The teardrop stitch

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The teardrop stitch (sometimes called the extended drop stitch) creates beautiful, textured, and reversible patterns that are perfect for blankets, scarves, and hats. It works by alternating standard stitches (like double or half-double crochets) with extended stitches anchored into rows below. [1, 2, 3, 4]



The "Granny Style" Teardrop Stitch

This is the most popular teardrop technique, creating a lovely "rainbow" drop effect. [1]

Foundation & Row 1
  1. Chain: Chain in multiples of 4 plus 2 (e.g., chain 34).
  2. First cluster: Skip the first 5 chains. Make 3 double crochets (dc) in the next chain.
  3. Repeat sequence: Chain 1, skip 3 chains, and make 3 dc in the next chain. Repeat this to the end of the row.
  4. End of row: Skip 3 chains, then make 2 dc in the very last chain.
  5. Note: You can change colors here or after every few rows. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Row 2 (The Teardrop Effect)
  1. Chain & Turn: Chain 2 and turn.
  2. The Teardrop: In the first chain-1 space, make 1 dc, then make a tripouble crochet (wrap yarn over hook 3 times). To form the teardrop, anchor the tripouble crochet into the middle stitch of the 3-dc cluster in your foundation row below.
  3. Finish the teardrop by making another dc on the other side of the tripouble crochet.
  4. Repeat: Chain 1, and repeat this (dc, tripouble anchored 2 rows down, dc) in every chain-1 space across. End the row with 2 dc into the chain-2 space. [1]
Row 3 and Beyond
  1. Chain & Turn: Chain 2 and turn.
  2. Repeat Row 2: Make your teardrop stitches into the chain-1 spaces of the previous row, anchoring the tripouble crochet into the middle of the 3-dc clusters two rows down. [1]
The Slip Stitch/HDC Teardrop Stitch

If you prefer a simpler 1-row repeat that creates tight, dense, and subtle teardrops, use this textured method:
  1. Foundation: Chain an even number. Skip the first chain, and single crochet (sc) across.
  2. Setup: Chain 1 and turn. Working in the back loops only (BLO) for the entire pattern, alternate making a slip stitch and a half-double crochet (hdc) across the row.
  3. Turn: Finish the row with an sc, chain 1, and turn.
  4. Repeat: Slip stitch into the slip stitches and hdc into the hdc stitches from the previous row, working only in the BLO. [4]


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