How to crochet the Elizabeth stitch (step-by-step tutorial)

You will need the following:

• Wool / yarn suitable for a 4mm hook
• 4mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Darning needle (optional)

Step by step instructions

Crochet stitches standard: I am using the US / International standard crochet terms.

Let’s get started

Tension is very important. The yarn must glide smoothly from your tension hand to your working hand — not too tight, not too loose — and follow the gauge of your hook.

First, start with a slipknot.

Foundation chains

For the Elizabeth stitch, you’ll need odd stitch counts + 3 chains.
For this tutorial, I am making 17 main chains plus 3 turning chains, giving a total of 20 chains. This creates 9 Elizabeth stitches across the row. You will always need 3 turning chains at the start of each row.

Row 1

Insert your hook into the fourth chain from the hook and pull up a loop as if making a single crochet — stop here.

Check: You should have 2 loops on your hook.

Yarn over, insert the hook into the same chain, and pull up a loop as if making a half double crochet.

Check: You should now have 4 loops on your hook.

Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. This completes one Elizabeth stitch.

Check: You should now have 1 loop on your hook.

Secure the stitch with a chain 1.

To continue, skip the next chain. Insert your hook into the following chain and pull up a loop as if making a single crochet.

Check: You should have 2 loops on your hook.

Yarn over, insert the hook into the same chain, and pull up a loop as if making a half double crochet.

Check: You should have 4 loops on your hook.

Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. Secure the stitch with chain 1.

Continue repeating these steps across the row. Your final Elizabeth stitch should be worked into the last chain (which is actually the first chain made).

Well done — you’ve completed Row 1.

Row 2

Chain 2 and turn.

Check: You should now have 3 chains at the edge — the first chain secured the last Elizabeth stitch, and the next two are your turning chains.

From this row onward, each Elizabeth stitch is worked into the first space between two Elizabeth stitches from the previous row.

Check: Refer to the image below for placement.

Always work your Elizabeth stitches into the first space between stitches.

Your final Elizabeth stitch on each row is always worked into the turning chains.

Check: Each row should have 9 Elizabeth stitches.

Continue repeating Row 2 and you’ll build this beautiful texture.

And there you have it — your first Elizabeth stitch project!