How to Crochet the Cluster Stitch
The crochet cluster stitch (CL / DC3Tog or DC4Tog) is one stitch that you will want to learn how to crochet. It is a great crochet stitch for blankets and more, and it is a fairly easy stitch to crochet. The Cluster Stitch in crochet uses the basics of the double crochet stitch to create a lovely textured crochet stitch. If you are ready to learn how to crochet the cluster stitch, let’s grab a hook and some yarn and get crocheting!
Materials and Tools Needed:
Yarn of your choice (I used a medium weight size 4 yarn for this crochet tutorial)
Crochet hook of choice (I used a size J (6.0mm) crochet hook for this crochet tutorial)
Crochet Terms Used:
Step 1 – How to Crochet the Cluster Stitch:
To start a crochet cluster stitch that double crochets 3 together (DC3Tog), begin by yarning over and inserting the hook into the next stitch.
Cluster Stitch (DC3Tog / CL) Step 2:
Yarn over and pull through the stitch. There are now 3 loops on the crochet hook.
Step 3:
Now, yarn over again and pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook.
Cluster Stitch – Step 4:
Next, YO and insert into the same stitch.
Step 5:
Yarn over and pull through the crochet stitch. There will be 4 loops on the crochet hook at the end of this step.
How to Cluster Stitch – Step 6:
Now, YO and pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook. There will be 3 loops of yarn on the crochet hook at this point in the stitch. This has also partially completed 2 “double crochet” stitches into the same space.
Step 7:
Yarn over again and insert the hook into the same stitch we have been working into.
Cluster Stitch – Step 8:
Now, yarn over and pull through the stitch. There will be 5 loops of yarn on the crochet hook.
Step 9:
Next, yarn over and pull through 2 of the loops on the crochet hook. There will be 4 loops of yarn on the crochet hook after this step. This also has completed the third partial “double crochet stitch” of the cluster stitch.
How to Crochet the Cluster Stitch – Step 10:
The final step in creating the crochet cluster stitch is to yarn over and pull through all four loops on the crochet stitch. This will complete one cluster stitch (that is a DC3Tog) in crochet.
Cluster Stitch with 4 Partial Double Crochets (DC4Tog / CL):
If you would like a little bit bigger of a crochet cluster stitch, you would follow Steps 1-9. Instead of following Step 10 as indicated above, you are going to skip from Step 9 down to Step 11 below.
Step 11:
To add the 4th partial DC to make a bigger cluster, YO and insert the hook into the same stitch we have been working into.
How to Cluster Stitch in Crochet – Step 12:
Now, yarn over and pull through the stitch. There will be 6 loops on the crochet hook at this point.
Step 13:
Next, yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the crochet hook.
Final Step – Cluster Stitch with Four Partial Double Crochets:
The final step is to yarn over and pull through all 5 loops of yarn on the crochet hook. This will complete a larger cluster stitch with 4 partial double crochets in it (DC4Tog / CL).
Wrapping Up How to Cluster Stitch in Crochet:
And that’s How to crochet the Cluster Stitch. It can vary a little, depending on how “big” you want the stitch to be. I showed you a 3 DC version and a 4 DC version in this crochet tutorial.
The crochet Cluster Stitch is usually abbreviated as CL in crochet patterns.
This crochet stitch could also be abbreviated as DC3Tog (if you use the 3 double crochet version) OR DC4Tog (if you use the 4 double crochet stitch version).
I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Have a blessed day!
Many Blessings,
Video Tutorial:
Written Instructions Only:
Begin a row of cluster stitches by chaining 2 and turning. I then like to put one regular double crochet stitch in the first stitch of the row. I begin my crochet cluster stitch in the next stitch.
For a cluster stitch, start by yarning over. Insert the crochet hook into the next stitch.
Now, yarn over and pull through the crochet stitch. There will be three loops on the hook at this point.
Yarn over again and pull through 2 loops on the hook. There will be 2 loops left on the hook.
Next, yarn over and insert the hook back into the SAME stitch. YO and pull through the stitch. Now there are 4 loops on the hook.
YO and pull through 2 loops on the hook. At this point there will be 3 loops on the hook.
Now, YO and insert the hook into the same stitch. Yarn over again and pull through the stitch. There will be 6 loops on the hook now.
Next, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook. At this point there are 4 loops on the crochet hook.
TO COMPLETE A SMALLER (DC3TOG) CLUSTER STITCH: If you want to complete the cluster stitch at this point, yarn over and pull through all of the loops on the hook.
FOR A BIGGER (DC4TOG) CLUSTER STITCH: Yarn over and insert the hook back into the same stitch. YO and pull through the stitch (7 loops on the crochet hook at this point). Next, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook (5 loops on the hook now). Finally, YO and pull through all 5 loops on the hook.