In this step-by-step crochet tutorial I show how to make the Jacob’s ladder crochet stitch. For this stitch you should know how to make a single and a double crochet. It is quite fast and easy to make. The Jacob’s ladder crochet stitch is a repeat of two rows and looks different on each side.
For this stich you can use one color or more colors. In the tutorial below I use only two colors, but this stitch works great with multiple colors too. Also its texture looks beautiful just in one color.
Photo instructions for the Jacob’s ladder crochet stitch
Row 1
1. Start by chaining multiples of five plus two. You will start working in the fourth chain from your hook.
2. So, make a double crochet in the fourth chain from your hook.
3. Then make three more double crochets in the next three stitches.
4. Chain ten.
5. Now you will have to join the end of the chain to the double crochet you have just made with a slip stitch. You will have to insert your hook grabbing two loops of the double crochet that are indicated in the picture.
6. So insert your hook in the double crochet you have just made (grabbing those two loops).
7. Yarn over.
8. Pull the yarn through all loops on your hook.
9. Then make five double crochets in the next five stitches.
10. Make another big loop by chaining ten and connecting the end of the chain to the double crochet that you have just made.
11. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row: make five double crochets in the next five stitches, chain ten and connect the end of the chain to the double crochet by making a slip stitch. The row should end with five double crochets. At the end of the row chain one.
Row 2
12. Turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch, so you will start working in the very first stitch.
13. Make a single crochet in the first stitch.
14. Make four more single crochets in the next four stitches. Then push the big loop that you made in the previous row backwards. Make sure that your hook and yarn is in front of it. Next you will make a single crochet in the next stitch (right after the big loop).
15. So, make a single crochet in the next stitch which will push the big loop backwards.
16. Make four single crochets in the next four stitches.
17. Then push the big loop backwards and make a single crochet in the next stitch. Make four more single crochets in the next four stitches.
18. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row. At the end of the row the last single crochet should be made in the turning chain of the previous row.
19. If you are making this stitch in multiple colors, for row 3 you have to change yarn color. So, take the second color yarn and chain one.
20. Pull the end of the first color yarn to tighten and secure the second color yarn. Your second color yarn is ready to use.
21. Chain three.
Row 3
22. Turn your work around. Chain three counts as a stitch, so you will start working in the second stitch.
23. Make a double crochet in the second stitch.
24. Then make three more double crochets in the next three stitches.
25. Chain ten and connect the end of the chain to the double crochet that you have just made by making a slip stitch. For now the big loops will be hanging separately, not connected. You will connect them in the end, when you reach the desired size of your project.
26. Next make five double crochets in the next five stitches.
27. Make another big loop.
28. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row: make five double crochets in the next five stitches, then make a big loop. The row should end with five double crochets. At the end of the row chain one.
Row 4
29. Turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch, so you will start working in the very first stitch.
30. Make a single crochet in the first stitch.
31. Then make four more single crochets in the next four stitches. Push the big loop backwards like you did it in the first row.
32. Make a single crochet in the next stitch.
33. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row. For the rest of the pattern repeat rows 3-4 changing colors every two rows.
Second to last row
34. When you reach the desired size of your project, change yarn color and chain three.
35. Turn your work around. Chain three counts as a stitch, so you will start working in the second stitch. Make a double crochet in the second stitch.
36. Continue making double crochets in every stitch until the end of the row. At the end of the row, pull the yarn making a big loop and take out your hook. Don’t cut the yarn.
Connecting the big loops
37. Now you will connect all big loops. So, insert your hook in the middle of the big loop in the first row.
38. Grab the big loop that is above by inserting your hook in the middle of it.
39. Pull the loop that you have just grabbed through the first one.
40. Make sure to pull it all the way through. If you prefer, you can also do this with your fingers.
41. Then grab the next loop that is above.
42. Pull that loop through the one that is on your hook.
43. Continue working in the same way up until the last loop in the top. For now, pull the last loop through and leave it hanging.
44. Do the same for the next row of big loops. The top loop will be hanging freely too.
The last row
45. When you are done with all loops, insert your hook in the last row and chain one.
46. Turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch, so you will start working in the very first stitch.
47. Make a single crochet in the first stitch.
48. Make three more single crochets in the next three stitches.
49. Now you will attach the big loop that is hanging on the other side of your work. So, insert you hook in the next stitch and in the middle of the big loop.
50. Yarn over.
51. Pull the yarn through. Now you have two loops on your hook.
52. Yarn over.
53. Pull the yarn through both loops on your hook.
54. This is how it looks on the other side: now the big loop is attached.
55. Then make another single crochet in the next stitch working in the same way, i.e., grabbing the big loop on the other side once again.
56. Then make three single crochets in the next three stitches.
57. Then make two single crochets in the next two stitches grabbing the big loop on the other side.
58. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row. The last single crochet should be made in the turning chain of the previous row. If you wish, you can add one more row of double crochets to make your work more symmetric.
Finished Jacob’s ladder crochet stitch
59. Done!
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