Apache Tears Crochet Stitch Tutorial
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Are you looking for a gorgeous stitch that takes your crochet up a notch? The Apache Tears crochet stitch does just that – and is easier than it looks! Grab your hooks and multiple yarn colors because this stitch is everything.
Crochet Apache Tears Tutorial
This tutorial is one that I have wanted to do for a long time. I love this stitch and the way that the “tears” cascade into the rows below, creating a column of stitches that builds upon itself. With this tutorial you’ll learn how to crochet the Apache Tears crochet stitch, techniques that help along the way, and a way to not have a million yarn ends to weave in at the end of your project. Winning!
This stitch is remarkably easy to master. It uses a majority of Single Crochet Stitches with the occasional Treble Crochet mixed in. Once you get the rhythm and the groove down, it sure is a breeze. If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.
About the Apache Tears Crochet Stitch:
Is there a multiple for the Apache Tears crochet stitch? The short answer is “YES” but there’s more to it than that. Because each row builds onto the last, we are constantly moving the “tears” over by one stitch. The multiple you choose is not important because how we start and end each row changes each row. You can make each section as wide as you like. That being said, in this tutorial I am using a multiple of 7 (+1 for the beginning chain).
For the Apache Tears stitch, you’ll always be working on the “Right Side” of the fabric. This means you’ll have to clip your yarn at the end of each row so that you can attach a different yarn color and work your way across the fabric again. I find that at least four yarn colors is ideal for creating the full effect of the stitch pattern. This means a lot of yarn color changes, reattaching yarn, and yarn tails. It is worth it and with the tips and tricks outlined in the tutorial below, you can eliminate the yarn ends completely.
There are various ways of crocheting the Apache Tears stitch. As mentioned above, you can make the sections as wide as you want. You can also choose between the Double Crochet or the Treble Crochet to create the “tears”. If you use the Double Crochet you’ll work into the row two rows down, if you use the Treble Crochet you’ll work into the row three rows down.
We start with several rows of single crochet that are worked into the BLO (Back Loop Only). This creates a fabric into which you can work the “tears”.
In this tutorial I will be using the stitch multiple of SEVEN, and we’ll be using the Treble Crochet worked three rows down. I am starting with 28 single crochet stitches. Let’s do it!
Row 1: Chain-29, sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each to end. (28)
If you want to hide the yarn tails… for this and ALL rows: For the first 10 sts or so, crochet around the yarn tail from where you attached. When you near the end (with around 10 sts or so remaining), pull up the yarn tail from the previous row and crochet around it until you reach the end. When you get to the end, fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail.
Row 2: Still/always looking at the “Right Side”, attach in the side of the first st. (see photo) Chain-1 (this does not count as a stitch here or throughout, it just “locks” it into place once you crochet around the tail). Single crochet in the BLO of each stitch all the way across. Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
Row 3: Attach in the side/tiny chain of the previous row. Chain-1, single crochet in the BLO of each stitch all the way across. Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
Row 4: Attach in the side/tiny chain of the previous row. Chain-1 and single crochet in the BLO of the first three stitches only. Treble crochet in the FLO (Front Loop Only) of the stitch three rows down. * Single crochet in the BLO of the next SIX stitches, then Treble Crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. * Repeat the sequence to the end of the row. When you get there, you should have three stitches remaining. Single crochet in the BLO of each remaining stitch. Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
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Row 5: Attach in the side/tiny chain of the previous row. Chain-1 and single crochet in the BLO of the first four stitches only. Treble crochet in the FLO (Front Loop Only) of the stitch three rows down. * Single crochet in the BLO of the next SIX stitches, then Treble Crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. * Repeat the sequence to the end of the row. When you get there, you should have two stitches remaining. Single crochet in the BLO of each remaining stitch. Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
Row 6: Attach in the side/tiny chain of the previous row. Chain-1 and single crochet in the BLO of the first five stitches only. Treble crochet in the FLO (Front Loop Only) of the stitch three rows down. * Single crochet in the BLO of the next SIX stitches, then Treble Crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row. When you get there, you should have one stitch remaining. Single crochet in the BLO of each remaining stitch. Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
Row 7: Attach in the side/tiny chain of the previous row. Chain-1 and single crochet in the BLO of the first six stitches only. Treble crochet in the FLO (Front Loop Only) of the stitch three rows down. * Single crochet in the BLO of the next SIX stitches, then Treble Crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. * Repeat the sequence until there are seven stitches remaining. When you get there, single crochet in the BLO of each remaining stitch (we don’t want to end on a Tr st). Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
Row 8: Attach in the side/tiny chain of the previous row. Chain-1 and Treble crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. * Single crochet in the BLO of the next SIX stitches, then Treble Crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. * Repeat the sequence to the end of the row. When you get there, you should have six stitches remaining. Single crochet in the BLO of each remaining stitch. Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
Row 9: Attach in the side/tiny chain of the previous row. Chain-1 and single crochet in the BLO of the first stitch only. Treble crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. * Single crochet in the BLO of the next SIX stitches, then Treble Crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. * Repeat the sequence to the end of the row. When you get there, you should have five stitches remaining. Single crochet in the BLO of each remaining stitch. Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
Row 10: Attach in the side/tiny chain of the previous row. Chain-1 and single crochet in the BLO of the first two stitches only. Treble crochet in the FLO (Front Loop Only) of the stitch three rows down. * Single crochet in the BLO of the next SIX stitches, then Treble Crochet in the FLO of the stitch three rows down. * Repeat the sequence to the end of the row. When you get there, you should have four stitches remaining. Single crochet in the BLO of each remaining stitch. Fasten off leaving a ~6″ long tail. (28)
Repeat rows 4 through 10 until the piece is as tall as you like. You can end on any row number that makes sense for your project. It is not necessary to end on a certain row number.
Here’s the VIDEO tutorial for the Apache Tears Crochet Stitch:
If you would rather watch this video on YouTube, you can find it on my channel here. Don’t forget to subscribe while you’re there!
We use this stitch as the final square in the Holiday Sparkle Stitch Mix Crochet Along. What will you use this stitch for? Stay tuned for a few new, awesome free patterns using this stitch.
More crochet tutorials:
Crochet Basketweave Stitch Tutorial
How to Crochet the Double Moss Stitch
Step-by-Step Counterpane Crochet Stitch Tutorial
