The Apache Tears stitch is a type of mosaic crochet. It is made in single crochet rows without turning. So after each row you cut your yarn and join your next row into the top of the first stitch of the previous row. The Tears are made by using front post treble stitches made in the unused loops of the stitch 3 rows below. You can make this stitch in a single solid colour, but it looks simply stunning if you change colour every row.

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For this stitch you can use as many colours as you’d like. Go crazy and use them all or if you use just 3 they will link together with your Tears to form a zig zag down your piece.

The Apache Tears stitch is a fabulous stitch for most crochet projects – scarves, hats, wraps, blankets, clothing – they all look fabulous made with this stitch.

You can play with the stitch count between the tears to suit the look you prefer. I’ve chosen to have 6 stitches between each tear for this example.

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 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 Apache Tears Stitch

The stitch guide below is written in US terms

Abbreviations

• Ch = Chain
• St = Stitch
• Sc = Single Crochet
• Fptr = Front Post Treble Crochet

Start with a foundation chain of any length – you can add or remove as many sc between your Tear stitches as you want. The guide below though is using a pattern repeat of 7 plus 2 (plus 1 for the turning chain)

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

For mosaic crochet you don’t turn after any row. Cut off your yarn after every row and rejoin in the 1st stitch of previous row. You will have a lot of ends to weave in for this stitch unless you hide them in a double border.

Rows 2 and 3. Chain 1 and sc in the first stitch. Sc in each stitch across

Row 4. Chain 1 and sc in the first stitch. The next stitch is a front post treble crochet (fptr) made around the post of the stitch directly below in row 1. *Sc in each of the next 6 stitches. Make a fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 7 stitches of the row

Row 5. Chain 1 and sc in the first and second stitch. The next stitch is a front post treble crochet (fptr) made around the post of the stitch directly below in row 2. *Sc in each of the next 6 stitches. Make a fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 6 stitches

Row 6. Chain 1 and sc in the first stitch. Sc in the next 2 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 3. *Sc in each of the next 6 stitches. Make a fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 5 stitches

Row 7. Chain 1 and sc in the first stitch. Sc in the next 3 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 4. *Sc in each of the next 6 stitches. Make a fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 4 stitches

Row 8. Chain 1 and sc in the first stitch. Sc in the next 4 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 5. *Sc in each of the next 6 stitches. Make a fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 3 stitches

Row 9. Chain 1 and sc in the first stitch. Sc in the next 5 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 6. *Sc in each of the next 6 stitches. Make a fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 2 stitches

Row 10. Chain 1 and sc in the first stitch. Sc in the next 6 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 7. *Sc in each of the next 6 stitches. Make a fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last stitch.

Repeat rows 4-10 until you have the number of rows that you need for your project. Then you can cut off, weave in your ends and admire your stunning 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 Amostra stitch. I’d love to see what you created. 

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