This crochet technique is called Entrelac Crochet (sometimes also called Tunisian Entrelac Crochet). It creates a beautiful checkerboard pattern made up of little squares worked one after another, without cutting the yarn each time.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it
🧶 Detailed Entrelac Crochet Tutorial
🔹 Step 1: Foundation Chain
- Decide how many stitches per block (in the photo, each square looks like 6 stitches wide).
- Make a foundation chain: multiple of 6 (e.g., chain 24 for 4 blocks across).
🔹 Step 2: Base Triangles
These triangles create the slanted bottom edge.
- First triangle
- Insert hook into 2nd chain, pull up a loop → you now have 2 loops on hook.
- Work return pass: yarn over, pull through 1 loop, then yarn over, pull through 2 loops until only 1 loop remains.
- Next row: Pick up loops from 3 chains (total 3 loops on hook), work return pass.
- Repeat until you reach 6 loops (for a 6-stitch triangle).
- Triangle is done.
- Next triangles
- Skip 6 chains, repeat the same steps across.
- You’ll end up with a row of slanted triangles.
🔹 Step 3: First Row of Squares
Now you’ll build squares on top of the base triangles.
- First square
- Insert hook into the side of the triangle (6 edge stitches).
- Pick up loops (6 loops).
- Work return pass (like in the triangles).
- Continue with Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS):
- Insert hook under vertical bar, yarn over, pull loop → repeat across row.
- Return pass (YO, pull through 1 loop; YO, pull through 2 loops until 1 loop remains).
- Work until square looks as tall as it is wide (6 rows for 6 stitches).
- Next squares
- Pick up loops from the next triangle.
- Work the same way.
- Change yarn color if you want a checkerboard effect.
🔹 Step 4: Second Row (Offset Squares)
This row begins with a side triangle.
- Side triangle:
- Pick up 2 loops, return pass, then 3 loops, return pass… until you have 6 loops.
- This creates the edge triangle.
- Squares:
- Work across by picking up loops along the edge of the block below.
- Join squares as you go by pulling up loops from the side of the block underneath.
- Continue across, changing colors if desired.
🔹 Step 5: Repeat Rows
- Continue alternating row of squares + row of offset squares with side triangles.
- This builds the checkerboard pattern.
🔹 Step 6: Top Edge (Finishing Row)
- To finish, instead of making full squares, work top triangles (reverse of base triangles).
- This will straighten the top edge of your work.
🎨 Color Pattern
- Use 3 colors: Grey, White, and Blue (like in the picture).
- Change color at the start of a new square.
- Carry yarn up the side or cut and weave in ends (if you want a cleaner edge).
✅ That’s it! With practice, the squares will come out even and neat.
You can make scarves, blankets, cushion covers, or even bags with this method.