Apache Tears

Are you a fan of texture? Then you’re going to love the Apache Tears crochet stitch. This beautifully tactile stitch adds an attractive and interesting texture to all sorts of projects, from blankets to bobble hats.

Imagine how wonderfully snuggly an Apache Tears afghan blanket would be!

Ready to learn this super stitch? Grab your tools and let’s get to it.

PATTERN USE IDEAS

• Blankets
• Shawls
• Scarfs and cowls
• Hats
• Cushions

MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED

Yarn: I used Yarn and Colors Fabulous, however you could substitute this for any chunky weight yarn. I love Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky.

In my video I used Peach, Cream, Ecru and Jade Gravel.

Hook: This yarn calls for a 5mm but I will use a 5.5mm so the sts are easier to see. Reference your yarn label for recommended size

Scissors

Darning Needle

PATTERN NOTES

Written in UK terms

This pattern can work in whatever multiples you wish for your design.  I will work a multiple of 7 which means I will have 6 stitches and then a tear.  If you want your tears stitched more closely, then work in a smaller multiple.  If you want the tears spaced further apart, increase your multiple.

Another unique feature of this pattern is that we will always work in the same direction for each row of stitches.  After creating the foundation chain, we will never turn our work.  You will always keep the right side of the piece facing you. 

You will have beginning and ending tails to weave in on both sides of your work.  If you really don’t like weaving in ends, stop to do it every 3-4 rows so it’s not too much at the end of the project. 

Video tutorial can be found at the base of the post.

CROCHET TERMS

Chain (ch): Yarn over, pull through one loop on hook

Double Crochet (dc): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops.

Slip Stitch (ss): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch and loop on hook

Stitch(es) (st(s)

Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. Learn more about the eBook here.

APACHE TEARS PATTERN

Foundation chain: Chain multiples of 7 to desired width. 

If you want to advance your crochet knowledge, why not look at my tutorial on creating an advanced foundation chain?

Row 1: Ch 1, turn, dc in second ch from hook and each ch across.

Row 2: Ch 1, Cut and tie off this colour.  Do Not Turn your work.  With next colour join work to the first st from the previous row.  I prefer to knot my yarn into the first stitch. Ch 1, dc in very first st, and in each st across, ch 1, cut and tie off this colour.

Row 3: Join new colour to first st of previous row and repeat row 2. 

Row 4: Join new colour to first st of previous row, insert hook into first loop, yarn over and draw up a loop but do not ch 1, we will start with a tear.  You should have only the 1 loop on your hook. 

Row 4: Join new colour to first st of previous row, insert hook into first loop, yarn over and draw up a loop but do not ch 1, we will start with a tear.  You should have only the 1 loop on your hook. 

The tear is a front post double-treble stitch around the post of the stitch 3 rows down.  For this first row of tears we are working into the first dc from row 1.  (To identify the front post, you should see Vs at the front of each st, you will insert the hook under these posts.  For the very first st of the row, you might only be able to insert the hook under one front loop, that’s ok, finish the stitch as usual.)  Yarn over hook twice, insert hook under the front post of the first st, yarn over and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook),

[yarn over, pull through 2 loops]

3 times (there should be only 1 loop on the hook at the end of this stitch), one tear made. 

Row 4: Join new colour to first st of previous row, insert hook into first loop, yarn over and draw up a loop but do not ch 1, we will start with a tear.  You should have only the 1 loop on your hook. 

The tear is a front post double-treble stitch around the post of the stitch 3 rows down.  For this first row of tears we are working into the first dc from row 1.  (To identify the front post, you should see Vs at the front of each st, you will insert the hook under these posts.  For the very first st of the row, you might only be able to insert the hook under one front loop, that’s ok, finish the stitch as usual.)  Yarn over hook twice, insert hook under the front post of the first st, yarn over and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook), [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times (there should be only 1 loop on the hook at the end of this stitch), one tear made. 

Next, skip the very first st in row 3 because the tear takes this place.  Work one dc into each of the next 6 stitches.

 *Work tear into the stitch in the third row below, skip the next stitch on the working row because the double treble takes the place of that stitch, double crochet in the next 6 stitches;  repeat from * across all stitches.  Cut and tie off this colour.

Row 5: With new colour, join to first st of previous row, ch 1, work one dc in first st.  *Work tear into front post of st in third row below (at this point you are working into sts from the second row), dc into next 6 sts (remember to skip the st in your active row because that is the space for the tear, the sixth dc should be in the top of the second tear from the previous row); repeat from * across, finishing with 5 dc after the last tear. Cut and tie off this colour.

Row 6: With new colour, join to first st of previous row.  Ch 1, work dc into first st, work dc into first tear, *work tear into the front post of the stitch in third row below (now working into row 3), skip st on active row, dc into next 6 sts; repeat from * across all sts, finishing with 4 dc stitches after the last tear.  Cut and tie off this colour.

Continue with this pattern of working dc sts from the beginning of the row through the first tear from the previous row, work a tear into the front post of the next st 3 rows down, skip one st on the active row, dc in each of the next 6 sts (or until you’ve worked the next tear) and repeat the pattern again.

Tips and tricks:  You will get the same number of tears as is your multiple before the pattern repeats.  When you get to the row where you end with a tear, it would be a good idea to slip stitch into the stitch that would normally be skipped for the tear, this will be the very last stitch of the previous row.  It might look a little altered on the edge but it’ll smooth out in the end.   

VIDEO TUTORIAL

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