Edging – Crab Stitch & Twisted SC
Crab stitch was one of the first decorative, single row edgings I learned. It creates a rope like edge by working backwards (from left to right). I recently learned a stitch called the twisted single crochet, which creates a very similar edge, but working forwards.
Crab Stitch (Reverse Single Crochet)
The instructions are simple – single crochet in each stitch, working from left to right. Actually doing it can be a bit awkward. For the first stitch, just make a single crochet as you normally would.
Now without changing anything, insert your hook into the next stitch to the right (instead of to the left). The loop on your hook will naturally twist as you do this.
Yarn over and pull up a loop like you normally would for a single crochet.
Then yarn over and pull through both loops.
The twisting of the loops creates the rope like effect. You will see this more clearly after completing a few more stitches.
Twisted Single Crochet
Twisted single crochet gives you the same twist in the loops, but working forwards instead of backwards. I learned this technique fairly recently, from Moogly. This one is harder to show in pictures, so I have included both a photo and video tutorial.
Photo Tutorial:
Start as you normally would for a single crochet – insert hook, yarn over, draw up a loop.
Now twist your entire hook around completely one time, so the two loops on your hook twist around each other.
Yarn over and pull through both loops to finish your single crochet as normal.
Here’s how it looks after a few more stitches:
Video Tutorial (no sound):
The two edges are very similar, though not quite the same. Depending on where your working yarn is when you start an edging, sometimes it might be easier to work backwards in a crab stitch, and sometimes it might be easier to work forwards in a twisted single crochet.
12 Comments
Kathleen Jones
Your explanations and pictures are so clear. Now, I understand these stitches and will be able to use them. I’m saving this page for reference. Thank you.
Pia Thadani
Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful, I love hearing that 🙂
Lorna
Thanks for this. I’m sending cards to friends during Covid19 and making jazzy dishcloths to pop in with each card. The twisted stitch gives a nice firm edge. Lorna UK
Pia Thadani
What a sweet idea! Glad my tutorial helped 🙂
Francs
Thank you for this. I actually prefer the look of the twisted SC. Your directions are really easy to follow, both in the pictures and the video. Another stitch now added to my repertoire 🙂
Pia Thadani
yay! 🙂
Leah
Thank you so much. I’ve tried this stitch several times and could not do it – even with instructions. This tutorial was immensely helpful and I can now do the stitch!! I’m an artist and love to crochet also.
Pia Thadani
Yay! I’m glad it worked for you! 🙂
Ellen Richard
I really appreciate the comparison in the final look of both and the functional differences of both explained in one place. Thank you.
Pia Thadani
You’re welcome! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Cara
Any tips for doing this along the side of a DC project to thicken it up a bit and neaten them?
Pia Thadani
sounds like a great idea 🙂 Remember crab stitch can be a little puffier than normal single crochet, so do fewer of them than you would normally do.