I first used this stitch in the Ray Of Hope Crochet Along where it featured in one of the outer rays of the blanket. The distinctive look of the Double Herringbone stitch is created by making the stitch in a different way to regular crochet stitches. Once you get into the rhythm of how to make it, the stitch works up quickly and easily.
If you did the Single Herringbone crochet stitch during the 50 Stitches crochet along don’t worry, the Double Herringbone stitch is much easier and doesn’t involve any backward stitches. There are several different types of Herringbone stitches, each with it’s own distinctive leaning look.This article contains affiliate links, I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Double Herringbone stitch is also sometimes called the Railroad stitch due to the tracklines that it makes. But it’s most common name comes from the fact that each pair of rows slant in opposite directions making it look like the backbone of a fish – such as a Herring.
The Double Herringbone stitch is ideal for making all kinds of crochet projects including hats, scarves, blankets, clothing and many more projects. This stitch would look great in multiple colours as well as in a solid fabric like I’ve used in the pictures in this stitch guide.
This how to guide is part of Froggity Frog’s Stitch Vault collection. Have you seen all the other stitches in there? You can take a look here all the guides are free to access and maybe you will discover some new stitches to create for yourself.
I made this swatch of the Double Herringbone with Scheepjes Softfun a cotton blend yarn which gives fabulous stitch definition so you can really see that beautiful chevron pattern that the Double Herringbone stitch creates. The colours of Scheepjes Softfun are so vibrant too which makes any crochet project you make with it look super stunning. The Double Herringbone stitch is also sometimes called the Railroad stitch due to the tracklines that it makes. But it’s most common name comes from the fact that each pair of rows slant in opposite directions making it look like the backbone of a fish – such as a Herring.
I also used my trusty Clover Amour hooks which are perfect if you are looking for a good value ergonomic crochet hook that won’t cause your hand to ache if you are crocheting for long periods of time. I’ve tried many different crochet hooks over the years, but I always end up coming back to my trusty Clovers.
How To Crochet The Double Herringbone Stitch
Click here for the left hand video
You can use any number of stitches for the Herringbone stitch, there is no pattern per se, It’s the way you form each stitch that makes it slant to the side. Because we will be turning at the end of each row, the next row slants in the opposite direction to the row below which gives the stitch it’s distinctive chevron look.
There is no stitch repeat for the Double Herringbone stitch, so you can use it with any stitch count of your choosing to suit your project.
Start with the foundation chain of your choice of length.
Row 1. In the 4th chain from your hook (the turning chain counts as your first dc of the row) make a double herringbone stitch (dhs).
To make a Double Herringbone Stitch (dhs) yarn over and insert your hook into the chain. Yarn over and pull through the chain AND the first loop on your hook only – like if you were making a slip stitch.
Yarn over and pull through 1 loop only, yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. This completes your double herringbone stitch.
To complete your row, make a dhs in every chain across. Your first row will look like the picture below. You should already be able to see the stitches leaning to one side. They will slant in the direction that you are working in. So if you are left handed the stitches will slant in the opposite direction to that shown below.
Row 2. Turn and chain 1. Make a double crochet turning chain in the first stitch. In each stitch on the row make a dhs. You are working through both loops of each stitch to make the Double Herringbone stitch.
Your stitches should slant in the opposite direction from the row below giving your crochet that distinctive fish backbone look which is where the Herringbone stitches name derives from.
To continue the Double Herringbone stitch, keep repeating row 2 until you have the number of rows you need for your project.
The edges of your crochet will take on a scalloped look like in the picture below. This occurs because of how each row slants to the side in the opposite direction to the row below. So the edges never quite line up from one row to another. This is perfectly normal and to be expected when making this stitch. You can still add a border to this stitch which will straighten it out a bit, but I think it looks good without a border and to keep that lovely scalloped look instead.
You can use the instructions above to work the Double Herringbone stitch for any type of project of your choosing. The stitch works up the same no matter what project you choose to make with it.
How To Add A Border To The Double Herringbone Stitch
The Double Herringbone stitch is made entirely of double crochet rows. So to add a border, you just need to make 2 stitches into the side of every row.
I always recommend that you make a round of single crochet stitches around your piece first before adding any border pattern that you have planned, as doing this just helps to even your stitches out and make a nice solid round to add any further stitches into.
You can find more free crochet stitch guides here in Froggity Frog’s stitch vault. Come on over to our Facebook group – Froggity Frog’s Ribbit And Stitch and show us what you made with the Double Herringbone stitch. I’d love to see what you created with it.
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