The crochet Box Stitch is an eye catching textured pattern made from groups of joined treble crochets arranged into raised square shapes. Open spaces separate each box, giving the fabric a combination of structure and airiness.
What makes this stitch interesting is the way the treble crochets are joined together. Each treble crochet is joined directly into the previous stitch, giving each box a sturdier look and feel. Trebles are worked into the horizontal loops of the previous joined treble crochet. This construction builds the box and gives the pattern its distinctive geometric appearance.
Although the finished fabric looks fairly intricate, the pattern has a short repeat once you understand how the joined treble crochets are constructed.
About the Crochet Box Stitch
The crochet Box Stitch creates a repeating grid of raised crochet boxes separated by open spaces. The boxes are formed using joined treble crochets. Instead of simply working individual treble crochets across the row, the stitches are connected and worked into different points of the previous stitches to build the top, bottom and sides of each box.
Rows of single crochet and chain spaces provide the foundation between the textured rows.
Crochet Box Stitch at a Glance
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Stitches used: Chains, single crochet, treble crochet
- Stitch multiple: 4 + 3
- Row repeat: 2 rows
- Texture: Geometric boxes with open spaces
- Construction: Joined treble crochets form the sides of each box
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- Ltr – linked treble crochet
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
Special stitch:
Linked treble crochet (Ltr): insert hook into the upper diagonal loop of the previous treble crochet, pull loop through. Insert hook into the diagonal loop at the bottom of the treble crochet, pull loop through. Insert hook into the next ch of the previous row, pull loop through. You should have 4 loops on hook now. (Yo and pull through 2 loops) 3 times.
How to Crochet the Box Stitch
Begin with a foundation ch in multiples of 4 + 3
Row 1:
Work a sc into the 3rd ch from hook, *ch 3, sk 3, sc in the next ch, rep from * across. Turn.
Row 2:
Ch 4 (counts as first tr), *(tr, and 2Ltr) in the next ch-3 sp, sk the sc, rep from * across ending with a tr on top of the ch 2 turning ch. Turn.
Row 3:
Ch 2, *sc in between the first tr and the next Ltr, ch 3, sk3 sts, rep from * across ending with a sc between the last tr and the ch 4. Turn.
Repeat:
Rep rows 2-3 for stitch pattern.
Tips for Crocheting the Box Stitch
This is one of those stitches where the first repeat will probably require more concentration than then tenth! The important part is understanding where the joined treble crochet connects to the previous stitch.
Take your time identifying the upper and lower diagonal loops of the treble crochet. Once those connections are in place, you should begin to see the outline of each box forming.
Avoid pulling the yarn too tightly when making the joined trebles. A little extra height and flexibility helps the sides of the boxes sit neatly and keeps the surrounding openings from becoming distorted.
The single crochet and chain space rows provide the foundation fro the box rows.
keep the joined treble stitches fairly relaxed so the boxes don’t pull the fabric out of shape.
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