Jacobs Ladder Crochet Stitch

Updated February 13, 2026

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Learn how to create faux cables with the Jacob’s ladder crochet stitch. This stitch is for crocheters of all levels and consists of, Slip Stitches, Chains, UK Double Crochet (US Single Crochet) and UK Treble Crochet (US Double Crochet). With some cleaver use of loops, you’ll be able to make faux cables to create a beautiful braided texture.

1. Materials and Tools
2. Yarn Selection

The Jacobs ladder stitch is prefect for Homeware projects (such as blankets & cushion covers), as well as accessories (such as scarves and beanies). Whatever you choose to use the jacobs ladder stitch for, you be sure to create a beautiful, cozy and fun texture.

Materials and Tools

Here are the materials and tools I used for the swatch in the video tutorial, but feel free to experiment with different yarns and their corresponding hook sizes, you will find the hook size needed on the band of the yarn.

Yarn: Hobbii Kind Feather (DK) in shades: Main Colour (MC) 02, Contrast Colours (CC) 11, 12 & 17.
Crochet hook: 4.5 mm
Scissors
Darning Needle

Yarn Selection

You can choose the amount of colours you want to use for this stitch. You could let the texture speak for itself by using one colour, or you can choose to use a main colour (MC) and then use as many contrasting colours (CC) as you like! Fancy something little different? You could go for a main colour and use a variegated yarn as your contrast colour in order to create a truly unique affect. However you choose to change colors, you’ll be sure to love this stitch.

Terms and Abbreviations

Stitch(s): st(s)

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

Chain(s): ch(s): Yarn over, pull through loop on the hook.

Double Crochet(s): dc(s): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.

Treble Crochet(s): tr(s): Yarn over, insert into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have three loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.

Convert Pattern Terms

Here you can quickly switch between UK and US crochet terms. This will make following the pattern easier as all terms will be converted to your preferred version.

view in UK terms

view in US terms

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Pattern Notes

Written in UK terms but switchable to US terms above.
Video tutorial can be found at the base of the post.

Jacobs Ladder Stitch Pattern

Foundation Chain: With MC, chain in multiples of 5 plus 2

Row 1: Tr in fourth chain from hook (missed ch count as st) and next 3 sts, *ch 10, ss in top of tr just made. Tr in next 5 sts; repeat from * across. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st here or throughout), dc in first stitch and next 4 sts. *Push loop backward and dc in same st as loop, dc in next 4 sts; repeat from * across changing to CC in last stitch. Turn.

Fasten off MC (or you can float up your yarn if you are adding a border).

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as tr here and throughout), tr in next 4 sts, *ch 10, ss in top of tr just made. Tr in next 5 sts; repeat from * across. Turn.

Row 4: Repeat row 2 changing back to MC in last st.

Row 5: Repeat row 3.

Row 6: Repeat row 2 changing to next CC in last st.

Repeat row 3-6 ending on row 4.

Starting at the bottom of the work insert fingers into the bottom loop, pinch the chain loop two rows up and bring it through the first loop. Then continue to work upward bringing the next loop through the current loop. This will create the cables. The final loop made will be left until you work your final row 2.

Repeat this for each line of loops.

Final rows:

Final Row 1: Ch 3, tr in each st across. Turn.

Final Row 2: Ch 1, dc in first 4 sts, *dc in next st also working through the final loop, dc in next 4 sts; repeat from * across. Dc in last stitch.

Fasten off and sew in ends.

Jacobs Ladder Stitch Step-By-Step Video Tutorial

Sometimes it may easier to watch a video tutorial whilst following the written instructions, because we all learn differently. So, here’s a step-by-step video tutorial to show you the Jacobs Ladder stitch. These videos are available in both left and right handed versions.