How to Crochet Block Stitch, Made Easy

Block stitch is a different and unusual crochet stitch, which is really easy to work on. It is simple for beginners and can equally appeal to experienced crocheters who are looking for a different type of color technique. Block stitch patterns are great for making almost anything you can make with crochet fabric, and you can use it to replace any crochet stitch.

Block Stitch Crochet Tutorial

What is Block Stitch Crochet?

Block stitch is made up of a repetitive, two-row pattern that is easy to remember and to work on for mindful crochet or for working on while chatting to a friend, listening to an audiobook, or watching TV!

Block stitch is best made with multiple colors in order to highlight the ‘blocks’ in the stitch. You can choose just two colors or make a pretty rainbow or ombre effect, depending on the yarns you choose.

Materials Required for Block Stitch

• You will need at least 2 colors of yarn in any weight yarn - For a sample swatch, use worsted weight yarn and a 5 mm hook or DK yarn and a 4 mm hook. Cotton or a low fuzz yarn will show the stitch pattern more clearly.
• The recommended crochet hook for your yarn
• Scissors.
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Note: If you prefer, you can make block stitch with just a single color yarn and simply enjoy the texture of your block stitch fabric.

Block Stitch Skill Level

Confident beginner and upwards. You should know how to do single and double crochet.

Abbreviations Used for Crochet Block Stitch

All instructions are written in US terms.

• Ch = chain stitch
• sc = single crochet stitch
• dc = double crochet stitch
• ch2 sp = chain 2 space
• sl st = slip stitch
• sk = skip
• st (s) = stitch (es)

The block crochet stitch just uses the basic crochet stitches.

How to Crochet Block Stitch, Step by Step

Foundation:

• Start with a chain that is a multiple of 3+1. (My sample is 19 stitches).

Row 1:

• Sc into 2^nd chain from hook and sc into next chain.
• *Ch2, skip 2 chains, sc into next chain.
• Repeat from * to the last stitch.
• Sc into the last chain.

Row 2:

• Join in your new color.
• With new color, ch3 and turn. (This counts as 1 dc).
• Work 3 dc into the next ch 2 space, and into each ch 2 space along the row. (Be sure to work your stitches into spaces only, not into the tops of stitches from the previous row.)
• When you reach the last 2 sc, sk next sc and dc into last sc.

Row 3:

• Change color. It looks really good if you return to your first color now, but of course, the choice is yours!
• Ch 1 and turn work.
• Sc into first st, sc into space between dc and first dc of the cluster.
• * Ch2, sk 3dc sts, sc into space between next cluster and ch3 from row below.
• Repeat from * to the end of the row.
• Work 2 sc, 1 into space between cluster and ch3 from the previous row, 1 into the top of the ch-3.

Rows 4 and Beyond:

• Change color. If you are working in 2 colors, go back to the color you used in row 2. If you are working in multiple colors, change to another new color.
• Repeat rows 2 and 3 until your item is the desired length.

Changing Colors for Block Stitch

Each time you change colors, end your yarn off securely by pulling it through the last loop. This will ensure that your work doesn’t unravel. This is my personal favorite method, as I feel it is nice and secure.

However, you may want to have a neater, more seamless change of color. In this case, you will insert your hook into the following stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Your hook will have two loops. Then you'll put down the yarn you're currently working with and pick up the new color. As you finish the single crochet, pull your fresh color through. Pull each end down so that it's secure, then single crochet into the next stitch.

Unfortunately, whichever method you prefer, this means a lot of ends to weave in later! With this pattern, you can’t carry your yarn up the side because you are changing colors every row, so you end off on opposite sides each time.

Block Crochet Patterns

Your color choices can create a completely different look to your crochet fabric made with block stitch patterns. This alone creates many variations.

You can choose to use a single color only, and then your fabric will have textural appeal rather than a striped effect.

You can also change the size of your blocks by changing the number of chain stitches between each block and then, at the same time, also changing the number of double crochet stitches in each space.

Block Stitch Granny Square Pattern

The block stitch pattern makes a nice solid granny square with fewer holes in it than the conventional granny square. You will start it just like a normal granny stitch square.

Round 1:

In the main color:

1. Either work a magic ring, or ch4 and sl st into the first chain to make a ring.
2. Ch2, 2 dc into ring. (1st cluster)
3. Ch2 for a corner, 3 dc into ring. (2^nd cluster)
4. Ch2 for a corner, 3 dc into ring. (3^rd cluster).
5. Ch2 for a corner, 3 dc into ring.  (4th cluster)
6. Ch2, sl st into top of ch2 at the beginning of the round.

Four clusters have been worked into the ring, just like a conventional granny square.

Round 2:

Change colors:

1. Into any corner, work *(1 sc, ch2, 1 sc).
2. Ch2, and go to the next corner.
3. Repeat from *all the way around,
4. Sl st into 1st sc from the start of the round.

Round 3:

Change back to the main color:

1. Ch2, 2 dc into corner loop.
2. *Into the ch2 space, work 3 dc cluster.
3. Into the corner space, work (3 dc, ch2, 3 dc).
4. Repeat from * all the way around.
5. Finish the round by working 3 dc into the same corner as the start.
6. Close with a sl st.

Round 4 and Beyond:

Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until your square is the required size.

Block Stitch Border

This makes a lovely border and a nice edging to a granny square blanket.

Round 1:

1. Join yarn in any corner.
2. Ch 1, 3 sc in ch-2 space,
3. (1 sc in each stitch to next ch-sp at join between squares, 1 sc in ch-sp, 1 sc in join between squares, 1 sc in ch-sp, 1 sc in next ch-sp of next square,1 sc in each st to corner sp,3 sc into corner. )
4. Repeat all the way around, omitting the last corner, sl st to 1st st.

Round 2:

1. Sl st in the next st (which is the middle sc of the next corner),
2. Ch 1, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the same st,
3. (*ch 2, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st 
4. Repeat from * to * until last st before corner, [sc, ch 2, sc] into corner st)
5. Repeat all the way around, omitting last corner, sl st into top of 1st st.

Round 3:

1. Change color.
2. Sl st to any corner sp, ch 3, 2 dc in the same sp,
3. *3 dc in each ch-2 sp to next corner sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp,*
4. Repeat from * to * all the way around.
5. Sl st in top of ch-3.

You will see that you are working exactly the same stitches as for normal block stitch, but in this case, you are adding corners.

Round 4:

1. Change color.
2. Sl st in between each set of three dc clusters after each ch-2 corner sp, sc, (*ch 2, sk next cluster, sc after next cluster),*
3. Repeat from * to * to corner sp, [sc, ch 2, sc] in corner sp)
4. Repeat 4 times, sl st into first st.

Repeat rows 3–4 until the border is the desired width, changing the color of each row. Once again, you can choose to use multiple colors or just two colors. You can also decide which look you prefer, finishing on row 3 or on row 4.

Note: If you are not making a border for a granny square blanket but for a normal, solid square or rectangle of crochet fabric, omit the “1 sc in join between squares” mentioned in round 1.

What Can I Make With Block Stitch?

Block stitch can be used to make any type of crochet item. It can be used for:

• Scarves and shawls
• Blankets or baby blanket
• Bags
• Cushion covers and other décor accessories
• Garments

Crochet Block Stitch - In Conclusion

Block stitch is a lovely simple stitch to work, and it lends itself to easy variations. It is a unique stitch and an easy technique to master. Find a couple of yarns that you love and which will work well together, and choose a suitable crochet hook to get started on a whole new project. It will be different from anything you have ever worked in the past. Have fun with this wonderful stitch!