Crab Stitch (Reverse Single) Crochet Border Tutorial

The Crab Stitch has to be, hands down, the easiest border stitch ever!  This is a great stitch for the border for blankets whether baby blankets or throw blankets, but would also be good for hats, scarves and other projects.

It has this rolled like texture and works up very quickly!  As far as the look of the crab stitch goes, for the finished look, it looks like twisted single crochet.

I used this crochet crab stitch border for a baby blanket that I made with Lion Brand Mandala yarn and it turned out perfect!  With all these beautiful colors in the crochet blanket, I just needed a simple edging.  The crab stitch is such a quick border and it worked perfect!

You can find the pattern for this baby blanket in THIS POST!

I have included the written and video tutorial in this post.

This crochet border stitch takes a little bit of practice getting used to but, it is not too hard to learn because it is basically doing a normal single crochet backwards.  After a little practice, I’m sure that you will be crocheting this stitch with no trouble.

The crab stitch border is also known as the reverse single crochet because basically all you do is work a single crochet in the opposite direction than normal, going in the reverse direction.

And, for anyone wondering what stitch I’m using for the crochet project above, it’s the Waffle Stitch. You can find that tutorial HERE

This stitch is also referred to as the reverse single crochet, which describes it perfectly because it is made by doing single crochet around the edges, going the opposite way than normal.

View my video tutorial if you are more of a visual learner!  If you have not yet subscribed to my YouTube Channel, please do!  Scroll on down to see the step-by-step photo tutorial.

Check out Another one of my Stitch Tutorials!

• C2C Crochet
• Puff Stitch
• Bean Stitch
• Waffle Stitch in a Square
• Circle Granny Squares
• Ripple Stitch
• Granny Stripe Stitch
• Thermal Stitch
• Alpine Stitch

Crab Stitch Crochet Tutorial

All terms are US terms.

I’m just using a 5.50mm crochet hook and a worsted weight #4 yarn.

Written Crab Stitch Tutorial

This stitch can be worked on the border of many different things like blankets, scarves and hats. It all follows the same type of pattern and is very simple.  There really isn’t much to this single crochet edging other than just going the opposite direction than normal.

To start, slip stitch you border color of yarn anywhere around the edge of your project.

Now, you will work a single crochet stitch in each stitch BUT you will go in reverse (to the right of the stitch) instead of to the left.

By simply working a single crochet in each stitch, it will create this rolled texture

At first, it won’t look very much like crab stitches, but the farther you do it, the better it will look.

Just work a round of single crochet in each stitch around and after the last stitch, slip stitch into the the beginning chain stitch once you reach the beginning and that’s it!

Check out some FREE crochet patterns while you are here!

• 1 Skein Bulky Beanie
• 50 Adult Beanie Patterns
• Simple Striped Scarf
• Easy Wattle Stitch Scarf
• Everyday Shawl
• Beginner Shawl
• Granny Stripe Vest
• Easy Triangle Granny Shawl
• Denim Shawl
• Easy Peasy Raglan Sweater