How do you crochet a loop stitch?

Work a single crochet, but before you finish it, wrap the yarn around a finger to form a loop. Pull that looped yarn through the stitch and complete the single crochet so the loop is held at the back. Each stitch leaves a soft loop on the surface.

What is a loop stitch used for?

The loop stitch creates soft loops that look like fur or fringe, so it is used for rugs, teddy bears and animal manes, cushion covers, scarves, and anything that needs a shaggy, textured, or furry finish.

Which side do the loops appear on?

The loops form on the back of the work as you make each stitch, so the loopy side is usually the wrong side while you work. When you turn the finished piece over, that loopy side becomes the front.

Why are my loop stitches uneven?

Uneven loops usually come from wrapping the yarn around your finger by different amounts. Wrap around the same finger to the same depth every time, or use a piece of card as a guide, to keep all your loops the same length.

Is the loop stitch hard to crochet?

The loop stitch is a little fiddly at first because of the extra finger wrap, but it is based on the single crochet, so it is very learnable. After a few stitches the rhythm becomes comfortable.

Can you make the loops longer or shorter?

Yes. The size of the loop depends on how far you wrap the yarn around your finger. Wrap over a wider finger or a strip of card for longer loops, and a narrower one for shorter, tighter loops.

Crochet Stitches

How to Crochet a Loop Stitch (Fur and Fringe Texture)

Published June 28, 2026

The loop stitch is a fun and versatile stitch that covers your fabric in soft loops, giving a shaggy, furry, or fringed look. It is the stitch behind crochet rugs, teddy bear fur, animal manes, and cozy textured cushions and scarves. Although it looks special, the loop stitch is simply a single crochet with an extra twist, so it is well within reach once you can single crochet. This guide shows you how to crochet a loop stitch step by step, with tips for even loops. It is part of the crochet stitch library.

What Is the Loop Stitch?

The loop stitch, sometimes called the fur stitch or fringe stitch, is a stitch that leaves a soft loop of yarn on the surface of the fabric with every stitch you make. It is built on the single crochet, with an added step where you wrap the yarn around a finger to create the loop before completing the stitch. Worked in rows, these loops build up into a dense, shaggy pile that looks like fur or fringe, which is why the stitch is so popular for texture.

When to Use the Loop Stitch

Reach for the loop stitch whenever you want a furry, shaggy, or looped texture. It is perfect for rugs and bath mats, teddy bears and amigurumi animals that need fur or a mane, cushion covers, cozy scarves, and Christmas or novelty projects like sheep and Santa beards. You can work it as an all over texture or just in sections for accents. Because the loops add both softness and visual interest, the stitch turns plain fabric into something tactile and eye catching.

What You Need

Use a smooth, medium weight yarn and a 5.0 mm hook to practice, along with your finger or a small strip of card to wrap the loops around. A card guide is handy if you want every loop exactly the same length. Smooth yarn keeps the loops neat, while a slightly fuzzy yarn can enhance the furry effect once you are confident. You should be comfortable with the single crochet first, since the loop stitch builds directly on it.

Step by Step: How to Crochet a Loop Stitch

Working into a row of single crochet: Step one: insert your hook into the next stitch. Step two: instead of yarning over normally, wrap the working yarn around a finger of your non dominant hand to form a loop, then catch both strands coming from that finger with your hook. Step three: pull those two strands through the stitch, so you have the loop held and two loops on the hook. Step four: yarn over and pull through to complete the single crochet, locking the loop in place at the back. Repeat across. Each stitch leaves a loop on the reverse, which becomes the front when you turn the work.

Common Loop Stitch Mistakes

The most common problem is uneven loops, which happens when you wrap the yarn to different lengths. Wrapping around the same finger or a card strip every time keeps them consistent. Another mistake is letting the loop slip loose before it is locked in, so keep gentle tension on it until the stitch is complete. Beginners also sometimes lose their stitch count because the loops make stitches harder to see, so count each row, as in how to count crochet stitches.

Tips for Even, Full Loops

For neat, full loops, wrap every loop to the same depth using a finger or a card guide, and keep the tension on each loop steady until it is secured. Work the loop stitch on right side rows only if your pattern alternates, so all the loops end up on the same face. Push the loops to the back as you go so they do not get caught. And remember the loops appear on the side facing away from you as you work, so the finished furry surface is the reverse of what you see while crocheting.

Best Projects for the Loop Stitch

The loop stitch is ideal for rugs, bath mats, teddy bears and furry amigurumi, animal manes and tails, cushion covers, cozy scarves, and novelty makes like sheep and beards. It pairs well with plain single crochet backgrounds so the loops stand out. To keep building your textured stitch skills, explore the moss stitch and the wider crochet stitch library, and find projects to try in the beginner pattern hub.