In this free step-by-step crochet stitch tutorial I show how to make the modified caramel stitch (or the modified caramel cone stitch). This stitch is a solid, multicolor crochet stitch. It creates dense, durable fabric and works great for potholders, washcloths, decorative pillow covers, laptop sleeves, bags and other projects that need structure and durability.
This crochet stitch tutorial includes detailed photo instructions. The modified caramel stitch is a six-row repeat. For this crochet stitch you should know how to make a single crochet. The tutorial below shows how to make a spike cluster stitch. This stitch works great with multiple colors.
Materials and tools
Yarn: For this tutorial I use Hjertegarn DIAMOND mercerized cotton 100% 8/4 50g yarn, colors: 3304 (lilac) and 3803 (light lilac). However, you can use your favorite yarn depending on the crochet project.
Hook: I use a 2.0 mm hook. If you are using a different yarn, choose the hook size that is recommended on your yarn label.
Printable PDF and chart
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Photo instructions for the modified caramel stitch
Row 1
1. Start by chaining a even number of chains. You will start working in the second chain from your hook.
2. So, make a single crochet in the second chain from your hook.
3. Continue making single crochets in every stitch until the end of the row.
Row 2
4. Chain one and turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch.
5. Make a single crochet in the first stitch.
6. Continue making single crochets in every stitch until the end of the row.
Row 3
7. Chain one and turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch.
8. Make a single crochet in the first stitch.
9. Continue making single crochets in every stitch until the end of the row.
10. At the end of the row you have to change yarn color. So, chain one with the lilac yarn.
11. Then pull the end of the light lilac yarn to tighten and secure the lilac yarn. Alternatively, complete the last stitch of row 3 with the lilac yarn.
Row 4
12. Chain one and turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch.
13. Make a single crochet in the first stitch. Next you will make a spike cluster stitch working in the next stitch, the stitch one row below and the stitch two rows below.
14. So, yarn over.
15. Insert your hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull the yarn trough. Now you have three loops on your hook.
16. Yarn over.
17. Insert your hook in the stitch one row below, yarn over and pull the yarn through. Five loops on your hook.
18. Yarn over.
19. Insert your hook in the stitch two rows below, yarn over and pull the yarn through. Seven loops on your hook.
20. Yarn over.
21. Pull the yarn through all loops on your hook. You have just made a spike cluster stitch!
22. Then make a single crochet in the next stitch.
23. Make another spike cluster stitch. So, work in the next stitch.
24. Then work in the stitch that is one row below.
25. Then work in the stitch that is two rows below.
26. Yarn over and pull the yarn through all loops on your hook.
27. Make a single crochet in the next stitch.
28. Then repeat: make a spike cluster stitch in the next stitch and a single crochet in the next one.
29. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row. The row should end with a single crochet.
Row 5
30. Chain one and turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch.
31. Make a single crochet in the first stitch.
32. Continue making single crochets in every stitch until the end of the row.
33. At the end of the row change yarn color to light lilac.
Row 6
34. Chain one and turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch.
35. Make a single crochet in the first stitch.
36. Continue making single crochets in every stitch until the end of the row.
Row 7
37. Chain one and turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch.
38. Make a single crochet in the first stitch.
39. Continue making single crochets in every stitch until the end of the row. For the rest of the pattern repeat rows 2-7.
Finished modified caramel stitch
40. Done!
41. This is how the other side looks like.
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I am having difficulty getting the ends to work up evenly. I am counting stitches to make sure that each row has the same number of stitiches. Do you by chance, have a video tutorial? I have seen several other videos but they are not the same as your stitch and yours is so much prettier.
Hi, thank you for writing. I am sorry to hear that the ends don’t work up as they should. Unfortunately, I don’t make video tutorials yet. Maybe try to check if in the row, where you make the caramel stitch, your first single crochet is in the very first stitch (see photo in step 8). Then make the caramel stitch in the next stitch (the arrows indicate where you should insert your hook) and then make sure that the next single crochet is in the next stitch (the third stitch in this row). Sometimes it might be hard to see where that “next stitch” is because the caramel stitch is a bit wide and it can hide the stitches that are next to it. It might be that accidentally you skip one stitch along the way. But this is just my guess… I hope that this helps. If not, please feel free to send me some photos to my email ieva@nordichook.com and I will try to figure out where the problem could be.
Please i want to make a crochet wallet using your pattern for the modified caramel stitch ,is it allowed to make a video for YouTube while crocheting the wallet ??
You are most welcome to do that 🙂
Hi. What weight yarn and size needle do you recommend ? Thank you
Hi! I made this sample using cotton yarn 8/4 (I think it is equivalent to fingering yarn weight) and a 2.0 mm hook. But this stitch will also work for other weights of yarn. Just choose a hook size that is recommended on the yarn label 🙂