How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch or Knit Stitch – Step-by-Step Tutorial

The crochet waistcoat or knit stitch is a very beautiful and easy modification of the regular single crochet. It produces a solid and dense fabric with a typical knit-looking texture.

The only difference with a regular single crochet is where you make the stitch.

While a regular single crochet is worked into the top two loops of a stitch, the waistcoat stitch is crocheted into the center of each post. For this reason, it is also called center post stitch or center single crochet.

The knit stitch is ideal for all those projects where you’re looking for sturdiness and a dense/no-holes fabric. Here are a few examples:

A Few Facts about the Crochet Knit Stitch

Before we dive into the step-by-step tutorial on how to crochet this beautiful and easy stitch, I’d like to point your attention to a couple of important things about the crochet knit stitch.

  • The knit stitch is crocheted into the center of the posts, which results in a very tight fabric.
  • This is why it is always a good idea to go up one or two hook sizes compared to what is recommended for the yarn you’re using!
  • You can crochet the knit stitch both flat or in the round,
  • However, the texture and execution will change slightly in the two situations!

So, today, we’ll see how to crochet the knit stitch both flat and in the round, and learn how to appreciate the little differences between the two.

Pin this free tutorial for later by saving it to your favorite crochet board on Pinterest!

How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch or Knit Stitch - Flat and in the Round Tutorials - Raffamusa Designs

ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)

Ch – Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
St – Stitch
Yo – Yarn Over

HOW TO CROCHET WAISTCOAT OR KNIT STITCH – In the Round

I find that the easiest way to learn how to crochet the waistcoat stitch is by starting with a project in the round, such as my Sea Waves Basket or the Nazar Potholder.

The advantage of working in the round is that your stitches will always be on the right side of your work! This makes it extra easy to find the right spot in which to insert your hook.

Basically, instead of inserting your hook into the top two loops of a sc stitch, you will need to insert your hook in between the two V-shaped legs of the post.

In picture 1 below, I drew two black marks on the V’s of the post of a sc. In picture 2, I inserted my green cable needle in the spot where you need to insert your hook to make the knit stitch.

Once you find the space in the center of the post, all you need to do is to crochet a regular sc.

How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch or Knit Stitch - In the Round - Free Tutorial - Raffamusa Designs

Notice that after a few rounds of knit stitch (see photo 3), the V’s of your stitches will be nicely stacked on top of each other.

This will not be the case when you crochet the waistcoat or knit stitch in rows.

How to Crochet Waistcoat or Knit Stitch – Flat

Here, we will see how to crochet the knit stitch flat. For this tutorial, I worked with 10 sts. However, the knit stitch will work with any number of sts!

Row 1

Start by making your foundation chain and working the first row of regular sc.

For this tutorial, I chained 11, and made 10 sc stitches starting from the second ch from my hook.

Row 1 - Single Crochet Stitches - Raffamusa Designs

Row 2

Ch 1 and turn your work.

Make one regular sc in the first st. Then, work your sc sts in between the legs of the post until you only have one st left. Crochet one regular sc in the last st.

How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch or Knit Stitch - Where to insert the hook - Raffamusa Designs

But where exactly are you supposed to work your knit sts? You see that it is not so obvious to find the right spot as when you knit st in the round.

Here is my little trick.

Turn your work back to the right side of row 1, and insert a tapestry needle or pin in between the two legs of the second sc from your hook.

Now, when you turn your work to the wrong side of row 1 (which is the right side for row 2!), you’ll know exactly where to insert your hook!

Where to insert the hook for the knit stitch - Row 2 - Raffamusa Designs

Complete Row 2 by making knit sts across. Remember that for more solid edges, it is best to make regular sc in the first and last st of each row!

How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch or Knit Stitch - Row 2 - Raffamusa Designs

Next Rows

Row 3 and all the next rows are going to be a simple repeat of row 2.

Again, to find the right spot where to insert your hook, turn your work to the right side of the last row your crocheted, and insert a needle in the center of the post of the single crochet. Then, turn your work to the right side, and complete your knit sts!

Knit Stitch - Row 3 - Raffamusa Designs

Keep repeating the same pattern until your project reaches your desired length.

How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch or Knit Stitch - Raffamusa Designs

YOU Just LEARNED TO CROCHET THE Knit STITCH!

I hope you enjoyed this stitch tutorial!

Don’t forget to show me what you’re going to crochet with the knit stitch by tagging me on Facebook and Instagram, and using the hashtag #raffamusadesigns

Find more beautiful crochet stitches here on the blog…

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