Learn How to do Reverse Single Crochet, also called Crab Stitch

A favorite stitch when crocheting colors in to a piece; the advantage is that the right side of the work is always facing you. This also makes a nice edging.

Crab Stitch, Reverse SC How-to Beginning row is worked in single crochet as normal. At the end of the row, do not turn. Instead, work from left to right in reverse single crochet. Continue to work next row in single crochet as normal (right to left) and every other row in reverse single crochet (left to right).

How to make a reverse single crochet stitch: Working left to right, insert hook in next stitch to the right, complete as sc.

For the illustration below, imagine that you have just finished crocheting a row of single crochet in the usual manner (right to left). Do not turn. The same side of the work will always be facing you for this technique. Instead, (working left to right) insert the hook in the first stitch to the right. The arrow in the illustration below shows the direction in which the hook would be inserted. (Under the loops exactly the way you usually do a single crochet. The difference is in the direction in which you are working the row.)

Step 1 - With the right side of the work facing you, working left to right, insert hook in next stitch to the right:

Step 2 - Yarn over, draw yarn through stitch:

Step 3 - Yarn over, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook (1 reverse sc).

Repeat steps 1 - 3 for each stitch that you are making in reverse single crochet across the row.

Illustrations by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com

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