Learn how to crochet the bar stitch with my free step-by-step pattern and video tutorial. This beautiful crochet stitch creates a lovely woven look and textured fabric that is great for; blankets, garments and accessories. This crochet stitch creates a horizontal “bar” effect, giving your fabric a woven look. While it may seem intricate at first, once you master the simple technique, it becomes a versatile addition to your crochet skillset.
You can work this stitch in one or more colours, see below for the materials I have chosen to use for my sample piece.
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Sewrella Yarn – 100% superwash merino wool and Stylecraft Special DK in white. However, you can use any weight yarn and recommended hook size that can be found on the belly band to your chosen yarn.
- Hook: 4mm
- Scissors
- Darning Needle
Pattern Notes
- Written in UK terms but switchable to US terms below.
- When changing colours, you do not need to fasten off the yarn, instead carry the unused yarn up the edge of the work. You will be changing colour every 2 rows
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Stitch Multiple: 3 +3
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.
Terms & Abbreviations
Stitch(es): (st(s))
Chain(s): ch(s): Yarn over, pull through loop on hook.
Slip Stitch(s): ss(s): Insert hook, yarn over, pull 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.
Front Post Treble Crochet(s): FPtr(s): Yarn over, insert hook around post of stitch from front to back, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have three loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
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: Bar Stitch
You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.
Foundation: With Colour A, Ch in multiples of 3 +3.
Row 1 (RS): with yarn A dc in second ch from hook (skipped ch does not count as st), dc each ch across. Turn.
Row 2 (WS): 1 ch (does not count as st here or throughout), dc in each st across. Turn.
Row 3: 1 ch, dc in first 2 sts, FPtr around next st two rows below, *dc in next 2 sts, FPtr around next st two rows below, rep from * until 2 sts rem, dc in last 2 sts changing to yarn B in last yo of last st. Turn.
Row 4: 1 ch, dc in first st and each st across. Turn.
Row 5: 1 ch, dc in first 2 sts, FPtr around FPtr from two rows below, *dc in next 2 sts, FPtr around FPtr from two rows below, rep from * until 2 sts rem, dc in last 2 sts changing to yarn A in last yo of last st. Turn.
You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.
Row 6: 1 ch, dc in each st across. Turn.
Row 7: 1 ch, dc in first 2 sts, FPtr around FPtr from two rows below, *dc in next 2 sts, FPtr around FPtr from two rows below, rep from * until 2 sts rem, dc in last 2 sts changing to yarn B in the last yo of last st. Turn.
Rep Rows 4–7 until desired height, omitting colour change on final row.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
Bar Stitch Step by Step Photos
Video Tutorials
Time Stamps
- Intro: 00:04
- Pattern notes and colour change instructions: 00:51
- Foundation: 01:48
- Row 1: 02:42
- Row 2: 04:43
- Row 3: 05:38
- Colour change (if needed): 09:39
- Row 4: 10:38
- Row 5: 11:39
- Row 6: 15:03
- Row 7: 15:36
Right-handed
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”81pf5F88″ upload-date=”2025-03-18T10:35:45+00:00″ name=”HOW TO CROCHET THE BAR STITCH | Easy Crochet Tutorial Perfect for Blankets | Bella Coco Crochet.mp4″ description=”null” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]Or you can watch on YouTube
Left-handed
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”GIWPkVZL” upload-date=”2025-03-18T10:37:28+00:00″ name=”LEFT HANDED CROCHET_ BAR STITCH | Easy Crochet Tutorial Perfect for Blankets | Bella Coco Crochet.mp4″ description=”null” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]Or you can watch on YouTube
Crochet Pattern to Try
Are you ready to turn your new crochet skill into a project? The Truly Beanie and matching Convertible Truly Wrist Warmers are a great way to showcase your new skill.
Crochet Stitch Library
I hope you enjoyed learning the bar stitch! Don’t forget I have an entire stitch library on the blog for you to explore! however, if you love textured stitches I think oyu’ll enjoy these:
Want to keep learning? Why not check out my Stitch Library for more FREE tutorials?
I always love to see your makes so if you try any of my patterns or follow my stitch tutorials please tag me @bellacococrochet or use the #bellacococrochet
sarah-jayne
could the bar stich crochet be made into a square blanket? As i love the design but like making square afghans / blankets.
The design would be great for baby blankets, with it not being holey Hope you can help .
Yes, you could use this to make a blanket You just need to chain in multiples of 3 plus 3 for turning until you reach the size you want.
What weight yarn to replace the unavailable Sewrella yarn.
I’d love to make baby afghan for a friend due in April 2022 & can’t wait for Sewrella to supply.
Could something like Caron or. Mandala cake work? I’m needing to get started ASAP! Thanks for your beautiful pattern and easy to follow instructions!
Lori
Hi Lori You’re welcome, I’m glad you like the pattern You can make this in any weight yarn as long as you use the correct hook size, but the yarn in the sample is DK weight. I think a yarn cake with a gradient colour would work really well!
Hi Bella, I want to do a baby blank using the bar stitch. What border would work with this?
Thank you for the pattern.
Sandy Morgan
Hi Sandy You’re welcome! I have a blog post with some of my favourite borders here: https://blog.tcctest.co.uk/my-favourite-crochet-borders/ – you could use any of these, but as the bar stitch is quite simple I think a simple border such as a puff edge would look great, or you could even finish off with crab stitch
I love this multicolored yarn. I have visited the sewrella yarn website but can’t find it. Can you advise where to find it? Thabks
Hi Pamela, you could message Sewrella Yarns directly and they should be able to help you 🙂