How to Crochet the Herringbone Stitch the EASY Way!!

If you’ve been crocheting for a while and you’re ready to level up your stitch game, the herringbone stitch might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. It’s one of those stitches that looks incredibly intricate and impressive but — once you understand the logic behind it — is actually pretty approachable, even for intermediate beginners. Today at Day’s Crochet & Knit, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to crochet the herringbone stitch the easy way, including tips, tricks, and all the little details that make this stitch click into place.

So grab your hook, your favorite yarn, and let’s dive in!

What Is the Herringbone Stitch in Crochet?

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the what. The herringbone stitch is a variation of the double crochet stitch, and it gets its name from the distinctive V-shaped zigzag pattern it creates — similar to the skeleton of a herring fish, which is where the classic herringbone textile pattern in knitting and weaving comes from.

In crochet, the herringbone double crochet (sometimes called the hdc herringbone or the hbdc, depending on the variation) creates a fabric that is slightly flatter and more tightly woven than traditional double crochet. The diagonal lines run in a beautiful alternating pattern that gives your finished piece a polished, almost woven appearance. It’s the kind of stitch that makes people ask, “Wait, did you make that yourself?” and you get to smile and say yes.

The herringbone stitch works beautifully for blankets, scarves, cowls, bags, dishcloths, and even garments. It has a lovely drape and creates a dense-but-not-stiff fabric that’s incredibly satisfying to work with.

Why Learn the Herringbone Stitch?

You might be wondering — I already know double crochet. Why bother adding something new? Here’s the thing: the herringbone stitch is just different enough to keep your hands interested while you work on a larger project. If you’ve ever gotten bored doing row after row of plain double crochet on a blanket, you’ll appreciate how the herringbone stitch gives your brain just a little bit more to focus on without being overwhelming.

Here are some other reasons to love this stitch:

It creates a stunning textured fabric that looks far more complex than it is. The stitch is relatively fast to work up once you get the rhythm. It uses about the same amount of yarn as a standard double crochet, so it’s not a yarn hog. It’s incredibly versatile and works in almost any weight of yarn. And it photographs beautifully — always a bonus if you like sharing your makes on Instagram or Pinterest.

What You’ll Need

To practice the herringbone stitch, you don’t need anything special. Here’s what I recommend for a swatch or practice piece:

Yarn: A smooth, light-colored worsted weight yarn is perfect for learning. The smooth texture and light color will help you see your stitches clearly. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can use any weight you like.

Hook: Use whatever hook size is recommended for your yarn. For worsted weight, this is typically a US size J (6.0 mm) or I (5.5 mm). Having the right hook size makes a big difference in how the stitch looks and feels.

Scissors and a yarn needle: For finishing your swatch or weaving in ends.

Stitch markers (optional): These can be helpful when you’re first learning to keep track of your turning chains and row beginnings.

Understanding the Logic Before You Start

The herringbone stitch is a lot easier to learn when you understand what’s actually happening as you make it. Unlike a standard double crochet where you yarn over, insert your hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through two loops again — the herringbone version has a clever little shortcut.

In the herringbone double crochet, instead of finishing the stitch the traditional way, you pull the yarn through both remaining loops at once at a specific point in the process. This is the key that makes the herringbone look different from a regular double crochet. It creates that signature diagonal slant in the stitch body that, when repeated across a row, forms the herringbone pattern.

Think of it like this: you’re taking a slight shortcut at the end of each stitch, and that shortcut is what creates the magic. Once your hands know where that shortcut happens, you’ll find that you can work this stitch almost on autopilot.

Step-by-Step: How to Crochet the Herringbone Double Crochet Stitch

Let’s break this down into clear, manageable steps. I’ll walk you through making a foundation chain and then working your first row so you can see exactly how this stitch comes together.

Setting Up Your Foundation Chain

Start by chaining any number of stitches. For a practice swatch, I like to chain about 20 stitches. This gives you enough room to see the pattern develop without committing to a huge piece right away.

Chain 20 (or any number you like for practice). Your turning chain for the herringbone double crochet is 2 chains (some crocheters prefer 3 — experiment and see what looks best to you). So if you’re working a standard swatch, chain 22 to start (20 foundation chains plus 2 for the turning chain).

Row 1: Working the Herringbone Double Crochet

Step 1: Yarn over and insert your hook into the third chain from the hook (skipping the first two chains, which serve as your turning chain).

Step 2: Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have three loops on your hook: the original loop, the yarn over you did before inserting the hook, and the new loop you just pulled up.

Step 3: Here’s where it gets different from a regular double crochet. Instead of doing the next yarn over and pulling through two loops in the usual way, you’re going to yarn over and pull through the first two loops on your hook. So far this sounds like a regular double crochet — but stay with me.

Step 4: Now you have two loops left on your hook. This is the special moment. Instead of doing a standard yarn over and pulling through both loops, you’re going to yarn over and pull through both remaining loops at once. Done! That’s your first herringbone double crochet stitch.

Take a moment to look at that stitch. Do you see how there’s a diagonal bar running across the body of it? That’s the herringbone effect, and it comes from that final pull-through-both-loops move.

Step 5: Continue across the row. Yarn over, insert your hook into the next chain, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops. Repeat this all the way to the end of your foundation chain.

When you reach the end of your row, chain 2 and turn your work.

Row 2 and Beyond

Here’s the beautiful thing about the herringbone stitch in rows: once you’ve got Row 1 down, every subsequent row is exactly the same motion. Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch (not the turning chain — start in the first actual stitch), pull up a loop, yarn over through two, yarn over through two. Repeat across, chain 2, turn.

As your rows build up, you’ll start to see the herringbone pattern emerge. Those diagonal lines begin to alternate direction between rows, creating that gorgeous V-shaped texture that the stitch is named for. It’s one of the most satisfying things in crochet to watch a pattern reveal itself as you work.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even experienced crocheters run into a few snags when learning the herringbone stitch for the first time. Here are the most common issues and how to sort them out.

Your stitch count keeps changing. This is almost always a turning chain issue. Make sure you’re starting your first stitch of each new row in the first actual stitch — not in the turning chain. The turning chain typically does not count as a stitch in the herringbone double crochet.

Your fabric is pulling or puckering. This usually means your tension is too tight. Try loosening up your grip on the yarn and working your stitches a little more loosely. You can also try going up a hook size.

The herringbone effect isn’t showing up clearly. Double-check that you’re doing that final pull-through-both-loops correctly. If you accidentally revert to the standard double crochet motion, the herringbone diagonal will disappear. Slow down and be deliberate about that last step until it becomes muscle memory.

Your edges are uneven. This is normal at first! It takes a few rows to get into a consistent rhythm. Keep going — your edges will even out as you settle into the stitch.

Tips for Working the Herringbone Stitch Like a Pro

After teaching this stitch to lots of fellow crafters, I’ve collected some tips that make a real difference in how smoothly things go.

Work a swatch first. I know, I know — nobody wants to swatch. But even just 10 rows of the herringbone stitch before you start your actual project will save you so much frustration. It gives your hands a chance to internalize the motion before you’re working with expensive yarn on something that matters.

Choose the right yarn. While you can technically use any yarn for the herringbone stitch, smooth yarns show off the pattern best. Fuzzy or textured yarns (like mohair or boucle) will obscure those beautiful diagonal lines. Save those for a different stitch and let the herringbone shine with a clean, smooth yarn.

Pay attention to your turning chains. The number of chains you use to turn can affect how your edges look. Most herringbone patterns call for a chain-2 turn, but if your edges are looking a little loose or loopy, try a chain-1 or chain-3 and see if that looks better with your yarn and tension.

Use a hook that feels comfortable. This stitch involves a slightly different hand motion than regular double crochet, and if your hook is uncomfortable or doesn’t move smoothly through your stitches, it’ll slow you down and tire out your hand. Use a hook you love, whether that’s an ergonomic handle, a lightweight aluminum, or your trusty old plastic hook.

Count your stitches at the end of every row for the first few rows. It’s easy to accidentally add or lose a stitch when you’re still getting comfortable. A quick count at the end of each row catches mistakes before they compound.

Herringbone Stitch Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the herringbone double crochet, there’s a whole world of variations to explore.

Herringbone Half Double Crochet (Hhdc): This version uses the half double crochet as its base and creates an even flatter, more compact fabric. It’s wonderful for dishcloths, pot holders, and any project where you want a dense, sturdy texture.

Herringbone Single Crochet: Yes, it exists! The herringbone effect can be worked into single crochet stitches as well, though the effect is subtler. This variation creates a very tight, firm fabric — great for bags or baskets.

Extended Herringbone Double Crochet: By adding an extra step at the beginning of the stitch, you can create a taller, more open version of the herringbone that has a slightly lacier quality.

Herringbone Triple Crochet: For a really dramatic, elongated herringbone effect, try it with triple crochet stitches. This version works up quickly and creates a fabric with wonderful drape — perfect for shawls or lightweight wraps.

Project Ideas Using the Herringbone Stitch

Now that you’re learning the stitch, let’s talk about what you can make with it. The herringbone stitch is one of those wonderfully versatile stitches that adapts to almost any project.

Blankets and throws are probably the most popular use for the herringbone stitch. The rhythmic nature of the stitch makes it great for larger projects, and the finished result is a blanket that looks like you spent twice as long making it as you actually did. Work it in a single color for a sophisticated, textured look, or use multiple colors or stripes for something more playful.

Scarves and cowls are another perfect match for the herringbone stitch. The fabric has a lovely drape and a cozy density that’s ideal for accessories you want to actually wrap around your neck and stay warm in.

Market bags and totes work beautifully in the herringbone stitch, especially when you use cotton yarn. The stitch creates a firm structure that holds its shape well, and the texture adds visual interest to a simple bag silhouette.

Baby items like blankets, booties, and hats are gorgeous in the herringbone stitch. Use a soft, machine-washable yarn and the result is something that feels as beautiful as it looks.

Table runners and placemats — if you’ve never thought about crocheting home décor items, the herringbone stitch might change your mind. It creates a flat, even fabric that lies nicely on a table, and in cotton yarn, it’s practical as well as pretty.

Caring for Herringbone Stitch Projects

Because the herringbone stitch creates a fairly dense fabric, it’s important to follow proper care instructions for whatever yarn you’ve used. In general, herringbone stitch items do well with gentle hand washing or a delicate machine cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Lay flat to dry to help the piece keep its shape — the weight of water can stretch out a damp crocheted item if you hang it.

If you’re making something as a gift, it’s always a thoughtful idea to write down the yarn label information so the recipient knows how to care for it.

Wrapping Up

The herringbone stitch is one of those happy discoveries in crochet that rewards you quickly. You put in a little effort to learn the slightly different hand motion, and within a few rows you’ve got a fabric that looks like it came from a boutique shop. That’s the best kind of stitch — one that punches above its weight.

The key, as with any new stitch, is to go slowly at first. Don’t worry about speed. Just focus on getting that final pull-through-both-loops to feel natural, and everything else will follow. Before long you’ll be working the herringbone stitch without even thinking about it, eyes on a movie or a conversation, hands moving on their own.

I hope this tutorial has made the herringbone stitch feel less mysterious and more like something you’re excited to try. If you give it a go, I’d love to see what you make — feel free to share your projects and tag Day’s Crochet & Knit. And if you have questions as you work through it, drop them in the comments below. I’m always happy to help troubleshoot.

Happy crocheting, and as always — enjoy every stitch!

Looking for more stitch tutorials? Browse the stitch library here at Day’s Crochet & Knit for more step-by-step guides, from beginner basics to more advanced techniques. New tutorials posted regularly!