The Almond Stitch creates a dense crochet fabric filled with softly raised oval shapes that resemble overlapping almonds. Alternating groups of half double crochet and slip stitches create the height changes, while working into the back loops leaves continuous raised ridges outlining every motif.

The stitch uses a simple four-row repeat and only two basic stitches, making it much easier to crochet than the finished texture suggests. The classic Almond Stitch is formed with groups of four stitches worked in the back loops, alternating between slip stitches and half double crochet.

This texture works especially well for:

• baby blankets
• throws
• scarves
• cushion covers
• bags
• winter accessories
• textured home decor

Skill Level

Confident Beginner

You should know how to:

• chain
• slip stitch
• half double crochet
• work in the back loop only
• turn rows
• recognize groups of four stitches

Finished Blanket Size

Approximately:

35–37 inches wide × 40–42 inches long

The pattern is easy to resize.

Materials

• Medium weight #4 yarn
• Approximately 1,300–1,500 yards
• 5.5 mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• Measuring tape

A smooth yarn with good stitch definition works best because the raised almond outlines are created by exposed crochet loops.

Abbreviations — US Terms

ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
hdc – half double crochet
sc – single crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)
BLO – back loop only

Special Technique — Back Loop Only

Every crochet stitch has two loops across its top:

• front loop
• back loop

For BLO stitches, insert the hook underneath only the back loop.

The unused front loop remains visible on the surface.

As the stitch pattern changes height between short slip stitches and taller half double crochets, those exposed loops curve around the taller sections and create the raised almond-shaped outlines.

Important Slip Stitch Tip

The slip stitches must remain relaxed.

Do not pull them tightly against the hook.

If your slip stitches are much tighter than your half double crochets:

• the fabric will become difficult to work into
• the blanket may shrink in width
• the almond shapes can become distorted

Use the widest part of the hook shaft to size each slip stitch.

Stitch Multiple

The Almond Stitch begins with:

multiple of 8 + 5 chains.

Examples:

• 37 chains
• 45 chains
• 53 chains
• 69 chains
• 85 chains
• 101 chains
• 117 chains
• 133 chains
• 149 chains

For this baby blanket:

Chain 133.

This gives:

132 working stitches

after the first skipped chain.

Practice Swatch

Before beginning the full blanket:

Chain 37.

This gives:

36 working stitches

and allows you to practice several complete almond repeats.

Work Rows 1–5 at least twice.

The almond shapes should become obvious after several rows.

Foundation Chain

Using your main color:

Ch 133 loosely.

If your foundation chains tend to be tight, use a 6 mm hook for the chain only, then switch to the 5.5 mm hook.

Row 1 — Establish the Stitch Groups

Sl st in the second chain from the hook.

Sl st in each of the next 3 chains.

You now have:

4 sl sts

Next work:

hdc in each of the next 4 chains

Then:

sl st in each of the next 4 chains

Repeat across:

*hdc in next 4 ch, sl st in next 4 ch*

Continue until the end.

You should have:

132 stitches

Ch 1.

Turn.

Row 1 Structure

The row alternates:

4 sl st | 4 hdc | 4 sl st | 4 hdc

The height difference between these two stitch groups begins forming the first curved sections.

Row 2 — Repeat the Same Alignment in BLO

From this point forward, work all pattern stitches into the:

back loop only

Sl st BLO in each of the first:

4 stitches

Then repeat:

*hdc BLO in next 4 sts, sl st BLO in next 4 sts*

Repeat across.

Ch 1.

Turn.

What You Should Notice

The unused front loops from Row 1 should now remain visible as a raised horizontal line.

Near the hdc groups, that line begins curving upward.

Row 3 — Reverse the Stitch Heights

Hdc BLO in each of the first:

4 stitches

Then repeat:

*sl st BLO in next 4 sts, hdc BLO in next 4 sts*

Repeat across.

Ch 1.

Turn.

The stitch groups have now changed position.

Where the previous rows were short, this row becomes tall.

Where the previous rows were tall, this row becomes short.

This reversal begins closing the first almond shapes.

Row 4

Repeat Row 3 exactly:

Hdc BLO in first 4 sts

Then:

*sl st BLO in next 4 sts, hdc BLO in next 4 sts*

Repeat across.

Ch 1.

Turn.

Row 5

Sl st BLO in each of the first:

4 stitches

Then repeat:

*hdc BLO in next 4 sts, sl st BLO in next 4 sts*

Repeat across.

Ch 1.

Turn.

Main Pattern Repeat

The Almond Stitch is now established.

Repeat:

Rows 2–5

until the blanket reaches the desired length. (Rich Textures Crochet)

The four-row repeat is:

Repeat Row A

4 sl st, 4 hdc

across.

Repeat Row B

4 hdc, 4 sl st

across.

Repeat Row C

Repeat Row B.

Repeat Row D

Return to:

4 sl st, 4 hdc

across.

All stitches are worked:

BLO

How the Almond Shape Forms

The shape comes entirely from changing stitch height.

Slip stitch groups are extremely short.

Half double crochet groups are much taller.

When four hdc stitches sit between groups of shorter slip stitches, the fabric rises.

Two rows later, the stitch heights reverse.

The exposed front loops from the BLO technique bend around these raised sections.

This produces the repeated oval or almond outline.

No:

• post stitches
• cables
• surface crochet
• bobbles
• special clusters

are required.

Reading the Fabric

After several repeats, you should be able to see groups of four clearly.

A complete section will appear as:

raised almond | raised almond | raised almond

across the fabric.

If you lose track of the written row, look at the previous row.

If the first four stitches are visibly tall hdc stitches, check whether the next row should continue that height or switch to slip stitches according to your four-row repeat.

Use Stitch Markers

While learning the pattern, place a marker after every:

8 stitches

This separates each complete repeat into:

• 4 stitches of one type
• 4 stitches of the other type

Markers are especially helpful on long blanket rows.

Keeping Slip Stitches Loose

This is the most important part of the stitch.

When making a slip stitch:

1. Insert into the back loop.
2. Yarn over.
3. Pull through the stitch.
4. Continue pulling through the loop already on the hook.
5. Stop before tightening the loop.

Allow the new loop to rest naturally around the hook shaft.

Do not tug the working yarn afterward.

If the Slip Stitch Row Is Difficult to Work Into

The previous slip stitches were probably too tight.

Try:

• intentionally loosening your slip stitches
• using a 6 mm hook for the entire project
• making the slip stitches on the thicker shaft of the hook

Do not force the hook through extremely tight loops.

That quickly becomes uncomfortable on a full blanket.

Keep the Edge Stitches Visible

The first and last stitches can become difficult to identify because of the alternating stitch heights.

Place one stitch marker in:

• first stitch
• final stitch

of every row.

Move the markers upward as you crochet.

This prevents the blanket from gradually narrowing.

Stitch Count

Maintain:

132 stitches

across every row.

Do not work into the ch-1 turning chain.

The turning chain:

does not count as a stitch

Continue to Blanket Length

Repeat Rows 2–5 until the blanket measures approximately:

39–40 inches

before the border.

For the cleanest finish, stop after completing a full four-row repeat.

Final Straightening Row

To create a stable edge before the border:

Ch 1.

Turn.

Sc loosely across all:

132 stitches

working through both loops.

Fasten off if changing colors for the border.

Simple Single Crochet Border

The Almond Stitch already contains a strong decorative texture, so a simple border works well.

Border Round 1

Attach yarn at one corner.

Ch 1.

Sc evenly across the top.

At the corner:

3 sc

Work sc evenly down the first long side.

At the next corner:

3 sc

Work across the foundation edge.

At the next corner:

3 sc

Work evenly up the final side.

At the last corner:

3 sc

Join with sl st.

Side Border Placement

Because the Almond Stitch alternates very short and taller rows, the side edges can be uneven.

Do not automatically place exactly one sc in every row end.

Instead, space the stitches so the border lies flat.

Check the edge every few inches.

If it:

ruffles: reduce stitches.

If it:

pulls inward: add stitches.

Border Round 2

Ch 1.

Sc in every stitch around.

At each corner:

3 sc in the center corner stitch

Join with sl st.

Optional Almond-Style Ribbed Border

For a more textured border, add one round of half double crochet after the single crochet rounds.

Round 3

Ch 1.

Hdc in every stitch around.

At each corner:

3 hdc

Join.

Round 4

Work hdc around in the third loop of each previous hdc.

This pushes the top loops outward and creates a raised ridge framing the blanket.

Fasten off.

Finished Size

After light blocking:

approximately 35–37 × 40–42 inches

Your actual measurement depends on:

• yarn thickness
• hook size
• slip stitch tension
• blocking

Smaller Stroller Blanket

Try:

Chain 101

This follows the required multiple.

Work until approximately:

30–34 inches long

Add the same border.

Larger Baby Blanket

Try:

Chain 149

Work until approximately:

42–45 inches long

Lap Blanket

Try:

Chain 181

Work until approximately:

50–54 inches long

Throw Blanket

For a larger sofa throw:

Chain 213

Work until approximately:

58–64 inches long

Because this stitch is dense, larger blankets can require substantial yardage.

How to Calculate Your Own Foundation

Choose a multiple of:

8

Then add:

5

Examples:

12 repeats

12 × 8 = 96
96 + 5 = 101 chains

16 repeats

16 × 8 = 128
128 + 5 = 133 chains

18 repeats

18 × 8 = 144
144 + 5 = 149 chains

22 repeats

22 × 8 = 176
176 + 5 = 181 chains

One-Color Blanket

The almond texture is easiest to see in a solid color.

Beautiful options include:

• dusty rose
• cream
• sage
• camel
• dusty blue
• terracotta
• charcoal
• lavender

Medium colors often show the shadows around the raised ridges particularly well.

Two-Color Version

You can change colors after every complete four-row repeat.

For example:

Rows 1–5: cream
next 4-row repeat: sage
next repeat: cream
next repeat: sage

This produces broad textured stripes without interrupting individual almond motifs.

Gradient Version

A tonal gradient can make the raised ridges especially attractive.

Try:

• blush
• dusty rose
• mauve
• plum

or:

• cream
• beige
• camel
• chocolate

Change colors only after completing a full four-row repeat.

Self-Striping Yarn

The stitch also works with slow self-striping yarn.

Because the almond texture creates shadows and ridges, color changes break across the motifs rather than forming perfectly straight stripes.

Choose a smooth yarn rather than a fuzzy one so the raised front loops remain visible.

Best Yarn for Almond Stitch

Smooth yarn is easiest to work with.

Good choices include:

• acrylic
• cotton-acrylic blend
• smooth wool blend
• washable merino
• soft baby yarn

Very fuzzy yarn can make the back loops hard to identify.

Hook Size

For medium #4 yarn:

5.5 mm

is a useful starting point.

If the slip stitches are difficult to work into:

use a 6 mm hook.

If the fabric feels excessively loose:

try 5 mm.

The finished fabric should be:

• dense
• flexible
• deeply textured
• comfortable to drape

Common Problems

Almond Shapes Are Not Appearing

Check that every stitch after Row 1 is worked:

BLO

Working through both loops removes much of the raised ridge effect.

Also confirm that your stitch groups contain exactly:

4 stitches

each.

The Shapes Look Uneven

Check the four-row sequence.

Two consecutive rows need one arrangement of stitch heights before switching back.

If you alternate every single row, the almonds will not form correctly.

Blanket Is Becoming Narrower

Your slip stitches may be too tight.

You may also be missing the final stitch.

Count the row and loosen your slip stitch tension.

Blanket Is Becoming Wider

Do not work into the turning chain.

Maintain exactly:

132 working stitches

for this blanket.

My Hook Will Not Enter the Slip Stitches

They were made too tightly.

Undo the previous row and work the slip stitches more loosely.

This is much easier than fighting through hundreds of tight stitches later.

Raised Ridges Are Hard to See

Make sure you are working in the:

back loop only

The unused front loop creates the ridge.

Fabric Feels Extremely Stiff

Move up a hook size.

Almond Stitch naturally produces a dense fabric, so slightly looser tension usually improves the drape.

Edges Wave

Your slip stitch and hdc tension may be very different.

Try to keep both stitch types relaxed and consistent.

A simple border will correct small edge variations.

Blocking

Light blocking improves the almond shapes.

After finishing:

1. Weave in every yarn end.
2. Wash or lightly dampen according to the yarn label.
3. Lay the blanket flat.
4. Straighten the sides.
5. Gently shape the raised almond ridges.
6. Allow the blanket to dry completely.

Do not aggressively stretch the fabric.

Do not press the raised ridges flat.

Matching Almond Stitch Pillow

For a coordinating pillow, begin with a foundation chain following:

multiple of 8 + 5

Work until the panel is approximately square.

Make two matching panels.

Place them together.

Sc around three sides.

Insert a pillow form.

Sc the final edge closed.

Almond Stitch Scarf

For a textured winter scarf:

Chain 37

Work the Almond Stitch until approximately:

65–70 inches long

Finish with one sc row at each end.

The dense texture makes this stitch especially warm.

Almond Stitch Bag Panel

For a structured handbag or tote, use cotton or a firm cotton blend.

Crochet two matching rectangles.

Add:

• solid gusset
• lining
• reinforced handles

The dense Almond Stitch fabric works especially well for bags because it has very little open space.

Almond Ridges Crochet Blanket

The distinctive almond shapes come from an unusually simple combination: four short slip stitches beside four taller half double crochets, all worked through the back loops.

By repeating one stitch-height arrangement for two rows and then reversing it, the exposed front loops curve naturally around the raised sections and form the overlapping almond outlines.

Once the four-row rhythm becomes familiar, the stitch requires very little counting and can be adapted easily to blankets, scarves, cushions, bags, and other projects that benefit from a dense, highly textured crochet fabric.