How to Crochet Herringbone Stitch
Learn how to crochet the Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch with this step-by-step photo tutorial! This crochet herringbone stitch is a modern knit look crochet stitch that closely resembles the herringbone knit stitch.
This herringbone crochet stitch is perfect for advanced beginners who have learned the basic crochet stitches and are ready to learn a new way to work the single crochet stitch.
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The three most popular crochet herringbone stitches are the Herringbone Single Crochet (HSC), Herringbone Half Double Crochet (HHDC), and the Herringbone Double Crochet (HDC).
Both the herringbone half double crochet and herringbone double crochet stitches work up to be thinner stitches than regular half double crochet and double crochet stitches. But the herringbone single crochet stitch is the opposite, it is slightly thicker than a regular single crochet stitch.
The herringbone single crochet stitch is a beautiful knit-look stitch that is perfect for crochet hats, bags, blankets, home decor, and more!
If you’d love to learn how to work the herringbone single crochet ripple stitch, click HERE.
Knit Look Crochet
I love the look of knit, but I can’t knit a stitch to save my life. I tried and I failed. Then I taught myself to crochet.
The herringbone single crochet stitch resembles a knit stitch, the herringbone knit stitch. When I first saw it, I knew I had to learn it.
So, if you’re like me and you love to learn knit look crochet stitches, you’ll love this one!
Both the knit and crochet herringbone stitch are worked back and forth in rows and each row leans.
When the right side is facing you, you will clearly see that all right side rows lean to the left and all wrong side rows lean to the right. After completing several rows, your fabric will appear to be made up of several little arrows (or horizontal chevrons) pointing in either direction.
The best thing about the rows leaning in opposite directions is how easy it makes it to count them!
Tips for Working the Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch
- One of the most important tips I can give you for working the herringbone single crochet stitch is to work your stitches more loosely than you normally would.
- Use a larger hook than what is suggested on the yarn label.
- Make sure to pull all 3 loops up to the same height before completing the stitch. This helps to keep your stitches loose enough to work into in following rows. (there’s a photo below to show & explain this)
- Practice with a small swatch until your tension is consistent and you’re comfortable working the inverse crochet stitches.
Simple Two Row Repeat
In this crochet stitch tutorial, you will learn how to crochet herringbone stitch back and forth in rows.
This beautifully textured, knit-look crochet stitch uses a simple two row repeat that’s easy to memorize.
The herringbone single crochet stitch is a slight variation of a regular single crochet. The only difference between the two stitches is how and where you insert your hook to complete the stitches.
- Right Side Rows: When working all right side rows, you will insert your hook as you normally do, from the front of your work through to the back.
- Wrong Side Rows: When working all wrong side rows, you will insert your hook in the opposite direction, from the back of your work through to the front, to work inverse stitches.
At first, this stitch requires a little more concentration than a regular single crochet stitch, but once you find your groove, you’ll be crocheting it just as swiftly!
It may sound a little tricky, but I promise it’s super easy once you work a couple rows!
Inverse Crochet Stitches
Definition of Inverse: something that is the opposite or reverse of something else.
When working inverse crochet stitches, there are two things that you do opposite or in reverse of regular crochet stitches.
- Hold the working yarn IN FRONT OF your work (instead of behind it).
- Insert your hook from back to front through the fabric (instead of front to back).
Inverse stitches are ONLY worked on wrong side rows.
When working all wrong side rows of the crochet herringbone stitch, you will work two inverse stitches, the Inverse Single Crochet and the Inverse Herringbone Single Crochet.
I’ll show you how to work both of these inverse crochet stitches in the photo tutorial below.
STITCH FACTS: Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch
- The herringbone single crochet stitch is a simple 2 row repeat.
- It is a slight variation of the single crochet.
- The first row is always the right side.
- This crochet stitch pattern has only one “Right Side”. However, I think the backside has its’ own unique look and I like it too!
- All right side or odd numbered rows use regular stitches.
- All wrong side or even numbered rows use inverse stitches.
- It can be worked in rows or in joined and turned rounds.
- If you chose to work in the round, join with a slip stitch at the end of the round and then turn to work the next round in the opposite direction.
- Keeping your tension loose is critical to being able to successfully crochet this stitch pattern.
- I’ve found that it is helpful to use a crochet hook that is larger than the recommended hook size stated on the yarn label.
- This crochet stitch has a stitch multiple of 1.
- To work a foundation chain, chain ANY number + 1 for the turning chain.
- Turning chains do not count as a stitch.
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Materials
- Yarn: I used Lion Brand Yarn’s Pound of Love, a worsted weight / 4 yarn, for my swatch.
- Choose any weight yarn & larger hook than what is stated on the yarn label.
- Crochet Hooks: 7.00mm & L/8.00mm (or hook sizes to match the yarn you chose)
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
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Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch(s): chain(s)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sc: single crochet
- HSC: herringbone single crochet
- InvSC: inverse single crochet
- InvHSC: inverse herringbone single crochet
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
Special Stitch Definitions
All 3 of the special stitches are shown step-by-step in the photo tutorial below.
- Herringbone Single Crochet (HSC): Insert your hook into the left leg of the stitch previously worked, insert your hook into the next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
- Inverse Single Crochet (InvSC): With the working yarn IN FRONT of your work, insert your hook from back to front through the indicated stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both looks on your hook.
- Inverse Herringbone Single Crochet (InvHSC): Tip your project towards you to work into the stitches from the back side, with the working yarn IN FRONT of your work, insert your hook from back to front into the left leg of the stitch previously worked, insert your hook from back to front into the next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
Herringbone Crochet Stitch – Swatch Written Instructions
Before you tackle a crochet project that uses this crochet herringbone stitch, I suggest crocheting a sample swatch.
Crocheting a sample swatch will help you perfect your tension and also help you practice working the inverse crochet stitches.
The crochet swatch shown in the photos below uses the following written instructions:
Set-Up: With yarn & a 8.00mm crochet hook, ch 19.
Row 1 (RS): Switch to a 7.00mm crochet hook, working into the back humps of the foundation ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, HSC in each ch across. Turn. (18 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, InvSC in the first st, InvHSC in each remaining st across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in the first st, HSC in each remaining st across. Turn.
Rows 4 – 11: Repeat Rows 2 – 3.
NOTE: MAKE YOURSELF A HERRINGBONE SINGLE CROCHET SCARF BY REPEATING ROWS 2 – 3 UNTIL IT’S THE DESIRED LENGTH!
How to Crochet Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch Pattern
Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial
Row 1 (Right Side)
Begin with a chain of any length. I chained 19.
Foundation Chain = Any number of stitches + 1 turning chain
Work the stitches into the back hump of the foundation chain.
The yarn needle below shows the back hump.
Work a sc into the 2nd ch from your hook.
Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch < Step-by-Step >
This stitch is only worked when crocheting rows on the Right Side of your project.
Herringbone Single Crochet (HSC): Insert your hook into the left leg of the stitch previously worked, insert your hook into the next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
Let’s work a Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch.
The yarn needle below shows you where to insert your hook into the left leg of the stitch previously worked.
Insert your hook, from front to back, into the left leg of the stitch previously worked.
In the photo below, the yarn needle is showing the next chain.
Insert your hook, from front to back, into the back hump of the next chain.
The photo below shows your hook inserted into the left leg of the stitch previously worked AND into the next stitch.
Yarn over.
Pull up a loop & yarn over.
Pro Tip! Make sure to pull all 3 loops up to the same height before completing the stitch. This helps to keep your stitches loose enough to work into in following rows.
Pull through all 3 loops on your hook to complete the first Herringbone Single Crochet (HSC) stitch.
The photo below shows where you will insert your hook to work the next HSC.
- First, insert your hook from front to back into the left leg of the HSC previously worked (shown below by the yarn needle).
- Then, insert your hook from front to back into the next stitch (in this photo the next stitch is the back hump of the foundation chain – shown by the smaller hook).
Continue by working a HSC in each chain across.
You will have 1 SC and 17 HSC = 18 sts
Row 2 (Wrong Side)
After you’ve completed Row 1, turn your work & ch 1.
Inverse Single Crochet Stitch < Step-by-Step >
You’ll begin each wrong side row with an Inverse Single Crochet Stitch.
This stitch is only worked when crocheting rows on the Wrong Side of your project.
Inverse Single Crochet (InvSC): With the working yarn IN FRONT of your work, insert your hook from back to front through the indicated stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both looks on your hook.
Pro Tip! When working inverse stitches, it is helpful to tip your work towards you so it’s easier to see where to insert your hook.
The yarn needle in the photo below was inserted from back to front. It shows the direction that you will insert your hook to complete this stitch.
With the working yarn IN FRONT of your work, insert your hook
from back to front through the indicated stitch.
Yarn over.
Pull up a loop.
Yarn over.
Pull through both loops on your hook to complete the Inverse Single Crochet (InvSC) stitch.
Inverse Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch < Step-by-Step >
This stitch is only worked when crocheting rows on the Wrong Side of your project.
Inverse Herringbone Single Crochet (InvHSC): Tip your project towards you to work into the stitches from the back side, with the working yarn IN FRONT of your work, insert your hook from back to front into the left leg of the stitch previously worked, insert your hook from back to front into the next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
Pro Tip! When working inverse stitches, it is helpful to tip your work towards you so it’s easier to see where to insert your hook.
The photo below shows your work facing you before you begin to work an Inverse Herringbone Single Crochet stitch.
Tip your work towards you so you can see the back side of your stitches. The yarn needle in the photo below was inserted, from back to front, into the left leg of the stitch previously worked.
With the working yarn IN FRONT of your work, insert your hook, from back to front, into the left leg of the stitch previously worked.
The yarn needle below shows where you insert your hook next.
Insert your hook from back to front into the next st (as shown by the yarn needle above).
Yarn over.
Pull up a loop.
Pro Tip! Make sure to pull all 3 loops up to the same height before completing the stitch. This helps to keep your stitches loose enough to work into in following rows.
Yarn over.
Pull through all 3 loops on your hook to complete the Inverse Herringbone Single Crochet (InvHSC) stitch.
The photo below shows where you will insert your hook to work the next InvHSC (with the work tipped toward you).
- First, insert your hook from back to front into the left leg of the InvHSC previously worked (shown with a yarn needle).
- Then, insert your hook from back to front into the next stitch (shown with a smaller crochet hook).
Pro Tip! Make sure to pull all 3 loops up to the same height before completing the stitch. This helps to keep your stitches loose enough to work into in following rows. See photo below.
Work an InvHSC in each remaining stitch across.
The photo below shows Row 2 (the first wrong side row) complete.
Turn to begin Row 3 (the next right side row), ch 1.
Row 3 (Right Side)
Work a sc in the first st. Then work a HSC in each st across.
The yarn needle below is showing where to insert your hook to begin the next HSC.
Insert your hook, from front to back, into the left leg of the previous stitch.
Insert your hook, from front to back, into the next stitch.
The yarn needle in the photo below is showing the next stitch.
Yarn over, pull up a loop.
Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on your hook to complete the next HSC.
Work a HSC in each remaining stitch across.
The photo below shows where you will insert your hook to work the next HSC.
- First, insert your hook from front to back into the left leg of the HSC previously worked (shown by the yarn needle).
- Then, insert your hook from front to back into the next stitch (shown by the smaller crochet hook).
Photo below shows 1 SC and 2 HSC completed in Row 3.
The photo below shows Row 3 (a right side row) complete.
Rows 4 – 11: Repeat the instructions for Rows 2 – 3.
- The written swatch instructions are in the blog post above.
The photo below shows Rows 1 – 4 complete. It also shows the wrong side of the swatch.
HOW TO COUNT ROWS OF HERRINGBONE SINGLE CROCHET STITCH
Each row of herringbone single crochet leans. This makes it much easy to keep track of and count which row you’re on.
With the Right Side of your swatch facing you, count the rows.
- All Right Side Rows lean to the LEFT.
- All Wrong Side Rows lean to the RIGHT.
Crochet Herringbone Stitch – Worked in the Round
In order to work the crochet herringbone stitch in the round for projects that you prefer the design to remain horizontal, you will be working in joined and turned rows.
At the end of each round, simply join with a slip stitch and then turn to complete the next round in the opposite direction.
Crochet Herringbone Stitch – Increasing and Decreasing
To increase the herringbone single crochet stitch, simply work two stitches into one stitch.
To decrease with the herringbone single crochet stitch, simply insert your hook into the left leg of the stitch previously worked, then complete the stitch by working a sc2tog over the NEXT two stitches.
Are You Ready to Learn the Herringbone Single Crochet Ripple Stitch?
Once you’re comfortable with the Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch, come learn the Herringbone Single Crochet Ripple Stitch! Click HERE or the graphic below to be taken to the crochet herringbone ripple stitch tutorial.
Knit-Look Crochet Stitch Tutorials
If you love crochet that mimics knitting, you may also love my other knit look crochet stitch tutorials.
Are you intimidated by knit-look crochet? Would you love to learn my tips & tricks? Take an Annies Video Class with me and let me ease your fears and help you increase your skills! Click on the photo below to watch a free preview. You can also see the other 4 video classes I have available!
Please share your finished ACS projects with us in the A Crocheted Simplicity Crochet Community Group on Facebook! Use hashtag #ACrochetedSimplicity when sharing on social media so I can find your posts!
