The Crochet Feather Stitch may be one of my newest favourite crochet stitches. I appreciate the texture and am impressed by its results.
I learned how to do it in rows, but then I questioned, how would I do it if it were a cowl and I didn't want to sew a seamline up? It became a quest, and a problem became a solution.
Both the Crochet Feather Stitch in rows and rounds are included in today's article.
In This Article
Tutorials for each concept are in their respective sections. PLUS... with the downloadable version, you will receive the crochet diagrams to accompany the written instructions, which are not shown here.
Crochet Feather Stitch Overview
The crochet feather stitch is essentially a half-double crochet 3 together stitch, but the placement of the legs of each stitch creates the texture. Once you get to the fourth row or rounds, the pattern is established, and you can complete the feather stitch rounds the same way each time.
It's the middle leg of the three that creates the sweeping-up action that resembles a feather.
Abbreviations
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- Ch(s) = Chain(s)
- Hdc = Half Double Crochet
- Rep = Repeat
- RS = Right Side
- Sl St = Slip Stitch
- Sp(s) = Space(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- Yoh = Yarn Over Hook
To begin the feather stitch, we need to create the first round or row with the starting feather stitch, as the spaces used in the feather stitch aren’t there yet. The 3rd row (or 3rd round) is only for the beginning feather stitch. Once it is established, you will proceed to the regular feather stitch.
Technically, the feather stitch is a half double crochet 3 together stitch, but the legs of the stitch for each of the three are in distinct positions.
Beg Feather St = Starting feather stitch row or round. (shown in row 3 below)
- Yoh and insert hook into ch-1 space directly below. Yoh and pull loop through. (3 loops on hook) - First Leg
- Yoh and insert hook into skipped half double crochet 2 rows below. Yoh and pull loop through and extend it to the height of the current row being made. (5 loops on hook) - Second Leg
- Yoh and insert hook into next ch-1 space. Yoh and pull loop through. (7 loops on hook) - Third Leg
- Yoh and pull loop through all loops on hook. Beginning feather stitch made.
Feather St = Feather Stitch rows or rounds when there are feather stitches already below. (shown in row 4 below)
- Yoh and insert hook into ch-1 space directly below. Yoh and pull loop through. (3 loops on hook) - First Leg
- Yoh and insert hook into ch-1 space 2 rows below. Yoh and pull loop through and extend it to the height of the current row being made. (5 loops on hook) - Second Leg
- Yoh and insert hook into next ch-1 space. Yoh and pull loop through. (7 loops on hook) - Third Leg
- Yoh and pull loop through all loops on hook. Feather stitch made.
The feather stitch is executed by going back and forth. In rounds, you will need to turn the project at the end of each round to keep the feathers lined up.
Crochet Feather Stitch in Rows
Chain an EVEN NUMBER for the starting chain length.
1st row: RS. 1 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 hdc in each ch across. Turn.
Stitch Count Tip
You will have an odd number of stitches in row 1, which is precisely what you need.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 hdc in first hdc. *Ch 1, sk next hdc, 1 hdc in next st. Rep from * across. Turn.
3rd row: Ch 1. 1 hdc in first hdc. Ch 1. Beg feather st. Ch 1. *Beg feather st using same ch-1 sp as the third leg of the last feather stitch. Ch 1. Rep from * across to the last hdc stitch. 1 hdc in last st. Turn.
4th row: Ch 1. 1 hdc in first hdc. Ch 1. Feather st. Ch 1. *Feather st using same ch-1 sp as the third leg of the last feather stitch. Ch 1. Rep from * across to the last hdc stitch. 1 hdc in last st. Turn.
Rep 4th row until you are happy with the length of the project.
Border (B) = Ch 1. 1 hdc in each st and ch-1 sps across. Fasten off.
Crochet Feather Stitch in The Rows Tutorial
Crochet Feather Stitch in Rounds
This stitch only works if you are going back and forth. At the end of a round, we need to turn around to keep the feathers lined up.
Chain an ODD NUMBER for the starting chain length. Without twisting chain, join with a sl st to beg ch to form ring. Do not turn.
1st rnd: RS. Ch 1. 1 hdc in each ch around. Turn.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 1 hdc in first hdc. Ch 1. *Sk next hdc, 1 hdc in next st, ch 1. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. Turn.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. 1 hdc in first hdc. Ch 1. Beg feather st. Ch 1. *Beg feather st using same ch-1 sp as the third leg of the last feather stitch. Ch 1. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to beg hdc. Turn.
4th rnd: Ch 1. 1 hdc in first hdc. Ch 1. Feather st. Ch 1. *Feather st using same ch-1 sp as the third leg of the last feather stitch. Ch 1. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to beg hdc. Turn.
5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 hdc in first hdc. Ch 1. Feather st. Ch 1. *Feather st using same ch-1 sp as the third leg of the last feather stitch. Ch 1. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to beg hdc. Turn.
Rep 4th & 5th rounds until you are happy with the length of the project.
Border (B) = Ch 1. 1 hdc in each st and ch-1 sps across. Fasten off.
Have you completed this project. Show me!