How to Complete a Waistcoat Stitch in Crochet
The waistcoat stitch, often called the “knit stitch” in crochet, creates a dense and sturdy fabric that closely mimics the look of knitting. While it’s similar to a regular single crochet, the key difference is in the placement of the stitch, giving it a unique, knit-like appearance.
Steps:
Insert your hook into the "V" of the stitch. Instead of going under the front and back loops as you would in a single crochet, push your hook into the center of the stitch (between the two legs of the "V").
Ensure your hook passes through the entire stitch. The hook should exit on the other side, directly under the horizontal bar of the stitch. It might feel a bit tight, so take your time to ensure correct placement.
Yarn over and pull through. Draw the yarn through the center of the stitch, keeping the tension slightly looser than usual (the second loop you just pulled through should be about twice as tall as the first loop). This helps prevent the fabric from becoming too stiff.
Yarn over again and pull through to complete the stitch. This finishes your waistcoat stitch, leaving a vertical knit-like line on the surface.
Helpful Tip:
If you find the stitch tight or hard to work into, try loosening your tension slightly or using a larger hook. It may take a few rounds to get the hang of it, but the result is a beautiful, knit-look fabric that’s worth the effort.
Best Uses:
The waistcoat stitch works best for projects made in the round, such as hats, bags, or baskets, where you don’t turn your work between rounds. It produces a dense, durable fabric that’s perfect for structured items or pieces where a knit-like texture is desired.
If you like the waistcoat stitch, you might also enjoy the modified single crochet (MSC). It offers a similar knit-like texture with a slightly different technique. Check out the MSC tutorial here.