The Apache Tears crochet stitch is mainly used in large projects, such as throw blankets, bedspreads, and decorative pillows. But you can also use this technique when crocheting items like shawls, scarves, and hats. Just take a look at the winter hat that helped Kiani win Challenge 7 of Haakster 2020.
Apache Tears look their best when you use different colors. You can use just two, or the entire Rainbow palette. By working treble crochets into the front loops of the third row below, you can create all kinds of graphic patterns. When crocheting a flat project, such as a blanket or bedspread, it’s important to crochet each row on the right side of your work. This means you crochet from right to left and fasten off the yarn there. For the next row, you attach a new yarn (color).
Free Apache Tears Crochet Pattern
Time to get started. We're going to make a gauge swatch that can serve as the foundation for your new crocheted accessory. Let's start with the tools & supplies you'll need for the gauge swatch.
Tools & Supplies:
- 1 ball of Stylecraft Special DK in six different colors. We chose 1114 Sunshine, 1711 Spice, 1833 Blush, 1432 Wisteria, 1302 Denim, and 1316 Spring Green
- 4.5 mm Crochet Hook
For the gauge swatch, we cast on 41 stitches and crocheted 28 rows.
Start: Crochet a chain of 41 chain stitches + 1 chain stitch.
Row 1: 41 single crochets, then fasten off.
Rows 2 through 5: Make a chain stitch and work 1 single crochet in the first stitch, 39 single crochets in the back loop, 1 single crochet, and fasten off.
Row 6: Start with a chain stitch and work 1 single crochet in the 1st stitch, 1 single crochet, *1 double crochet in the front loop of Row 4, skip 1 stitch, and work 8 single crochets in the back loop*, repeat from *to* 3 times. Finish with 1 double crochet in the front loop of Row 4, 1 single crochet in the back loop, and 1 single crochet; fasten off.
Row 7: Make a chain loop and work 1 single crochet in the 1st stitch, 2 single crochets, *1 double crochet in the front loop of Row 5, skip 1 stitch, and work 8 single crochets in the back loop*, repeat from *to* 3 times. Finish with 1 double crochet in the front loop of Row 5 and 1 single crochet, then fasten off.
Row 8: Make a chain stitch and work 1 single crochet in the first stitch, 3 single crochets, *1 double crochet in the front loop of row 6, skip 1 stitch, and work 8 single crochets in the back loop*, repeat from *to* 3 times. Finish with 1 single crochet, fasten off.
Row 9: Chain 1 and work 1 single crochet in the first stitch, 4 single crochets, *1 double crochet in the front loop of row 7, skip 1 stitch, and work 8 single crochets in the back loop*, repeat from *to* 2 times. Finish with 1 double crochet in the front loop of Row 7, 7 single crochets in the back loop, and 1 single crochet; fasten off.
Row 10: Start with a chain stitch and work 1 single crochet in the 1st stitch, 5 single crochets, *1 double crochet in the front loop of row 8, skip 1 stitch, and work 8 single crochets in the back loop*, repeat from *to* 2 times. Finish with 1 double crochet in the front loop of Row 8, 6 single crochets in the back loop, and 1 single crochet; fasten off.
Row 11: Start with a chain stitch and work 1 single crochet in the first stitch, 6 single crochets, *1 double crochet in the front loop of row 9, skip 1 stitch, and work 8 single crochets in the back loop*, repeat from *to* 2 times. Finish with 1 double crochet in the front loop of Row 9, 5 single crochets in the back loop, and 1 single crochet; fasten off.
Repeat until you reach your desired height.
Video Tutorial: How to Crochet Apache Tears
Getting Started with Apache Tears
Are you also surprised at how easy it is to crochet Apache Tears? You can make so many beautiful things with them. Take our Yarnplaza Dream Blanket 3.0, for which we’re sharing the pattern with you for free. To perfectly complement this throw blanket, you’ll also find the Dream Pillow and the Baby Dream Blanket 3.0 at Yarnplaza for your little bundle of joy. Of course, you can also let your inner designer run wild and come up with your own pattern using Apache Tears. Once your project is finished, we’d love to see it on our Facebook or Instagram page.
