Easy Step-By-Step Tutorial for the Lemon Peel Stitch (with pictures!)

The Lemon Peel Stitch

The lemon peel stitch is a fun, quick stitch that is great for projects like blankets, dish cloths, and more. It’s similar to the Suzette stitch, with just a few differences, so if you’ve already followed that tutorial, you’ll be able to learn the lemon peel stitch very easily. And my favorite thing about it? It looks exactly the same from the front and the back of your work, so your creations will be fully reversible.

How to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch (Photo Tutorial)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• Yarn (I used worsted-weight Caron Simply Soft Solid Yarn)
• Corresponding hook (I used a 5 mm hook)
• Knowledge of these basic stitches:
  • chain (ch)
  • single crochet (sc)
  • double crochet (dc)
  • slip stitch (sl st)

HOW TO CROCHET THE LEMON PEEL STITCH

The basic pattern of the lemon peel stitch is a single crochet in one stitch and a double crochet in the next stitch. This is repeated over and over until you have a beautiful lemon peel stitch swatch. Now let’s learn this stitch in more detail:

Starting Chain

Step 1: Chain any odd number of chains. I chose to do 31.

Row 1

Step 2: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook.

Step 3: Double crochet in the next chain.

Step 4: Repeat this pattern (sc, dc) down the chain. You will do a double crochet in the last chain and end up with an even number of stitches in the row.

Row 2

Step 5: Chain 1 and turn your work.

Step 6: Repeat the pattern for row 1 (sc, dc, sc, dc, etc.) down this row, working into stitches instead of chains. Because you’ve turned your work, you will end up working a single crochet into each double crochet of the previous row, and a double crochet into each single crochet of the previous row.

Rows 3 and on

Step 7: Repeat Row 2 until you’re comfortable with the lemon peel stitch and your swatch is as big as you want it to be. I did 20 rows total.

Step 8: To finish off, cut your yarn and pull it through the last stitch.

Lemon Peel Stitch Video Tutorial

Fiber Flux has created an amazingly helpful video tutorial that will walk you through exactly how to crochet the lemon peel stitch!

Project Ideas for the Lemon Peel Stitch (Free Patterns!)

Chunky Icelandic Crochet Blanket Pattern

This Icelandic blanket is perfect for staying cozy during cold winter days. Now that you know how to crochet the lemon peel stitch, you can just grab some size 6 super bulky yarn and you’ll have a blanket in no time!

Lemon Peel Stitch Dishcloth

The lemon peel stitch works perfectly for dishcloths since it’s reversible and is textured enough to wash all sorts of residue off your dishes. For this project, you’ll want a worsted-weight 100% cotton yarn like Classic Cotton by Loops & Threads.

Carry-All Bag One Skein Wonder

This tote bag is a stunning way to feature the lemon peel stitch, and it’s easy to make! Once you’ve crocheted your rectangle, you just fold it up into a bag shape and attach handles. If you want your bag to be striped like the designer’s, use Caron Big Cakes yarn, a self-striping acrylic worsted-weight yarn.

What will you be crocheting now that you know the lemon peel stitch? Let us know in the comments!