This Crochet Box Stitch step by step guide, allows you to learn a new crochet stitch quickly and easily.
You will have more confidence with your crocheting, less stress throughout the process, and you will have a new simple, amazing, versatile stitch in your repertoire.
But that’s not all…
This guide demonstrates the crochet box stitch visually, with pictures and a video so you can practice and learn at your own pace.
The best part…
You will learn how to make a crochet box stitch blanket and there is also the free crochet box stitch shawl pattern available.
Crochet Box Stitch Tutorial
The Crochet Box Stitch is our stitch of the week. This stitch is pretty in a single color yarn. It really comes into its own when worked in rows of graduating colors, or in alternating colors.
This tutorial uses both US and British terms so you won’t get confused, and comes with step by step written instructions. Along with photos and even this downloadable diagram for you to keep in your stitch reference files.
I have also included a great step by step video of the crochet box stitch. Sometimes I find it a lot easier to follow a video tutorial than a pattern.
Whatever resource you decide to use, I’m sure that you will love being able to add this crochet stitch to your repertoire.
Tools & Materials You Will Need To Create A Box Stitch
If you are just starting out in the art of crocheting, there are a few essential tools you’ll need; a crochet hook set from your preferred brand( Susan Bates, Lion Brand, Skacel , Knitters Choice, etc.) and yarn.
It is important to use a hook size that corresponds with the gauge of the yarn you are using. Depending on your preferences, the yarn’s color may vary.
The choice of color adds life to your finished project making it a masterpiece.
Get the free crochet box stitch shawl pattern here, shown in the picture above.
Crochet Box Stitch US + UK Written Tutorials Below
Below is the US then the UK written tutorials for the crochet box stitch patterns.
UK/US Terminology
Double crochet / single crochet
Treble crochet / double crochet
Front post double crochet / Front post single crochet
Shell Stitch Technique
In the same chain stitch you will work 5 treble crochet/double crochet plus 1 additional chain stitch plus 5 more treble crochet/double crochet.
For both versions, you will begin with a foundation row in a multiple of 10 +2. (For example, 30 +2 =32)
Below the written tutorials is a video tutorial. Enjoy.
US Crochet Box Stitch Written Instructions
For Row 1:
Skip the first chain stitch.
(In the next chain stitch, 1 single crochet. SKIP the next 4 chain stitches). Repeat ().
In the last chain stitch, 1 single crochet.
Turn.
For Row 2:
Chain 1. In the first single crochet, work 1 single crochet.
(Over the next 5 single crochet stitches you will work 1 Front post single crochet. Make 1 chain stitch. Over the next 5 single crochet stitches, work 1 Front post single crochet. In the single crochet below, work 1 Front post single crochet). Repeat ().
Over each of the next 5 double crochet stitches, work 1 Front post single crochet. Make 1 chain stitch. Again, make 1 Front post single crochet over every following 5 double crochet stitches. In the last single crochet, make 1 more single crochet.
Turn.
For Row 3:
Chain 4. In the first single crochet, work 1 double crochet.
(Chain 3. In the space of 1 chain, work 1 single crochet. Chain 2 more. SKIP the 5 Front post single crochet stitches and in the following stitch you will work 1 double crochet PLUS 2 chain stitches PLUS 1 double crochet)
Repeat ().
Then, Chain 3. In the next space of 1 chain, work 1 single crochet. Chain 3 more. In the last single crochet, you will work 1 double crochet PLUS 1 chain PLUS 1 double crochet.
Turn.
For Row 4:
Chain 1.
In the first single crochet, work 1 single crochet. Chain 1. In the next single crochet, work 1 single crochet.
(Chain 3. In the next single crochet, work 1 single crochet. Chain 3. In the following double crochet, work 1 single crochet. Chain 2. In the next double crochet, work 1 single crochet.)
Repeat ().
Chain 3. In the following single crochet, work 1 single crochet. Chain 3. In the following double crochet, work 1 single crochet. Chain 1. In third chain work 1 single crochet.
Turn.
For Row 5:
Chain 4. Skip a row.
Then in the space between 4 chain stitches and the double crochet of 3, you will work 5 double crochet stitches.
(Then you will skip the next three rows.
In the shell of the row immediately below you will work 1 single crochet into that shell. this falls in the space of 1 chain stitch between double crochet stitches.
Skip another row.
Work shell stitch into the space created by 2 chain stitches in the row immediately below.)
Repeat ().
Skip another three rows.
In the shell of the following row you will work 1 single crochet.
Skip another row.
In the space created by 1 chain stitch, work 5 double crochet stitches. In the last single crochet stitch of the previous row you will work 1 double crochet stitch.
Turn.
For Row 6:
Chain 2 stitches.
Over each of the next 5 double crochet stitches, work 1 front post single crochet.
Over the following single crochet, work another front post single crochet and then again over the next 5 double crochet stitches work 5 more front post single crochet stitches.
Chain 1. In the third chain, work 1 single crochet.
Turn.
For Row 7:
Chain 1. In the first single crochet, work 1 single crochet.
(Chain 3. SKIP the next 5 front post single crochet stitches. Then in the following stitch, work 1 double crochet PLUS chain 2 PLUS 1 double crochet. Chain 3 more. In the space created by a chain stitch, work 1 single crochet.)
Repeat ().
In the first chain at the end of the row, work single crochet stitch.
Turn.
For Row 8:
Chain 1.
(In the following single crochet stitch, work 1 single crochet. Chain 3. In the following double crochet, work 1 single crochet stitch. Chain 2. In the following double crochet, work 1 single crochet. Chain 3.)
In the last single crochet, work 1 single crochet.
Turn.
For Row 9:
Chain 1.
Skip the next three rows.
In the space created by the 4 chain stitches and the 5 double crochet stitches, work 1 single crochet.
(Skip the next row.
Work shell stitch in the space created by 2 chain stitches in the following row.
Skip the following three rows.
In the shell stitch of the following row, work 1 single crochet stitch.)
Repeat ().
Skip the next row.
Work shell stitch in the space created by 2 chain stitches.
Skip the next three rows.
In the space created by chain stitch and the 5 double crochet stitches, work 1 single crochet.
Turn.
Repeat row 2 through 9 to continue until you reach you desired size.
UK Crochet Box Stitch Written Tutorial
For Row 1:
Skip the first chain stitch.
(In the next chain stitch, 1 double crochet. SKIP the next 4 chain stitches). Repeat ().
In the last chain stitch, 1 double crochet.
Turn.
For Row 2:
Chain 1. In the first double crochet, work 1 double crochet.
(Over the next 5 treble crochet stitches you will work 1 Front post double crochet. Make 1 chain stitch. Over the next 5 treble crochet, work 1 Front post double crochet. In the double crochet below, work 1 Front post double crochet). Repeat ().
Over each of the next 5 treble crochet stitches, work 1 Front post double crochet. Make 1 chain stitch. Again, make 1 Front post double crochet over every following 5 treble crochet stitches. In the last double crochet, make 1 more double crochet.
Turn.
For Row 3:
Chain 4. In the first double crochet, work 1 treble crochet.
(Chain 3. In the space of 1 chain, work 1 double crochet. Chain 2 more. SKIP the 5 Front post double crochet stitches and in the following stitch you will work 1 treble crochet PLUS 2 chain stitches PLUS 1 treble crochet)
Repeat ().
Then, Chain 3. In the next space of 1 chain, work 1 double crochet. Chain 3 more. In the last double crochet, you will work 1 treble crochet PLUS 1 chain PLUS 1 treble crochet.
Turn.
For Row 4:
Chain 1. In the first double crochet, work 1 double crochet. Chain 1. In the next double crochet, work 1 double crochet.
(Chain 3. In the next double crochet, work 1 double crochet. Chain 3. In the following treble crochet, work 1 double crochet. Chain 2. In the next treble crochet, work 1 double crochet.)
Repeat ().
Chain 3. In the following double crochet, work 1 double crochet. Chain 3. In the following treble crochet, work 1 double crochet. Chain 1. In third chain work 1 double crochet.
Turn.
For Row 5:
Chain 4. Skip a row. Then in the space between 4 chain stitches and the treble crochet of 3, you will work 5 treble crochet stitches.
(Then you will skip the next three rows.
In the shell of the row immediately below you will work 1 double crochet into that shell. this falls in the space of 1 chain stitch between treble crochet stitches.
Skip another row.
Work shell stitch into the space created by 2 chain stitches in the row immediately below.)
Repeat ().
Skip another three rows.
In the shell of the following row you will work 1 double crochet.
Skip another row.
In the space created by 1 chain stitch, work 5 treble crochet stitches. In the last double crochet stitch of the previous row you will work 1 treble crochet stitch.
Turn.
For Row 6:
Chain 2 stitches.
Over each of the next 5 treble crochet stitches, work 1 front post double crochet.
Over the following double crochet, work another front post double crochet and then again over the next 5 treble crochet stitches work 5 more front post double crochet stitches.
Chain 1. In the third chain, work 1 double crochet.
Turn.
For Row 7:
Chain 1. In the first double crochet, work 1 double crochet.
(Chain 3. SKIP the next 5 front post double crochet stitches. Then in the following stitch, work 1 treble crochet PLUS chain 2 PLUS 1 treble crochet. Chain 3 more. In the space created by a chain stitch, work 1 double crochet.)
Repeat ().
In the first chain at the end of the row, work double crochet stitch.
Turn.
For Row 8:
Chain 1.
(In the following double crochet stitch, work 1 double crochet. Chain 3. In the following treble crochet, work 1 double crochet stitch. Chain 2. In the following treble crochet, work 1 double crochet. Chain 3.)
In the last double crochet, work 1 double crochet.
Turn.
For Row 9:
Chain 1.
Skip the next three rows.
In the space created by the 4 chain stitches and the 5 treble crochet stitches, work 1 double crochet.
(Skip the next row.
Work shell stitch in the space created by 2 chain stitches in the following row.
Skip the following three rows.
In the shell stitch of the following row, work 1 double crochet stitch.)
Repeat ().
Skip the next row.
Work shell stitch in the space created by 2 chain stitches.
Skip the next three rows.
In the space created by chain stitch and the 5 treble crochet stitches, work 1 double crochet.
Turn.
Repeat row 2 through 9 to continue until you reach you desired size.
Learn How To Crochet Box Stitch Video Tutorial
How to Use The Crochet Box Stitch
This stitch makes the cutest crochet baby blanket. It is also used when you want waves or ripples of color, such as a mermaid or fish blanket. This is such a pretty stitch and adds another dimension to all crochet patterns.
The crochet box stitch is many ways quite similar to a granny square but with a few minor changes. With a Susan Bates 1-9 hooks and worsted weight yarn, you can get to work on your crochet box stitch otherwise known as a block stitch.
From baby blankets to Ponchos, Afghans, and pillowcases, there’s not much you cannot create using crochet box stitches.
The size of the squares created is a choice dependent on how big you want them to be which more often than not is dictated by the intended purpose.
If you wish to make small square blocks, you essentially stop once you have the right size block you desire. Then proceed to join them traditionally.
Using the crochet box stitch pattern to make a perfectly symmetrical square blanket looks absolutely amazing.
When large Granny squares are involved, the Continuous Join method is used to connect the individual blocks creating the final finished product.
Images courtesy of My Picot
Why We Love The Box Stitch
Crochet box stitch, why is this stitch a favorite to both amateur and experienced crocheters?
Well, I can tell you one thing, it’s not because they are OCD about boxes and squares or anything like that.
However, the prominent shape here is the box or square. These can later be crocheted into one of the various styles which may include Bavarian square Afghans or Ponchos.
The reason crochet boxes are so widely preferred is that they are reasonably easy to crochet. They are a basic form of crocheting that is so versatile.
The number of designs and shapes that once you have the basics worked out are endless. You might as well change your middle name to Picasso. The style is easy to learn and presents a wide range of possibilities in the form of creations you can come up with.
The crochet box stitch is a handy crochet stitch that is easy to learn and master. With a bit of practice, you can be well on your way to creating aesthetically pleasing products. Such as housewarming gifts, baby blankets and Afghans.
The crochet style entails crocheting yarn into a square or box shape. On which you build upon more chains and repeat rounds.
The only disadvantage of a center start with crochet box stitch is that, when balancing your colors. You need to rotate the working side on every color change as you proceed.
Be sure to post the pieces you make with this stitch to our Facebook page. Learn more crochet stitches here.
We hope you have enjoyed our crochet box stitch tutorials, happy crocheting.
