Learn the Crochet Cross Stitch, Plus a Free Pattern!

The crochet cross stitch isn’t one you hear a lot about. This underrated little stitch adds a fun dimension to your single crochet projects, and it’s beginner friendly to boot! In fact, I think it’s great practice to learn how a simple change in movement can alter a stitch.

That’s one of the things I love about crochet. There are so many ways to tweak even the most basic stitch or technique to create something new.

A photo of two ice cream cozies made with crochet cross stitch on a tan granite kitchen counter.  On the left a pint of ice cream sits inside a teal ice cream cozy with a rosebud motif cross stitched on it.  On the right, an empty bright yellow ice cream cozy with teal cross stitch band.
Ice Cream Cozies

When I decided to write the ice cream cozy pattern I wanted to keep it fairly simple for beginners, but add a little interest for those more experienced. Plus, it’s a quick project that’s great for gifts or markets. You can even take it up a notch by adding an actual cross-stitch design!

So let’s take a look at how to crochet the cross stitch, and then we’ll move on to the fun stuff…the free ice cream cozy pattern! You’ll also find helpful video tutorial for the stitch at the bottom of this post.

Crochet Cross Stitch

One important note before we start! The cross stitch must be worked in the round to get the full effect. It’s perfect for hats, cowls, and you guessed it…ice cream cozies.

This stitch itself is simply a single crochet. The trick is in the way you yarn over. Actually…you yarn under.

Begin with any number of chains. Join in the first chain with a slip stitch. Chain 1.

Insert your hook in the same stitch as joining. Wrap the yarn under your hook (yarn under), and draw up a loop.

Next, wrap the yarn over your hook (yarn over), and draw through both loops.

That’s it! Repeat the above steps in each chain until you reach the end of the round. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first stitch, and chain 1. Do not turn your work. Continue until your piece reaches the desired length.

Ice Cream Cozy Pattern

Two empty ice cream cozies made with crochet cross stitch.

Materials

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Abbreviations

This tutorial uses US crochet terms

  • Repeat: rep
  • Chain: ch
  • Stitch(es): st(s)
  • Slip stitch: sl st
  • Cross Stitch: cr st
  • Cross stitch in third loop: Cr st in 3rd lp
  • Half double crochet: hdc
  • Half double crochet in third loop: hdc in 3rd lp (Find the tutorial here.)

Not ready to make it just yet? Pin it for later!

Pattern

Begin with a magic loop. Alternatively, chain 3, sl st to first ch to join.

Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch now and throughout). Work 10 hdc into the loop, sl st to 1st st to join. (10 hdc)

Round 2: Ch 2. 2 hdc in each st around. Sl st to first st to join. (20 hdc)

Round 3: Ch 2. *Hdc in first st, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * around. Sl st to first st to join. (30 hdc)

Round 4: Ch 2. Hdc in next two sts, 2 hdc in next st. Rep from * around. Sl st to first st to join. (40 hdc)

Your circle should measure about 3.5″ wide at this point.

Round 5: Ch 1. Cr st in 3rd lp in each st around. Sl st to first st to join. (40 cr st)

Round 6-14: Ch 1. Cr st in each st around. Sl st to first st to join. (40 cr st)

Round 15: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to first st to join. (40 hdc)

Round 16: Ch 2. Hdc in 3rd lp of each st around. Sl st to first st to join. (40 hdc)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Cross Stitch Customization

Your crochet cross stitch masterpiece is the perfect canvas to actually cross stitch on! Have fun and make it your own.

For the yellow cozy I cross stitched over every other stitch in rounds 9 and 10. All yarn is Brava Worsted in colors Canary and Tide Pool.

For the teal cozy I created a handy stitch chart. All yarn is Brava Worsted. The main color is Tidepool and the rosebud motif was made using colors Fairy Tale, Lady Slipper, Blush, and Pea Pod.

Crochet Cross Stitch Video Tutorial

I hope you enjoyed learning to crochet the cross stitch…and then cross stitching on your crochet! Drop me a comment and let me know what you made!

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