BLOCK FOUR: The Spike Stitch

We’re ready to move onto Block Four in our Stitchwork Scarf which features the spike stitch! This block uses different colors and a combination of normal single crochet stitches and elongated single crochet stitches, called a spike stitch, to create a pattern.

If you need more help with this stitch, see THIS tutorial or the step-by-step photos below!

How to Crochet the Spike Stitch

The spike stitch in this block will be a typical single crochet stitch but worked into the space 1 or 2 rows below the stitch to create a vertical line of color. We will use a combination of sc, spk1 and spk2 to create our design.

spk1: insert the hook into the stitch space one row below. yo and draw up an elongated loop to the current row height. yo and draw through two loops to complete the stitch.

spk2: insert the hook into the stitch space two rows below. yo and draw up an elongated loop to the current row height. yo and draw through two loops to complete the stitch.

In this block, we will switch colors every few rows to create a striped look to the spike stitch block. After switching to the next color as written in the pattern, cut the previous color and weave in all ends. The colors will be repeated but you will still need to cut each yarn color at the end of the rows using that color.

If you prefer a video tutorial, check out this YouTube tutorial for Block Four 🙂

BLOCK FOUR: Spike Stitch

Estimated Block Size for Single Strand Scarf: ~6″ x 9.5″

In this block, we’ll need an odd number of stitches. So in the first row, we will sc2tog to decrease the total row count from 30 stitches in block three to 29 stitches in block four. Note – it can be difficult to figure out placement of the sc stitches since they are being worked into the tops of the puff and chains. If you need to sc inc or sc2tog in this row, either is OK. Just end with a final count of 29 stitches across!

You’ll start this block with Color D, used in Block Three. Then you will need six additional colors to create the color block design.

Row 1: Working with Color D or desired color, sc x 29 evenly spaced across the last row of block three. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
Rows 2-4: sc x 29 across. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
On the final st of row 4, switch to Color E. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 5: [sc, spk1, spk2, spk1, sc x 2] x 4. sc, spk1, spk2, spk1, sc. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
Rows 6-8: sc x 29 across. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
On the final st of row 8, switch to Color F. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 9: spk1, [sc x 3, spk1, spk2, spk1] x 4, sc x 3, spk 1. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
Rows 10-12: sc x 29 across. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
On the final st of row 12, switch to Color B. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 13: [sc, spk1, spk2, spk1, sc x 2] x 4. sc, spk1, spk2, spk1, sc. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
Rows 14-16: sc x 29 across. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
On the final st of row 16, switch to Color C. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 17: spk1, [sc x 3, spk1, spk2, spk1] x 4, sc x 3, spk 1. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
Rows 18-20: sc x 29 across. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
On the final st of row 20, switch to Color G. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 21: [sc, spk1, spk2, spk1, sc x 2] x 4. sc, spk1, spk2, spk1, sc. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
Rows 22-24: sc x 29 across. Ch 1 and turn. [29]
On the final st of row 24, switch to Color H. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 25: spk1, [sc x 3, spk1, spk2, spk1] x 4, sc x 3, spk 1. Ch 2 and turn. [29]