Lemon Peel Stitch

How to Crochet this Easy Textured Stitch

Lemon Peel Stitch, also known as Griddle Stitch, is a simple crochet stitch that creates a beautifully textured fabric by alternating double crochet and treble crochet stitches across the row. It’s easy, beginner-friendly and creates a lovely fabric with no large holes – perfect for blankets, cushions, scarves and so much more.

Once you get into the rhythm of the stitch it’s easy to work and looks gorgeous in solid colours, stripes or even a mix of shades.

Lemon Peel Stitch at a Glance

Skill level

Beginner-friendly

Stitch repeat

Foundation chain: multiple of 2 + 2

UK stitches

dc and tr

Texture

Textured, fairly close fabric

Best for

Blankets, scarves, cushions and squares

Yarn and Hook

Lemon Peel Stitch is suitable for a wide range of yarn weights. Choose your yarn according to the project you’re making and use the hook size recommended on the yarn label as a starting point.

The stitch also shows off colour beautifully, so it’s a good choice if you have a collection of shades you’d like to combine.

Abbreviations

UK terms

  • ch = chain
  • ss = slip stitch
  • dc = double crochet (US single crochet)
  • tr = treble crochet (US double crochet)
  • st(s) = stitch(es)

How to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch

The stitch is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches, plus 2 additional chains for the foundation chain.

1. Foundation Chain

Chain a multiple of 2 + 2.

2. Row 1

  • Work 1 dc in the 4th chain from the hook.
  • Work 1 tr in the next chain.
  • Continue alternating dc and tr across the row.
  • Finish with a dc.

The skipped chains at the beginning of the row are counted as the first treble.

3. Row 2

  • Turn.
  • Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr).
  • Work 1 dc in the next stitch.
  • Work 1 tr in the next stitch.
  • Continue alternating dc and tr across the row.

Make sure each dc is worked into a tr from the row below and each tr is worked into a dc from the row below.

4. Subsequent Rows

Repeat Row 2 for the length required for your project.

Understanding the Stitch Pattern

The easiest way to recognise Lemon Peel Stitch is to look at the stitches from the row below. Each stitch should be the opposite of the stitch you’re about to work.

  • Work a dc into a tr from the row below.
  • Work a tr into a dc from the row below.

This creates the small, alternating texture that gives Lemon Peel Stitch its distinctive appearance.

If you’re new to the stitch, it can help to look at the tops of the stitches before making each one rather than simply repeating the same stitch across the row.

Changing Colours

Lemon Peel Stitch works particularly well with colour changes. Simple stripes can be created by changing colour after a set number of rows, while alternating colours more frequently can create a more patterned effect.

Tips for Working Lemon Peel Stitch

Keep an eye on the stitch below. The easiest way to maintain the pattern is to make sure you’re always working a dc into a tr and a tr into a dc.

Count your stitches. The textured pattern can make it easy to miss a stitch, particularly along the edges.

Pay attention to the edges. Keeping the correct stitch count will help prevent the sides of your project from gradually becoming wider or narrower.

Choose a suitable hook. A hook that is too small can produce a very firm fabric, while a larger hook will give you a softer, more open fabric.

Make a swatch. If the finished size matters, make a small sample first to check your tension and see how the fabric feels with your chosen yarn and hook.

Where Can You Use Lemon Peel Stitch?

Lemon Peel Stitch Blanket

A colourful six-row striped blanket, using six shades of Paintbox Simply Aran

Easy Winter Scarf

A cosy scarf using lemon peel. The alternating stitches create texture and warmth.

Lemon Peel Square

Use this stitch to make beautifully textured squares. Perfect for blankets and other projects.

Lemon Peel Square Patterns

Explore patterns that feature the lemon peel square in blankets and other projects.

Love this stitch?

Save it for later and explore more patterns and projects on The Crochet Swirl

BROWSE PATTERNS

Lemon Peel Square Patterns

A Lemon Peel Stitch Variation

Lemon Peel Stitch can be adapted by changing the height of one of the stitches. In my Stash Buster Squares Blanket, I used a variation where I replaced the treble crochet with a half treble crochet.

Instead of alternating:

dc → tr → dc → tr

the variation alternates:

dc → htr → dc → htr

I worked the squares back and forth in rows, rather than working in the round. Making lots of small squares this way was a great way to use up leftover yarn and create a colourful stash-busting blanket.

The result keeps the familiar alternating texture of Lemon Peel Stitch, but the half treble creates a slightly different, more compact fabric

Lemon Peel Stitch variation using double crochet and half treble crochet

If you like the texture of Lemon Peel Stitch but want a slightly different look, try replacing the treble crochet with a half treble crochet.

See the Stash Buster Squares Blanket →

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out the answers to some frequently asked questions relating to Lemon Peel Stitch.

Yes. Once you’re comfortable with basic double crochet and treble crochet stitches, Lemon Peel Stitch is a straightforward stitch to learn.

The main thing to remember is to alternate the stitches and work each stitch into the opposite stitch from the row below.

Lemon Peel Stitch creates a relatively close-textured fabric without large holes. The final fabric will also depend on your yarn, hook size and individual tension.

Yes. It’s particularly well suited to blankets because it creates texture without a large number of open spaces.


It’s also excellent for colour stripes, as you can change colour at the end of any row.

The basic pattern is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches, plus 2 chains for the foundation chain.

The stitch itself is the same, but the stitch terminology changes.

UK double crochet is US single crochet, and UK treble crochet is US double crochet.

Yes, the stitch can be adapted for working in the round. This makes it possible to use the stitch for squares and other motifs as well as projects worked in rows.

Lemon Peel Stitch is the stitch pattern itself, while a Lemon Peel Square is a square made using that stitch pattern.

The square is one example of how the stitch can be adapted into a different project shape.

Yes. Lemon Peel Stitch is also commonly known as Griddle Stitch.

Yes. Lemon Peel Stitch can be worked with different yarn weights. Choose a hook appropriate for your yarn and make a swatch to check the resulting fabric and tension.