The waistcoat stitch is a fun, knit-like appearance that can be made within a variety of crochet projects. It creates a dense, tight stitch that makes it especially great for small items like washcloths, coasters and other household items. Today I will be sharing a tutorial for this beautiful stitch and how to crochet it in rows.

Did you know that the waistcoat stitch is actually just a single crochet stitch placed into a specific spot? To learn more about this beautiful stitch, continue reading below…

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For this tutorial you will need the following materials:

• Worsted weight yarn, either acrylic or cotton (I used WeCrochet/Knit Picks Dishie because the stitch definition is quite beautiful and easy to see)
• I recommend using a solid colour yarn so that your stitches and where you need to insert the hook will be clear and visible
• A crochet hook to compliment your yarn choice (I will be using a 5mm Furls Sreamline Ebony) Depending on your yarn, a 4mm-6mm hook could work too!
• Scissors and yarn needle if you want to fasten off and weave in ends

Terms:

• CH (chain)
• SC (single crochet)
• WC (waistcoat stitch)

Tutorial Notes:

• This tutorial will be for the waistcoat stitch used in rows. The placement is different when the waistcoat stitch is worked in rounds.
• This stitch is worked by crocheting any number of chain stitches.
• The turning chain 1 of your swatch does not count as a stitch.
• The placement of the single crochet stitch is what turns it into the waistcoat stitch.
• Some patterns that use the waistcoat stitch in rows, start and end the row with a traditional single crochet. That method will be used within the tutorial.
• This stitch is naturally dense and tight. It can pull your work in slightly and be a little tricky insert to your hook in the appropriate space. A moderate to loose tension or even going up a hook size is recommended while you’re getting comfortable with this stitch.
• The waistcoat stitch might also be referred to as: centre single crochet, crochet knit stitch and split single crochet.

Waistcoat Stitch (in rows) Tutorial:

The waistcoat stitch is just a single crochet stitch placed into a specific spot. Traditionally, a single crochet is placed into the TOP of a stitch. To make a waistcoat stitch, the single crochet is placed IN-BETWEEN posts of a stitch.

When making the waistcoat stitch in rows, you will be working into the back of the stitch from the previous row (it will be facing you after turning your work). The waistcoat stitch needs one row of traditional single crochet to begin (I’ll refer to it as a foundation row). After your foundation row, the following rows will be made using the waistcoat stitch (WC).

The waistcoat stitch is created by making one single crochet between the posts of the upside down “V”, under the horizontal bar of each single crochet or waistcoat stitch from the previous row.

Let’s try making a small swatch:

Begin by chaining 20 and start row 1 (foundation row) in the second chain from your hook.

Row 1:
Into the first stitch and each stitch across, place 1 SC. CH 1 and turn.
(19 SC stitches)

Row 2:
Place 1 SC into the first stitch (in the usual spot, at the top of the stitch). Into each of the next 17 stitches, place 1 WC stitch (one single crochet between the posts of the upside down “V”, under the horizontal bar of each single crochet or waistcoat stitch from the previous row). Remember, you have turned your work so you are working into the back of the stitch from the previous row. Into the last stitch, place 1 SC (in the usual spot, at the top of the stitch). Chain 1 and turn. The graphic below displays where the stitch placement for row 2 (and the following rows) will go:

If you have placed the waistcoat stitches into the correct space, you should be able to see the “V” appearance becoming clear and visible.

Row 3:
Place 1 SC into the first stitch (in the usual spot, at the top of the stitch). Into each of the next 17 stitches, place 1 WC stitch (one single crochet between the posts of the upside down “V”, under the horizontal bar of each waistcoat stitch from the previous row). Remember, you have turned your work so you are working into the back of the stitch from the previous row. Into the last stitch, place 1 SC (in the usual spot, at the top of the stitch). Chain 1 and turn.

You can continue to repeat row 2 for as long as you’d like and make your swatch to the length you prefer. Fasten off and weave in ends if you want to keep and set aside.

And that is how you make the waistcoat stitch in rows! This stitch can definitely take some practice and requires a bit of patience but the end result is quite beautiful. Because this stitch is rather dense and tight, it doesn’t allow for a lot of flexible drape. It still has many uses that can add a lovely effect to your crochet projects.

What Can You Make With This Stitch?

• Baskets
• Bags
• Coasters
• Washcloths
• Placemats
• Table runners
• Small rugs or floor mats

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make the waistcoat stitch and that you found this tutorial helpful! If you liked this post, please consider sharing it with your crochet friends or saving it to your favourite crochet Pinterest board.

Looking to learn more crochet stitches? Hop over to the tutorial section of my blog to discover more! CLICK HERE. Happy crocheting!