Crab Crochet Stitch Tutorial
Welcome crocheter to the how to crochet the Crab Stitch Tutorial also known as the Reverse Single Crochet Stitch! This is a new stitch I’m excited to work on as well using Sarah’s tutorial below and her crochet pattern too :) I can’t wait to see what you make using this tutorial!! This is the third of a series of three crochet stitch tutorials that Sarah has created, all featuring her Essential Crochet Basket Pattern so that you can create this awesome and colorful basket! The first is the Front Post Single Crochet Stitch and the second is the Camel Crochet Stitch. After the tutorial there is a list of crochet patterns you can go to when you want to make something using your new found knowledge of the Crab Crochet Stitch as well as the previous crochet stitch tutorials also found here.
Note - This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you, should you click through and make a purchase. Please note that I do not recommend products or websites unless I use them or would use them myself. I have spend countless hours on Etsy and love seeing all the small creative businesses on there. :)
How to Crochet the Crab Stitch Tutorial
Originally posted 20 December 2019, updated 19 January 2022.
by Sarah of Stitched by Sarahs
Hello! My name is Sarah and I am mostly a stay at home mom to three little kids and married to my husband for 11 years. I started crocheting about 5 years ago, and have added knitting and Tunisian crochet to my crafting skills. I enjoy all kinds of crafting, from designing, to following a pattern, to making items for sale. I hope you enjoy my stitch tutorials!
If you like this, you may like:
Sigoni Macaroni’s Dreamsicle Top using a Crab Stitch for the detail works
Note - This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you, should you click through and make a purchase. However, I do not make recommendations for products or websites that I have not or will not use. Etsy and Bluprint are both places that I have purchased patterns and other crochet items and will continue to. Etsy is also an amazing way to support all of these makers that you find highlighted here and in other posts throughout the VAMICreations website.
Here are a number of patterns that use the above stitch so you can practice and make some of your first crochet pieces!!!
SigoniMacaroni's Dreamsicle Top is an awesome top that I've created myself and love the design. It uses the Crab Stitch for the little details on the top and bottom of the shirt and is a great summer top you can create with so many different colors of yarn.
One Stitch's Lace Spiral Slouch Hat Pattern is a fun slouch hat that uses two colors that spiral together and can be finished with the crab stitch.
HookYarnCarabiner has several crochet patterns using the crab stitch to include the Ripple Rainforest Cowl and the Ripple Rainforest Scarf. Both are a beautiful accessory to have in your wardrobe for any occasion and can be created with any number of different yarn combinations. You can also find out more about #wildyarning in Ellie’s interview with us.
HookYarnCarabiner’s Ripple Rainforest Scarf
Also, here is a left handed stitch tutorial for how to crochet the Crab Stitch so you can make these patterns as well if you are left handed.
If you have arthritis or issues with your hands here are some extra tutorials and tips specifically designed with you in mind. :)
One of ItsVera’s yarn rings.
The Arthritis Foundation has an article with specific tips for knitting, crocheting, and cross stitching with arthritic hands. They have specific tips for each craft on things you can do to help make manage your arthritis while still allowing you to enjoy the craft you love.
Every Day Health has an article all about how to knit/crochet with Arthritis with 10 tips for how to keep crocheting/knitting. They even encourage you to crochet and craft with Arthritis because it can actually help you with managing it.
All Free Crochet has a full Crochet and Arthritis Tip Guide for those that have arthritis or issues with their hands complete with information about how to help your hands each time you crochet or craft and tips on how to adjust for your craft based on whether you have a good day or a bad day.
You can also find ergonomic crochet hooks (recommended for those with hand pain to ease it and allow you to crochet longer or at all) among the amazing crochet hook shops of Etsy in an earlier round up of crochet hooks.
Crocheting with one of ItsVera’s yarn rings.
YouTube has several videos where people have discussed tips that have helped them with crocheting or knitting with Arthritis or other health issues that cause your hands and body to be stiff.
Jen B discusses how she crochets in this 3 minute video and shows you how to best hold the yarn and more.
Vera of It’s Vera has over 30 knitting and crochet rings in her Etsy Shop that help with pain and relief for crocheting/knitting/Tunisian crocheting with Arthritis.
LullasJewelry also has awesome crochet rings in her Etsy Shop that are adjustable and help hold the yarn for pain and relief while crocheting/knitting/Tunisian crocheting with Arthritis.
DawnGillDesigns has a number of crochet rings she calls hooker rings in her Etsy Shop and each has a different design you can choose from to include paw, snowflake, flower, star, dot and heart.
Motion Works Blog has an article on tips for crocheting and using your hands despite having arthritis and also gives several stretches that you can do to help your hands while crocheting or crafting.
Laughing Hens has an article specifically about stretches (complete with pictures!) that are great for both crocheters and knitters. I think I’ll start doing these too to help my hands when I’m working on a variety of projects!
Thank you for joining us for this how to crochet the Crab Stitch Tutorial! What crochet stitches are you wanting to learn how to crochet? I’d also love to hear from you about what types of resources you want more information on as well as Makers you would like to nominate for a Maker Feature! Please email me or leave a comment on this article! Looking forward to hearing from you and have a great day!
Hello everyone!!! Have you ever seen some of the gorgeous crochet pieces floating around Instagram and wondered how they are made or even if you could make them yourself? You can!!! That is what this how to crochet series is all about! You will have the chance to meet a number of different designers and find amazing patterns and creations done by them and and others :) . I am so excited that you are here and wanting to start crocheting! It is such a wonderful thing to work with your hands and make something that you or a loved one can wear. You can even make things to sell!