How To Crochet The Alpine Stitch (Pattern Tutorial)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.What Is The Alpine Crochet Stitch?
The crochet alpine stitch, also known as the raised ripple stitch, is a textured pattern that creates a series of raised ridges and valleys resembling mountain peaks and valleys.
This stitch is achieved by alternating front post treble crochet (FPTR) and (sometimes) back post treble crochet (BPTR) stitches in a specific sequence.
The result is a dense and textured fabric ideal for blankets, scarves, and other projects that require a cozy, dimensional pattern.
The alpine stitch offers a unique and visually appealing texture that can add interest to your crochet projects.
Crochet Alpine Stitch Dishcloth Pattern
Skill level – Easy (advanced beginner)
Crocheting a dishcloth using the Alpine stitch can add a beautiful, textured look to your kitchen essentials.
The Alpine stitch creates a ridged pattern by alternating double crochet stitches and front post double crochets.
This dishcloth will not only be practical for your kitchen tasks but also aesthetically pleasing, making it a great gift or a beautiful addition to your home.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, please provide a link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.
Size Information
- Length = 8 inches/20 cm
- Width = 8 inches /20 cm
Gauge – 17 sts/20 rows in 10×10 cm/4×4 inches in the pattern.
The supplies you need…
Yarn
- Medium weight cotton yarn (Size 4), as it’s absorbent and durable, making it ideal for dishcloths.
- 1 x ball of The Pima Cotton yarn from We Are Knitters.
- This yarn is 3.5 oz/100g/232 yds/212 m.
- Use my code – MGM4VHHAT – for 10 off on your WAK yarn order.
- You can make 2 dishcloths with this amount of cotton yarn.
Hook
A size H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook typically works well with medium weight yarn.
Notions
- Darning needle/yarn needle
- Scissors
- Tape measure
Crochet Abbreviations
The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
- CH – Chain
- Cont – Continue
- DC – Double crochet
- FPDC – front post double crochet – yarn over, insert hook around the post of the stitch, inserting your hook from front to back to front again, yarn over and pull through (you will have three loops on the hook), yarn over pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.
- Patt – Pattern
- Rep – Repeat
- RS – Right side
- SC – Single crochet
- Sl-St – Slip stitch
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
- WS – Wrong side
How To Crochet The Alpine Stitch (Dishcloth Pattern)
Time needed: 1 day, 2 hours and 30 minutes
How To Crochet the Alpine Stitch
- The foundation/set up rows
1. Start with a Slip Knot and Foundation Chain:
Begin by making a slip knot on your hook.
Chain an even number of stitches in multiples of 2; for a standard-size dishcloth, chaining 30 should suffice.
2. Set Up Rows:
Row 1: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch), insert your hook into the 2nd ch from the hook and work 1 single crochet, then single crochet (SC) in each stitch across. Turn your work.
Row 2: Chain 2, and double crochet (DC) in each stitch across. Turn your work.
Row 3: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch), single crochet (SC) in each stitch across. Turn your work. - Begin the Alpine Stitch Pattern:
Row 4: Chain 2 (counts as the first DC). *Front post double crochet (FPDC) around the DC below the next stitch from Row 2. Then 1 double crochet into the next stitch from the previous SC row*. Repeat from * to * across, ending with a DC in the last stitch. Turn your work.
Row 5: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch), SC in each stitch across. Turn your work. - Continue the Pattern:
Row 6: Chain 2 (counts as the first DC). *FPDC around the next DC from the previous DC row (Row 4), DC in the stitch next stitch to the FPDC from the previous row*. Repeat from * to * across, ending with a DC in the last stitch. Turn your work.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5 (SC in each stitch across). Turn your work.
Row 8 and Beyond: Alternate the pattern of Rows 4 through 7 until the dishcloth reaches the desired size, typically about 8 or 10 inches square. End with a row of single crochet stitches (Row 7) to finish the dishcloth. - Optional Border:
Once the main body of the dishcloth is complete, you can add a simple border if desired. One round of SC around the perimeter works well. Place 3 SCs in each corner to maintain a flat edge.
- Finishing:
Cut the yarn, leaving a tail. Pull the tail through the loop on your hook to secure it. Weave in all ends with a yarn needle.
- Tips for Crocheting with the Alpine Stitch:
Tension: Maintain a consistent tension to ensure the post stitches and standard stitches are the same height, giving a neat and uniform texture.
Counting Stitches: Pay close attention to stitch counts, especially since the FPDC can sometimes confuse where to place the next stitch.
Blocking: Cotton sometimes shrinks or warps slightly after washing, so consider blocking your dishcloth after the first wash to reshape it.
Video Tutorial
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to crochet the alpine stitch.
Grab Your Free Printable PDF Pattern Here
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Happy Crocheting!
How Do You Count Rows On An Alpine Crochet Stitch?
Counting rows on an alpine crochet stitch project can be done by identifying the peaks and valleys created by the stitch pattern.
Each complete sequence of front post treble crochet (FPTR) and back post treble crochet (BPTR) stitches typically forms one “ripple” or wave pattern across the row.
To count rows:
- Identify Ripple Patterns: Look for the distinct peaks and valleys in your alpine stitch fabric. Each ripple pattern, consisting of a set of FPTR and BPTR stitches, represents one row.
- Count Ripple Rows: Start from the foundation chain or the beginning of your project and count each complete ripple pattern vertically. For example, if you see a clear sequence of peaks and valleys going up your work, count each full ripple as one row.
- Use Stitch Markers: To make counting easier, consider placing stitch markers at the beginning or end of each row as you work. This will help you keep track of your rows and ensure you don’t lose count.
- Check Pattern Repeat: If you’re following a specific design, refer to your pattern instructions. Alpine stitch patterns often include a specified number of ripple repeats for each row or section, which can guide your row counting.
- Counting by Multiples: If your project involves several pattern repeats within each row, count in multiples of the pattern repeat. For instance, if your pattern specifies a repeat of 8 stitches for each ripple, count by groups of 8 to track your rows accurately.
What Is The Best Yarn For Crochet Alpine Stitch?
Since this beautiful stitch creates a dense and textured fabric with raised ripple patterns, opting for yarns with good stitch definition and structure is recommended.
Medium-weight yarn to bulky-weight yarn works well with the alpine stitch, allowing the stitch pattern to stand out beautifully.
Natural fiber yarns like wool or wool blends can be excellent choices as they provide warmth and elasticity, which enhances the overall drape and texture of the alpine stitch fabric.
Cotton yarns can also work effectively for projects where breathability and durability are desired.
Choose yarns that have a smooth texture and hold their shape well to showcase the intricate details of the alpine stitch.
Variegated or subtly shaded yarns can add depth and visual interest to your project.
- Learn everything about the different yarn weights here – Yarn Weight Guide {+ Conversion
- Chart}
- Learn everything about yarn fibers here – Yarn Types Explained: A Guide To Different Fibers
- Learn how to read a yarn label here – How To Read A Yarn Label (Step By Step)
What Can You Make With The Alpine Stitch?
The alpine stitch, with its distinctive raised ripple pattern, is perfect for creating a variety of textured and visually striking crochet projects.
Some popular items you can make using the alpine stitch include baby blankets, scarves, cowls, and throws.
The dense and textured fabric created by this stitch provides excellent warmth and coziness, making it ideal for cold-weather accessories and home decor items.
An alpine stitch blanket can be a beautiful project to make.
The alpine stitch can also be used to craft stylish bags, purses, and cushions, adding a touch of handmade charm to everyday items.
Additionally, you can incorporate the alpine stitch into garments like sweaters or cardigans to give them a unique texture and dimension.
Experimenting with different yarn weights and color combinations can further enhance the beauty and versatility of the alpine stitch, allowing you to create personalized and eye-catching crochet projects for yourself or as thoughtful gifts.
To ensure this is the right stitch, it’s a good idea to make a gauge swatch before committing to a full project. It won’t take you a long time.
Is The Alpine Crochet Stitch A Yarn Eater?
The alpine stitch pattern can be considered a yarn-intensive or “yarn eater” stitch due to its construction and texture.
This stitch pattern typically involves creating multiple loops and raised sections within each stitch, resulting in a fabric that uses more yarn compared to simpler stitches like single crochet or double crochet.
The raised nature of the stitches and the number of yarn overs involved in each stitch contribute to higher yarn consumption.
Therefore, when working on a project using the alpine crochet stitch, it’s advisable to have sufficient yarn on hand to ensure you don’t run out before completing your desired item.
Additionally, using a slightly larger crochet hook than usual can help mitigate the yarn usage while still achieving the desired texture and appearance of the alpine stitch.
How To Keep Your Alpine Stitch Project From Curling?
To prevent curling in your alpine stitch project, you can take several steps to make a flatter fabric.
First, consider using a larger crochet hook than recommended for your yarn to create looser stitches, which can reduce tension-induced curling.
Additionally, blocking your finished project by wetting or steam blocking and then pinning it flat to dry can help relax the stitches and flatten the fabric.
Adding a border around the edges of your project, such as single crochet or half double crochet stitches, can also provide stability and minimize curling.
Another strategy is to choose a yarn with good drape and elasticity, as certain fibers like wool or cotton are less prone to curling than acrylic.
Finally, pay attention to your tension while crocheting—avoid pulling the yarn too tightly, which can cause the fabric to curl.
Implementing these techniques will help ensure that your alpine stitch project lays flat and looks neat and professional.
Learn everything about blocking here – Blocking Knits – How To Block Knitting Guide
Make An Alpine Stitch Crochet Dishcloth
Whether you are trying out simple stitches or complicated designs, making a dishcloth is a great project.
The alpine stitch, with its beautiful texture resembling little mountain peaks, creates a visually appealing fabric that is both decorative and functional.
The raised ridges of the stitch provide excellent scrubbing power, making it ideal for cleaning dishes or surfaces effectively.
Crocheting a dishcloth using the alpine stitch allows for creativity in color choices and yarn selection, enabling you to customize the dishcloth to match your kitchen decor or personal style.
Moreover, crocheted dishcloths are eco-friendly alternatives to disposable cleaning products, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing waste.
Handmade dishcloths also make thoughtful gifts for friends and family, showcasing your craftsmanship and adding a personal touch to any kitchen.
Overall, crocheting an alpine stitch dishcloth is a rewarding way to create a practical, beautiful, and eco-conscious item for your home or to share with loved ones.
Crochet Lessons
If you are a new maker and need help with the crochet basics or you need a refresher, check out the crochet lessons here – Crochet Lessons {With Video Tutorials}.
There, you will find tutorial posts for all the crochet techniques a newbie needs to know and a full video tutorial and a step-by-step photo tutorial to help you along.
This includes how to make a slip knot, how to create foundation chain stitches (ch), and how to crochet the basic stitches, such as single crochet stitches (sc) and double crochet stitches (dc).
It also includes how to make a single crochet decrease and all the crochet abbreviations ( in UK and US terms) a maker needs to know.
And if you need more free video instructions, check out my YouTube channel here – Handy Little Me – YouTube
And if you also love to knit and want tutorials with step by step instructions, check out the knitting lessons here – Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials)
Crochet Stitch Tutorials
Check out the patterns below to find tutorials for special stitches and free PDFs.
- How To Single Crochet (SC)
- How To Crochet The Popcorn Stitch
- How To Double Crochet (DC) For Beginners
- How To Crochet The Blanket Stitch For Beginners
- 30 Crochet Stitches For All Skill Levels
- How To Corner To Corner Crochet (C2C) For Beginners
- How To Half Double Crochet Stitch For Beginners (hdc)
- How To Treble Crochet (TR)
- Half Treble Crochet Stitch (htr) For Beginners
- 50 Best Crochet Stitches For Blankets And Afghans
- How To Crochet A Front Post Double Crochet Stitch
- How To Make A Back Post Double Crochet Stitch (BPDC)
- Crochet Puff Stitch (A How-To Tutorial For Beginners)
- How To Crochet The Waffle Stitch (Free Tutorial)
- How To Crochet The Basket Weave Stitch (Free Tutorial)
- 23 Crochet Lace Stitch Patterns (Free Lacy Stitches)
- Star Stitch Crochet Tutorial (Easy For Beginners)
Free Crochet Patterns
Check out the free patterns below to find your next crochet project.
- Free Crochet Easter Eggs Pattern
- 35 Free Cotton Yarn Crochet Patterns
- Crochet Dishcloth Pattern Set
- Crochet Washcloth Pattern
- How To Crochet A Blanket
- Crochet Blanket Sizes And How Much Yarn
- Outlander Shawl Crochet Pattern
- 6 Free Crochet Gift Bag Patterns For Christmas!
- 20 Temperature Blanket Patterns (The Ultimate Guide)