How to Crochet the Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch

Hey everyone, today I’m sharing how to crochet the Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch and how you can tailor it to fit your own crochet pattern! 

I absolutely love this crochet stitch, it gives your fabric the appearance of lacy diamonds, which is great for gothic crochet patterns.

The original Gothic Crochet Stitch was created by astra.lebedeva2019, who can be found on Instagram. I became very inspired to crochet some sort of lacy crochet pattern with this stitch. However, I discovered what I wanted to use it for…well it just didn’t quite work the way I wanted it to! 

I needed the diamond stitches to be thicker and more chains in between the diamonds. This was to give a more lacy look to my particular project, hence the Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch was born. 

Please note that some of these links may be affiliate links. That means that if you click on these links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. You can find more information about our disclosure policy here. Thank you for your support.

For this crochet stitch pattern, I’m using crochet thread from Hobby Lobby’s Artiste line, specifically in Orchid. The black yarn pictured is Rainbow Cotton from Hobbii. 

I think the black yarn works better for a gothic crochet pattern (for obvious reasons), but it can be pretty difficult to see the stitches in the following tutorial. So, I’ve opted for a lighter color (the Orchid) in order for you to be able to actually see.

Of course, you can use any yarn or hook size that you like, I just really like to crochet lace, so I’m using crochet thread with a 1.65mm crochet hook.

What is the Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch best used for?

I personally crocheted a Gothic Crochet Table Runner with this stitch, which I think looks pretty great (although I’m obviously biased)! 

This stitch would be a good choice to use on scarves, shawls, light weight blankets, veils, market bags…really anything that you can think of that would be great for lace crochet stitches!

What is the repeat formula for the Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch?

The repeat formula for this crochet stitch is 12+6. This means that you will chain a multiple of 12 chains and then add 6 more chains for the turning chain. 

For example: 12 x 3 = 36 chains, then + 6 more chains for the turning chain to = 42 chains.

The turning chain in this pattern counts as a treble crochet and a chain 2. 

What if I want to make a foundation row of single crochets, half double crochets, double crochets, etc.?

Go for it! The following instructions for the Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch work into the chains of your foundation row, however some crocheters may want a foundation row with stitches in it already.

In order to make a foundation row of single crochets, half double crochets, double crochets, treble crochets or whatever tickles your fancy, you’ll need to make sure that the total amount of stitches in that foundation row is a multiple of 12. 

It’s also up to you if you want to count your turning chain or not. If you want to count it…just remember to keep your total stitch count to a multiple of 12.

Related Posts:

Materials Used:

Abbreviations Used:

  • YO – yarn over
  • Ch(s) – chain(s)
  • St(s) – stitch(es)
  • Dc – double crochet
  • Trc – treble crochet

Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch Pattern:

For this swatch, I am going to ch a total of 54 (12 x 4 = 48, + 6 for the turning chain)

Row 1: *YO twice, insert into 9th ch from hook, pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on your hook).

Crochet Stitch That Looks Like Diamonds

Skip a ch, YO insert your hook into next ch, pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops (4 loops on your hook).

YO, skip a ch,  insert your hook into next ch, pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops (5 loops on your hook).

YO, skip a ch, insert your hook into next ch, pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops (6 loops on your hook).

Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch 4

YO, pull through 4 loops, YO and pull through 2 loops, YO and pull through 2 loops again. This is your triangle decrease stitch.

Ch 2, skip 2 chs, trc into next ch, ch 1, dc into the first two “loops” in the leg of the trc you just crocheted (see pic below for placement).

Ch 1, dc into same space, ch 1, dc into same space again, ch 1, dc one more time into the same space (you should have 4 posts separated by 3 ch 1s). This is your triangle increase stitch

Ch 2, skip 2 chs*, repeat from *to* trc into the last ch.

Row 2: Ch 6 (counts as a trc and ch 2), turn, for this row, we will be making triangle decrease stitches on top of the previous row’s triangle increase stitches and vice versa. 

The last stitch from row 1 should have been a triangle decrease stitch, so for row 2, we will begin with a triangle increase stitch. 

If your row 1 ended with a triangle increase, skip to row 3!

Skip the next ch 2 space, make a trc, but place it under the next stitch (not into it as you normally would). I find it helpful to think of this space as the “neck” of the last row’s triangle decrease stitch. Just find a space to insert your hook into the neck and trc there. If you trc into the stitch normally, the diamonds we are trying to create will look off-center (see pic below for placement).

Triangle increase stitch as you did in row 1 (ch 1, dc in the front 2 loops of the trc, ch 1, dc again in the same space).

Ch 2, now we will make a triangle decrease into the next triangle increase.

Make a triangle decrease stitch as we did in row 1, using only the dcs and trc sts and skipping the ch 1 spaces between. 

If crocheted correctly, this will give us our first diamond shape.

Ch 2 and repeat these two stitches with a ch 2 between each triangle increase and decrease.

After the last ch 2, ( you should have 3 chs left), finish your row by skipping 2 chs and trc into the last ch.

Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as a trc and ch 2), turn, the first st below should be a triangle increase stitch, so we will begin with a triangle decrease stitch. Make a decrease stitch as you did in row 1, but use the tr and dcs, while skipping the ch 1’s between. Ch 2, and triangle increase into the next triangle decrease like we did in row 2 (trc into the “neck” of the decrease stitch below, not the actual st). 

There is no difference in this row compared to row 2, other than starting with a different triangle stitch. 

Repeat rows 2-3 

And there you have it! That is the Modified Gothic Crochet Stitch! 

Thank you and I’ll see you next time.

Other Posts You May Like:

Magic Circle VS Chain 2: Which Method is Better in Crochet?

Hello everyone, today we are going to learn the difference between using a magic circle (sometimes called a magic ring) in crochet vs. a chain 2.

If you’ve been crocheting for a while, you might have noticed that some patterns start in the center and grow outward. Those patterns usually use a chain 2 or a magic circle to start. 

Crochet patterns that start from the center and grow out can include projects like blankets, hats, granny squares, doilies, shawls, and especially…amigurumi!

In this post, we’re going to look at the difference between using these two techniques. Which one is better to use? The magic circle or a chain 2?

Related Posts:

Let’s look at the magic circle first.

What is a magic circle?

A magic circle is basically just a modified slipknot. When you make a magic circle, you’ll notice that you have a circle with your crochet hook attached at the top. This is what a magic circle looks like:

You’ll see crochet makers use this for many patterns, and it is most commonly used in amigurumi (doll making using crochet).

Pros of the Magic Circle:

  • It’s easier to work into.
  • Has a less noticeable “center hole.”
  • You can adjust the size of the hole in the center.
  • Makes your work look neater.

Cons of the Magic Circle:

  • More difficult to learn.
  • Some crocheters report the magic circle coming undone more easily if you don’t sew the tail in securely.
  • Does not work well with certain types of yarn (velvet, chenille or anything that likes to split).

What about the Chain 2 Method?

The chain 2 (it can be any number of chains really), is a common way to start crocheting from the center out.

You put your yarn on your hook with a slipknot (like normal), chain 2, and then start crocheting into the first chain you made.

Let’s take a peek at the pros and cons of using this method.

Pros of the Chain 2:

  • Much easier to do, especially as a beginner.
  • Works great for most projects.
  • Some crocheters claim this method is sturdier.

Cons of the Chain 2:

  • Tends to have a more noticeable starting hole.
  • You cannot adjust the size of the starting hole well.
  • Difficult to crochet a large amount of stitches into the starting hole.
  • May leave a “bump” and not look as neat compared to the magic circle.

Now, let me show you the visual differences between the magic circle and the chain 2:

Magic Ring vs Chain 2
Chain 2 vs magic ring

The first picture above shows what a chain 2 with 8 starting double crochets (with a second row of 2 double crochets in each stitch) looks like. I’ve even pulled the tail end of the yarn pretty tight here.  

The second picture shows what the magic circle looks like with 8 starting double crochets (with a second row of 2 double crochets in each stitch).

As you can see, if you’re making a flat circle, they really don’t look that different (in terms of the starting center hole). I think maybe the magic circle looks a little neater, but I’ll leave that up to you to decide.

Now let’s add even more starting stitches and see what happens.

The first picture on the left depicts the chain 2. I’ve placed 18 double crochets into the first chain. You can see that there is a noticeable hole in the center here. I’ve pulled the tail end as tight as I could here too.

The second picture shows the magic circle, which has 18 starting double crochets as well. You can see that the center hole isn’t as noticeable as compared with the chain 2 method.

Okay, but what if you’re making amigurumi? 

Let’s see what happens when you make a sphere shape (a common shape in amigurumi) with the magic circle vs. the chain 2 method.

The first sphere on the left is made with the starting chain 2. I’ve placed 8 single crochet into the center and grew it out from there. As you can see, it looks pretty good!

Now the second sphere on the right is made with the magic circle. Again, I’ve placed 8 single crochet into the circle and created the sphere shape. This method looks pretty good too! 

Both methods look basically the same, however if you’re putting a lot of stitches into the center for a spherical shape, I would choose the magic circle method. This will prevent the big hole in the center.

When making amigurumi, you want your stitches to be tight, and it’s important to make sure the center stays closed so your stuffing doesn’t pop out!

Now let’s see what happens when we make a cone shape. This is another common shape in amigurumi.

Ch 2 or Magic Ring
Ch 2 Cone Side

These two pictures show what a cone shape looks like from the top and the side with the chain 2 method. Again, I think the tip (center hole) looks great.

Magic Circle Cone
Magic Ring Crochet Cone Side

As you can see here, they both look practically the same! Maybe the magic circle looks a little tiddier? But it’s almost impossible to tell. 

Magic circle vs.  chain 2 in crochet: which one is better to use?

So now that you know the differences between using a magic circle vs. a chain 2 in crochet, which one is better to use?

Well…to put it simply, it’s up to you and what your pattern is supposed to look like.

Both methods are completely valid to use.

If it were up to me, I would use whichever method is going to make you less frustrated.

Remember, crochet is supposed to be fun! 

I personally like to use the magic circle over the chain method, but I understand why someone wouldn’t want to use it. It can be tricky to get down! I just think it’s easier to crochet into since the starting circle doens’t get any bigger.

So to recap, the magic circle and chain 2 method look basically the same for most patterns, but there are instances where one may be preferred over the other.

The magic circle can be difficult to learn, but looks a little neater. 

The chain 2 method is much easier, but may cause unwanted center holes.

The magic circle is used for amigurumi to get a tight center, however, if you use the chain 2 and pull the tail end tight enough, it can work too.

Ultimately it’s up to you to decide what’s going to cause you the least amount of grief to get your crochet project up and going!

Which method do you prefer? Feel free to comment below!

Thanks and I hope this post helped you figure out the differences between the Magic Circle and the Chain 2 in crochet!

Other Posts You May Like:

What to Crochet When Sad: 18 Ideas to Brighten Up Your Mood

Hello everyone! Today, I’ve got a list of What to Crochet When Sad. These crochet ideas can be a mood lifter when life gets a bit challenging. We all face ups and downs—whether it’s a tough break-up, the loss of a loved one (human or furry), or just the everyday struggles that can leave us feeling low.

But here’s the good news: crochet has a magical way of boosting our spirits! If you’re curious about the therapeutic benefits of crochet, you can check out my previous post, Therapeutic Benefits of Crochet. In the meantime, let’s explore what you can crochet when those gloomy days come around.

When you’re feeling down, it’s normal to lack the mental energy to decide on a crochet project. There are so many patterns out there, and it can be overwhelming! That’s where I come in—I’m here to help. I hope this list sparks some inspiration and helps you crochet something that brings a bit of sunshine back into your days!

Please note that some of these links may be affiliate links. That means that if you click on these links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. You can find more information about our disclosure policy here. Thank you for your support.

Related Posts:

#1 Comforting Blanket

Crochet a cozy, oversized blanket in your favorite colors (or pick colors that represents how you’re feeling). You can use any type of yarn you wish, but choosing a soft, chunky yarn will work up faster and feel better on the skin. 

Experiment with different types of stitches. You can go for the tried and true single crochet, or try more intricate stitch patterns. Pick something that aligns with your skill level to avoid unnecessary frustration. 

Consider adding a border to help frame the blanket and make it look complete.

#2 Amigurumi Friends

Consider crocheting cute, stuffed animals, plants, or dolls to keep you company.

Give your amigurumi buddies different colors to represent their unique personalities. Add small details, such as embroidered faces or accessories to personalize your friends.

#3 Mug Cozy/Coasters

Make crochet mug cozies/coasters to give your favorite drinks a hug. Select a pattern that matches your style, whether it’s a textured stitch or a cute design. You can adjust the cozy/coaster to fit your mug by adjusting the number of stitches in the pattern. Sip and enjoy!

#4 Crochet Cowl/Scarf

Crochet a stylish accessory to keep you warm and snug. Use a variety of stitch patterns, such as cables, or a ribbed design. Try stitches that help thicken up your scarf for added warmth. You could even make a matching set with a coordinating hat or gloves.

#5 Crochet Positive Affirmation Banner

Crochet banners that have uplifting words or phrases to decorate your space. You can try making small, individual flags that spell out uplifting words or phrases. Experiment with different font styles with your stitches. You could hang them on a string or sew the flags together to form a longer banner.

Check out Stitch Fiddle to help map out your own crochet positive affirmation banner.

#6 Crochet a Pillow to Hug

Crochet a soft, huggable pillow for moments when you need comfort. Crochet a square or a rectangular pillow, using bulky, velvet yarn for the best huggable feel.

There are many different stitch and color designs for crochet pillows. You can even use Stitch Fiddle to help design your very own.

Related Posts:

#7 Aromatherapy Sachet

Make small sachets that you can fill with calming herbs to help you relax. Crochet the pouches using lace or a mesh stitch for breathability.

Fill the pouches with dried lavender or another calming herb of your choice. Consider attaching a loop to hang the sachets where needed or simply place them in drawers and closets.

#8 Crochet a Blanket/Toy/Accessory for Your Pet

Crochet something special for your furry, scaly, or feathery friend to enjoy. Choose a durable, washable yarn for pet-friendly crochet patterns. You can experiment with different shapes or sizes for pet toys. Crochet a blanket or a sweater in colors that suite your pet to help them stay warm and comfy.

#9 Soothing Eye Mask

Crochet an eye mask to help get the rest you need. Use soft and breathable yarn since the fabric will be touching your skin.

Feels Like Butta Yarn from Lion Brand has the softest, squishiest yarn to crochet an eye mask in my opinion!

Add a strap with a button or a tie to help secure and adjust the fit as needed. Consider adding an extra layer of fabric to really help block out the light.

#10 Gentle Baby Blanket

Crochet a baby blanket to give a little one warmth and comfort. Use soft yarn with a pastel color palette. Gift your blanket to a family member or friend.

If you don’t know anyone expecting, consider donating your baby blanket to your local hospital or women’s shelter.

#11 Rainbow Wall Hanging

Brighten up your space with a colorful and uplifting wall hanging. Choose your favorite yarn colors to crochet a cheerful rainbow.

There are different crochet patterns out there to achieve a rainbow wall hanging. You can go for the tapestry crochet technique, color block, or crochet a rainbow in a semicircle, switching colors as you go.

Add fringe or tassels to the bottom for a playful touch.

#12 Bookmarks

Crochet an elegant bookmark for your favorite books. Experiment with various shapes, such as the classic rectangle, hearts, or even funny little characters. Incorporate lace or openwork stitches for a delicate feel.

You can try my Grim Reader Crochet Skull Bookmark or the Blissful Crochet Bookmark pattern to mark the book you’re reading.

#13 Gratitude Jar Cozy

One thing to crochet when you’re sad is a gratitude jar cozy. It might seem silly to do for yourself, but sometimes you gotta be the one cheering yourself on, especially if no one else is.

Decorate a glass jar with a crochet cozy for daily gratitude notes. Make sure it fits snugly around your jar. Use cable or shell stitches to add a little visual appeal.

#14 Crochet Socks/Slippers

Crochet cozy slippers or socks to keep your feet warm and snug. Choose a soft, breathable yarn.

Use different stitch patterns, such as ribbing for the cuffs and a different textured stitch for the foot.

Go the extra mile and add pom-poms, buttons or be silly and add contrasting colors for the toes or heel.

#15 Stress Ball Covers

We all feel stress, but you might feel more so when sad. Consider crocheting a stress ball cover with durable and stretchy yarn.

Use tight stitches or tighten your tension when making your ball. Add an embellishment like a crochet applique of your choice to give your stress ball a personal touch. Use different colorways for variety.

#16 Mindful Yoga Mat Bag

Crochet a bag that can hold your yoga mat, that way you can easily carry it with you wherever you go. Stretching and yoga may make your body feel better when you’re a little down.

#17 Calm Corner Basket

Crochet a sturdy basket to hold your favorite self care items in a relaxation corner of your home. Fill it with items like candles, a journal, your favorite skin products, or snacks.

Consider crochet handles to easily transport your basket around as needed. Don’t know what sort of yarn to use for your basket? My post on 7 Best Yarns for Crochet Baskets will help!

#18 Journal Cover

Lastly, crochet a cover for a journal or diary. Add a crochet pocket of pens or small notes you want to keep. Use textured stitches or add your own personalized touch with a crochet applique that reflects you.

I hope you enjoyed this list of What to Crochet When Sad: 18 Ideas to Brighten Up Your Mood. Remember, when life gives you lemons, crochet a basket for them!

While these crochet ideas might not entirely dispel your sadness, they can offer a creative and comforting outlet. It’s important to take care of yourself during challenging times. Get some rest, stay hydrated, engage in regular exercise, and consider taking your crochet project outdoors to bask in the sun.

Take small steps each day, and don’t forget that it’s okay not to be okay. Your well-being is the priority! 💕

Other Posts You May Like:

11 Crochet Stitches That Look Like Leaves

Hello everyone! Today I have a list of 11 Crochet Stitches that Look Like Leaves for you! 

I’ve been wanting to start planting seeds in my garden soon and was inspired to find ways to incorporate a little nature into my crochet projects.

This list of crochet leaf stitches will not include patterns of leaves themselves, but rather combinations of crochet stitches that work up to make the appearance of a leaf…if that makes sense! 

Please note that some of these links may be affiliate links. That means that if you click on these links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. You can find more information about our disclosure policy here. Thank you for your support.

Feel free to use whatever yarn and crochet hook fits your needs. For these crochet leaves, I’m using white and natural colored thread from Red Heart, Snow Pea, and Green from Hobby Lobby’s Artiste Line

I’ve personally crocheted each of these leaf patterns and I’m certain you will enjoy them too! Ok, let’s jump into this wonderful list of 11 Crochet Stitches that Look Like Leaves!

Related Posts:

#1 Lacy Leaves Crochet Stitch

Learn the Lacy Leaves Crochet Stitch here.

The Lacy Leaves Crochet Stitch is a chart only pattern with a leaf divided into a few other leaflets. The leaves are surrounded by a frame of 3 double crochet shells. 

#2 Crochet Leaf Stitch

Learn the Crochet Leaf Stitch here.

The Crochet Leaf Stitch from MyPicot, is a repeating, zig zag pattern that boasts a simple, undivided leaf. This stitch is made by increasing on the sides of the leaf until you reach the designated amount of stitches, then decreasing until you make the tip of the leaf. All of the leaves are separated by a chain 2, giving the leaves a little bit of a lacy look. 

#3 Leaf Stitch

Learn the Leaf Stitch here.

The Leaf Stitch is another crochet stitch that looks like a leaf by MyPicot. This stitch works up in 7 rows and then repeats itself. With the leaf stitch, you’ll create a base (stem) for the leaf, and then create puff stitches into the base to create the leaf-like look. 

#4 Turkish Leaf Stitch

Learn the Turkish Leaf Stitch here.

I actually don’t know what the name of this leaf stitch pattern is called, however, when clicking on the link above, the pattern is from a Turkish website, so that’s what I’m going with! This crochet leaf stitch is a chart only pattern, there are no written instructions that I can find. I love how this leaf works up, especially with the lacy chains and the shells that make it appear like there are strips in the work. 

#5 Oak Leaf Crochet Stitch

Learn the Oak Leaf Crochet Stitch here.

This is another lacy crochet stitch that resembles a leaf from an oak tree. The oak leaves are created by building up on double crochets from the base, and then creating the rounded leaf edges by dc3tog, chaining 2, and then double crocheting into the same stitch as the 3rd double crochet in the dc3tog. The leaves are then surrounded by a pretty, 3 double crochet cluster border in a diamond shape. 

#6 Easy Crochet Leaf Stitch Pattern

Learn the Easy Crochet Leaf Stitch Pattern here.

The Easy Crochet Leaf Stitch Pattern by CrochetBeja is a textured crochet stitch that looks like a simple leaf.

I love the way this stitch works up, and it gets easier once you understand what is happening in the pattern, but her blog is in Spanish, and her tutorial video is in Spanish as well. So unless you can understand Spanish, you might have a little trouble!

I don’t speak the language, but I was able to follow along with her video by slowing the playback speed down. She has a chart that is available as well, but in my opinion, it doesn’t make a lot of sense until you work a few rows in her video.

You’ll be utilizing front post and back post double crochets in this pattern, which give the crochet leaf the appearance of “popping” out of the fabric. 

#7 Big Lacy Leaf Stitch

Click to learn the Big Lacy Leaf Stitch here.

The Big Lacy Leaf Stitch is a chart only pattern that depicts large leaves separated by long chains. In this pattern you’ll be performing many yarn overs to create the body of the leaves. This crochet pattern has arrows pointing in the correct direction to help you read the chart.

#8 Twig Stitch 

Click to learn the Twig Stitch here.

The Twig Stitch is a crochet stitch with leaves that are joined at the top by the next leaf to the left and right. This stitch is similar to #2 in this list, but is not in an offset zigzag pattern. This is a very pretty lacy leaf stitch, however the video that is available is in Spanish. Again, if you do not speak the language, I suggest slowing down the playback speed in order to follow along.

#9 Extreme Drop Leaf Stitch

Click to learn the Extreme Drop Leaf Stitch here.

The Extreme Drop Leaf Stitch by Nana’s Crafty Home, is a textured, compound leaf stitch. This crochet stitch works the best when using two different yarn colors, so that the leaves can stand out. To create the leaves, you’ll be crocheting ch 1 spaces in the 4 rows leading up to the leaf row, and then creating puff stitches in those spaces. It can be tricky pulling your hook through all the loops at once on the leaves, so I suggest pulling up loops loosely if needed.

#10 Beautiful Crochet Leaves Stitch

Click to learn the Beautiful Crochet Leaves Stitch here.

This is a crochet stitch that looks like a lacy, lattice filled with leaves. This is a video tutorial, so slow down the playback speed if needed. The video creator has placed how many chains you need in the video, which is nice so you’re not counting the amount of times they chain! This is the perfect stitch for any lacework pattern you’d like to create.

#11 Small Talk Shawl

Click to learn the Small Talk Shawl here.

The Small Talk Shawl, by Cheri McEwen, displays drooping, lacy, crochet leaves in a half drop repeating pattern. If you’re not interested in crocheting a shawl, after you learn how to make her leaves, you can take the leaf pattern and design your own type of fabric if you wish. I really like her crochet leaf pattern, she uses an interesting decrease technique that makes the leaf appear more open and airy.

I hope you enjoyed this list of 11 Crochet Stitches that Look Like Leaves! I know that whatever you crochet, it’ll look great with these beautiful leaves. Remember, that crochet is all about creativity and personal flair, so feel free to experiment with different colors, yarn weights, and hook sizes. 

Happy crocheting! Until next time!

Other Posts You May Like: