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This is a free tutorial for the Apache Tears crochet stitch. The tutorial covers how to make the stitch in the round and flat.
The name for this stitch is so distinct and descriptive. It could have been “long, staggered lines” or even just “tears stitch,” but it’s not. So I wondered how this beautiful stitch got its name.
If you were to Google the term “Apache Tears,” you would find that it’s associated with a rounded pebble of obsidian or dark-colored natural volcanic glass. They are used throughout as healing crystals for grief and to provide protection.
The name for Apache Tears comes from the legend that in full is rather quite sad. Thus, I will only recite the part that is applicable to the stones themselves. It is said that when grieving Apache women who lost their loved ones in a raid cried, their tears fell to the ground and formed black obsidian. All this is to say that I have no idea how this crochet stitch got it’s name. However, I love learning lore so I’d consider this a win for all!
If you are wanting to use this stitch for some of your crochet projects, please read on below to find out how it’s done.
Have you ever seen or made this beautiful stitch called Apache Tears? It is so pretty and can be used for some many different things, such as blankets, scarves and even hats.
Here, I will show you step by step how to crochet this fantastic stitch pattern. I have many photos, plus videos included that will help you master this Apache Tears stitch pattern in no time.
It is very easy and can be made even by a beginner. All you need to know is how to crochet the basic stitches such as single crochet and treble crochet. You will also need to know how to crochet into the back loop only and possibly how to do the chainless single crochet foundation chain, although you can substitute that chain with normal chains and 1 row of single crochets.
I broke up this tutorial into 2 parts: The first part will show you how to make the Apache Tears in a round and the second part will demonstrate how to make it flat.
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Each part will come with its own video, however, included how to decrease and increase this stitch in the first part (made in a round), as you might not need that if you are making a blanket which is flat. However, the concept is the same regardless whether you do it in a round or flat.
The Apache Tears stitch pattern can be made with any multiple that you like. It is always a certain number of single crochets, which in my case is 4, plus 1 treble crochet as the tear. Also you can of course choose any color combination at any time. I chose 3 colors which are green, red and white.
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So, let’s get started with the Apache Tears stitch pattern made in a round.
Apache Tears made in a Round
1. Make a single crochet chainless foundation chain or a chain of a multiple of 5 (or any other number, as the formula is number of single crochets plus 1 treble crochet) and one row of single crochets. Then connect it to make a circle by slip stitching into the first stitch. Next, make a chain of 1 and crochet 2 more rounds of SINGLE CROCHETS (sc) in the BACK LOOP ONLY (BLO). Always slip stitch to the first stitch.
2. Here I change the color of yarn to red. Ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO in the first 4 stitches, then crochet 1 tr down 3 rounds into the skipped front loop, skip 1 stitch (behind the tr) and repeat making 4 sc’s in the BLO and 1 tr down 3 rounds until the end of the round, then sl st to the first stitch.
3. Ch 1, *1 tr 3 rounds down, sk 1 st, 4 sc in the BLO, repeat from *, sl st to the first st
4. Ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO, *1 tr 3 rounds down, sk 1 st, 4 sc in the BLO, repeat from *, the last 3 stitches are sc’s in the BLO, sl st to the first st
5. Now, I changed the color to white. Ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 2 stitches, *1 tr 3 rounds down, sk 1 st, 4 sc in the BLO, repeat from *, until the last 2 stitches which are 2 sc’s in the BLO, sl st to the first st
6. Ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 3 stitches, *1 tr 3 rounds down, sk 1 st, 4 sc in the BLO, repeat from *, until the last 3 stitches which are 3 sc’s in the BLO, sl st to the first st
7. Ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 4 stitches, *1 tr 3 rounds down, sk 1 st, 4 sc in the BLO, repeat from *, sl st to the first st
8. Repeat steps 3 through 7 until you reached the desired height.
Below you will see a step by step tutorial on the Apache Tears made in a round.
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How to decrease or increase with the Apache Tears
I show and talk about how to decrease and increase in the video above (made in round), but this technique works for both the round and the flat version of this stitch. You pretty much do the same as you would when you have just single crochets, which means you combine 2 sc’s when making a sc dec and you place 2 sc’s in the same stitch when you try to do a sc inc.
That’s it, it is not more to it. In fact you could even place the Apache Tears (the treble crochet) any where you like in the sequence to create some effects such as a zig zag or making names or objects like some crocheters do with the bobble stitch.
Let’s talk about how to make this stitch in a flat version.
Apache Tears made Flat
1. Make a single crochet chainless foundation chain of a multiple of 5 (or any other number, as the formula is number of single crochets plus 1 treble crochet) OR a chain with a multiple of 5 and one row of single crochets. Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in the BLO in every stitch. Cut the yarn and start over on the right side (no more turning!). Attach the yarn, ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO in every stitch, cut the yarn.
2. Here I attached a new color. Ch 1, *1 sc in the BLO in the next 4 st, 1 tr 3 rows down in the front loop that was skipped, sk 1 st (right behind the tr), repeat from * till the end of the row, cut the yarn.
3. Attach the yarn, ch 1, * 1 tr 3 rows down, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 4 st, sk 1 st (right behind the tr), repeat from * till the end of the row, cut the yarn.
4. Attach the yarn, ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO, * 1 tr 3 rows down, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 4 st, sk 1 st (right behind the tr), repeat from * till the end of the row, (the last 3 stitches are 3 sc’s in the BLO), cut the yarn.
5. I changed the color again, but this time to white. Attach the yarn, ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 2 sts, * 1 tr 3 rows down, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 4 st, sk 1 st (right behind the tr), repeat from * till the end of the row, (the last 2 stitches are 2 sc’s in the BLO), cut the yarn.
6. Attach the yarn, ch 1, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 3 sts, * 1 tr 3 rows down, 1 sc in the BLO in the next 4 st, sk 1 st (right behind the tr), repeat from * till the end of the row, (the last stitch is 1 sc in the BLO, cut the yarn.
7. Now you start repeating steps 2 through 6 until you have the desired length achieved.
This is how this stitch looks like with many more rows and a lot wider than the tutorial shows above.
Below you can find a very detailed video tutorial of this flat version of the Apache Tears Stitch pattern.
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I hope this tutorial was helpful and it encourages you to share it with others using the corresponding social media button below or above this tutorial. Thank you!
