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When looking for inspiration for crochet designs I often look at knitted items. I love the look of knit but I am a novice at best when it comes to working with two needles. So when I can find a crochet stitch, like the herringbone stitch, that looks like knit, I learn it.
In this tutorial I will:
- Tell you why I love this stitch!
- Show you how to crochet the Herringbone Stitch.
- Share my tricks for keeping straight edges with less gapping.
- Tell you how to add a border to the Herringbone Stitch.
All about the Herringbone Stitch
The Herringbone stitch or Herringbone Double Crochet (Abbreviated: HBDC) is definitely one of my favorite crochet stitches. It creates such a unique texture that almost looks similar to the herringbone knit stitch. The best part is that it is just a slight variation of the double crochet. So if you are getting tired of the double crochet look and want to try something different, the herringbone double crochet is perfect for you.
The way the herringbone stitch is worked, it causes the stitch to lean forward and gives a slanted appearance. When you turn at the end of the row the next row will slant the other direction and the two rows together look like arrows pointing in left or right. The HBDC does not create a raised texture and the final material is slightly thinner than a double crochet stitch of the same yarn.
I used the Herringbone stitch in my Herringbone Infinity Shawl and Herringbone Baby Skirt. Since it is a single stitch and not a combination of stitches, it is easy to increase in a pattern. You can increase with it by working two Herringbone stitches into one stitch from the previous row. This makes it possible to use it for skirts, dresses and sweaters that only include increases.
This stitch is also great because you can start with any number of starting chains. For this stitch you will chain any number of chains plus two more chains.
New to Winding Road Crochet? Check out my free patterns!
Fish Beach Bag / Find Your Flock WallHanging / On-the-Go Bottle Carrier
How to crochet the Herringbone Stitch
Herringbone Double Crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop through the stitch – at this point you have three loops on hook – pull the first loop through the second loop, yarn over, pull first loop through second loop, yarn over, pull first loop through remaining two loops.
Creating Straight Edges
Because the stitch slants instead of standing straight it is easy to get a really wavy edge. Here are my tips for keeping your edges straight.
- I do not count my turning chain as a stitch.
- I start each row with a chain two instead of chain 3 to minimize gaps.
- I end each row with hdc (instead of a herringbone stitch) in the last stitch (not the turning chain).
These steps help me keep a straighter edge with less gaps.
Swatch Pattern
To get a good feel for the Herringbone stitch, I recommend making a sample swatch. Here is a quick pattern for a sample swatch.
Ch 17
R1: Hbdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch except the last, Hdc in last ch.
R2 – 8: Ch 2 turn, hbdc in each st except last hdc in last st.
Fasten off after last row.
Adding a border
To add a border we will work single crochet around the entire sample swatch. This stitch has the height of a HBDC because it is slightly leaning to one side. To make a border single crochet into the side of each HBDC and 2 sc into the side of the ch2 turning chain.
So what do you think about the Herringbone Double Crochet Stitch? Is it something you would use to jazz up your crochet? Would you like to see me use it in more patterns? Let me know in the comments below.
If you make a sample of the herringbone stitch, I would LOVE to see it! Post it to any social media and tag me @windingroadcrochet or #windingroadcrochet ! I would love to see your work!
Let’s Connect
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Fish Beach Bag / Find Your Flock WallHanging / On-the-Go Bottle Carrier
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