Waistcoat Stitch Crochet


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The waistcoat stitch crochet pattern is sometimes called the crochet knit stitch because it’s the crochet stitch that looks the most like knitting (in this case, stockinette stitch). It can also be known as center post single crochet, because you’re working into the center post of the stitch.

It makes a dense fabric of v stitches, and while it’s a little tricky when you’re getting started (and I have lots of tips to help!) it’s not difficult at all because it’s based on single crochet stitch.

How to Work Waistcoat Stitch Crochet

Waistcoat stitch, like single crochet, can be worked on any number of stitches. Single crochet the first row as normal, then the waistcoat stitch crochet bit comes in when you begin to work in the middle of the post of the stitches from the row below.

This is a little hard to see on the first row, but once you have the v stitches established it gets easier.

Here you can see the little legs of the single crochet stitch, and between these legs is where you put your hook to crochet waistcoat stitch.

Let’s go through a swatch together, and keep reading for tips to make it a little easier

Here I chained 15, but, again, use any number you like.

Starting with the second chain from the hook, work a single crochet in each chain across. That makes 14 stitches.

Chain 1 and turn.

The legs of the first stitch are a little trickier to find, but once you do, go into the stitch there. It almost feels like coming in from the side of the stitch on that first one. Here the yarn needle is showing you where to insert the hook.

And this is the hook in the same place.

Yarn over and pull up a loop. You’ll want to make this loop a little taller than normal so it reaches up over the row below.

Yarn over and pull through both loops.

Repeat this stitch across.

Chain 1 and turn, then repeat this row. As you work into the second row, the legs will be easier to see because they look like an upside down v. As you poke through the middle of that v on the side facing you, you should also be poking through the v on the other side, so peek back there and make sure you’re hitting it right. This is why it can take a little practice to get it to look just right.

As you can see the vs don’t line up perfectly form one row to the next, so while this is reminiscent of knit stockinette stitch, it’s not an exact match. Waistcoat stitch crochet worked in the round is a better match; see below for more on that.

Tips for Waistcoat Stitch

Use a larger hook than you normally would for the yarn you are using. In the example above I’m using worsted/medium/weight 4 yarn and a size K/10.5/6.5mm hook. This makes the stitches and their legs a little bigger so it’s easier to see what you’re doing. It also makes the fabric a little less stiff.

Try using a in-line hook. Good old Susan Bates hooks are great for this because the tip is a little pointier, which makes getting into the stitch a little easier. If you don’t have any tapered hooks, find the hook with the pointiest end and see if that helps.

Use your fingers to open up the legs of the stitch a little bit, especially on the first row. This makes it easier to see where the hook needs to go, and easier to get it there.

Go slow. As mentioned earlier, each stitch you make through a v on the front also goes through the v on the back. Take the time to look where you’re going and don’t be afraid to rip out and try again if you miss. I also find this stitch hard on my hands, so going slow and taking breaks is essential.

If you get lost or stop in the middle of a row and aren’t sure what to do, if you’re working flat you always work into the legs of the stitch below, which looks like an upside down v.

The first stitch especially can be difficult to see, so some people work the first and last stitch as regular single crochet throughout. This gives your project a little bit of a border but isn’t super noticeable. If you’re having trouble with those stitches, or want your edges to be straighter, try single crochet at the ends.

Waistcoat Stitch Crochet in the Round

If you really want to mimic the look of knitting, you want to work waistcoat stitch in the round. It’s done the same way except, after the first round, you work into the open v stitches instead of the upside down vs.

This gives you v stitches stacked on top of each other for a true crochet knit stitch.

To give it a try, chain a number of stitches and slip stitch into the first chain to join (mine is 25 chains).

Work a single crochet stitch in each chain around.

When you get back to the first single crochet, work in between the legs of the single crochet stitch from the round below as before (marked here by the yarn needle).

Repeat in each stitch around.

On the rest of the rounds, work into the center of the v pointing up.

If you want to practice waistcoat stitch in the round, try the Fake Knit Cowl (Ravelry link) from Perfect Posies by Paige. I test-crocheted this one for her and it was a lot of fun and a great way to learn the stitch.


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