How to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch

Introduction

Are you a new crocheter? Seasoned but learning new stitches? I’ve got you with the crochet Lemon Peel Stitch! This easy crochet stitch is great for everyone as it uses only basic crochet stitches: single crochet stitches and double crochet stitches. It’s super easy to work up and the result gives a beautiful, lemon peel-like texture! One of the best things, in my opinion, is that there’s no right side or wrong side. It’s completely reversible!

I used worsted weight yarn for most of my free patterns. You can use any yarn and the hook size that the yarn calls for.

If you’re more of a visual learner, scroll to find the video tutorial on my YouTube channel.

When you’re ready to tackle this beautiful stitch, here are some free crochet patterns with this beautiful texture you might like:

Le Ciel Bleu Blanket

About the Pattern: In this free crochet pattern I’ve combined a bobble border with a Lemon Peel Stitch body. This blanket has got all the cozy textures! Whether you make it multi or solid colored, it’s sure to make a super-cuddly crochet blanket.

Get the FREE crochet pattern here!

Sweet Delight Headwrap

About the Pattern: The stitch combination of the Lemon Peel Stitch created the perfect fabric for this headband. It’s just enough to cut the wind and keep your ears warm in the fall/winter months. This pattern is written in toddler to adult sizes.

Get the FREE crochet pattern here!

Paprika Pocket Scarf

About the Pattern: This pattern combines working in the round and working flat. There are also some decreases if you want to practice decreasing with this slightly bumpy texture stitch. I love a good hooded scarf and this one turned out just as cozy as I was hoping it would.

Get the FREE crochet pattern here!

Sweet N Sour Beanie

About the Pattern: This beanie features a double brim to keep your ears super toasty. Combined with the Lemon Peel Stitch, it’s cute to boot, too! Pattern is written in baby to adult.

Get the FREE crochet pattern here!

Things to love about the Lemon Peel Stitch

I’m a BIG fan of the Lemon Peel Stitch and have been for years. For so long, in fact, that I used it for several years before I even knew what any crochet stitches like this were called. I was just willy-nilly crocheting with some random stitching not knowing WHAT THE HELL I was doing haha. Here are some of my favorite features of the Lemon Peel Crochet Stitch:

• Can be used with any stitch count
• Can be worked flat or in the round
• Yields a beautifully textured fabric without being too heavy
• Completely reversible
• Great for a wide variety of projects

Some things to know about the Lemon Peel Stitch

There are a few things that I’ve found through trial and error about the Lemon Peel Stitch that I want to share with you. Some of these might seem obvious, however, they aren’t always! I hope they help.

• It can be very difficult to count your rows due to the texture of this stitch pattern. I recommend using stitch markers (lots of them if you need to!) until you’re comfortable enough with counting rows without them. Tip: I count my rows by counting the single crochets diagonally.
• It does create a pretty thin fabric unlike a lot of crochet stitches. I recommend making a swatch with a few different hook sizes if you’re designing to get the desired fabric weight.
• The best way that I’ve found to increase and decrease with this stitch is to work 2 of them right next to each over 2 or 4 stitches. Example: To decrease work [sc2tog, dc2tog (or vice versa, whichever stitch should be the first stitch of the row/round is the first decrease you’ll work), continue stitch pattern]. It just creates a decrease/increase that flows really well into your work.
• When you’re working this stitch flat, you can use any stitch count you like. When you’re working in the round, however, you must have an even number of stitches. Bonus: Working in the round with this stitch has NO seam. I know, that sounds crazy, but you really can’t see it. It’s Ah-mazing!
• I prefer to use foundation stitches with the Lemon Peel Stitch. When you start with chains and work into them, it creates little gaps on that first row. I’ve found that the foundation stitches flow into the other rows a little smoother. Just alternate fsc and fdc for the base.

Written instructions

To Work a Flat Fabric

Foundation/R1 *fsc, fdc* repeat from * to * for as many stitches as you need, ch 1 (I always ch 1 at the beginning of each row, you can ch 2 if the next row starts with a dc, whatever you prefer), turn

R2 *sc in each dc, dc in each sc* repeat from * to * to end, ch 1, turn

Note: If you have an even number of stitches, you will begin with the same stitch and end with the opposite stitch on every row and will be a one-row repeat. If you have an odd number of stitches, you will begin and end with the same stitch in one row, will alternate with each row, and will be a two-row repeat.

Repeat R2 until you reach your desired length.

To Work in the Round

Foundation/R1 ch an even number of chains, sl st to join in the round, ch 1, *sc, dc* around, join with a sl st, ch 1, turn

OR (and my preferred method)

*fsc, fdc* for an even number of stitches, sl st to join in the round (use your beginning tail to join the base of the stitches), ch 1, turn

Note: Always turn when working in the round to create the same textured fabric. If you don’t turn, the texture is more one-sided.

R2 *sc in each dc, dc in each sc* around, sl st to join, ch 1, turn

Repeat R2 until you reach your desired length.

Video Tutorial

Final Thoughts on the Lemon Peel Stitch

I love this stitch for so many reasons. It might even be my favorite stitch! The different heights of stitches give it that slightly bumpy texture without making it too heavy like a lot of textured crochet stitches can.

I love combining the Lemon Peel Stitch with other stitches in crochet projects (such as ribbing or bobbles like I’ve done before) to produce a super visually appealing project. Use it for a variety of different projects like baby blankets, bags, hats, scarves, and so much more! The Lemon Peel Stitch is a great way to incorporate wonderful texture into almost any project.

Happy crocheting!