Griddle Stitch
single and double crochet worked alternately across every row for a dense, bumpy, offset texture
Griddle stitch, sometimes called lemon peel, alternates single crochet and double crochet across every row to make a firm, pebbly fabric. You work a single crochet, then a double crochet, then a single, then a double all the way along, and on the next row you place a double crochet on top of each single and a single on top of each double, so the two stitch heights offset and the little bumps stagger into an all-over texture. Because it is only the two most basic stitches, it is a genuine beginner pattern, yet it looks more considered than plain rows and grows quickly. The fabric is dense and warm with a subtle two-tone rhythm even in one colour, and it is reversible and lies flat, which makes it a reliable choice for blankets, scarves, and washcloths. Keep track of whether you are due a single or a double at the start of each row, which is the only place people slip, and the pattern is otherwise very forgiving.