About This Pattern
Waistcoat stitch turns plain single crochet into something that looks knitted. I reach for it when I want fabric with no gaps at all. It works up tight, so it holds its shape well. This one fits a quiet evening, a swatch in hand, testing the look before committing to a full piece. It needs only single crochet skills, a little patience, and attention to where the hook goes.
Waistcoat stitch, also called knit stitch or center single crochet, is a very dense crochet stitch that gives a feel of the knitted fabric. It has no gap and is tight because the single crochet stitch is worked in the post of single crochet.
Waistcoat stitch differs from single crochet in where the hook goes before the first yarn over. In regular single crochet, you insert the hook under the top two loops. In waistcoat stitch, you insert the hook in the center of the post (between the V-loops) of the single crochet or waistcoat stitch of the previous row. The remaining steps are the same for both stitches.
In the basket
Abbreviations
- sc
- single crochet
- ch
- chain stitch
- WS
- waistcoat stitch
How to crochet waistcoat stitch for dense fabric
Main Pattern
Chain in any number plus one turning chain.
- Round 1Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, single crochet (sc) across each chain. Turn your work.
- Round 2Chain 1 (counts as sc). *Insert the hook between the V-loops of the post of the single crochet of the previous row instead of the top two loops as you typically would. Complete single crochet (Yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over again, and pull through both loops on the hook). Repeat * across the row in each stitch except the last stitch. In the last stitch, make a regular single crochet (under both top loops).Turn your work.
- Round 3Repeat Row 2 until you reach your desired length.
- Final RowSc in each stitch across. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail for weaving in ends, and fasten it off.
Before the first stitch
- Practice spotting the V-loops on a plain single crochet row first.
- Make a small swatch to check how tight this stitch feels.
- Read Row 2 twice before starting, since the hook placement changes there.
Minutes per piece
- Foundation row about 10 minutes because it is a single row of sc across the chain
- Waistcoat stitch rows about 45 minutes because each stitch needs careful hook placement
Other yarns that work
- cotton, worsted weight gives firmer stitch definition and less stretch, good for showing the knit look
- acrylic, worsted weight keeps the fabric soft and light, with a bit more give than cotton
Where it ends up
- A dense dishcloth that pairs well with a plain cotton set.
- A swatch piece to test before a full knit-look sweater panel.
- A small pouch that holds its shape without stuffing.
Small notes
- Use a hook that gives you even tension, since this stitch shows any looseness.
- Watch the last stitch in each row, since it stays a regular single crochet.
- Count your stitches often, since the dense fabric hides skipped stitches easily.
- Stitch Multiple: Any number of chains + 1. The waistcoat stitch is worked in one stitch while turning the chain, which is necessary to get the height in the beginning.
Little questions
Why does waistcoat stitch look different from regular single crochet?
The hook goes into the post, between the V-loops, not under the top two loops. This closes the gaps you normally see. The result reads more like knitting than crochet.
Do I need a special hook for this stitch?
No special hook is needed for waistcoat stitch. Any hook that suits your yarn weight will work. Just watch your tension, since the stitch is naturally tight.
Why does the last stitch in each row stay a regular single crochet?
The final stitch keeps the edge stable. Working it under both top loops, as usual, avoids a wonky border. Every other stitch in the row uses the post.
Can I use this stitch for a full project, not just a swatch?
Yes, once you are comfortable finding the V-loops. Repeat Row 2 until you reach your desired length. Finish with a plain sc row before cutting the yarn.
Original pattern: https://redagapeblog.com/how-to-crochet-waistcoat-stitch/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
