorative crochet edging made by creating a small loop of chain stitches and joining them back together. The finished stitch forms a tiny point or loop that adds texture and visual interest to borders.

Explore more stitches to use for borders in the full crochet border guide.

Picots are often used to finish blankets, shawls, garments, doilies, and lace crochet projects. Depending on the number of chains used, picots can be small and delicate or larger and more decorative.

How to Crochet Picot Stitch (Step by Step)

Here is how to crochet picot stitch in the simplest way. It is often referred to as the basic picot stitch.

1. Create a Foundation

• Work into a crochet piece or a row of single crochet stitches.
• Turn and join the new color, or continue with the original color.
• * Chain 3.

2. First Picot Stitch

• Insert the hook into the back loop of the first chain (this is the third chain from the hook).

• Make a slip stitch.

• Slip stitch into the next stitch. (Or into the next 2 or 3 stitches if you want your picots further apart.)

3. Repeat for More Picots

• Repeat from * to the end of your row or around your border.
• These picots have 2 slip stitches between them.

Variations of Crochet Picot Stich

Single Crochet Picot Stitch

If you want a rounder, less pointed bump, you can make it as follows:

1. *Chain 3. Insert hook into back of first chain.
2. Make a sc into that stitch. Sc into next stitch, or the next 2 or 3 stitches.

These picots are separated by 2 single crochet stitches.

Taller Picot Stitch

These picots do have a greater definition, but they don’t always stand up as straight as I would like!

1. * Chain 4. Make the picot into 3^rd chain from the hook. (So you will be making a slip stitch into the 3^rd chain from the hook.)
2. Chain 2. Sc in next 2 or 3 base stitches.
3. Repeat from * all the way around.

You will see that you are using the same method to make the little pointy bump of your picot crochet. The difference is that you are working a chain before and after the actual bump. You can choose to do even more chain stitches between your base and your picot if you wish to make the picot even taller.

Double Crochet Picot Stitch Pattern

Picots do not always have to be separated by slip stitch or single crochet. If you wish, you can work them as follows:

1. Chain 3. Dc into the base fabric. *Picot. (Make a 3 chain ‘bump’)
2. 2 dc into base fabric again. Treble stitch into base fabric.
3. Make a picot. Treble stitch into the base. 2 dc into base.
4. Repeat from * all the way along row or around item.

This will give you a row of picot crochet of varying heights along your crochet border and will give you a wider border.

Picot Border Crochet Pattern

Picot stitch is one of the most popular crochet edgings. It can be worked directly into a row of single crochet stitches or combined with decorative stitches such as V-stitch to create more elaborate borders.

• Round 1 – Single crochet
• Round 2 – V-stitch
• Round 3 – Picots separated by slip stitches

What Is Picot Stitch Used For?

Picot stitch is used for a wide variety of items including:

• Blanket borders
• Shawl edging
• Garment hems
• Sleeve cuffs
• Lace crochet
• Doilies

Picot Stitch vs Shell Stitch

Here is a table comparing the picot stitch to the popular crochet shell stitch:

Picot Stitch	Shell Stitch
Small decorative points	Fan-shaped clusters
Uses very little yarn	Uses more yarn
Ideal for delicate edging	Creates a wider border
Quick to work	More decorative

Picot Stitch Troubleshooting

Here are some common problems with crocheting the picot stitch and how to fix them.

Problem	Cause	Solution
Picots look uneven	Inconsistent chain tension	Keep chain stitches even
Picots flop over	Chains too loose	Tighten tension slightly
Border curls	Too many picots	Increase spacing
Picots disappear	Chains too short	Use chain 3 or chain 4
Edge looks crowded	Picots too close together	Add more stitches between picots

Picot Stitch FAQs

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Crochet Picot Stitch – In Conclusion

The crochet picot stitch is a simple decorative technique that creates elegant loops and points along the edge of crochet fabric. Although it is easy enough for beginners, it can add a beautiful finishing touch to blankets, garments, shawls, and lace projects. Once you master the basic picot stitch, you can experiment with taller picots, decorative borders, and more advanced edging patterns to give your crochet projects a polished professional finish.