How to Crochet Larksfoot Stitch for Beginners

The crochet larksfoot stitch creates colorful textured crochet fabric using double crochet stitches worked into rows below to form long vertical “foot” shapes. This beginner-friendly stitch pattern works beautifully for blankets, scarves, cushions, and striped crochet projects because the elongated stitches create striking geometric texture. This tutorial will show you how to crochet larksfoot stitch step-by-step.

What is the Larksfoot Stitch?

The crochet larksfoot stitch is a textured crochet stitch that uses elongated double crochet stitches worked into rows below to create vertical geometric patterns resembling bird footprints. This stitch is especially popular for striped blankets and colorful crochet projects because the long stitches create dramatic contrast between rows.

Get the full crochet stitch glossary and learn more beginner striped stitches.

This stitch is also sometimes known as the “Icicle Stitch” or “Feather Stitch. “Larksfoot” is the more well-known term for this particular crochet design. Whatever you choose to call it, this stitch is known for its lovely textured design and can be used to make a wide range of crochet items.

How to Crochet Larksfoot Stitch (Step by Step)

This stitch is ideal for blankets or afghans. It makes a lovely, thick, and stretchy fabric. It can also be used for bags of any size, pillow covers, winter accessories such as hats and scarves, dishcloths, or washcloths – even a sweater would look great in this stitch! This stitch is a beginner level, as long as you know how to work chain stitch and double crochet.

BEGINNER TIP: I find using lighter yarn colors makes the primrose stitch texture much easier to see while learning.

First Row: Dc and Chains

1. Ch multiples of 4 until the desired width is reached, plus 1 for turning. 
2. Make 2 dc in the fourth ch from the hook. *Ch 1, skip 1 st, 3 dc, repeat from * across.

Row 2: Dc and Chains

1. Ch 3 (counts as the first stitch) and turn.
2. Sk first st, dc in the next 2 sts.
3. *ch 1, skip ch1 sp, 3 dc. Repeat from * across the row.

Row 3: First Larksfoot Stitches

1. Change color. Ch 4 (counts as first stitch and ch 1) and turn.
2. Sk the first two stitches;
3. *Dc in the next stitch, dc spike st (see below) in the chain space two rows below, dc in next stitch.
4. Ch1, sk a st. Repeat from * across the row.
5. Finish with 1 dc in the final st.

Double crochet spike stitch: YO, insert hook into ch sp 2 rows down, YO, finish the dc as usual. When working the spike, pull your yarn all the way back up to be level with your other stitches.

Row 4: Dc and Chains

1. Row 4: Ch 4 (counts as first stitch and ch 1) and turn. Sk ch1 sp.
2. *3 dc, ch 1, skip 1 st*, and repeat across.
3. End with 1 dc in final st.

Row 5: Larksfoot Stitches in New Color

1. Change colors. Ch 3 (counts as first stitch) and turn.
2. Sk the first stitch,
3. * dc spike st in the next chain one space two rows below, dc in the next stitch, ch 1, sk the next stitch, dc in the next stitch.
4. Repeat from * to end of row. Finish with 1 dc. Your larksfoot stitches should be staggered.

Row 6: Dc and Chains

1. Ch 3 (counts as first stitch) and turn.
2. Sk the first st, dc in each of the next 2 sts,
3. * ch1, sk the next ch1 sp, dc in each of the next three sts.
4. Repeat from * across the row.

Row 7 +: Repeat Larksfoot Stitch Pattern

1. Repeat rows 3-6 for as long as you want your project to be.

Larksfoot Color choices

To get the full effect of this stitch, you will need to use at least two colors. The second row of color overlaps the first to get that distinctive “larksfoot’ appearance. A lot of crocheters like to use a whole rainbow of colors, and this looks very effective.

Depending on the final effect you want to achieve, you can choose to work in any color rainbow stripes, you can choose different shades of one color, or you can have every second “band” of larksfoot in the same color (eg white) with alternating colors in between.

If you wish to use up scraps, this last option is the most effective. You will just need to purchase the yarn for the “white” or whatever your alternate bands are going to be.

Larksfoot Stitch Granny Square Pattern

You can also use a slightly modified version of this stitch when working squares of any size. You can choose to make many small “granny”-type squares or just keep going around until your square reaches the completed size of the blanket you want to make.

This granny square is approximately 6 inches when crocheted in DK yarn and a 3.5 mm crochet hook.

Round 1: Start by working ch5, sl st into 1st ch to form a ring. Ch3 (counts as 1st dc), then work into ring: 2 dc, *ch2, 3 dc. Repeat from *twice. Ch2 join with sl st to top of ch 3. (You should have 4 ch2 corners and 12 dc sts.)

Round 2: Change color. Join with a sl st in any corner. Ch3, dc in same corner; * ch2, 2 dc in same corner. Ch1, sk st, dc into next st, ch1, 2 dc into corner. Repeat from * twice more: (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 1, sk st, dc, ch 1), Join to the top of ch 3, finish the yarn off, and weave in ends. You will now have 20 dc, 4 ch1 sps, 4 ch2 corners.

Round 3: Change color. Join with a sl st in any corner. Ch3, dc in same corner. * ch2, 2 dc in same corner, dc into next 2 sts, ch3, sk 3 sts, (i.e., ch, dc ch) dc into next 2 sts, 2 dc in corner. Repeat from * twice. Ch2, 2 dc in same corner, dc into next 2 sts, ch3, sk 3 sts, dc x 2, join to top of ch3.

Round 4: Change color. Join with a sl st in any corner. Ch 1 (counts as first sc), sc in same corner, * ch2, 2sc in same corner, hdc into next 4 sts, Dc spike st into ch1 sp from round 2, tc spike st into round 1, dc spike into round 2 again, hdc into next 4 sts, 2sc in corner. Rep from * 2 more times. Ch2, 2 sc into same corner, 4 hdc, 1 dc spike st, 1 tc spike st, 1 dc spike st, 4 hdc, join with sl st to first ch.

Round 5: Change color. Join with a ss in any ch 2 corner, ch 3, dc in same corner, *ch 2, 2dc in same corner, sk st, dc in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk st, dc in next 5 sts, ch 1, sk st, dc in next 3 sts,sk st, 2dc into corner. Repeat from * twice: ch 2, 2dc in same corner, dc x 3, ch 1, sk st, dc x 5, ch 1, sk st, dc x 3, join with sl st.

Round 6: Change color. Join with a ss in any ch 2 corner, ch 3, dc in same corner, *ch 2, 2dc in same corner, dc x 4, ch 3, sk3st, dc x 3, ch 3, sk3st, dc x 4, 2dc in corner. * Repeat from * two times: ch 2, 2dc in same corner, dc x 4, ch 3, sk 3st, dc x 3, ch 3, sk 3, dc x 4, join.

Round 7: Larksfoot Stitch Round: Join with a ss in any ch 2 corner, ch 1, sc in same corner, *ch 2, 2sc in same corner, hdc x 6, dc spike st into ch sp, tc spike st into round 4, dc spike st into same ch sp. Hdc x 3, dc spike st, tc spike st, dc spike st, (as previously done), hdc x 6, 2sc in corner. Repeat from * twice: ch 2, 2sc in same corner, hdc x 6, dc spike st, tc, spike st, dc spike st, hdc x 3, dc spike st, tc spike st, dc, spike st, hdc x 6, joins.

Round 8: Change color. Sc in each st, with 2 sc, ch2, 2 sc in each corner. Finish off, weave in ends.

Best Projects for Larksfoot Stitch

The crochet larksfoot stitch works especially well for:

• blankets
• scarves
• cushion covers
• tote bags
• striped crochet projects

Because the elongated stitches create bold vertical texture, this stitch is especially effective with contrasting yarn colors.

Larksfoot Stitch FAQs

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In Conclusion

I really hope that learning this new stitch has inspired you in your crochet journey! It will be a great addition to your crochet repertoire, as you can use it for so many different things! Use it to experiment with color schemes, yarn textures, and project ideas. I am off to make a pretty rainbow tea cozy in larksfoot stitch as a birthday gift for my sister!