Crochet Tulip Stitch: Step-by-Step Pattern for Colorful Petal Motifs
The Crochet Tulip Stitch is a delightful, textured pattern that produces rows of tulip-shaped petal clusters and leafy stems. It's ideal for blankets, scarves, sweaters or any project where a repeating floral motif will add charm. This tutorial gives both USA and UK stitch equivalents and a repeatable 6-row pattern with color changes to make the tulips stand out.
Materials: yarn in contrasting colors (three recommended for the sample: background, leaves, petals), hook appropriate for your yarn, scissors and a yarn needle for weaving in ends. Choose yarn and hook to achieve the fabric drape you prefer.
Notes: ch3 (USA) / 3ch (UK) counts as first dc/tr; ch4 (USA) / 4ch (UK) counts as first dc+ch1 / tr+ch1. Work into base of turning chain unless otherwise stated. Repeat the 6-row sequence to desired length, changing colors as indicated to highlight leaves and tulips.
Caption: Close-up swatch showing Tulip Stitch rows with contrasting leaves and tulip petals.
Abbreviations USA
- ch. Chain
- sc. Single Crochet
- dc. Double Crochet
- yo. Yarn Over
- tch. Turning Chain
- dc4tog. Leaving last loop of each dc on hook, work 4 dc in next stitch, yo and pull through 5 loops.
Vst. (1 dc, ch1, 1 dc) in same space or stitch.
ch3 counts as first dc
ch4 counts as first dc and ch1
Base of ch. Work in first stitch
Using color 1 make a chain length in an even number + 3
First Row – 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each ch to end. Turn.
Second Row – ch1, sc in base of ch1, sc in each dc to 3tch, sc in top of ch3. Turn.
# Fasten off. Join in colour 2
Third Row – (Leaves) ch3, * skip 1 sc, vst (see abbrev) in next sc, * rpt from * to * to last 2 sc, skip 1 sc, dc in last sc. Turn.
Fasten off. Join in color 3
Fourth Row – (Tulip) ch4, Work (dc4tog, ch1) (see abbrev for dc4tog) in each ch1 space to end, dc in top of ch3. Turn.
Fasten off. Join in color 1
Fifth Row – ch3, dc in each ch1 space and dc4tog to 4tch, dc in ch4 space, dc in 3rd of ch4. Turn.
Sixth Row – ch1, sc in base of ch1, sc in each dc to 3tch, sc in top of ch3. Turn. #
Rpt from # to # to required length.
Caption: Finished section of the Tulip Stitch pattern demonstrating the repeat and color placement for leaves and tulips.
Abbreviations UK
- ch. Chain
- dc. Double Crochet (UK = US single terminology differs)
- tr. Treble Crochet
- yrh. Yarn Round Hook
- tch. Turning Chain
- tr4tog. Leaving last loop of each tr on hook, work 4 tr into next stitch, yrh and pull through 5 loops.
Vst. (1 tr, 1 ch, 1 tr) into same space or stitch.
3ch counts as first tr
4ch counts as first tr and 1ch
Base of ch. Work in first stitch
Using color 1 make a chain length in an even number + 3
First Row – 1 tr into 4th ch from hook, 1 tr into each ch to end. Turn.
Second Row – 1 ch, dc into base of 1 ch, dc into each tr to 3tch, dc into top of ch3. Turn.
# Fasten off. Join in colour 2
Third Row – (Leaves) 3 ch, * miss 1 dc, vst (see abbrev) into next dc, * rpt from * to * to last 2 dc, miss 1 dc, tr into last dc. Turn.
Fasten off. Join in color 3
Fourth Row – (Tulip) 4 ch, Work (tr4tog, 1 ch) (see abbrev for tr4tog) in each 1 ch space to end, tr into top of 3 ch. Turn.
Fasten off. Join in color 1
Fifth Row – 3 ch, tr into each 1 ch space and tr4tog to 4 tch, tr into 4 ch space, tr into 3rd of 4 ch. Turn.
Sixth Row – 1 ch, dc into base of 1 ch, dc into each tr to 3 tch, dc into top of 3 ch. Turn. #
Rpt from # to # to required length.
Tips: Carry colors neatly along the back when working short color sections or fasten off and join each row for clean color changes. Block your finished piece gently to open the tulip clusters and even the fabric.