How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch (Knit Stitch) Easily in Rows and Rounds

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The waistcoat stitch is also known as the crochet knit stitch or center single crochet. This tutorial walks you through how to crochet it flat and in rounds.

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In late 2016, I discovered the Waistcoat Stitch aka the crochet Knit Stitch as many people call it because it looks like it was knitted but was actually crocheted. I decided it needed to be shown off to the crochet world. So after making a quick one-minute video using this stitch and creating small little hearts with this stitch, it went viral. WOW.

But I also got many questions. So I created a more detailed video and uploaded it to my Youtube channel which can also be seen below. Plus I created a detailed picture tutorial for the crochet waistcoat stitch as well.

How do you crochet the waistcoat stitch?

So, you can create the Waistcoat Stitch (wst) by going in a round or doing it flat, by going row by row and turning in between. They look very similar, but just a hint different.

Adding a secondary color to the flat version can be tricky, as you might find it hard to hide the secondary color, unless you choose one side to be the wrong (not so pretty) side and collect the yarn on that side, or better let it run on that side only, not visible from the right (pretty) side.

However, going in rounds solves that issue, as most people would think it is inside and not seen from the inside. Not important for hats or beanies how the inside looks like, right?

In case, you feel like it matters, I would suggest covering it up with fabric. Let’s say you make it into a bag, then just add a lining to it. Problem solved 🙂

Waistcoat Stitch Crochet Patterns

1. Knit-Like Crochet Pouch
2. Knit-Like Gloves
3. Knit-Like Cable Hat
4. Chunky Knit-Like Hat

All of these are awesome knit-like waistcoat stitch crochet patterns using the crochet waistcoat stitch. If you need more inspiration, check out this waistcoat stitch collection.

Well, let me get to it and show you how this waistcoat stitch is made. No matter which way you pick (round or flat), start with a chain (connect the chain into a circle for rounds) and crochet one row of single crochet as you normally would. Starting with round 2, you will use the waistcoat stitch.

Waistcoat Stitch Crochet Video Tutorial

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Crochet Waistcoat Stitch – Rows and Rounds

Waistcoat Stitch Crochet Rows Flat

Insert your hook underneath the bar, underneath the upside down V (like a pyramid), do not go into the space where you normally go for a single crochet!

After pushing the hook through (remember to have LOOSE tension!!).

Yarn over and pull the yarn through, just like you would for a single crochet.

After the yarn was pulled through you made a crochet waistcoat stitch. Isn’t it so beautiful? It sure does look like it was knitted.

Laid out flat piece when going row by row and turning in between (there is no decrease or increase, the right bottom corner is just bending upwards, sorry).

Waistcoat Stitch Crochet Round

Again do not go through the space as you would for a normal single crochet, but rather go thru the top of the V (right ABOVE where you see my hook, push the hook thru where the 2 bars of the V split apart). You are splitting the single crochet from the previous round to create a waistcoat stitch in crochet.

Yarn over the primary color (here in green), and pull the yarn through just like you would for a normal single crochet.

For the secondary color, just pick it up by yarning over (instead of the green) and pulling it thru, but finishing it with the primary color.

The next 2 pictures show how to finish the waistcoat stitch with the primary color after a color change for the loop only.

The picture below shows how the stitch looks from the inside and out when going in a round using two different colors while using the waistcoat stitch.

I hope the pictures make sense and it explains how to do this stitch. If you do not understand it yet and/or you are more of a visual learner please check out my extended video above which shows you exactly how it is done.

You might also want to check out Make & Do Crew‘s headband using this stitch. It looks so beautiful and elegant.

I hope you love this crochet waistcoat stitch as much as I do. If you love this pattern and technique, please use the social media share buttons above or below and share this pattern link with the world and your friends.

That way you will find it easily again when you need it and you also provide the world and your friends with the ability to gain extra crochet knowledge as well. And to top it off, you help me as it allows me to create more content that you love already and want to see more of – free crochet patterns and tutorials. So, thank you for sharing.

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