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About This Stitch
This visually dramatic stitch is achieved through front post double treble (FPtr), which add depth and texture, making it an excellent choice for blankets, scarves, and home décor projects. The beauty of Apache Tears lies in its colourwork, where different shades highlight the stitch’s dynamic, zigzagging pattern.
This stitch is ideal for advanced beginners to intermediate crocheters who are comfortable working with post stitches and changing colours. It is typically worked in multiple colours, but a monochrome version still showcases the unique texture.
Pattern Use Ideas
- Blankets
- Scarfs
- Home Decor
Pattern Notes
- Written in UK terms but switchable to US terms below.
- This pattern can work in whatever multiples you wish for your design. I will work a multiple of 7 which means I will have 6 stitches and then a tear. If you want your tears stitched more closely, then work in a smaller multiple. If you want the tears spaced further apart, increase your multiple.
- You will work in one direction only always keeping the right side of the work facing you. Do not turn in your work.
- Video tutorial can be found at the base of the post.
Pattern Support
The fastest way to get pattern support is to ask in our dedicated facebook group for Bella Coco Crochet patterns. This is the best place for you to connect with other crocheters.
Please note, if you wish to change and adapt this pattern in any way, this must be done at your own exploration and we cannot offer assistance with this.
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.
Crochet Terms & Abbreviations
- Chain(s): ch(s):Â Yarn over, pull through loop on the hook.
- Double Crochet(s): dc(s):Â 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.
- Slip Stitch(s): ss(s):Â Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
- Stitch(es) (st(s)
Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. Learn more about the eBook here.
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Free Crochet Pattern: Apache Tears
You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.
- Foundation chain: Chain multiples of 7 to desired width.Â
- Row 1: Ch 1, turn, dc in second ch from hook and each ch across.
- Row 2: Ch 1, Cut and tie off this colour. Do Not Turn your work. With next colour join work to the first st from the previous row. I prefer to knot my yarn into the first stitch. Ch 1, dc in very first st, and in each st across, ch 1, cut and tie off this colour.
- Row 3: Join new colour to first st of previous row and repeat row 2.Â
- Row 4: Join new colour to first st of previous row, insert hook into first loop, yarn over and draw up a loop but do not ch 1, we will start with a tear. You should have only the 1 loop on your hook.Â
- Row 4: Join new colour to first st of previous row, insert hook into first loop, yarn over and draw up a loop but do not ch 1, we will start with a tear. You should have only the 1 loop on your hook.Â
Special Stitch: Creating the Tear
- The tear is a front post double treble stitch around the post of the stitch 3 rows down.Â
- For this first row of tears we are working into the first dc from row 1. (To identify the front post, you should see Vs at the front of each st, you will insert the hook under these posts. For the very first st of the row, you might only be able to insert the hook under one front loop, that’s ok, finish the stitch as usual.) Â
- Yarn over hook twice, insert the hook under the front post of the first st, yarn over and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook), [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times (there should be only 1 loop on the hook at the end of this stitch), one tear made.Â
Row 4
- Row 4: Join new colour to first st of previous row, insert hook into first loop, yarn over and draw up a loop but do not ch 1, we will start with a tear. You should have only the 1 loop on your hook.Â
- The tear is a front post double treble stitch around the post of the stitch 3 rows down. For this first row of tears we are working into the first dc from row 1. (To identify the front post, you should see Vs at the front of each st, you will insert the hook under these posts. For the very first st of the row, you might only be able to insert the hook under one front loop, that’s ok, finish the stitch as usual.)  Yarn over hook twice, insert hook under the front post of the first st, yarn over and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook), [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times (there should be only 1 loop on the hook at the end of this stitch), one tear made.Â
- Next, skip the very first st in row 3 because the tear takes this place. Work one dc into each of the next 6 stitches.
-  *Work tear into the stitch in the third row below, skip the next stitch on the working row because the double treble takes the place of that stitch, double crochet in the next 6 stitches; repeat from * across all stitches. Cut and tie off this colour.
5-6
- Row 5: With new colour, join to first st of previous row, ch 1, work one dc in first st. *Work tear into front post of st in third row below (at this point you are working into sts from the second row), dc into next 6 sts (remember to skip the st in your active row because that is the space for the tear, the sixth dc should be in the top of the second tear from the previous row); repeat from * across, finishing with 5 dc after the last tear. Cut and tie off this colour
- Row 6: With new colour, join to first st of previous row. Ch 1, work dc into first st, work dc into first tear, *work tear into the front post of the stitch in third row below (now working into row 3), skip st on active row, dc into next 6 sts; repeat from * across all sts, finishing with 4 dc stitches after the last tear. Cut and tie off this colour.
Pattern Repeat
Continue with this pattern of working dc sts from the beginning of the row through the first tear from the previous row, work a tear into the front post of the next st 3 rows down, skip one st on the active row, dc in each of the next 6 sts (or until you’ve worked the next tear) and repeat the pattern again.
Top Tip
You will get the same number of tears as your multiple before the pattern repeats. When you get to the row where you end with a tear, it would be a good idea to slip the stitch into the stitch that would normally be skipped for the tear, this will be the very last stitch of the previous row. It might look a little altered on the edge but it’ll smooth out in the end.  Â
Video Tutorials
Right-handed
Left-handed
Crochet Stitches To Try NextÂ
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sarah-jayne
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