Add a new stitch to your crochet skills by learning the Catherine’s Wheel stitch. Inspired by the spinning fireworks of the same name, this stunning stitch forms rows of interlocking circular or “wheel” shapes, which you can enhance with various color combinations.

Catherine’s wheel stitch uses basic crochet stitches, but you should be comfortable doing increases (crocheting more than one stitch into a stitch) and decreases (crocheting more than one stitch together).

The signature round shapes of this stitch are created using double crochet half-circles, similar to the shell stitch, along with decreases that form upside-down half-circles.

There are several stitches Catherine’s wheel is often confused with, but they aren’t the same. Among them, Harlequin stitch and starburst stitch both use a similar technique to this one, but the biggest difference is that Catherine’s wheel looks more round or even hexagonal, while the others are more like diamonds. Additionally, there are variations on this stitch that involve fewer using stitches on the half-circles and adding extra rows and fullness.

Notes: This tutorial uses US crochet terms and turning chains count as stitches.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Crochet hook to fit your yarn

Materials

• Medium-weight yarn

Instructions

Start Catherine’s wheel stitch with a multiple of 10 + 7 stitches. You can also begin with a foundation single crochet base for a sturdier start.

1. Row 1Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the book. Single crochet 1. *Skip 3 chains, 7 double crochet in the next chain, skip 3 chains, single crochet in the next 3 stitches. Repeat from * to the last 4 chains. Skip 3 chains, 4 double crochet in the last chain. Turn.If you want to alternate colors, change to your next color now.
2. Row 2Single crochet in the first two stitches. *Chain 3, double crochet 7 together working across the next 7 stitches, chain 3, single crochet 3. Repeat from * to the last 4 stitches. Chain 3, double crochet 4 together working across the last 4 stitches. Turn.

To keep the rounded rows of Catherine’s wheel stitch, use the same color for this row.

Row 3

Chain 3, 3 double crochet in the first stitch. *Skip 3 chains, single crochet in the next 3 stitches, skip 3 chains, 7 double crochet in the chain that closed the double crochet 7 together from the previous row. Repeat from * to the last 5 stitches. Skip 3 chains, single crochet in the last 2 stitches. Turn.

Change to the next color.

Row 4

Chain 3, double crochet 3 together working across the next 3 stitches. *Chain 3, single crochet 3, chain 3, double crochet 7 together working across the next 7 stitches. Repeat from * to the last 2 stitches. Chain 3, single crochet in the last 2 stitches. Turn.

Continue working in the same color.

Row 5

Chain 1, single crochet in the next 2 stitches. *Skip 3 chains, 7 double crochet in the chain that closed the double crochet 7 together from the previous row, skip 3 chains, single crochet in the next 3 stitches. Repeat from * to the last 4 stitches. Skip 3 chains, 4 double crochet in the last stitch. Turn.

Continue in the pattern, repeating rows 2 through 5.

For this sample, there’s a base color (cream) with pastels rows in between and the cream carries along one edge. This creates bold stripes of Catherine’s wheel. You can also use different colors for each set of rows (2 and 3, 4 and 5, etc.) to make a more colorful arrangement of the wheels.

Of course, you can choose to work in any mix of colors and variations of the stripes that you want, including working through your stash of extra yarn.

This stitch is perfect for making blankets, but would also be great for a wide scarf, a purse, a cowl, or even a headband. To finish the edges, you could work a round of single crochet to all the sides or add a shell stitch border to complete the scalloped look!