Criss Cross Diamond Crochet Stitch

Here is a fun stitch I came up with while I was working on a custom order for my auntie last month (see criss cross diamond romper layette).  It is very similar to the diamond stitch (links to video tutorial).  However, this one differs in that it creates "X's" that form overlapping diamonds when the points touch.  Hence why I decided to call it the criss cross diamond stitch.

It is basically a foundation row of single crochet, then two repeat rows.  One row of double crochet first. Then, a row of single crochet and double treble crochet into posts of the previous single crochet row.  Continue below for the pattern...

UPDATE - February 3, 2016: This tutorial has been revised to include a photo tutorial, a video tutorial and improved written directions! See the brand new tutorial here...

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Size - Crochet Thread #10 & 2.1mm hook:

26 stitches or multiple of 6 = 8 cm (3")
15 rows or 7 X rows = 8 cm (3")

These measurements are from the swatch in the photo above.

Abbreviations:

ch
sl st
sc
dc
FPdtr
f/o

chain
slip stitch
single crochet
double crochet
front post double treble crochet
fasten off

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Criss Cross Diamond Stitch Instructions:

Starting Chain is a multiple of 4 + 3 (example: 7 = 4 x 1 + 3; 27 = 4 x 6 + 3; 63 = 4 x 15 + 3)

row 1:
row 2:

sc into the 2nd ch from hook, and in each ch across, turn
ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each remaining st across, ch 1, turn

NOTE: For the next row, you will create several "X's" across the row.  The amount of "X's" is equivalent to the number of multiples of 4 you do.

All FPdtr stitches of this next row will be worked into the posts of the previous single crochet row, or 2nd row back.  Ignoring the first and last posts of the row, and breaking up the row into groups of 4, each FPdtr will be worked into the 4th post of the group, then the next one will be worked into the 1st post of each group. So the pattern is as follows: 
Counting first and last posts of row: 5th post, 2nd post, 9th post, 6th post, 13th post, 10th post... etc.  
Not counting first & last posts of row: 4th post, 1st post, 8th post, 5th post, 12th post, 9th post... etc.

row 3:

row 4:

sc, FPdtr, skip 1 dc st, (sc 2, FPdtr x 2, skip 2 dc sts) repeat across row until only 4 sts remain, sc 2, FPdtr, sc, turn
ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each remaining st across, ch 1, turn

NOTE: For this next row, you will also create several "X's" across the row.

For the next row, all FPdtr stitches will be worked into the top of the FPdtr posts of the previous single crochet row, or 2nd row back, as if it were a complete single crochet row.  So the pattern is as follows: Only counting the dtr posts ~ 2nd post, 1st post, 4th post, 3rd post, 6th post, 5th post... etc.

row 5:

row 6+:

sc, FPdtr, skip 1 dc st, (sc 2, FPdtr x 2, skip 2 dc sts) repeat across row until only 4 sts remain, sc 2, FPdtr, sc, turn
repeat rows 4 and 5 until you reach desired length, then ch 1, f/o

Use this as a visual guide

Alternate row 5 for odd increase or decrease rows:

NOTE: Whenever you do this alternate row, you will not create perfect "X'"s across the row like for the other.  Instead you will have one incomplete "X" on each side of the row.

This time the FPdtr go into each dtr post as before, except the first and last FPdtr stitches go into the edge posts of the row, and the 2nd and 2nd to last posts are skipped. So the pattern will be:
Only counting the edge and dtr posts ~ edge post, 3rd post, 2nd post, 5th post, 4th post, 7th post, 6th post... repeat then end with edge post.

alternate row 5:

(sc 2, FPdtr x 2) repeat across until only 2 sts remain, sc 2, turn

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Increasing Stitches in the Row:

Stitches will be increased in the even double crochet row.  All you have to do is add 2 dc to the first and last stitches of the row so that 3 stitches are made in each, and do one dc in all stitches in between those ones.

After Normal Row 5 Repetition:

When you have just done the increase after following the normal row 5 repetition, you will be switching to repeating the alternate row 5 now.  

Only the first time there will not be a post you have to skip, and the pattern will be: 
edge post, 
2nd post, 
1st post, 
4th post, 
3rd post, 
6th post, 
5th post... repeat, then end with edge post. 

Then, the next odd row you will follow the normal alternate row 5 pattern.

After Alternate Row 5 Repetition:

However, if you are have just done the increase after following the alternate row 5 repetition, you will be switching back to repeating the original row 5.  

Though, when you are doing the first odd row after the increase, the pattern will be: 
1st post, 
edge post, 
3rd post, 
2nd post, 
5th post, 
4th post... repeat
For the second to last FPdtr stitch do it on the edge post, and the final FPdtr will be done into the last post. 

Then, the next odd row you will follow the normal row 5 pattern.

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Decreasing Stitches in the Row:

As for increasing, stitches will be decreased in the even double crochet row.  All you have to do is dc3tog the first 3 stitches and last 3 stitches of the row so that where the were 3 stitches there is now only one, and do one dc in all stitches in between those ones.

After Normal Row 5 Repetition:

When you have just done the decrease after following the normal row 5 repetition, you will be switching to repeating the alternate row 5 now.  

The first odd row pattern will be: 

• 1st post, 
  
• 4th post, 
  
• 3rd post, 
  
• 6th post, 
  
• 5th post, 
  
• 8th post... etc.  
  

Then, the next odd row you will follow the normal alternate row 5 pattern.

After Alternate Row 5 Repetition:

However, if you are have just done the increase after following the alternate row 5 repetition, you will be switching back to repeating the original row 5.  

Though, when you are doing the first odd row after the increase, the pattern will be: 
3rd post, 
2nd post, 
5th post, 
4th post, 
7th post, 
6th post... etc. 

Then, the next odd row you will follow the normal row 5 pattern.

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Note: 
Each row will be a multiple of 4 + 2 (example: 6 = 4 x 1 + 2; 26 = 4 x 6 + 2; 62 = 4 x 15 + 2)
Odd rows facing you is the right side of the work.

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I plan to make a video tutorial of the stitch sometime in 2014.  Until then, if you have any questions, or need any help with this stitch, please leave me a comment below, or contact me here.