How to Reverse Single Crochet Stitch (aka Crab Stitch Edging)

In this tutorial, you will learn how to reverse single crochet, which you can use to create a beautiful border around crochet works. i.e. dishcloths, placements, etc. It is exactly like the regular single crochet except the direction of the working difference. Along with this, you will also be informed about its abbreviations, symbols, and left and right-handed instructions. So, follow through with this guide for beginners!

What is reverse single crochet?

Reverse single crochet is a popular edging technique for the crochet works. It has a smooth, twisted cord look, and we never work further above it (after all, it is edging!).

Abbreviation: Reverse sc (where sc stands for single crochet).

Alternative name: Crab stitch

Difference from single crochet: Reverse single crochet uses the same steps as we shall use in regular single crochet except whose side stitch will be worked. That said, we work from right to left, but in reverse single crochet, we shall want to work from left to right without adding a turning chain. Due to this reason, we must have to stay on the right side and never turn the work.

Symbol:

How to Crochet Reverse Single Crochet

Are you ready to learn the carb or reverse single crochet stitch? Take a look at the pictures below and the step-by-step instructions:

Right-Hand Instructions

If you hold the crochet hook in the right hand, you should follow these instructions for crab stitch:

Complete the last row of your work. Do not turn in the work as you will usually do after completing a row. You will, this way, stay on the right side of the work.
Insert your hook from front to back under both loops of the previous stitch you just made on the right side.
Yarn over (yo) your hook.
Pull yarn through the stitch. You should have two loops on your hook.
Yarn over again and pull it through both loops on the hook. These steps are exactly similar to the regular single crochet.
Now, insert the crochet hook into the second last stitch and repeat the steps 3-4. Keep doing the crab stitches. The corners will work the same.

Left-Hand Instructions

Below are the instructions for the left-handed crocheters:

You should have the last row of work completed. Don’t turn the work to stay on the right side.
Insert the hook into the last stitch of this row (on the left side).
Do a single crochet with the here mechanism you will always follow.
Keep crocheting the crab stitches in each of the next stitches on the left side of the row.