Hi pals! Welcome back to this week’s blog post! Today I am showing you how to do the crab stitch, also known as the reverse single crochet. There are a few ways to do this, some involve twisting your hook/yarn and its a little more finicky, but this is my favorite way to crochet backwards and I cannot wait to show you how it looks!
I would like to say this is a beginner skill, with a tiny bit of patience. If you know how to hold your yarn and hook, and know how to work into single crochet stitches you should be good to go.
All you will need for this tutorial is some yarn, a hook, and maybe some scissors and a tapestry needle if you are making something you want to keep. (I tend to keep my swatches because I have this idea that one day I will make a blanket with it… Don’t let your dreams be dreams lol.)
Today I am using Red Heart Super Saver in Retro Stripes, a worsted weight size 4 yarn, and my 5 mm crochet hook.
Crab Stitch Tutorial
Chain however many stitches you want for your starting chain. I am just making a simple swatch so I did about 22 stitches. Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and single crochet in each chain across. Chain 1 and turn your work. Single crochet in each stitch across. Repeat this until you reach your desired length. I recommend doing at least a few rows just so you have some structure and something to grab onto when making the crab stitch.
To start the crab stitch, when you finish your final row you will still chain one, and instead of turning your work you will just insert your hook into the stitch to the RIGHT of your chain stitch, so that final single crochet of the row. (Don’t skip any stitches.) Pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. You are just making a single crochet still, but instead of working right to left, your working left to right.
Once you get to the end of the row, finish off your yarn, snip the tail, and weave in your ends.
This is a great border stitch for crochet blankets, wash cloths, cardigans, beanies, mittens, and more. I have even added it as a border to knit blankets! I just love how it looks, it keeps your sides from rolling in, and it just finishes projects so beautifully.
If you want to check out the crab stitch in a few of my patterns, here are a couple!: