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The cabbage patch stitch is a crochet texture made of plump four-double-crochet shells that sit in neat rows, like heads in a vegetable bed. Between the shell rows is a row of crossed double crochets with a chain-2 space in each, and the next row's shells grow out of those spaces.
It's a beginner-friendly stitch built from chains and double crochet. The only new idea is working a dc back into a stitch you already skipped, which makes the little X between shells.
The one thing that makes it work is the chain-2 space. Every shell in Row 3 goes into one of those spaces, so if the crossed row is right, the shell row takes care of itself.
Watch: Cabbage Patch Stitch Video Tutorial
Watch Row 2: Mike skips three stitches, works a dc, chains 2, then reaches back to the first skipped stitch for the second dc. That reach-back is the whole trick.
What You Need
Yarn: medium (worsted) weight, as the swatch calls for. A smooth, light-colored yarn makes it easy to see which dc you skipped and which chain-2 space you're aiming for.
Hook: US H/5mm.
Abbreviations (US terms): ch – chain; st(s) – stitch(es); sl st – slip stitch; dc – double crochet; sk – skip; sp – space; rep – repeat; RS – right side.
Stitch multiple: the swatch chains 27, which works out to a multiple of 4 plus 3. Each shell takes four chains, plus the turning chains and the final dc.
Cabbage Patch Stitch Written Pattern
Size: 6x6 inches
Gauge: in pattern, 4" = 4 sets of 4dc stitches | 3 sets of Rows 2 & 3 (6 rows)
Yarn: medium weight yarn
Crochet hook: US H/5mm crochet hook
Abbreviations: Ch – chain; St(s) – stitch(es); Sl st(s) – slip stitch(es); Dc – double crochet; Sk – skip; Sp – space; Rep – repeat
Row 1 (RS): ch 27 sts, 4dc in 5th ch from hook, *sk 3, 4dc in next ch st. Rep from * until last 2 sts. End with sk 1, 1dc in last st.
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as dc st), turn, *sk 3 dc, 1dc in next dc, ch 2, 1dc in first skipped dc st. Rep from * until last st. 1dc in turning ch.
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as dc st), turn, 4dc sts in every ch-2 sp ending with 1dc in turning ch.
Rep Rows 2 & 3 three more times for a total of 9 rows.
Fasten off, weave in ends, & block to 6x6" square.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Foundation shells. Chain 27, work 4 dc into the 5th chain from the hook, then skip 3 chains and put 4 dc into the next one. Repeat until two chains are left, skip one, and dc in the last.
- The crossed row. Chain 3 and turn. Skip the first 3 dc of the shell and work a dc into the 4th. Chain 2. Now go back and work a dc into the first dc you skipped. The second dc lies across the first, and the chain 2 sits on top as a little bridge.
- Repeat across. Every shell gets the same treatment: skip 3, dc, ch 2, dc back. Finish with a dc in the turning chain so the edge stays straight.
- Grow the next shells. Chain 3, turn, and work 4 dc into each chain-2 space. The shells land directly above the ones two rows below, held up by the crossed stitches between.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Don't work the reach-back dc too tight. It has to stretch over the dc you just made. If the fabric puckers between shells, give that stitch more slack.
- Count shells, not stitches. The swatch has six shells across. If a row comes up short, you almost always missed one chain-2 space.
- The chain 3 counts as a dc. Working into it at the end of the next row keeps the edges even; skipping it makes the sides lean inward.
- The right side is the shell-front side. The crossed stitches look slightly different from the back, so mark Row 1 if it matters.
What to Make With the Cabbage Patch Stitch
The stitch is dense enough for warmth but has a little give, so it suits a baby blanket or lap throw in worsted weight; see our guide to how to crochet a blanket for sizing and yarn amounts. In bulky weight the shells get big and bold, good for a cushion cover. In cotton it makes a sturdy washcloth where the shells scrub.
Related Stitches
- Crochet Shell Stitch — the basic fan of dc that cabbage patch is built from
- Cross Double Crochet Stitch — the crossed-dc move from Row 2, on its own
- Crochet Granny Stitch — another cluster-in-a-space stitch, worked in rows
- Browse every crochet stitch tutorial
Yarn for This Stitch
Shells show up best in a yarn with some body and a smooth surface, so a worsted weight yarn is the place to start. Darn Good Yarn's recycled silk, hand-dyed by artisans in India, is available in worsted and bulky weight.
If you'd like a new skein to practice on every month, Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins with a knit and crochet pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping.
Cabbage Patch Stitch FAQ
Is the cabbage patch stitch beginner-friendly?
Yes. It's all double crochet and chains. The crossed row takes one or two tries to see, and after that it's repetitive in a good way.
Is it reversible?
Close to it. Both sides show the shells; the crossed stitches look a bit flatter from the back. For a scarf, most people don't choose a side.
What's the difference between the cabbage patch stitch and the shell stitch?
A plain shell stitch stacks shells row after row. Cabbage patch puts a row of crossed dc and chain spaces between shell rows, which makes the shells rounder and more separate.
