Ultimate Alpine Stitch Crochet Tutorial, Stitch Chart, and Video

Add diamond-like texture to your projects by learning how to crochet the alpine stitch. The ultimate alpine stitch crochet tutorial includes photos, right and left-handed videos, and an alpine stitch diagram.

The alpine stitch is a beautiful textured crochet stitch that creates a raised, diamond-like pattern in the fabric. It’s one of my absolute favorite stitches.

You can use the alpine stitch (sometimes called the “billows stitch”) to crochet literally anything, including accessories (like the Alpine Cowl, Alpine Beanie, and Alpine Twist Headband), blankets, pillows, and even a Christmas stocking.

close-up of a swatch of the crochet alpine stitch, crocheted in light blue yarn

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What is the alpine stitch?

Unlike some other textured stitches (like the bobble stitch or loop stitch) that are literally one stitch, the alpine stitch is a four-row repeat. It alternates rows of front-post double crochet stitches and rows of single crochet stitches. Over several rows, you’ll start to see a raised diamond pattern emerge in the fabric.

Since it includes post stitches, the alpine stitch is typically categorized as an intermediate-level crochet technique. However, front-post double crochets stitches are only slightly different than regular double crochets. If you can double crochet and single crochet, don’t be afraid to give it a try! With a little practice, beginners can crochet the alpine stitch too.

This alpine stitch crochet tutorial features photos, videos, written instructions, and a crochet diagram. You’re covered no matter your learning style.

Keep reading to learn how to add fun, alpine stitch texture to your projects! And if you want to learn more crochet stitches, browse the rest of our stitch tutorials.

woman's hand holding a crochet hook and small blue swatch with text overlay "how to crochet alpine stitch - learn to crochet with you should craft"

Is the alpine stitch a yarn-eater?

Yes, the crochet alpine stitch uses more yarn than typical crochet stitches.

However, most special crochet stitches use more yarn than the standard stitches. How much more yarn? Let’s figure it out.

To determine if the alpine stitch crochet technique was a yarn-eater, I crocheted three swatches of the same size using the same yarn (Wool-Ease Thick & Quick), and the same crochet hook (10 mm Virgo Streamline Swirl).

One swatch used all double crochets (dc), one used all single crochets (sc), and the last swatch was the alpine stitch. Once I’d finished crocheting and measuring, I weighed all the swatches on my kitchen scale.

The double crochet swatch was the lightest, weighing 25 grams. Next was the single crochet swatch, which weighed 29 grams. The heaviest swatch was the alpine stitch swatch, which weighed 31 grams.

This means that over the same area, the alpine stitch used 6.9% more yarn than plain single crochet and 24% more yarn than plain double crochet stitches. 

So yes, the crochet alpine stitch is a yarn eater when compared to sc and dc stitches.

three light blue square crochet swatches (dc, dc, and alpine stitch) with a green swirl crochet hook on top
Three crochet swatches, organized from lightest to heaviest.

How to Crochet the Alpine Stitch

Supplies / Materials

You can use any yarn and any matching hook for your alpine stitch crochet project. I find that textured stitches are more obvious when crocheted with lighter, more solid colors of yarn. Tweed flecks, speckling, and dark colors can sometimes make everything blend together. This is totally a personal preference though, so try it out with whatever materials you have on hand!

For the alpine stitch tutorial photos and video, I used:

Techniques / Abbreviations

Alpine Stitch Pattern Notes

  • Turning ch-2 counts as a st throughout
  • Turning ch-1 does not count as a st 
  • You may choose to begin your dc/fpdc rows with either a ch-2 that counts as a dc, or a ch-1 that does not count
  • If your alpine stitch project starts to curl, block it when you’re done.
  • This tutorial utilizes US crochet terminology.

Alpine Stitch Crochet Diagram and Stitch Chart

Here’s an alpine stitch crochet diagram, for the first ten rows. The alpine stitch chart begins with 16 chains and has 15 stitches in each row.

alpine stitch crochet diagram with symbol key, you should craft logo, and text overlay "how to crochet: alpine stitch"

Stitch Summary

The alpine stitch begins with a foundation row of double crochet stitches, then has a four-row repeat. I chained 14 for the pictures, but you can begin with any even number of chains.

You’ll alternate between rows of single crochet stitches and dc/fpdc stitches. The four-row repeat creates an offset or staggered pattern with the post stitches. As you add more rows, you’ll start to see the yummy diamond texture emerge.

Quick note: In the pictures, I began my dc/fpdc rows with a ch-1, then double crocheted into the first stitch. In the chart, video, and written instructions, I’m beginning with a ch-2, which is counted as a stitch. It doesn’t matter which way you choose to do it — so go with whichever way is easier for you.

Alpine Stitch – Written Pattern

ch 14 (or any even number)

ROW 1: dc in third ch from hook, dc across (13)

ROW 2: ch 1 and turn, sc across (13) [photo a]

ROW 3: ch 2 and turn, fpdc in second st from two rows earlier [photos b + c], dc, *fpdc, dc* across (13)

ROW 4: ch 1 and turn, sc across (13)

ROW 5: ch 2 and turn, dc in second st, fpdc in dc from two rows earlier, *dc, fpdc* across, dc in last two st (13) [photo d]

Repeat ROWS 2 – 5 until your swatch reaches your desired size.

For practice, I usually stop when my swatch is between 4 – 6 inches tall. If you’re feeling it, you could keep going to crochet an alpine stitch scarf!

step-by-step photos demonstrating how to crochet the alpine stitch

Video Tutorials

Here’s an alpine stitch video tutorial to help you learn how to crochet this lovely textured stitch.

If you’re left-handed, I’ve got a flipped video for you too! Click here to watch the left-handed alpine stitch tutorial.

close-up of the alpine stitch crocheted with light blue yarn. red-orange rectangle with white text reads "how to crochet: alpine stitch - www.youshouldcraft.com"

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop the alpine stitch from curling?

Your crochet project will naturally flatten as it gets bigger, but if curling is still an issue when you’re done, blocking will help a lot! If you have super tight tension, you might want to go a step further and use front-post treble crochets instead of front-post double crochets.

How do you crochet the alpine stitch left-handed?

Here’s a flipped video tutorial to help you crochet the alpine stitch left-handed. You could also try crocheting in front of a mirror so your movements match those in right-handed tutorials.

Does the alpine stitch use a lot of yarn?

Yes – the alpine stitch is a bit of yarn-eater when compared to single and double crochet stitches.

How do you adjust the size of an alpine stitch project?

It’s super easy to modify the size of your alpine stitch project.

If you’re crocheting in rows, ch any even number to start. This will give you an add number of stitches.

If you’re crocheting in the round, ch any even number to start, then join to the first st with a sl st. This will give you an even number of stitches.

Keep repeating rows 2 – 5 until your swatch (or project) reaches your desired size.

How do I change colors in the alpine stitch?

Since the alpine stitch is crocheted in straight, back-and-forth rows, you change colors like you normally would — just finish the stitch with the new color. Here’s a color change tutorial if you’re a little rusty.

How do I crochet a blanket with the alpine stitch?

Good question! To crochet a blanket, chain any even number, dc in the third ch from your hook, and dc across. Repeat the four-row alpine stitch pattern, following the instructions outlined above.

Can you crochet the alpine stitch in the round?

Yep! Ch any even number and join to the first ch with a sl st. ch 2, dc around. Follow the alpine stitch tutorial above. For an idea of what to expect when crocheting in the round, check out my Alpine Cowl.

Can you crochet the alpine stitch corner-to-corner?

Yes! Here’s a helpful c2c alpine stitch video tutorial from Jolie Knots Crochet.