Herringbone Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial
With just a few simple modifications to the standard double crochet stitch, you can create a fun herringbone (or zigzag) pattern in your crochet projects. This Herringbone Double Crochet stitch tutorial will teach you to make an understated, elegant texture.
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What Is Herringbone Double Crochet?
The Herringbone Double Crochet (HBDC) Stitch is a slanted, extended DC. As you work this stitch pattern back and forth in rows, the slanted stitches create a herringbone pattern.
If you’re used to making traditional double crochet stitches, the HBDC can seem pretty funky at first. You won’t have built muscle memory for this modified version so you’ll have to train yourself to do the extra steps needed to work this stitch.
Also, I find my tension is a lot looser with HBDC. So if you’re using this stitch along with a different stitch in a larger project, you may want to go down a hook size for the HBDC portion to maintain tension throughout the project.
Can’t work this Stitch right now? Pin it for later!
More Double Crochet Stitch Tutorials
If you enjoy Herringbone Double Crochet, you may like these other stitch tutorials, which also use DC in various ways:
Try Out More Interesting Stitches in the Rainbow Blanket CAL
If you’re a fan of interesting crochet stitch patterns, you can practice the Herringbone Double Crochet stitch along with 11 other stitches in a stitch sampler adventure! We’ll be running this as a crochet-a-long (CAL) in March-April 2025. Head over to the CAL page and join the fun!
Choosing the right yarn & hook
This yarn I used for this tutorial is Amigo by Hobbii. This DK-weight acrylic comes in over 50 brilliant colors! But of course, the yarn weight and hook size you choose will depend on your project and how it will be used.
No matter what yarn weight you choose, you will definitely want something with good stitch definition that shows off the gorgeous texture of the stitches. Avoid fuzzy or furry yarns. Also, light or bright colors catch the highlights and shadows and work better for showing off textures than dark ones.
Match your hook size to the yarn you choose. You may need to make a swatch or two to figure out which size gives you the desired tension. I love the Streamline Laurel Wooden hook from Furls Crochet, which comes in sizes F/3.75mm through P/10mm. I use Furls hooks often and highly recommend you try them out!
What project will you use the Herringbone Double Crochet stitch on? If you use this crochet Herringbone Double Crochet stitch tutorial for one of your crochet projects, be sure to share pictures in my FB group and show us how you used this fun technique!
Tutorial for the Herringbone Double Crochet
Herringbone Double Crochet Stitch Video Tutorial
Learn how to crochet the Herringbone Double Crochet stitch with this YouTube video. 👇
Herringbone Double Crochet Stitch Written Instructions
Below you will find step-by-step instructions for creating the Herringbone Double Crochet stitch.
Notes
- CH 1 and CH 3 at the beginning of the row do NOT count as a stitch.
If you use these instructions exactly as written, you will create Section 12 of the Rainbow Blanket CAL. To use this stitch pattern in another project, ignore the color changes and row/stitch counts. Adjust the length of your starting chain and row counts to achieve your desired measurements.
Abbreviations
- CC – Contrasting Color
- CH – Chain
- HDC – Half Double Crochet
- MC – Main Color
- rep – repeat
- st – stitch
Special Stitches
Herringbone DC (HBDC) YO, insert your hook, YO, pull up a loop and pull directly through first loop on hook, YO and pull through one loop, YO and pull through remaining two loops.
Written Instructions
Rows 1-2: In MC, CH 1, HDC in first st and each st across, turn. (132 sts)
Row 3: In CC, CH 1, HDC in first st, HBDC in next st and each st across until 1 st remains, HDC in last st, turn. (132 sts)
Rep Row 3 until section measure 4”.
Finish with 2 rows of HDC.
End on an EVEN row.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Have you ever used this stitch before? If you have any other tips or tricks for the Herringbone Double Crochet stitch share them in the comments below.
