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    Home » Stitch Tutorials

    Updated: Jan 31, 2024 by Jess Coppom ·

    Video Tutorial: How to Crochet the Side Saddle Stitch

    143.5K shares

    The side saddle crochet stitch has a lovely, repetitive look that is both airy and substantial at the same time. Check out this video tutorial to learn how to do it step-by-step!

    A crochet pattern made using Side Saddle stitch with a crochet hook and yarn skein.

     This post contains affiliate links.

    Jump to:
    • Modern Side Saddle Crochet
    • Side Saddle Stitch Video Tutorial
    • Side Saddle Stitch Written Instructions
    • How to Start Side Saddle Crochet
    • Final Thoughts
    • Side Saddle Stitch FAQs
    • That was so fun! Now what?
    • Invitation to our Facebook group
    • How to Crochet a Side Saddle Stitch

    Modern Side Saddle Crochet

    I’ve been attempting to learn new interesting crochet stitches lately and this is one that is definitely worth taking the time to figure out.

    The side saddle crochet stitch combines single crochets, double crochets and chains, yet it looks so unique. It has a beautiful, geometric pattern when viewed straight on, but the texture that appears from the side angle is what I really love.

    An in-progress pattern using the Side Saddle crochet stitch with a hook.

    I will say that at first, the side saddle crochet stitch requires a bit of concentration. The repeat pattern is not quite as straightforward as the Suzette stitch or the moss stitch, but I explain the “logic” of the repetition in the video, so hopefully once you internalize that, you’ll be able to repeat it with no problem.

    The finished crochet pattern using the Side Saddle crochet stitch.

    I originally found the side saddle stitch in the book “Basic Crochet Stitches*,” which has become a fantastic resource when I’m looking for just the right stitch for a project.

    I love it because it includes both written instructions and stitch charts so you can reference whichever works for you. I show you a bit of the book in this tutorial video as well.

    (The book calls this stitch “sidesaddle cluster stitch”, but I’ve also seen people call it the “side saddle stitch.”)

    Related: Design Your Own Project with These Easy Blanket Stitches

    A pink crochet pattern created using Side Saddle crochet with a hook and a potted plant.
    An in-progress pattern made with Side Saddle crochet cluster stitches with a hook, yarn skein.

    Related: 27+ Best Crochet Hat Patterns for Winter

    Side Saddle Stitch Video Tutorial

    Learn how to crochet the side saddle stitch in this beginner video tutorial.

    Side Saddle Stitch Written Instructions

    If you prefer learning from written crochet instructions, here’s how to work the side saddle stitch.

    Abbreviations – US terms

    ch – chain
    sc – single crochet
    dc – double crochet
    sk – skip
    dctog – double crochet together
    cluster = dc4tog

    How to Start Side Saddle Crochet

    This stitch is worked in multiples of 5 + 1 (add 1 more for base chain).

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    Row Repeat

    Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from the hook, *3 ch, dc4tog over next 4 ch, 1 ch, 1 sc into next ch; rep from * to end; turn.

    Row 2: 5 ch, 1 sc into first cluster, *3 ch, dc4tog all into next ch 3 gap, 1 ch, 1 sc into next cluster; rep from * ending with 3 ch, dc4tog all into the ch 3 gap, 1 dc into last sc, sk turning chain; turn.

    Row 3: 1 ch, sk 1 st, 1 sc into next cluster, *3 ch, dc4tog into next ch 3 gap, 1 ch, 1 sc into next cluster; rep from * ending last rep with 1 sc into turning chain; turn.

    Repeat row 2 and 3.

    A crochet pattern using the side saddle cluster crochet stitch with a plant above it.

    Final Thoughts

    The side saddle stitch is a drapey crochet stitch that creates a textured yet flexible fabric.

    Whether you’re designing a baby blanket, vest, washcloth, or even a sweater, this is an excellent stitch to add to your repertoire.

    Side Saddle Stitch FAQs

    If you still have questions about the side saddle stitch, read on to find the answers you need.

    How strong is the side saddle stitch?

    The side saddle stitch is flexible but fairly sturdy, making it a strong stitch. It does have gaps between clusters, so if you’re making a bag that will need to hold small items, you may need to choose a denser stitch or add fabric lining to the inside of your bag.

    Does the side saddle stitch use a lot of yarn?

    Like a lot of textured crochet stitches, the side saddle cluster stitch uses more yarn than airier, more open stitches. Your pattern should tell you how much yarn you’ll need to finish your project.

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    More Crochet Stitch Tutorials

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    That was so fun! Now what?

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    • Leave a comment: Say hello and share your feedback below.

    Invitation to our Facebook group

    Come discuss using the side saddle stitch and lots of other projects and techniques in our Make & Do Crew Facebook group. Here thousands of helpful crocheters answer each other’s questions and share their stitches. Come join us here.

    The sidesaddle cluster crochet stitch has a lovely, repetitive look that is both airy and substantial at the same time. Check out this video tutorial to learn how to do it step-by-step!
    5 from 1 vote
    Pin For Later

    How to Crochet a Side Saddle Stitch

    The side saddle crochet stitch has a lovely, repetitive look that is both airy and substantial at the same time.
    Gauge: na
    Measurements/Sizes: na
    Approx Time (varies by skill level): 5 hours hrs
    Yarn Cost: $2-4
    Author: Jess Coppom

    Materials

    Yarn

    • Any yarn

    Other Supplies

    • Crochet hook

    Abbreviations + Glossary (US Terms)

    • ch – chain
    • sc – single crochet
    • dc – double crochet
    • sk – skip
    • dctog – double crochet together
    • cluster = dc4tog

    Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):

    Want some company while you crochet?

    Get support (and camaraderie!) in the Make & Do Crochet Crew Facebook Group. Search “Make and Do Crochet Crew” on Facebook.com.

    Permissions + Copyright

    Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this page. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos.

    Overall Pattern Notes

    Instructions

    How to Crochet a Side Saddle Stitch

    • This stitch is worked in multiples of 5 + 1 (add 1 more for base chain).
    • Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from the hook, *3 ch, dc4tog over next 4 ch, 1 ch, 1 sc into next ch; rep from * to end; turn.
    • Row 2: 5 ch, 1 sc into first cluster, *3 ch, dc4tog all into next ch 3 gap, 1 ch, 1 sc into next cluster; rep from * ending with 3 ch, dc4tog all into the ch 3 gap, 1 dc into last sc, sk turning chain; turn.
    • Row 3: 1 ch, sk 1 st, 1 sc into next cluster, *3 ch, dc4tog into next ch 3 gap, 1 ch, 1 sc into next cluster; rep from * ending last rep with 1 sc into turning chain; turn.
    • Repeat row 2 and 3.

    Overall Pattern Notes

    Scroll up on the page for the step-by-step video tutorial.

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    143.5K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Helen says

      November 09, 2017 at 5:17 am

      In the video, she does yarn under instead of yarn over. Does this matter?

      Reply
    2. Phyllis Morelli-Baumach says

      February 02, 2017 at 8:34 pm

      Do you think this would work with a multicolor yarn? I love this pattern , I used it for a white afghan. Thank you

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        February 08, 2017 at 10:54 pm

        Oh yes! I think it would be beautiful in a multicolor yarn. I bet it’ll be a totally different look than your white afghan. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Cat says

      January 24, 2017 at 10:57 am

      Loved this pattern. Thank you! Just a small note, I noticed a small error in the written pattern. On row two, the chain 1 just before the last DC at the end of row is missing.

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        January 26, 2017 at 12:42 am

        Thanks so much for pointing that out, Cat! I’ll correct the written pattern right now. I appreciate your eagle eyes!

        Reply
    4. Kim says

      January 07, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      Hello,

      Can you please tell me how I can get the book?

      Thanks much!!

      Reply
      • Cindy says

        May 07, 2017 at 12:29 pm

        Will it eventually be available in ebook format (particularly for Kindle)? Thank you!

        Reply
        • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

          May 11, 2017 at 2:19 pm

          Hmm. I hadn’t thought of that, Cindy. What would you like to have in an eBook format? Specific tutorials? Patterns? I’d love to know.

          Thanks for opening my eyes to a new possibility for how I could share my patterns and tutorials!

          Jess

    5. Deana says

      January 04, 2017 at 1:20 pm

      My great grandmother made an adult size afghan for my mother with this stitch (I’ve been looking for it for YEARS) and I’m thinking of making her a new one for her birthday- do you have any idea how much yarn would be needed? I just really want to make sure I get enough- but don’t want to drown in extra.

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        January 18, 2017 at 8:53 pm

        Hmm. Well, how big would you want it to be? If you want a throw-sized afghan (as in, not a whole bedspread), I’d buy somewhere around 1500-2000 yards assuming you’re using worsted weight yarn. That’s just a rough guess. 🙂

        Reply
        • Patricia June says

          February 14, 2018 at 11:31 am

          I you buy your yarn at Hobby Lobby, there’s no problem in taking back extra skeins you haven’t used.

    6. Gayle says

      October 28, 2016 at 10:52 am

      I would like to make a blanket for a new baby. Can you help with how many base chain stitches

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        November 03, 2016 at 3:02 pm

        Hey Gayle,

        For this stitch, you’ll want to start with multiples of 5 stitches and then add 2 to that number. So it depends on the size you want and the thickness of your yarn, etc, but you can just chain any number of stitches that fit that criteria. (So like, 37, 52, 67, etc).

        Does that make sense?

        I’d love to see your blanket when you finish! I think this will be a lovely stitch for a baby.

        Reply
    7. Selebgram says

      September 01, 2016 at 8:19 pm

      Always loved it 🙂

      Reply
    8. Claire says

      August 21, 2016 at 10:04 am

      Thank you so much for sharing these simple crochet stitches that look so beautiful,. I will certainly do both the Suzette stitch and the Side saddle stitch. I am really looking forward to my finish project to see how gorgeous it is to the non crocheter and to myself.

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        August 23, 2016 at 11:50 pm

        It’s my pleasure, Claire. Thank you for your kind words. It’s so fun to learn a new stitch isn’t it? I love how different crochet can look depending on the combo of stitches you use.

        Happy crocheting!

        Jess

        Reply
    9. Tracey says

      August 20, 2016 at 9:52 am

      Hi, what yarn are you using? I love the colour! How many skeins did you use for the blanket?

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        August 23, 2016 at 11:54 pm

        Hey Tracey,

        The yarn is “I Love This Yarn” from Hobby Lobby. I think the color is called light peach. I am actually doing a sampler blanket with different colors and stitches, so I’m not quite sure on the amount yet. I do love this yarn though because it’s really affordable, soft and easy to work with.

        Hope that helps!

        Jess

        Reply
    10. Elaine says

      August 18, 2016 at 3:12 pm

      Why are the edges different on the side saddle stitch?,

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        August 18, 2016 at 3:13 pm

        Hey Elaine,

        That’s how the pattern has to work in order to be reversed on the next row. I explain more about it in the video 🙂

        Jess

        Reply
        • Maria says

          February 13, 2021 at 8:56 am

          What kind of border do you recommend for the side saddle pattern? I’m trying to make a baby blanket.

      • Cat says

        January 24, 2017 at 10:59 am

        You need to chain 1 at the end of row two (just before the last DC)

        Reply
    11. Jen Bruck says

      August 15, 2016 at 5:39 pm

      So to make this into an afghan I am using multiples of 5 plus 1, correct? How many stitches did you do for your base chain for the example afghan?

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        August 19, 2016 at 10:04 pm

        Hey Jen,

        So you’ll want to do multiples of 5 + 1 and then + 1 more for the base chain. (So an example in the video is 15 + 1 + 1 = base chain.)

        My afghan (which is pretty small because it’s for my 3-year-old) is 122 stitches across for the base chain.

        Hope that is helpful!

        Jess

        Reply
        • Peck Barbara E says

          May 07, 2017 at 5:53 pm

          Thanks for all the instructions. What kind of yarn and needle did you use? Love the color!!!

        • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

          May 11, 2017 at 2:17 pm

          Hey Barbara,

          I used “I Love This Yarn” from Hobby Lobby for this tutorial. I think the hook was a size J, but I can’t quite remember. If you look at the label on the back of the yarn, you can see a suggested hook size and I’m pretty sure that’s what I used. 🙂

          Happy crocheting!

          Jess

    12. Joan Tisdell says

      August 13, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      Thanks so much for an easy to follow informative tutorial! A pattern for a tee jumper for adults using this side saddle stitch and 4 ply yarn would finish things off nicely!

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        August 18, 2016 at 3:19 pm

        I agree! That’s a great idea, Joan. I’m happy your found the tutorial helpful!

        Reply
        • Joan Steuer says

          April 07, 2017 at 8:39 pm

          Where can I find the video instructions for the side saddle please?

        • Joan Steuer says

          April 07, 2017 at 8:41 pm

          Where do I find the “moderation”?

        • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

          April 07, 2017 at 9:19 pm

          Hey Joan!

          The video is above this comment area. The written instructions for the side saddle stitch can be found right below that. Is that what you’re asking about?

          🙂
          Jess

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