How to Crochet Larksfoot Stitch, Made Easy

Learn how to crochet the Larksfoot stitch! It is an elegant stitch that is surprisingly simple to work. It gives an intricate appearance but is really not at all difficult! Larksfoot stitch is so named because it resembles the footprints of birds. It creates an unusual textured design, which can give a completely new look depending on your color choices. Even beginners will be able to tackle this stitch, and seasoned crocheters may not know this one yet and will enjoy adding to their skills!

Larksfoot Stitch Tutorial

What is the Larksfoot Stitch?

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.

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.

This tutorial will show you the basic larksfoot stitch and then how it can be incorporated into an attractive granny square pattern.

Level:

Beginner, as long as you know how to work chain stitch and double crochet.

Supplies:

• Yarn of your choice in at least 2 colors.
• Crochet hook that is the right size for your yarn.
• Scissors.
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Abbreviations:

All instructions are written in US terminology.

• ch = chain stitch
• dc = double crochet stitch
• hdc = half double crochet
• ch sp = chain space
• rep = repeat
• st = stitch
• YO = yarn over
• sk = skip
• dc spike = double crochet spike. (See below)

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.

How Larksfoot Stitch is Used

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!

Color choices

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.

How to Crochet Larksfoot Stitch, Instructions

Here are the step by step instructions for crocheting larksfoot stitch:

Row 1:

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.
3. *Ch 1, skip 1 st, 3 dc,
4. Repeat from * across.

Row 2:

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.
4. Repeat from * across the row.

Row 3:

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 in the chain space two rows below, dc in next stitch.
4. Ch1, sk a st.
5. Repeat from * across the row.
6. Finish with 1 dc in the final st.

Row 4:

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:

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:

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 and up:

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

Larksfoot Stitch Granny Square

You can also use a slightly modified version of this stitch when working squares of any size. This is a bit more complicated than working Larksfoot in straight rows, but it is worth the effort as it makes a lovely, unusual-style square.

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.

Special stitch

• tc spike = treble crochet spike. (See below)

Just as you worked dc spike, but this time using treble crochet.

How to Crochet a Larksfoot Granny Square

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

Round 1:

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

Round 2:

1. Change color. Join with a sl st in any corner.
2. Ch3, dc in same corner;
3. * ch2, 2 dc in same corner. Ch1, sk st, dc into next st, ch1, 2 dc into corner.
4. Repeat from * twice more:
5. (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:

1. Change color. Join with a sl st in any corner.
2. Ch3, dc in same corner.
3. * 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.
4. Repeat from * twice.
5. Ch2, 2 dc in same corner, dc into next 2 sts, ch3, sk 3 sts, dc x 2, join to top of ch3.
6. Finish yarn off, weave in ends.

Round 4: Larksfoot Stitch Round

1. Change color. Join with a sl st in any corner.
2. ch 1 (counts as first sc), sc in same corner,
3. * 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.
4. Rep from * 2 more times.
5. 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.
6. Finish off, weave in ends.

Round 5:

1. Change color. Join with a ss in any ch 2 corner,
2. ch 3, dc in same corner,
3. *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.
4. 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.
5. Finish off, weave in ends.

Round 6:

1. Change color.
2. Join with a ss in any ch 2 corner, ch 3, dc in same corner,
3. *ch 2, 2dc in same corner, dc x 4, ch 3, sk3st, dc x 3, ch 3, sk3st, dc x 4, 2dc in corner. *
4. 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, finish off yarn. Weave in ends.

Round 7: Larksfoot Stitch Round

1. Join with a ss in any ch 2 corner, ch 1, sc in same corner,
2. *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.
3. Hdc x 3, dc spike st, tc spike st, dc spike st, (as previously done), hdc x 6, 2sc in corner.
4. 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, join, finish off. Weave in ends.

Round 8:

1. Change color.
2. Sc in each st, with 2 sc, ch2, 2 sc in each corner.
3. Finish off, weave in ends.

Troubleshooting with Larksfoot Stitch

Why is my work bunching up?

Be certain to pull your yarn up loosely when working the spike part of the stitch. Your tension is very important here. If your long spike stitch is too tight, it will cause the rest of your work to gather up.

My stitches will not lie flat

In this case, you may be working too loosely! The secret to this stitch is finding the perfect balance of tension! Work on a swatch to give yourself practice!

Tips for larksfoot stitch

It may make your life easier if you weave in your ends each time you change color! I can’t tell you how many people I know who never complete a project because they just can’t face weaving in all those ends once the crochet is done!

Larksfoot Stitch - 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!