Picot Stitch Tutorial 6 WAYS (+Create Your Own Picot Borders!)
Are you looking for the perfect border for your crochet projects? It might be time for you to try the picot stitch! Many people have heard of this stitch, but did you know there are 6+ variations of it?!
I know, I was shocked to learn this. Most of my life, I always crocheted the picot stitch one way. However, after some research, I found lots of tutorials with lots of variations. I decided to compile them all into one master post for you! So without further ado – let’s get started learning how to crochet the picot stitch 6 ways!
What is a picot stitch?
A picot stitch is combination of chains and either slip stitches or single crochet stitches, crocheted together in a unique way to form a point in your work. Picots are commonly used to make a pretty finished edging on a project. They are a great way to spice up a simple edge because of their unique, pointed look!
Picots will also be used anytime a project has need for some kind of point. For example, crocheted snowflakes use picots quite often!
How do you crochet a picot stitch?
As I mentioned, picots are made from a combination of chains and either slip stitches or single crochet. There are lot of variations to picots (as we will see!) but for now, here’s are the steps condensed so you can envision the general process:
- First make a stitch of your choice on the edge of your crochet project
- Chain 3 or your desired amount
- Slip stitch in the second chain from hook
- Chain 1 to make the other side of the picot
- Make a stitch of your choice in the next stitch on the edge of your project
These are the basic steps we will follow when making a picot. However, there are many many nuances and variations to this stitch…
Picot Stitch Variations
I know it’s hard to believe, but there are a LOT of variations to the picot stitch. Though they may be small, they can have a significant impact on the way your edging turns out!
There are 3 main ways that each variation will differ from the others:
- Based on hook placement. For example, one variation will be placed in the back bump of the chain, while others will be placed in other loops.
- Stitch used to close the picot. They may be closed with a slip stitch, or a single crochet.
- Changing the amount of chains used, or changing the stitches surrounding the picot.
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Picot Stitch Video
Single Crochet Picot vs. Double Crochet Picot
- Most commonly, picots are made between single crochets. However, there may be times you need to do them in between double crochets as well.
- In the tutorial below, I’m doing picots in between sc. However, because picots are worked in between stitches, the process would be the same if using dc.
- For more info on this, see method #6 of crocheting the picot stitch!
How to Crochet the Picot Stitch 6 Ways
Let’s jump right into the tutorial for the picot stitch! Below we will get very detailed with each method. But first, check out this photo with a comparison of all the different picots we’ll be learning.
As you learn this stitch, you can either start with method 1 and try them all…or you can look at the photo, see which one you like best, and start with that one!
Method #1: Back Bump Slip Stitch
To start off, Method #1 is a very common picot stitch that I’ve seen in many tutorials. Personally, I like the way this picot stitch turns out, but it is not my top favorite (keep reading to see which one is!) To make this picot, we will be working into the back bump of a chain with a slip stitch. Follow the steps below to make it. A photo is below the steps to help.
To prepare on the row: Ch 1 (does not count as stitch). Sc in first 3 sc (or as many as desired).
Step 1: Ch 3.
Steps 2: Insert hook into back bump of 3rd chain.
Step 3: Make a slip stitch in this chain.
Step 4: Sc in next 3 sc.
Repeat steps 1-4!
Method #2: Back Bump Single Crochet
THIS method is makes for my favorite picot stitch! You didn’t have to go too far to find out, haha. The reason I love the Back Bump Single Crochet Picot is because it makes for the perfect “point”. It doesn’t lean to the side like some of the other methods. And in my opinion, it looks the cleanest out of all of them.
To get started, first repeat steps 1-3 of the last example.
Step 1: Make a sc in the back bump of the chain, rather than a slip stitch.
Step 2: Sc in next 3 sc.
Method #3: Modified Back Bump Slip Stitch
Okay, so method #3 is probably my least favorite way to crochet the picot stitch. For this one, we will be inserting our hook in both the back bump of the chain, AND the front loop. Does it work? Yes. However, I just don’t like the look of it very much OR the feel of it while crocheting. It leans to the side a bit when finished, not giving a perfect point.
I would still encourage you to try to see what you think!
First, repeat steps 1-2 of first example.
Step 1: Insert hook into the front loop AND back bump of chain.
Step 2: Complete a slip stitch.
Step 3: Sc in next 3 sc.
Method #4: Front & Side Loop
Next, we will be varying the picot stitch again by where we place our hook at the beginning. This one will feel a little weird when you first do it, because it’s not a place you typically would place your hook. But I do like the way the picot turns out with this method! The finished look is more like a rounded picot than a triangular point, which is why I like method #2 better. But this one is still cool too.
First, repeat steps 1-2 of first example.
Step 1: Insert hook into the front loop of the sc, AND the side of the sc.
Step 2: Make a slip stitch.
Step 4: Sc in next 3 sc.
Method #5: Add Chains
Now, for method 5 and 6 we will be changing things up a bit! These are not necessarily one specific picot, but a specific way of changing any picot stitch up! If that makes sense…hahaha.
First, we’ll learn how to do a picot with one extra chain on each side (to make it a bit taller!) And then I’ll show you examples of picots with even MORE chains.
Step 1: Chain 4 this time, rather than 3.
Step 2: Make a picot stitch in the 3rd chain from hook, using either method 1, 2, or 3. (You heard me right! For this step, you can use any of the first 3 methods! I did a sl st in the back bump of the 3rd chain to make my picot here).
Step 3: Chain 2.
Step 3: Sc in next 3 sc.
The cool thing about this is you can change it up in SO many ways! You can keep adding as many chains as you want. The photo below shows you a range from 2-5 chains!
The main thing you want to keep in mind when adding chains is that you want the number to be even on each side. In order to make this happen, you have to add MORE chains than the extra amount that you want.
For instance, in my first example, I started with 5 chains, but 3 of those were used for the picot. So technically there were only 2 extra chains on each side.
The same will be true for any of the larger picots. To add 3 extra chains, I would start with 6 chains total. To start with 4 extra chains, I would start with 7 chains total. And so on.
Method #6: Change the Stitches in between
One last way you can vary the picot stitch is by using different stitches in between the picots. In all the previous examples, we were using single crochet.
But yes, you can also make double crochet picot stitches, and even triple crochet! Below you can see a photo of picots in between double crochet, triple crochet, and even half double crochet.
Once again, keep in mind that you can use any of methods 1-5 to make the actual picot itself. The only variation here is the stitch that comes before the picot stitch will be different.
Make a Picot Stitch Edging
As you probably know by now, a classic way to use the picot stitch in projects is as an edging. It just looks so classy and professional when you’re all done!
You could use this stitch as an edging on table runners, pillows, sweaters, blankets…the list is endless! And the nice thing is, you can change it up so much for a different look each time, as we have talked about.
To make your own customized picot edging, all you need to do is decide how spaced out you want your picots to be, and which method you want to use. Then, you can simply start crocheting the picots on the edge!
Here are a few examples of picot stitch edgings that I’ve made.
Picot Edging Pattern #1
Below you can see my first picot edging – this one is probably my favorite! I used Method #1 to make this edging (slip stitches made in the back bump of the third chain!)
I also worked 4 single crochet in between each picot. This edging is worked on top of a trinity stitch square.
Picot Border Pattern #2
Next, I used method #4 to create another type of picot edging! As you can see, these picots are more rounded due to the method I used. I did 3 single crochets in between the picots this time, which makes them a little bit closer together.
This edging is worked on top of a heart stitch square – proof that yes, you can do a picot edging on top of lace! You’ll just have to do your single crochets in chain spaces sometimes, but that is not a problem.
Picot Edging Pattern #3
For this third edging, I thought I would give method #3 a try with some added chains! These picots are made by working in the front loop and back bump of the chain, with 1 extra chain on either side to make it taller. I actually kind of like the way it turned out! Even though it isn’t a perfect point, it makes it more like a wavy edging.
This border is worked atop an interlocking fan stitch square.
As you can see, there are really endless ways to make the perfect picot stitch. You can experiment with all the 6 methods to see which you like best!
And then, you can also experiment with the number of added chains you like, the number of stitches you like between each picot, and so forth.
If you want to do picots on a blanket, or any project that has corners, see the next question.
How do you crochet a picot edge on a blanket?
One of the most common picot stitch edgings is for blankets. I’m here to tell you, that will look amazing!
If you’re ready to try the picot stitch on a blanket (or any project with corners), here are the steps I would take:
- Choose the picot stitch you want to use from the 6 methods
- Decide how you want to space them out – how many sc do you want in between each picot? 3 is just an example, you can do however many you want.
- Work the picots with the sc in between around the entire blanket. On the sides, you’ll have to work in the raw edges, the sides of the rows.
- Make sure to do a picot in each corner, as well as possibly some added sc to prevent curling.
If you follow these 4 steps, you should be well on your way to an amazing, professionally finished blanket!
Patterns that use the Picot Stitch
Designed by Desert Blossom Crafts
Designed by Hanjan Crochet
Designed by Sunflower Cottage Crochet
I truly hope you enjoyed learning how to crochet the picot stitch 6 different ways, along with lots of tips and tricks!
For more stitch tutorials, click HERE.
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