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The Granny Spike Stitch is a beautiful crochet stitch that combines the familiar look of the classic granny stitch with elongated “spike” double crochet stitches. The result is a textured fabric with a wonderful staggered appearance that looks especially attractive when worked in several colors.
This stitch is an excellent choice for crochet blankets, scarves, baby blankets, cushions, wraps, bags, and home décor projects. It is also a great stitch to try when you want something more interesting than a traditional granny stripe without learning a complicated stitch pattern.
The sample shown here uses a beautiful combination of blue, turquoise, lavender, and white, giving the finished fabric a soft ocean-inspired look.
What Is the Granny Spike Stitch?
The Granny Spike Stitch is based on traditional granny-style groups of double crochet stitches. What makes it different is the spike double crochet worked down into a lower row.
Instead of making all three double crochets in the same chain space, the center stitch is extended downward into the row below. This creates the distinctive vertical “spike” that gives the stitch its name.
The stitch is surprisingly easy once you understand where to insert your hook. After the first couple of rows, the pattern becomes a simple repeat.
The stitch is commonly worked over a starting chain of 4 + 1 stitches, making it easy to adjust the width of a project.
Granny Spike Stitch Pattern Details
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Crochet Terms: US terminology
Pattern Type: Stitch pattern / repeat
Main Stitches: Chain and double crochet
Special Stitch: Double Crochet Spike Stitch
Hook: 5.0 mm crochet hook is suitable for a medium-weight yarn, although the hook size should be adjusted according to your yarn and tension.
Yarn: Medium-weight yarn is a good choice for blankets and scarves.
Colors: Use one color, two colors, or several contrasting colors.
Materials
You will need:
- Medium-weight yarn in your chosen colors
- 5.0 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Measuring tape, if making a project to a specific size
For the colorful effect shown in the sample, try combining shades of royal blue, turquoise, pale blue, lavender, and white.
One of the best features of this stitch is that color changes can completely transform the finished fabric. You can change colors every row, every two rows, or after several rows for different effects. The video tutorial from Pattern Princess demonstrates how changing the color sequence produces noticeably different results.
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | Chain |
| dc | Double crochet |
| st | Stitch |
| sk | Skip |
| sp | Space |
| rep | Repeat |
| yo | Yarn over |
Special Stitch: Double Crochet Spike Stitch
The double crochet spike stitch is the most important part of this pattern.
To make it:
- Yarn over.
- Insert your hook into the indicated stitch or chain space two rows below.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop.
- Complete the double crochet normally.
The spike stitch should extend vertically downward into the lower row. This is what creates the distinctive textured line through the granny-style cluster.
Foundation Chain
For the easiest way to adjust the width, chain a multiple of 4, plus 1 extra chain.
For example:
- 17 chains
- 21 chains
- 25 chains
- 29 chains
- 33 chains
- 37 chains
For a larger blanket, simply continue increasing by four chains.
A 17-chain sample is specifically demonstrated in the Pattern Princess video tutorial.
How to Crochet the Granny Spike Stitch
Row 1
Chain a multiple of 4 plus 1.
Starting in the 5th chain from the hook, work:
3 dc in the same chain.
Then:
Ch 1, skip 3 chains, 3 dc in the next chain.
Repeat this sequence across the row.
When you reach the final section, chain 1, skip the appropriate chains, and work 2 dc in the final chain.
Turn.
Row 1 Repeat
3 dc in 5th ch from hook, [ch 1, sk 3 ch, 3 dc in next ch] across, ending with 2 dc in last ch.
This first row creates the classic granny-style clusters and chain spaces that will be used for the spike stitches.
Row 2
Chain 2 and turn.
The first granny-style group is worked into the chain-1 space.
Work:
1 dc, 1 dc spike stitch, 1 dc
into the next chain-1 space.
Then chain 1.
Repeat across the row.
At the end, work 2 dc in the beginning turning space.
Turn.
The spike double crochet is worked down into the center stitch of the foundation row. This is the point where the characteristic vertical spike begins to appear.
Row 2 Repeat
Ch 2, [1 dc, 1 dc spike, 1 dc] in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat across, ending with 2 dc in beginning turning space.
Row 3
Row 3 is very similar to Row 2.
Chain 2 and turn.
In the next chain-1 space, work:
1 dc, 1 dc spike stitch, 1 dc.
Chain 1.
Continue repeating the same sequence across the row.
Finish with 2 dc in the beginning turning space.
Turn.
From this point onward, the pattern becomes very repetitive, making the Granny Spike Stitch an enjoyable choice for relaxing crochet sessions.
The written instructions from several crochet designers use the same basic construction: granny-style clusters separated by chain spaces with a spike stitch worked into a lower row.
Rows 4 and Onward
Continue repeating the Row 3 pattern until your project reaches the desired length.
Repeat:
Ch 2, [1 dc, 1 dc spike, 1 dc] in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat across, ending with 2 dc in beginning turning space.
The exact number of rows depends on what you are making.
For example:
- Scarf: Continue until the scarf reaches your desired length.
- Baby blanket: Continue until you reach the required dimensions.
- Throw blanket: Keep repeating until the fabric is approximately square or reaches your preferred size.
- Pillow cover: Work until the piece matches the dimensions of your pillow insert.
How to Change Colors
The Granny Spike Stitch looks particularly beautiful when several colors are used.
You can create different effects by changing your yarn:
Change Every Row
Changing color after every row creates narrow horizontal stripes and makes the spike stitches stand out strongly.
Change Every Two Rows
Changing colors every two rows creates wider bands while maintaining a colorful granny-style appearance.
Change Every Four Rows
For a softer, more coordinated look, work several rows in one color before changing to the next.
The original Pattern Princess tutorial specifically demonstrates different color-changing arrangements and shows how the same stitch can look very different depending on the color sequence.
For the sample pictured here, a combination of deep blue, bright blue, turquoise, lavender, light blue, and white gives the stitch a rich, dimensional appearance.
Tips for Clean Color Changes
When changing colors:
- Finish the final stitch of the old color.
- Make the color change neatly at the end of the row.
- Keep your tension consistent.
- Avoid carrying too much unused yarn along the edge.
- Weave in the ends as you go if you are making a large blanket.
If you plan to use many colors, keeping a simple written color sequence can help you maintain an even pattern throughout the project.
How to Make the Granny Spike Stitch Wider or Narrower
The width is easy to customize.
Use a starting chain that follows:
Multiple of 4 + 1
For example:
| Starting Chain | Approximate Use |
|---|---|
| 17 | Small sample |
| 25 | Small scarf or panel |
| 33 | Medium-width project |
| 41 | Wide scarf |
| 81 | Blanket |
| 101 | Large blanket |
The exact finished size will depend on your yarn weight, hook size, and crochet tension.
Before beginning a large project, it is always a good idea to make a small swatch. This lets you check both the stitch appearance and the fabric’s drape.
What Can You Make With Granny Spike Stitch?
There are many possibilities for this stitch.
Crochet Blankets
This is one of the best uses for Granny Spike Stitch. The repetitive rows make it easy to work on a blanket while the spikes add visual interest.
The stitch has also been used for colorful blanket patterns with simple row repeats.
Baby Blankets
Use soft yarn in pastel colors such as:
- Baby blue
- White
- Lavender
- Pale turquoise
- Soft pink
- Cream
The textured surface gives a baby blanket plenty of character without requiring complicated stitch combinations.
Crochet Scarves
A Granny Spike Stitch scarf is a great smaller project for practicing the stitch. Choose two or three coordinating colors for an elegant result, or use a rainbow palette for a bright accessory.
Pillow Covers
The textured stitch can create an attractive decorative pillow cover. Try matching the colors to your home décor.
Crochet Bags
The dense granny-style fabric can also work nicely for tote bags, project bags, and small crochet accessories.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
My Spike Stitches Are Too Short
Make sure you are inserting the hook into the correct lower-row stitch. The spike needs to extend down into the row below.
My Fabric Is Wavy
Check your tension. Too many or too few stitches can also cause the edges to become uneven.
My Edges Are Uneven
Count the stitches and pay particular attention to the first and last stitches of every row. The turning chain and final stitches should be worked consistently.
The Spike Stitches Are Hard to See
Try using contrasting colors. A dark blue row against white or pale blue makes the elongated stitches much easier to see.
My Blanket Is Getting Wider or Narrower
Count your granny groups regularly. Maintaining the same number of chain spaces and clusters in every row will help keep the sides straight.
Granny Spike Stitch Video Tutorial
If you prefer to learn visually, a video tutorial can make the spike stitch much easier to understand.
The tutorial begins with the foundation chain and demonstrates the first row, the spike-stitch row, and color changes. The sample uses 17 stitches, with the width adjusted in multiples of 4 plus 1.
You can also watch a more recent step-by-step tutorial from Hope Corner Farm Crochet, which includes demonstrations of the materials, foundation, individual rows, remaining repeats, and finishing.
Granny Spike Stitch Quick Reference
Foundation: Multiple of 4 + 1
Row 1:
3 dc in 5th ch, ch 1, skip 3, 3 dc in next across, ending with 2 dc.
Row 2:
Ch 2, dc, spike dc, dc in ch-1 space, ch 1 across, ending with 2 dc.
Row 3+:
Repeat Row 2 until the desired length.
Color changes:
Change every row, every 2 rows, or according to your preferred color sequence.
Final Thoughts
The Granny Spike Stitch is a wonderful crochet pattern to add to your stitch collection. It has the familiar simplicity of a granny stitch but adds an extra layer of texture through the elongated spike stitches.
It is especially effective when worked in multiple colors. Blues, turquoise, lavender, and white create a beautiful combination like the sample shown above, but the stitch works equally well with warm autumn shades, neutral tones, rainbow colors, or a simple two-color palette.
Once you understand the first two rows, the rest of the project is mainly repetition. That makes this stitch a great option for relaxing crochet evenings and larger projects such as blankets and throws.
Happy crocheting! 🧶💙
