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The harlequin stitch is a crochet lattice of diamonds. Fans of double crochet open upward, chain-7 arches span the gaps, and dc6tog points close each diamond at the top. The fabric has clear diagonal lines and more drape than a shell stitch.
It's rated intermediate: plain double and single crochet, but with a four-row repeat and two cluster stitches. The one thing that makes it work is the dc6tog, which gathers three stitches from one fan and three from the next into the point where the next fan grows.
Watch: Harlequin Stitch Video Tutorial
Watch Row 3: Mike works the sc into the chain-1 space two rows down while catching the chain-7 arch.
What You Need
Yarn: medium (worsted) weight, as the swatch calls for. Smooth, light-colored yarn shows the fans and clusters best while you learn.
Hook: US H/5mm, or whatever gets you the gauge below.
Abbreviations (US terms): all defined in the pattern below, including the dc3tog and dc6tog clusters.
Stitch multiple: multiples of 8 plus 2 chains. The swatch uses 22.
Harlequin Stitch Written Pattern
Size: 6x6 inches
Gauge: double crochet, 4" = 16 stitches | 8 rows
Yarn: medium weight yarn
Crochet hook: US H/5mm crochet hook (or size to achieve gauge)
Abbreviations: Ch – chain; St(s) – stitch(es); Sl st(s) – slip stitch(es); Yo – yarn over; Dc – double crochet; Sc – single crochet; Ea – each; Sk – skip; Sp – space; Rep – repeat
Special stitches
dc3tog – double crochet 3 stitches together: [Yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2] 3 times, yo pull through 4 loops.
dc6tog – double crochet 6 stitches together: [Yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2] 3 times, sk 1dc, [Yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2] 3 times, yo pull through 7 loops.
Notes: The Harlequin stitch is worked in multiples of 8 stitches. Once you reach your multiple of 8 for your foundation chain, add an additional 2 chains.
Row 1: ch22, turn, [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in 5th ch from hook, sk3, 1sc in next, *sk3, [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in next, sk3, 1sc in next. Rep from * across.
Row 2: ch3 (counts as dc throughout pattern), turn, dc3tog, *ch7**, sk 1ch, dc6tog. Rep from * across ending at **, dc3tog, 1dc in turning ch.
Row 3: ch3, turn, 3dc in dc3tog st, *1sc in ch1 sp from 2 rows below catching the ch7 st**, [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in the dc6tog. Rep from * ending at **. End row with 3dc in the dc3tog, 1dc in turning ch.
Row 4: ch4 (counts as 1sc & 3ch), turn, dc6tog, *ch7, sk 1ch, dc6tog. Rep from * across ending with ch3, 1sc in turning ch.
Row 5: ch5, turn, [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in the dc6tog, *1sc in ch1 sp from 2 rows below catching the ch7 st, [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in the dc6tog. Rep from * ending with 1dc in turning ch.
Repeat Rows 2-5 once or until desired size.
Finishing row: ch3, turn, dc3tog, *ch3, 1sc in ch1 sp**, ch3, dc6tog. Rep from * across ending at **, dc3tog, 1dc in turning ch.
Fasten off, weave in ends, & block to 6x6" square.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Row 1 sets the fans. Each [3dc, ch1, 3dc] is a fan with a chain-1 at its center, and a single crochet between fans anchors each diamond.
- Row 2 closes the diamonds. Each dc6tog takes the last three dc of one fan and the first three of the next, skipping the sc between, and pulls them into one point. Chain 7 bridges each fan's center.
- Row 3 opens new fans. A fan goes into each dc6tog point. Between fans, work the sc into the chain-1 space two rows below, with the hook also going around the chain-7 so the arch is caught.
- Rows 4 and 5 shift the pattern. Same moves as Rows 2 and 3, but the row starts and ends differently so the diamonds offset by half a repeat. That offset makes the lattice.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Count loops on the dc6tog. Seven loops on the hook before the final yarn over means six stitches gathered. Fewer, and you missed half a fan.
- Skip the sc inside the dc6tog. The "sk 1dc" in the definition is where the stitch between fans sits. Working into it throws off the count.
- Keep the chain-7 loose. It has to be caught two rows later; a tight arch puckers the fabric.
What to Make With the Harlequin Stitch
The drape and diagonal lines make harlequin a good shawl or wrap stitch in sport or DK weight. In worsted it's a light throw; our guide to how to crochet a blanket covers yarn amounts.
Related Stitches
- Crochet Shell Stitch — the fan harlequin is built on, with no clusters to learn
- Double Crochet Cluster Stitch — practice for the dc3tog and dc6tog
- Browse every crochet stitch tutorial
Yarn for This Stitch
Harlequin wants drape, so once you've learned it in worsted, move to a sport weight yarn. Darn Good Twist Sport Weight Silk Yarn, hand-dyed by artisans in India, gives the fans enough swing for a shawl.
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.
Harlequin Stitch FAQ
Is the harlequin stitch hard?
It's intermediate. Every stitch is double or single crochet; the challenge is the clusters and the four-row repeat. One full repeat with the video makes it routine.
What's the stitch multiple for the harlequin stitch?
A multiple of 8 plus 2 chains, per the pattern note. The swatch starts with 22.
Is the harlequin stitch reversible?
Mostly. The lattice shows on both sides, but the fans are rounder on the front.
