The Apache Tears stitch is a type of mosaic crochet. It is made in single crochet rows without turning. So after each row you cut your yarn and join your next row into the top of the first stitch of the previous row.

Apache Tears featured in week 32 of The 50 Stitches crochet along

For this stitch you can use as many colours as you’d like. Go crazy with as many as you like or if you use just 3 they will link together to firm a zig zag down your piece

You can play with the stitch count between the tears to suit the look you prefer. I’ve chosen to have 6 stitches between each tear for this example.

This pattern is written in US terms, but the UK translation is below.

UK Translation

Single crochet (sc) = Double crochet

Front Post Treble Crochet (fptr) = Front post double treble crochet

The Pattern

Start with a foundation chain of any length

Row 1. In the 3rd chain from your hook (the turning chain counts as a stitch) make a sc. Sc in each stitch across

For mosaic crochet you don’t turn after any row. Cut off your yarn after every row and rejoin in the 1st stitch of previous row.

Rows 2 and 3. Chain 1 and sc in the first stitch. Sc in each stitch across

Row 4. Chain 1 and sc in first stitch. The next stitch is a front post treble crochet (fptr) made around the post of the stitch directly below in row 1. *Sc in the next 6 stitches. fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 7 stitches

Row 5. Chain 1 and sc in first and second stitch. The next stitch is a front post treble crochet (fptr) made around the post of the stitch directly below in row 2. *Sc in the next 6 stitches. fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 6 stitches

Row 6. Chain 1 and sc in first stitch. Sc in the next 2 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 3. *Sc in the next 6 stitches. fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 5 stitches

Row 7. Chain 1 and sc in first stitch. Sc in the next 3 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 4. *Sc in the next 6 stitches. fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 4 stitches

Row 8. Chain 1 and sc in first stitch. Sc in the next 4 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 5. *Sc in the next 6 stitches. fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 3 stitches

Row 9. Chain 1 and sc in first stitch. Sc in the next 5 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 6. *Sc in the next 6 stitches. fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last 2 stitches

Row 10. Chain 1 and sc in first stitch. Sc in the next 6 stitches. Fptr around the post of the stitch directly below in row 7. *Sc in the next 6 stitches. fptr around the post 3 rows below* repeat between *and* then sc in the last stitch.

Rows 11- 26. Repeat rows 4-10

You can find more guides to other crochet stitches in the Stitch Vault here