Waistcoat Crochet Stitch Tutorial in The Round & Flat

Want to learn a crochet stitch that looks almost just like knitting?  The crochet waistcoat stitch, also known as the crochet knit stitch, looks just like a knit stitch but you can create it with crochet.  How cool is that!

The best part about crocheting the waistcoat stitch is that you don’t have to learn any fancy crochet stitches.  It is just made by using a regular single crochet stitch, you just place the stitch in a different spot than normal.  

By just changing the place where you make the single crochet, it changes the whole look of the stitch.

Overview of the Waistcoat Crochet Stitch

Crochet waistcoat stitches have a knit look that resembles the stockinette stitch in knitting.  This crochet stitch is the closest that you can come to the actual look of knitting by using a crochet hook instead of knitting needles.

I’ve already mentioned that the waistcoat stitch is just a normal single crochet stitch that is just placed in a different spot than normal.  This stitch can be worked in both flat, back and forth rows or in the round.

I personally like the look of the waistcoat stitch when it is worked in the round best because it looks more like knit stitches than when it is worked flat. Here is an example of what they both look like

The waistcoat stitch produces a very dense fabric that is a great stitch for making different things like bags, baskets, mittens and even hats.

One tip that I will mention for crocheting the waistcoat stitch is that sometimes it is a good idea to use a larger hook size than is recommended for the specific yarn that you are working with.  

Sometimes it can be a bit difficult to work into the center post stitch and it can feel tight, so I would definitely recommend going up a size or even 2 or 3 to make it easier.  Especially if you are a tight crocheter, a bigger hook can really help.

Waistcoat Stitch Q & A

What is the difference between the single crochet and the waistcoat stitch? 

The only difference between a single crochet stitch and the waistcoat stitch is where you place the stitch.  With a regular single crochet, you insert your hook through both loops of the stitch and with the waistcoat stitch you insert your hook in between the legs of the post of the stitch.

Is the waistcoat stitch hard?

No, the waistcoat stitch is a fairly easy stitch to crochet.  If you can single crochet, then you can do the waistcoat stitch.

What are the other names for the waistcoat stitch?

​The waistcoat stitch is sometimes known as the center post stitch and the knit stitch.

Does waistcoat stitch use more yarn?

​I’m not sure that you could say that it uses more yarn since it is just a regular single crochet stitch.  I’d say it uses a fair amount of yarn like the normal single crochet stitch.

Video Tutorial

The video tutorial below includes instructions on how to crochet the waistcoat stitch in both the round and flat version.  There are time stamps in the description on YouTube for the different methods.  Also, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel while you are there!

Check out Another one of my Stitch Tutorials!

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

Waistcoat Stitch Crochet Pattern (Step by Step)

For this tutorial, I will just be using a #4 worsted weight yarn and an I / 5.5mm crochet hook

Stitch Key –

• ch = chain
• t = turn
• st = stitch (es)
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• ws = waistcoat stitch

Waistcoat Stitch Worked in the Round

One great thing about the waistcoat stitch is that your starting chain can be any number of stitches that you would like because there is no specific stitch count needed.

To start, chain any number of stitches and work a single crochet into the very 1st chain stitch to from a circle. Place a stitch marker if you want.

Single crochet in each chain stitch around. This is what it should look like

You will now start working a waistcoat stitch into every stitch instead of a regular single crochet. To do that you will simply work a single crochet in between the legs of the post of the stitch below it instead of going under the top of the stitch under the 2 loops like normal.

You will just keep working into the post of each stitch of the previous row around for as many rounds as you would like.

That is how easy and simple it is to crochet the waistcoat stitch in the round.

If you prefer, you can start each round by slip stitching into the 1st sc of the round. This way you don’t need a stitch marker, but I personally don’t like the look of it very well and just prefer to work in continuous rounds. It looks much neater to me.

Waistcoat Stitch Worked Flat

To work the waistcoat stitch in flat, back and forth rows is pretty much the same technique with just a few adjustments.

Start by chaining any number of stitches and single crochet in the 2nd chain stitch from hook and in each chain stitch across

Then chain 1 and turn your work. You will single crochet in the very first stitch and then work a waistcoat stitch in each post of each stitch across until you reach the very last stitch and you will just work a regular single crochet into the very last stitch

To me it is a little harder to see exactly where to place the stitch when you work the waistcoat in the flat. You will insert your hook in between the legs of the post of the previous rows stitch that is under the top 2 loops.

When you get to the last stitch of the row, you will just work a regular single crochet into the very last stitch

and this is what it should look like

You will just keep repeating the previous row for as many rows as you would like and it will eventually look like this

Check out a FREE pattern while you are here!

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