How to Crochet the DANDELION STITCH

The dandelion stitch is my own stitch modification of a traditional crochet daisy/star stitch. I’ve tweaked it just a little bit, but with the help of this post and my video tutorial you’ll easily be able to work this stitch on your own!

This stitch is one of my all time favorites, and I have a growing collection of patterns using it! It is the main stitch used in my Dandelion Dreams Baby Blanket pattern (available in my Etsy and Ravelry store. See this post for the story behind the blanket and my fundraising effort), it also is the main stitch for the Dandelion Drops Wall Hanging (Etsy, Ravelry) and it also appears as the “star” of my most popular pattern, the Dandelion Dance Shawl. (Etsy, Ravelry). The shawl and the wall hanging use a slightly modified version to accomplish the shaping for those two pieces (increases/decreases) but the overall formation of the stitches remains the same as seen in this tutorial.

Let me show you how I work the Dandelion Stitch:

You can also substitute it into any pattern in which you would be using the regular daisy/star stitch. Overall, I will give you the same stitch count, but the “dandelion” will be a little fuller/fluffier than a traditional daisy/star stitch! (please note it is taller than the original stitch- which is worked with SC not HDC, so if you’re substituting it in another pattern it may effect your row height!)

Stitches and Abbreviations:

CH: chain

SC: single crochet

HDC: half double crochet

YO: yarn over

SL ST: slip stitch

sp: space

Sk: skip

st(s): stitch(es)

Notes:

• The stitch pattern will have 2 set up rows, and then be worked in an Row A/Row B repeat.
• Throughout “eye” of the dandelion is referring to space created from chain space at the center of the dandelion
• 2. For Row 2/Row B of the gauge swatch/pattern: “HDC in following st”- “stitch” could also be referring to working into a chain space on even rows.

To begin, you will need to chain a multiple of 2. If you’re looking to create a specific number of dandelions (in the tutorial photos below there are 6 dandelions), you will want to take your desired number of dandelions, multiple it by 2 and then add 4 for your starting chain. (For example, to make 6 dandelions you need to chain 16: 6 dandelions x 2 is 12, 12+ 4 = 16!)

We will begin with the 2 prep rows: (see the video tutorial for a visual)

1. Insert hook into 2nd CH st from the hook, YO and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into next CH, YO and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Insert hook into next CH, YO and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Insert hook into next CH, YO and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Insert hook into next CH, YO and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook). YO and pull through all 6 loops, CH 1 to close the dandelion.

*Insert hook into “eye” of the dandelion, YO and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into last loop of the previous dandelion st, YO and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Insert hook into CH at the base of previous dandelion, YO and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Insert hook into the next CH, YO and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Insert hook into the next CH, YO and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook). YO and pull through all 6 loops on hook, CH 1 to close dandelion. Repeat * * across, finishing the last dandelion into the last st of the row, 1 HDC into same st. Turn.

2. CH 1 (starting chains don’t count as first st throughout), HDC in same st. *HDC into the “eye” of the dandelion, HDC in following st.* Repeat * * across. Turn.

Now we will start the Row A/ Row B repeats: (see photos below for a step by step on how to work the dandelions- or watch the video and I’ll walk you through it all!)

(Row A) CH 3, insert hook into 2nd CH st from the hook, YO and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into next CH st, YO and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Insert hook into first st of row, YO and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Insert hook into next st, YO and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Insert hook into next st, YO and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook). YO and pull through all 6 loops, CH 1 to close the dandelion. *Insert hook into “eye” of the dandelion, YO and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into last loop of the previous dandelion, YO and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Insert hook into st at the base of previous dandelion, YO and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Insert into the next stitch, YO and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Insert into the next stitch, YO and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook). YO and pull through all 6 loops on hook, CH 1 to close dandelion. Repeat * * across, finishing the last dandelion into the last st of the row, 1 HDC into same st. Turn.

ROW B: CH 1 (starting chains don’t count as first st throughout), HDC in same st. *HDC into the “eye” of the dandelion, HDC in following st.* Repeat * * across. (your stitch count for Row B will also be the number of your dandelions x 2 + 1 (so for the example of 6 dandelions: 6 x 2= 12 +1 = 13 HDC sts)

Photo tutorial for working the dandelions in Row A:

ROW A: Insert hook into “eye” of the dandelion, YO and pull through (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into last loop of the previous dandelion, YO and pull through (3 loops on hook).

Insert hook into st at the base of previous dandelion, YO and pull through (4 loops on hook).

Insert into the next stitch, YO and pull through (5 loops on hook).

Insert into the next stitch, YO and pull through (6 loops on hook).

YO and pull through all 6 loops on hook,

CH 1 to close dandelion stitch.

Continue repeating the dandelions across, finishing your last dandelion into the last stitch of the row. HDC into the same stitch to give the row a nice flat edge. Turn.

ROW B: CH 1 (starting chains don’t count as first st throughout), HDC in same st. *HDC into the “eye” of the dandelion, HDC in following st.* Repeat * * across. (your stitch count for Row B will also be the number of your dandelions x 2 + 1 (so for the example of 6 dandelions: 6 x 2= 12 +1 = 13 HDC sts)

I hope this helps you work the dandelion stitch in your own makes, or as an aid in making my Dandelion Dreams Baby Blanket, The Dandelion Drops Wall Hanging or the Dandelion Dance Shawl! Make sure to tag me –@fiber.and.fox – in your creations on instagram!