How to Crochet Leaping Stripes Stitch: Free Pattern

Updated December 3, 2025

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Learn how to crochet the leaping stripes stitch with my free step-by-step pattern and video tutorial. The Leaping Stripes Stitch is a fun and eye-catching technique that creates a gorgeous textured fabric, with its gentle movement and pretty colour play. This stitch is a great way to experiment with stripes, subtly in a modern way.

1. Pattern Use Ideas
2. What is the Leaping Stripes Stitch?

In this post, you’ll learn how to crochet this beautiful stitch with a free written pattern and an easy-to-follow video tutorial, so whether you’re a visual learner or prefer reading along, I’ve got you covered.

Close-up of a handmade crochet fabric using the leaping stripes pattern in soft pastel green and cream yarn, showcasing textured stitches and a woven appearance,

Pattern Use Ideas

Blankets
Scarfs & Cowls
Cushions
Baby Blankets
Washclothes
Tote Bags

What is the Leaping Stripes Stitch?

The Leaping Stripes Stitch uses simple stitches, just double crochet, treble crochet and chains, creating a staggered, stripe-like texture that appears to ‘leap’ across the fabric. By alternating two or more colours, you get a beautiful woven effect that looks far more complicated than it actually is.

It’s a brilliant stitch to try if you:

Want to practise changing colours.
Love soothing repetition.
Or just want something that works up quickly with a lovely finish.

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Materials & Tools

Yarn: in the video tutorial, I have used Stylecraft Special DK but you can use any weight yarn.
Hook: I used a 5mm hook with this yarn. Check the yarn band for the recommended hook size or adjust your hook size needed to obtain gauge.
Scissors
Darning Needle

Where to Shop for Yarn

Pattern Notes

Written in UK terms but switchable to US terms below.
Skill Level: Beginner
Stitch Multiple: 4 +2
At the end of Row 1, you should have groupings of 3 tr on each end of your row and groupings of 2 tr in the middle of the work.
This pattern gives you the basic principles for the leaping stripes stitch, designed to help you create your own projects.
The video tutorial can be found at the base of the post.

Gauge & Size

Please check specific patterns for the gauge.
For a practice, swatch gauge and completed size isn’t important.
Do you struggle with tension? CLICK HERE to watch a video that can help!

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

Terms & Abbreviations

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

Slip Stitch (ss): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch and loop on 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 the remaining two loops.

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Close-up of a crochet swatch using the Leaping Stripes Stitch in alternating purple and green, showcasing a textured, woven-like pattern.

Free Crochet Pattern: Leaping Stripes Stitch

You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.

Foundation chain: With colour A, Ch in a multiple of 4 +2.

Row 1: With yarn A, tr in fourth ch from hook (skipped 3-ch counts as a tr), tr in next ch, *2 ch, skip 2 ch, tr in next 2 ch, repeat from * until 1 ch remains, work tr in last ch. Turn.
Row 2: 1 ch (does not count as st here or throughout), dc in first st, 2 ch, skip next 2 tr, *working over ch sp from Row 1, tr in next skipped 2-ch from foundation ch, 2 ch, skip next 2 tr, repeat from * across, dc in top of 3-ch, changing to yarn B in last yo of last st. Turn.
Row 3: 1 ch, dc in first st, working over ch sp from previous row, tr in top of next 2 tr from two rows below, *2 ch, skip 2 sts from previous row, tr in top of next 2 tr from two rows below, repeat from * until 1 st remains, dc in last st. Turn.
Row 4: 1 ch, dc in first st, 2 ch, skip 2 tr from previous row, *working over ch sp from previous row, tr in next 2 tr from two rows below, 2 ch, skip 2 tr from previous row, repeat from * until 1 st remains, dc in last st, changing to yarn A in last yo of last st. Turn.