How do you crochet a crab stitch?

The crab stitch is a single crochet worked backward, from left to right if you are right handed. You insert the hook into the stitch to your right, yarn over, pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops, creating a twisted, corded edge.

What is a crab stitch?

The crab stitch, also called reverse single crochet, is a decorative edging made by working single crochet in the opposite direction to normal. This backward motion twists each stitch, creating a neat, ribbed, corded border.

Why is it called a crab stitch?

It is called a crab stitch because you work it backward, moving in the opposite direction to usual, a bit like a crab walking sideways. The reverse direction is what gives the stitch its distinctive twisted look.

What is the crab stitch used for?

The crab stitch is used almost entirely as an edging. Its firm, twisted, corded texture gives a tidy, finished border to blankets, garments, hats, and bags, and it helps stop edges from curling.

Is the crab stitch hard to crochet?

The crab stitch feels awkward at first because you work backward, but the movement is simple once you get used to it. If you can single crochet, you can learn the crab stitch with a little practice.

Do you turn your work for the crab stitch?

No. The crab stitch is worked without turning, moving backward across the row in the opposite direction to your last row. That reverse direction, rather than turning, is what creates the twisted corded effect.

Crochet Stitches

How to Crochet a Crab Stitch (Reverse Single Crochet Edging)

Published July 10, 2026

The crab stitch is one of the simplest ways to give a crochet project a neat, professional finish. Also known as reverse single crochet, it creates a firm, twisted, corded border that tidies up edges and helps stop them curling. The clever part is that it is just a single crochet worked backward, so if you can single crochet, you can learn it quickly. This guide shows you how to crochet a crab stitch step by step, with tips to make it look its best. It is an edging stitch from the crochet stitch library.

What Is the Crab Stitch?

The crab stitch, also called reverse single crochet, is a decorative edging worked by making single crochet stitches in the opposite direction to normal. Instead of working from right to left as usual (for right handed crocheters), you work from left to right, moving backward across the row. This reverse motion twists each stitch as you make it, producing a distinctive corded, ribbed edge. It gets its name from the way you move backward, like a crab walking sideways, and it is used almost entirely for finishing edges.

When to Use the Crab Stitch

The crab stitch is an edging, so you use it as a final round or row to finish a project neatly. Its firm, twisted texture gives a tidy, corded border to blankets, scarves, garments, hats, and bags, and because it is dense, it helps stabilize and flatten edges that might otherwise curl. It works beautifully on top of a row of single crochet or a slip stitch edge, adding a professional finishing touch that makes handmade projects look polished.

What You Need

You do not need anything special for the crab stitch, just your project and the same yarn and hook you have been using. Because it is worked into a finished edge, you will usually add it after completing your project, often after a plain single crochet border to give an even base. A smooth yarn shows the corded texture best. The crab stitch is worked with the right side facing you, without turning, so you always move backward along the edge.

Step by Step: How to Crochet a Crab Stitch

Working right handed, with the right side facing and the last stitch of your row on the right: Step one: instead of moving left, insert your hook into the stitch to your right, going from front to back. Step two: yarn over and pull up a loop, so you have two loops on the hook. Step three: yarn over and pull through both loops, just like a single crochet. Step four: continue working backward into each stitch to the right, one at a time. Each stitch will twist as you go, forming the corded edge. Left handed crocheters simply work in the mirror direction, to the left.

Common Crab Stitch Mistakes

The most common issue is that the backward motion feels awkward, which leads people to work too tightly or twist the hook oddly. Keep your tension relaxed and let each stitch twist naturally rather than forcing it. Another mistake is skipping stitches or working two into one because it is hard to see the next stitch when moving backward, so go slowly and place each stitch in the next available spot. It takes a few stitches to find the rhythm, and then it becomes surprisingly easy.

Tips for a Neat Crab Stitch

For the best crab stitch edge, work a plain round of single crochet first so you have an even, tidy base to work the crab stitch into. Keep your tension relaxed so the twisted stitches sit evenly, and do not pull them tight. Work slowly at first until the backward motion feels natural. If the edge still wants to curl, a gentle block will settle it flat, as covered in how to block crochet. A little practice on a swatch makes your final edging look crisp and even.

Best Projects for the Crab Stitch

The crab stitch is the perfect finishing edge for blankets, scarves, cowls, hats, bags, and garment openings, anywhere you want a firm, decorative border that also helps flatten the edge. It pairs well with other edgings and looks especially smart on projects with plain stitch bodies. Explore more finishing and edging ideas across the crochet stitch library and the crochet techniques guide, and find projects to edge in the beginner pattern hub.