Jacob’s Ladder Stitch: Faux Cables Made Easy

Looking to add a stunning braided texture to your crochet projects? The Jacob’s Ladder Stitch creates faux cables with a clever use of loops, giving your work a cozy and intricate feel. This stitch is versatile, beginner-friendly, and perfect for a variety of projects—from blankets and cushion covers to scarves and beanies.

In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step-by-step through the Jacob’s Ladder Crochet Stitch, covering the materials needed, stitch abbreviations, and a detailed pattern to help you master this technique.

Why You’ll Love the Jacob’s Ladder Stitch

  • Beautiful Faux Cables – No complicated cabling techniques required!
  • Beginner-Friendly – Uses basic stitches like chains, slip stitches, UK double crochet (US single crochet), and UK treble crochet (US double crochet).
  • Great for Texture – Ideal for cozy home décor and wearable accessories.
  • Customisable – Play with colours, yarn weights, and borders to make it uniquely yours.

Materials & Tools

For this tutorial, I used the following materials, but feel free to experiment with different yarns and hook sizes:

  • Yarn: A soft DK-weight yarn such as Hobbii Kind Feather
  • Hook: 4.5mm crochet hook
  • Scissors
  • Darning Needle

Choosing Your Yarn

You can work this stitch in a single colour for a classic look or use multiple shades for contrast. If you want something unique, try combining a solid main colour (MC) with a variegated contrast colour (CC) for a dynamic effect.

Stitch Abbreviations & Conversions

To keep things simple, here are the UK and US terms for the stitches used in this pattern:

Tip: You can easily convert the entire pattern into your preferred terms!

Jacob’s Ladder Crochet Pattern

This pattern is written in UK crochet terms. If you prefer US terms, use the table above for quick conversion.

Foundation Chain

With your main colour (MC), chain in multiples of 5 plus 2.

Row 1

  • Work 1 treble crochet (tr) in the 4th chain from the hook (the skipped chains count as your first stitch).
  • Tr in the next 3 stitches.
  • Chain 10, slip stitch into the top of the last treble crochet made, tr in the next 5 stitches.
  • Repeat from * to * across the row. Turn.

Row 2

  • Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch).
  • Double crochet (dc) in the first 5 stitches.
  • Push the chain loop backward, dc in the same stitch as the loop, then dc in the next 4 stitches.
  • Repeat across, changing to contrast colour (CC) in the last stitch. Turn.

Row 3-6

  • Row 3: Repeat Row 1 with the new colour.
  • Row 4: Repeat Row 2, switching back to MC in the last stitch.
  • Row 5: Repeat Row 1.
  • Row 6: Repeat Row 2, changing to the next CC in the last stitch.

Repeat Rows 3-6 until you reach the desired length, ensuring you finish on a Row 4.

Creating the Cables

This is where the magic happens!

  • Start at the bottom of your work and insert your fingers into the first chain loop.
  • Grab the next chain loop two rows above and pull it through the first loop.
  • Continue this all the way up the column to form the Jacob’s Ladder effect.

Final Rows

Final Row 1

  • Chain 3, work 1 treble crochet (tr) in each stitch across. Turn.

Final Row 2

  • Chain 1.
  • Work 4 dc, then dc through the final loop and into the next stitch, dc in the next 4 stitches.
  • Repeat across, finishing with a dc in the last stitch.

Fasten off, weave in the ends, and your Jacob’s Ladder Crochet Project is complete!

Watch the Full Video Tutorial

Want to see this stitch in action? Watch my full-length crochet video tutorial, where I’ll demonstrate each step in real time. Whether you're a visual learner or just want to follow along, this video will guide you through the process.

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More Crochet Patterns You’ll Love

Looking for more stitch tutorials and patterns? Check out these:

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Final Thoughts

The Jacob’s Ladder Crochet Stitch is a simple yet stunning way to create faux cables in your projects. Whether you use it for a cozy blanket, a stylish scarf, or even a hat, the braided effect adds a unique touch.

Have you tried this stitch? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your creations!

Happy Crocheting!

Disclaimer:

This is an original write-up inspired by crochet techniques. The pattern has been adapted into my own words. If you share this tutorial, please link back to this page rather than copying the content.

Next Steps

✅ Save this tutorial for later
✅ Share it with a fellow crocheter
✅ Try the Jacob’s Ladder Stitch and tag me with your results!


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