The Turkish crochet stitch uses shells and puff stitches to create it’s unique look. It is a great stitch for blankets and scarves as it makes a nice thick fabric but is breathable too.

The Turkish crochet stitch is also known as the Angora stitch and gets it’s name as the puffs coming together over the shell is supposed to look like a Turkish Sultan who is wearing his turban. If you don’t like making puffs, then this stitch won’t be for you, but it is a nice looking stitch that is worth trying out.

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I first came across the Turkish crochet stitch when researching stitches to include in my first crochet along, the 50 Stitches. I loved it’s unique look and decided to include the stitch as one of my featured squares.

This stitch looks great in a single solid colour, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t use multiple colours. Although I would recommend only changing colour every 2 rows and to do it after a puff stitch row, as this will make your Turkish stitches stand out the most effectively.

The Turkish stitch makes a thick fabric due to all the puff stitches, but it is breathable as it does have gaps between the stitches. It would be perfect if used for shawls, cardigans or even snoods.

This how to guide is part of Froggity Frog’s Stitch Vault collection. Have you seen all the other stitches in there? You can take a look here all the guides are free to access and maybe you will discover some new stitches to create for yourself.

The yarn I used in this stitch guide is Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK, a 100% cotton yarn. It’s a non mercerised cotton that is lovely and soft, but it can get a bit splitty if you frog it a couple of times. It does makes lovely cosy blankets though and is the yarn that got me hooked on cotton as my fibre of choice. I think I first got a ball of this yarn in a mystery bag I got off ebay, and it was a great yarn discovery for me – I’ve loved this yarn ever since.

I also used my trusty Clover Amour hooks which are perfect if you are looking for a good value ergonomic crochet hook that won’t cause your hand to ache if you are crocheting for long periods of time. I’ve tried many different crochet hooks over the years, but I always end up coming back to my trusty Clovers. They just sit so well in my hand and never let me down.

The Turkish Crochet Stitch

The stitch guide below is written in US terms

Abbreviations

• Ch = Chain
• St = Stitch
• Sc = Single Crochet
• Dc = Double Crochet
• Puff2tog = Puff Two Together

Start by making a foundation chain in multiples of 5 plus 1 (plus 2 for your turning chain)

Row 1. In the 3rd chain from your hook make a sc (the turning chain counts as the first stitch of the row). Make a sc in each chain across.

Row 2. Turn and chain 1. Make a dc turning chain in the first stitch then make 2 dc in the same stitch as the turning chain. Skip the next 4 stitches and make 4 dc in the next ch. *Chain 1, skip the next 4 stitches then make 4dc in the next stitch*

Repeat between *and* then finish the row by making 3 dc in the last stitch.

Row 3. Turn and chain 1. Make a dc turning chain in the first stitch.

In the chain 1 space make a puff stitch (yarn over and pull up a loop 3 times, then pull your hook through all 7 stitches). * After pulling through all the loops on your hook, chain 1 and make 2 dc in the same chain space as your puff. Chain 1 and make a puff2tog (puff stitch two together)*

the first part of the puff is made in the same chain space as the 2 dc. The second part is made in the next chain space in the row – as in the picture above.

To get neat puffs when making your puff2tog, it helps to keep a firm hold of them while you pull your hook through all the loops. This keeps everything in place while you manoeuvre your hook through so many loops.

Repeat between *and*. Then in the last chain space of the row, chain 1 and make 2dc, chain 1 and make a puff stitch but don’t chain 1 after pulling through all your loops like you usually would. Make a dc in the last stitch of the row.

Your stitch count will be different in row 4 compared to row 3 – this is just how the stitches work out and not something to worry about.

Row 4. Turn and chain 1. Make a dc turning chain in the first stitch then make 2 dc in the same stitch as the turning chain. *chain 1 and make 4 dc in the middle of your puff2tog in the row below.*

Repeat between *and* then to finish the row, chain 1 and make 3 dc in the last stitch.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you have the number of rows that you need for your project. I recommend that you finish your Turkish stitch piece on a puff row, then add a row of single crochet to top it off, which will give a nice finished look. Then you can cut off, weave in your ends and admire your beautiful handy work.

You can find more free crochet stitch guides here in Froggity Frog’s stitch vault. Come on over to our Facebook group – Froggity Frog’s Ribbit And Stitch and show us what you made with the Turkish stitch. I’d love to see what you created. 

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