Lemon Peel Stitch Crochet Tutorial 2 WAYS – with Photos & Video
The Lemon Peel Stitch is an easy crochet stitch that creates a beautiful double-sided fabric. It is so much fun to make, and SUPER EASY! Today I’ll be sharing a tutorial with you on How to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch 2 different ways.
The lemon peel stitch creates a nice, thick fabric that is reversible, making it great for things like baby blankets, washcloths, and scarves.
It works up fairly quickly (somewhere between a single crochet and a double crochet – you’ll see why!) and is simple enough that once you get going, you don’t need to pay too much attention.
I like this stitch because it’s a simple two stitch repeat, making it easy to put down and pick back up again when you don’t have a lot of time to stitch at once.
Shall we get started?
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What is the Lemon Peel stitch?
The lemon peel stitch is a crochet stitch worked in multiples of two that creates a more visually appealing texture to the fabric. It is made with a single row repeat of basic stitches, and works up rather quickly.
To crochet the Lemon Peel stitch, you simply alternate making a single crochet and a double crochet all the way across the row.
The height will then even itself out, making a straight top edge, because for the rest of the rows, you place a double crochet into every single crochet. Likewise, a single crochet sits above every double crochet.
Is the Lemon Peel Stitch beginner friendly?
Yes!
The Lemon Peel stitch is made of a short repeating pattern of single and double crochet stitches. If you can stitch both of those, you can crochet the Lemon Peel!
Lemon Peel Stitch Video Tutorial
In fact, one of the things that will make this stitch EXTRA easy to learn is the video tutorial! Everything in the blog post will be explained in the video, so if you are a visual learner, check it out.
Use the Lemon Peel Stitch in Your Projects
Since this stitch is a very short repeating pattern, it can be used in lots of different projects.
The pattern it forms just makes the fabric so pretty to look at! Here are some ideas for this stitch:
- Make a lemon peel stitch dishcloth. This would be one of the easiest things you could do with this stitch! Just use cotton yarn and make a square. Then, add a sc border around it if desired.
- Try a lemon peel stitch crochet scarf. While this would take a bit longer than a dishcloth, it would be just as easy! Make the scarf to your desired width and then work it as long as you want.
- Another option is a lemon peel headband or ear warmer. This would also be a simple rectangle. You will probably want to add some kind of border around the edges.
- A little trickier, but you can also make lemon peel sweaters and cardigans. I actually have a cardigan pattern coming out soon that uses this stitch! Make sure to stay on the lookout!
The Classic vs. Modified Lemon Peel Stitch
As mentioned in the title of this post, I will be showing you 2 DIFFERENT ways of making the lemon peel stitch.
The first is the Classic version, which is what you’ll see on most other crochet blogs.
However, the second is the Modified Lemon Peel Stitch, which is actually a version I discovered by accident!
My video tutorial explains the difference between the two in detail, but here are some quick points to help you:
- The classic version starts with a multiple of any even number, while the modified starts with a multiple of any odd number
- The classic version starts with a sc and ends with a dc, whereas the modified starts AND ends with a sc
- On Row 2 and following, the classic version works sc in dc and vice versa. On the other hand, the modified works sc in sc and dc in dc
Overall, the look of the classic and modified lemon peel stitch is similar! I find that the classic stitch looks more “crinkled” all over, but the modified stitch has more uniform crinkles. See below!
Get the Closed Stitch dictionary
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More Stitch Tutorials
Looking for something similar but not quite sure what? I have lots of other stitch tutorials available to give you some inspiration. You can find them all here!
Here are a few that might interest you:
Suzette Stitch / Trinity Stitch / Alpine Stitch / Pansy Stitch
How to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch 2 Ways
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Notes:
- The Classic Lemon Peel stitch (way #1) is worked in multiples of two, with one extra stitch for a single crochet at the end. You should always start with an even number of chains or an odd number of foundation stitches (multiple is 2)
- The Modified Lemon Peel Stitch (way #2) is worked over an odd number of stitches. For this one, you’ll need to start with a multiple of 2+1, or any odd number.
- Turning ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch
Abbreviations/Stitches Used
- Chain – ch
- Foundation Single Crochet (optional) – fsc
- Single Crochet – sc
- Double Crochet – dc
I always like to start my work with a foundation row instead of chains whenever possible. I love this stitch because it makes for a stretchy base to projects.
Check out my free written and video tutorial here!
Materials:
This stitch can be worked in just about any size and type of yarn you’d like, with the size hook recommended on the label.
For this tutorial, I used Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti Pilling yarn in Mustard and an H/5mm crochet hook.
Classic Lemon Peel Stitch Written Instructions:
Fsc 20, or any even number. (If starting with a chain, make an odd number of chains and then work one row of regular sc). Turn.
Row 1: Ch 1. *Sc in first fsc, dc in next fsc. Rep from * until the end of first row. (You should end with a dc.) Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first dc, dc in next sc. Rep from * until the end of the second row. Turn.
Rep row 2 until your desired length.
Photo Tutorial
Make 20 fsc. Turn.
Sc into first stitch.
Dc into next stitch.
(Below is what it will look like after the first set of sc and dc stitches.)
Repeat until the end of the row.
Each row should end with a dc.
Ch 1 and start the next row the same way.
Continue repeating this pattern until your desired length.
Modified Lemon Peel Stitch Written Instructions
Fsc 19, or any odd number. (If starting with a chain, make an even number of chains and then work one row of regular sc). Turn.
Row 1: Ch 1. *Sc in first fsc, dc in next fsc. Rep from * until one fsc is left. Sc in last fsc. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc. *Dc in next dc, sc in next sc. Rep from * until the end of the second row. Turn.
Rep row 2 until your desired length.
Photo Tutorial
To get started, make your odd number of fsc and work the first row with alternating sc and dc (remember, this is the SAME as the classic lemon peel, except for that it ends on a sc).
Turn your work, chain 1 and start row 2. Begin by making a sc in the first sc, and a dc in the next dc.
Continue to alternate sc and dc across the row. Remember, if you forget which stitch you’re on, just check which stitch is below from the previous row. Your sc should always go in sc, and dc in dc.
Continue to repeat row 2!
Working the Lemon Peel Stitch in the Round
If you want to work the Lemon Peel Stitch in the round (like in a cowl for example) it is not hard at all! You can simply join your starting row of fsc with a slip stitch to form a circle.
To retain the look of the stitch pattern, you would then need to work in turned rounds, not continuous rounds.
I hope you have enjoyed learning how to crochet this fun stitch pattern!
If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to email me: rachel@desertblossomcrafts.com. I would love to help!
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Happy crocheting!
what’s the difference between a continuous round and turned round? i think i know, but i’d like to see it being done.
Hi Karilyn! A continuous round is where you just keep going around and around without turning at all. Whereas, a turned round is where you work around once, and then turn, and work around in the opposite direction.
The “look” of the lemon peel stitch is usually made in rows. Therefore, if you want the SAME look in the round, you have to do the turned rounds. Hopefully this makes sense!