Crochet Crab Stitch Tutorial

Crochet crab stitch edging is a beautiful way to finish crochet projects!

By: Frances Seda for AllFreeCrochet.com

There are many different stitches in crochet that work up into beautiful patterns. Some stitches serve only one purpose. As is such with the crab stitch. In this tutorial, we will go over how to create this stitch to create a twisted rope edge to your finished projects.

A Little Background

The crochet crab stitch, also known as the reverse single crochet stitch, is basically what its second name says it is. It’s the single crochet worked backwards. In other words, instead of working in the customary right to left as we do in crochet the stitch is worked left to right. It ends up creating a rope-like border around your project and can be used on either finished crocheted or knitted projects.

How to Work the Crab Stitch

Once you have finished your project you can choose to work the crab stitch in the same color of your project or a different one so the border can really stand out. Regardless of the color you choose, you will work a foundation row of single crochets either around the perimeter of your project or, if you are only planning on adding the border on the top and bottom of your project then you will only need to add the row there. If you choose to work in a different color be sure to use the same hook size that you used for the main part of your project so the border will appear seamless.

Visual Learner? Watch the Video!

Connie Haney shows how to crochet the crab stitch in this video. Check it out!

Crochet Crab Stitch Instructions

After finishing the single crochets, Ch1

Then insert your hook front to back in the next stitch to the right of your hook to draw up a loop.

Yarn over and pull through the two loops on your hook. The first crab stitch is done.

It doesn’t look like much at first but after working a few of the stitches the rope-like border becomes visible.

And once you are done you have a border that looks difficult but is quite easy to do.

One thing to note, you could opt to work the single crochets in the same color of your project and then work the crab stitch in a different color. That will make the border appear a bit more seamless as opposed to working both in a different color.

Where to Use the Stitch

While you may think this border is great for just blankets it’s ideal for a number of different projects. It’s a great finisher to coasters, washcloths and hot pads made with cotton yarn. Or as the border to hat, especially one with a fold-over.