How to Crochet the Lemon Peel Stitch – Easy Beginner Tutorial

The Lemon Peel Stitch is a good next step when plain rows of single crochet start to feel comfortable.

It looks textured, but the pattern is surprisingly simple: you alternate single crochet and double crochet across the row.

The difference in height between those two stitches creates the small raised texture.

For this tutorial, we'll make a small practice swatch so you can learn the repeat without committing to a full project.

What You'll Need

• Medium-weight yarn

• Crochet hook suitable for your yarn

• Scissors

• Yarn needle

Choose smooth, light-colored yarn while practicing. It's much easier to see where the next stitch begins.

If you need help choosing yarn, link Best Yarn for Crochet Beginners here.

Before You Start

This tutorial uses US crochet terms.

You'll see these abbreviations:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet

You should already be comfortable making a chain, single crochet, and double crochet.

If single crochet is still new to you, read our How to Single Crochet for Beginners tutorial first.

Step 1: Make the Foundation Chain

For this practice swatch:

Chain 17.

This gives us an odd-numbered starting chain and 16 worked stitches in the first row.

Try not to pull the chains too tightly. Your hook should slide into them comfortably.

Step 2: Work the First Row

Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook and make one single crochet.

In the next chain, make one double crochet.

Now repeat:

1 sc, 1 dc

across the entire row.

You'll finish with a double crochet.

You should have 16 stitches.

The important part isn't speed. Concentrate on maintaining the alternating rhythm:

short stitch → tall stitch → short stitch → tall stitch.

Step 3: Turn and Repeat

Chain 1 and turn your work.

The turning chain does not count as a stitch in this tutorial.

Start the next row with a single crochet, then work a double crochet into the next stitch.

Continue:

1 sc, 1 dc

across the row.

As the pattern develops, you'll be working a single crochet into the double crochet from the previous row and a double crochet into the single crochet below it.

Repeat this row until your swatch reaches the size you want.

The Most Common Beginner Mistake

If the texture suddenly looks different, stop and check your previous stitches.

It's easy to accidentally make:

sc, sc

instead of:

sc, dc.

Don't unravel the entire swatch immediately. Look back along the current row until you find where the alternating sequence changed.

Another useful check is your stitch count. If you started with 16 worked stitches, keep 16 stitches in every row.

Why Is My Lemon Peel Stitch Curling?

First check your foundation chain.

If it's extremely tight, the bottom edge may pull inward.

Also check your tension. You shouldn't need to force the hook into each stitch.

A little unevenness in a beginner practice swatch is completely normal and often becomes less noticeable as you work more rows.

What Can You Make With Lemon Peel Stitch?

The textured fabric works particularly well for simple projects such as:

• Washcloths
• Dishcloths
• Scarves
• Blankets
• Simple bags

For your first project, choose something rectangular. You'll be able to concentrate on maintaining the stitch repeat rather than shaping.

Keep the Repeat Simple

The Lemon Peel Stitch looks more complicated than it actually is.

Remember just one rhythm:

single crochet → double crochet → repeat.

Once you can recognize which stitch comes next without stopping, you've learned the pattern.

Keep your practice swatch. It's useful as a stitch reference—and it's an easy way to see how much more consistent your crochet becomes over time.

Next, try The Soft Pebble Stitch for another beginner-friendly textured crochet pattern.

Internal link: Link The Soft Pebble Stitch to your existing article in the Crochet Stitches category.