In this free step-by-step crochet tutorial I show how to make the cat stitch. This stitch is a lacy, multicolor crochet stitch. The fabric turns out light and breathable. It is also a reversible crochet stitch that looks the same on both sides. The lcat stitch works great for shawls and wraps, lightweight scarves, lacy crochet summer tops and tanks, market bags and other summer crochet projects.
This crochet stitch tutorial includes detailed photo instructions. The cat stitch is a three-row repeat. For this crochet stitch you should know how to make double crochet. The tutorial below shows how to make a double crochet two together. For the cat crochet stitch you will need at least two colors, but more than two colors also work well.
Materials and tools
Yarn: For this tutorial I use Soothing FRAYA 100% Lyocell approx. 100g – 300 m, colors: sand and green. 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 cat crochet stitch
Row 1
1. Start by chaining a multiple of five.
2. In the fourth chain from your hook make a double crochet. You will have to skip four stitches and make a shell stitch.
3. So, skip four chains and make a double crochet.
4. Then make the second double crochet in the same stitch.
5. Chain one.
6. Then make two more double crochets in the same stitch where you have just worked in. You have just made a shell stitch!
7. Then you will have to skip four chains and make another shell stitch. So, skip four stitches and make two double crochets in the same stitch.
8. Chain one.
9. Make two more double crochets in the same stitch.
10. Keep working in the same way until the end of the row: skip four stitches and make a shell stitch. At the end of the row you will have six chains left.
11. Make two double crochets in the last two stitches.
12. Then chain three.
Row 2
13. Turn your work around. Chain three counts as a double crochet, so you will start working in the second stitch.
14. So, make a double crochet in the second stitch. Next you will make a shell stitch in the chain one space of the shell in the previous row.
15. So, make two double crochets in the chain one space of the previous row.
16. Chain one.
17. Then make two more double crochets in the same chain one space. Then make another shell stitch in the next chain one space.
18. Keep making shell stitches in every chain one space until the end of the row.
19. At the end of the row make a double crochet in the double crochet in the previous row and another double crochet in the turning chain of the previous row.
20. For row 3 you have to change yarn color. So, take the second color yarn and chain one.
21. Then pull the end of the first color yarn to tighten and secure the second color yarn. The second color yarn is ready to use.
22. Chain three.
Row 3
23. Turn your work around. Chain three counts as a stitch.
24. Make a double crochet in the second stitch. Next you will make a double crochet two together in the space between a double crochet and a shell stitch in the first row (two rows below).
25. So, yarn over.
26. Then insert you hook in the space between the double crochet and the shell stitch in the first row (two rows below).
27. Grab the yarn.
28. Pull the yarn through. Now you have three loops on your hook.
29. Yarn over.
30. Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook. Now you have two loops on your hook.
31. Yarn over.
32. Insert your hook in the same space two rows below and grab the yarn.
33. Pull the yarn through. Now you have four loops on your hook.
34. Yarn over.
35. Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook. Now you have three loops on your hook.
36. Yarn over again.
37. Pull the yarn through all three loops on your hook. You have just made a double crochet two together two rows below.
38. Then make a shell stitch in the chain one space of the previous row.
39. Make another double crochet two together in the space between two shell stitches two rows below.
40. Keep working in the same way until the end of the row: make a shell stitch and then make a double crochet two together two rows below.
41. In the end of the row make a double crochet in the double crochet of the previous row and another double crochet in the turning chain.
42. Chain three.
Row 4
43. Turn your work around. Chain three counts as a stitch, so you will start working in the second stitch.
44. So, make a double crochet in the second stitch.
45. Next make shell stitches in every chain one space of the previous row.
46. Keep working in the same way until the end of the row.
47. At the end of the row make a double crochet in the double crochet of the previous row and another double crochet in the turning chain.
48. Chain three.
Row 5
49. Turn your work around and repeat row 4: make a double crochet in the second stitch and then make shell stitches in every chain one space.
50. At the end of the row make two double crochets as usually.
51. For row 6 you will have to change yarn color.
52. So, chain one with another color yarn.
Row 6
53. For the rest of the pattern repeat rows 3-5.
Finished cat crochet stitch
54. Done!
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