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The broadway stitch is a row of crossed stitch groups, each a tall treble laid over two double crochets, with a plain single crochet row between. The trebles lean right in one group and left in the next, so the rows look like a line of slanted X's.
It's an intermediate stitch. The stitches are sc, dc, and tr, but you'll be working back into skipped stitches from in front of or behind the one you just made.
The one thing that makes it work: the treble always goes into a skipped stitch. In the right cross it goes in first with the doubles behind it; in the left cross the doubles go first and the treble goes in front.
Watch: Broadway Stitch Video Tutorial
Watch where the hook goes for each cross: behind the treble for the right cross, in front of the doubles for the left cross. The direction is what gives the row its rhythm.
What You Need
Yarn: the swatch uses worsted weight recycled silk. A smooth, light-colored yarn shows the X shapes best.
Hook: 5.5 mm (US I-9).
Stitch multiple: as worked here, each crossed-row repeat covers 8 stitches, plus 1 for the edge. The swatch chains 18 and works 17 stitches.
Abbreviations (US terms): CH = chain; SC = single crochet; DC = double crochet; TR = treble crochet; YO = yarn over; CR3L = cross three left; CR3R = cross three right. Full definitions are in the pattern below; the crochet abbreviations guide has the rest.
Broadway Stitch Written Pattern
Size: 6"x6"
Gauge: 4x4 = 11 Stitches | 14 Rows in SC
Yarn: 32g or 44yds of DGY Worsted Weight Recycled Silk Yarn
Crochet Hook Size: 5.5 mm
Abbreviations:
CH- Chain
SC: Single Crochet
DC: Double Crochet
TR: Treble Crochet - YO twice, insert and pull up a loop, *YO, Pull through 2sts* three times
CR3L: Cross Three Left - Skip SC, work 1 DC in each of next 2 sc, working in front of last DC work 1TR into skipped stitch
CR3R: Cross Three Right - Skip 2 SC, Work TR into next SC, working behind last TR work 1 DC into each of 2 skipped stitches
NOTE: CH 3 counts as first DC
CH 18
Row 1: Working into the 1st CH from the hook, SC. Repeat Across. CH 3 and Turn. (17 sts)
Row 2: Skip 1st SC, *CR3R, 1 DC into next SC, CR3L, DC into next stitch* Repeat to end. CH 1 and Turn.
Row 3: SC across, working last into the 2nd CH of the turning chain. CH 3 and Turn.
Rows 4-13: Repeat rows 2-3.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Make the base. Chain 18 and sc across for 17 stitches. Chain 3 and turn; that chain counts as the first dc.
- Cross three right. Skip the first sc (the ch 3 stands in for it), skip 2 more, and treble into the next stitch. Then, working behind that treble, dc into each of the 2 skipped stitches. The treble leans right.
- Dc into the next sc. This upright stitch separates the two crosses.
- Cross three left. Skip 1 sc, dc into each of the next 2, then treble into the skipped stitch with your hook in front of the doubles. This treble leans left.
- Dc into the next stitch, then repeat from the right cross to the end of the row. Chain 1, turn, and sc across, with the last sc in the 2nd chain of the turning chain. That row flattens everything so the next X's stack straight above.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Pull each treble to the same height as the doubles beside it; a short one puckers and a tall one leaves a loose loop.
- Count 17 after every sc row. The crossed row is where stitches go missing, usually because the dc between crosses got skipped.
- Behind for the right cross, in front for the left. Mixing them up still makes a cross, but it won't match the row below.
- The right side is where the trebles sit on top; mark it after Row 2.
- It uses more yarn than plain sc or dc, about 44 yards of worsted for the swatch.
What to Make With the Broadway Stitch
Broadway stitch looks best in solid colors on flat pieces:
- Scarf in worsted weight; work it lengthwise so the crosses run along the scarf.
- Pillow cover with a plain sc back.
- Blanket in worsted or bulky weight, with wider bands of sc between broadway rows. Our how to crochet a blanket guide covers sizing.
Related Stitches
- Cross Double Crochet Stitch — the simplest crossed stitch; learn it first.
- Crossed Double Crochet Stitch — a two-stitch cross with the same in-front and behind logic.
- Treble Crochet — the tall stitch at the center of every broadway cross.
- Crochet Cable Stitch — the next step in raised, crossed texture.
- Browse every crochet stitch tutorial — the full Stitch Learning Center index.
Yarn for This Stitch
The swatch was worked in worsted weight recycled silk, and the worsted weight yarn collection is where to match it. A smooth yarn with some sheen makes the crossed trebles stand out.
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.
Broadway Stitch FAQ
Is the broadway stitch beginner-friendly?
It's a step past beginner. You need a steady sc, dc, and tr, and the crosses take a few rows to feel natural.
Is the broadway stitch reversible?
No. The trebles sit on top on the right side; the wrong side shows flatter, less defined crosses.
Why does my row come out with the wrong stitch count?
Usually the dc between the two crosses got skipped, or the last sc of Row 3 missed the turning chain. Count 17 after every sc row.
