How to Crochet the Pike Stitch Pattern

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Gather your materials and set up the foundation chain

Pull together your supplies before you begin. A weight 3 or weight 4 cotton yarn paired with a 5.5mm hook is a reliable combination for the pike stitch — the cotton shows the open chain spaces cleanly and gives the finished fabric a crisp, defined texture. One important rule for this stitch: your foundation chain must be an odd number of stitches. Choose an odd starting length — 21 is used in this example — then add two additional stitches to arrive at your working count, giving you a foundation chain of 23. Getting this setup right from the start keeps the pattern aligned correctly across every row.

Step 2 — Work row 1

Begin by working a single crochet into the fifth chain from the hook. Insert the hook into that chain, yarn over and pull up a loop so you have two loops on the hook, then yarn over again and pull through both loops to complete the single crochet. Chain one, skip the next chain, then work another single crochet into the chain after that. This sequence — chain one, skip one, single crochet into the next stitch — is the core of the pike stitch pattern. Repeat it across the entire first row. When you reach the end, work a chain one, skip one, and complete the final single crochet of the row. Then chain three and turn your work to begin row 2.

Step 3 — Work subsequent rows

For every row after the first, chain three and turn at the start. Skip the single crochet and the first chain stitch directly below, then place one single crochet into the next single crochet. Chain one, skip the chain-one space from the previous row, then single crochet into the following stitch. Repeat this pattern across the row — working only into the single crochets and ignoring the chain spaces from the previous row. At the end of each row, finish with a single crochet, chain one, skip the first chain of the turning chain, then place the final single crochet into the next chain. Chain three and turn. Continue repeating this row until your project reaches the desired size — for a square, approximately 20 rows works well for a 21-stitch foundation. The alternating chain spaces create a lovely airy texture that becomes more defined with each row.

Step 4 — Block and finish

Once your project has reached the desired size, cut the yarn and pull the tail through the final loop to fasten off securely. Block the finished piece to even out the stitches and open up the chain spaces — this step makes a particularly noticeable difference with the pike stitch, as the chain-one gaps really open up and the fabric drapes beautifully when blocked. To wet block, soak the piece in lukewarm water, gently squeeze out excess moisture, then pin it flat to your blocking board to the correct dimensions and leave to dry completely. Once dry, thread a yarn needle and weave in all loose ends securely, working through several stitches in different directions before trimming close to the fabric.

Frequently asked questions

What materials do I need for a pike stitch crochet project?
You'll need weight 3 or weight 4 cotton yarn, a 5.5mm crochet hook, scissors, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

How many stitches do I need to start a pike stitch crochet project?
The pike stitch requires an odd number of stitches. Choose an odd starting chain length — for example, 21 — then add two additional stitches to get your working count of 23. Always start with an odd number to keep the pattern properly aligned.

How do I work the subsequent rows in the pike stitch pattern?
Chain three and turn at the start of each row. Skip the single crochet and first chain stitch, place one single crochet in the next single crochet, chain one, skip the chain-one space, and single crochet into the following stitch. Repeat across. Continue until a square is formed — usually around 20 rows for a 21-stitch foundation.

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