When I first designed the Everyday Hugs cardigan, I used a stitch pattern I called the single crochet v-stitch. It created a lovely opaque fabric and worked really well with an aran yarn and a slightly bigger hook than recommended to give it some drape.

I recently updated the Everyday Hugs pattern to cover 7 sizes – it’s one of my early garment patterns when I was still learning how to grade (size) garments so I only made it in 3 originally.

Whilst updating it, I made a new, cropped version (it’s a simple top down design so it’s easy to just stop when you reach the length you want) and took some new step by step pictures for the pattern.

Here’s the finished cardi – perfect for throwing on when the evenings start to cool! I added some stripes using some left over pink yarn from the original cardi as an homage to it!

I’m digressing!

During this revamp, I found out that a more common term for this stitch was the Spider Stitch. More common than single crochet v-stitch at least! So many terms for the same thing in crochet!

I don’t know who called it that but when I googled it to check I had the right name for the stitch (and could refer to it in the pattern), a little money spider crawled down my screen… I decided it was an omen and I really must make a tutorial.

Here’s a little close up of the sleeve so you can get a proper look at the stitch pattern.

Spider stitch is really simple but there are a few potential pitfalls when working it, so I thought I would cover those too.

Below you’ll find the written instructions, a left and right handed video tutorial.

These are the abbreviations I’ll use in US crochet terms (UK terms in brackets)

• ch = chain
• ch-sp = chain space
• sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
• sk = skip (UK miss)
• sp = space

And here are a few pattern notes about how the instructions are written

• Ch2 turning chain is included as 1 stitch for the stitch count
• Instructions in round brackets are worked in the same stitch
• Instructions after *asterisks should be repeated as indicated

Crochet Spider Stitch – Written Instructions

Skill Level: Easy

Stitches used: Chain (ch), US Single crochet (sc)

Stitch Multiple: Work with a multiple of 3 + 2 stitches on the foundation row.

Foundation Row: Make a row of 3+2 single crochet (you can work foundation single crochet, or work single crochet into a chain, or just make a chain to start, though I prefer to work into sc)

Row 1: Ch2 (counts as 1sc), sk 2 sts including the first st at the base of ch2, (1sc, ch1, 1sc) all in the next st, *sk 2 sts, (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in the next st; rep from * to the last 2 sts, skip 1 st, 1sc in last st, turn

Row 2: Ch2, sk first and second sc, (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in the first ch1-sp, *sk 2 sc, (1sc, ch1, 1sc) in the next ch1-sp; rep from * to last ch1-sp, sk 1 sc, 1sc in top of ch2, turn

For pattern, repeat row 2

Points to consider when working spider stitch

Each (1sc, ch1, 1sc) makes up 1 spider stitch and counts as 3 stitches for the overall stitch count.

That’s it in terms of instructions. It’s pretty simple, but working into a ch1-sp where the stitches either side are at an angle can take a bit of getting used to.

I recommend you keep your chain spaces loose so that you can easily identify where to put the hook.

When working into the ch-sp, it can be easy to accidentally work into the centre of one of the sc either side, so watch out for that. I demonstrate this in the video version.

Likewise, it’s easy to insert your hook under the front of the ch-sp but slide it through the middle back of one of the sc – and you won’t realise until you come to work the other side and think… hmmm… something isn’t quite right here!

If visual is more your thing. Check out the video tutorials below.

Right handed spider stitch tutorial

Left handed spider stitch tutorial

I hope you find this tutorial helpful. I nearly included it in my list of 10 opaque crochet stitches as it makes a nice solid fabric but thought I would save it for it’s own tutorial!

If you want to learn more about the Everyday Hugs Crochet Cardigan pattern, you can visit the pattern page here, or download the pattern from currently Ravelry, Etsy or Love Crafts Crochet.

You can find more stitch tutorials here.

But in the meantime…

Happy hooking!

Dx