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How to Crochet the Leafhopper Cluster Stitch

How to Crochet the Leafhopper Cluster Stitch

Stitch Pattern Overview

Skill Level: Intermediate

This beautiful leafhopper crochet stitch forms with a foundation of double crochets overlaid by two “wings” of extended stitches that are similar to front post double crochet stitches.

Often called the leafhopper cluster stitch, it’s a great way to learn how to work stitches around stitch posts.

This is a four-row repeat with a striking staggered appearance that ultimately creates a lovely textured crochet piece that’s great for a vast array of crochet projects.

I used this fun stitch to create the Ly Lu Leafhopper Beanie – a simple bottom up crochet beanie with lots of style!

So, grab a skein of your favorite yarn, crochet hook with the right size to match, and give the leafhopper crochet stitch a try.

It’s a stitch pattern that’s easier to work up than you may first think!

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Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Video


See It in Action!

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Leafhopper Tutorial Pin 2
Step-by-Step
Photo Tutorial

Crochet Leafhopper Stitch

All the glorious details

Materials:

  • Any weight yarn

For this tutorial I am using Knit Picks / We Crochet Swish, medium 4 worsted weight yarn, in color copper.

  • Hook of appropriate size for the yarn weight you have chosen

I used an H/8 5.0mm hook for this tutorial

Abbreviations/Stitches Used:

This tutorial is written in US crochet terminology

Chain stitch (ch/s)

Slip stitch (slp-st)

Double crochet (dc)

Yan over (yo)

Additional Notes:

  • This stitch is worked in multiples of 4 + 1. Add 2 for the base chain.
  • All ch 3 turning chains count as a stitch

For this tutorial: I chained 12 for the multiple of 4; 12 + 1 = 13 + 2 = 15 chains in my foundation chain.

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Tutorial Instructions


Foundation chain

Step 1.

Make a slip-knot and chain 15 chs for the foundation chain.

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 1

Row 1 – Double crochet row

Step 2.

Work 1 dc into the 4th ch from the hook and into each ch across to the end.

  • The first 3 chs count as a dc.
  • You should have a total of 13 dc including the first ch 3.
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 2

Row 2 – Leafhopper stitch row

Step 3.

Turn your work, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc into the first st.

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 3

Step 4.

Yarn over

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 4

Step 5.

Insert your hook from front to back around the post of the next dc – not into the stitch. Start as if you are working a front post double crochet stitch, but you will not complete it.

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 5

Step 6.

Yarn over again and pull through, extending the yarn up as high as a treble crochet stitch.

  • There should be 3 loops on the hook
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 7

Step 7.

Yarn over again

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 7

Step 8.

Insert your hook from front to back around the post of the next dc – not into the stitch. Start as if you are working a front post double crochet stitch, but you will not complete it.

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 8

Step 9.

Yarn over and pull through, extending the yarn up as high as a treble crochet stitch.

  • There should be 5 loops on the hook
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 9
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 10

Step 10.

Yarn over again and then pull through the first 4 loops.

  • Two loops should be left on the hook
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 10
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 10 completed

Step 11.

Skip the next dc

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 11

Step 12.

Insert your hook from front to back around the post of the next dc – not into the stitch. Start as if you are working a front post double crochet stitch, but you will not complete it.

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 12

Step 13.

Yarn over again and pull through, extending the yarn up as high as a treble crochet stitch.

  • There should be 4 loops on the hook
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 13
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 13

Step 14.

Yarn over again

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 14

Step 15.

Insert your hook from front to back around the post of the next dc – not into the stitch. Start as if you are working a front post double crochet stitch, but you will not complete it.

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 15

Step 16.

Yarn over and pull through, extending the yarn up as high as a treble crochet stitch.

  • There should be 6 loops on the hook
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 15

Step 17.

Yarn over and pull through the first 4 loops on the hook

  • Three loops should be left on the hook
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 17
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 17
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 17

Step 18.

Yarn over and pull through the remaining 3 loops on the hook

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 18
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 19

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Complete!

Even though the leafhopper stitch is technically complete at this point, it doesn’t really come to life until the next step.

Step 19.

Work one dc into the dc – as usual into the top under both loops – that you worked around in steps 15 – 18.

Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 20
Leafhopper Cluster Stitch Step 20

Step 20.

Work one dc into each of the next 2 dc.

  • This puts 3 dc in between each leafhopper stitch created on this row.

Repeat

To continue creating leafhopper stitches, repeat steps 5 – 20 starting AROUND the post of the dc right beneath the last dc worked in step 20.

Demonstrates how to continue the next leafhopper stitch

Once at the end of the row, complete step 20 and then work only 1 dc into the top of chain of the ch 3 turning chain to finish the row.

  • There should be 3 Leafhopper clusters.
Row 1 completed

The leafhopper stitch looks best when the clusters are staggered – where clusters on the next row are placed in between cluster on the previous row.

To do this, the steps are essentially the same as outlined above.

  1. Ch 3 (counts as a dc) and turn work
  2. Dc in each st across to the end (step 2, except working into row 2 instead of the foundation chain)
  3. Ch 3 (counts as a dc) and turn work
  4. Dc in the next 3 sts
  5. Work a Leafhopper cluster stitch (steps 4 – 18)
  6. Work one dc in each of the next 3 sts (steps 19 – 20)
  7. Repeat steps 4 – 20 to the end of the row, ending with 4 dc after the last leafhopper cluster
Repeat the stitch pattern
Repeat the stitch pattern - Leafhopper row
Two rows complete

However the best way to learn how to do this is really to see it in action by watching the video tutorial.

Videos demonstrating the crochet leafhopper cluster stitch are provided both for right-handed AND left-handed crocheters.

I highly suggest checking them out, especially if you are confused about ay of these steps.

This crochet stitch pattern is less complicated than it looks, but it may be easier to understand when you see it action.

You won’t be disappointed!

Would you like a pattern using the Leafhopper Cluster Stitch?

On November 24, 2022 you can get the Ly Lu Leafhopper Beanie pattern in PDF format for FREE as part of the Winter wonders 2022 blog hop!

Click HERE to jump over to the blog hop.

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