What Crochet Stitch Looks Like Knitting? Crochet Techniques for a Knit-Like Fabric

Many crocheters admire the smooth, neat appearance of knitted fabric and wonder which crochet stitch looks like knitting, or whether it’s possible to create that look with a crochet hook.

The good news is that several crochet stitches and techniques can produce a fabric that closely resembles knitting. Some mimic the classic “V” shape of knitted stockinette, while others create ribbing or woven textures that feel very similar to knitted fabric.

We’ll look at:

• Waistcoat stitch
• Single crochet back loop only
• Linen (moss) stitch
• Brioche crochet
• Crochet ribbing techniques

Each one produces a slightly different texture, so the best choice often depends on the type of project you’re making.

Waistcoat Stitch (Crochet Knit Stitch)

The waistcoat stitch, sometimes called the crochet knit stitch or central single crochet, is probably the closest crochet technique to the appearance of knitted stockinette stitch.

Instead of inserting the hook under the two top loops of the previous stitch (as you would with standard single crochet), the hook is inserted directly into the centre of the “V” of the stitch below.

Because of this placement, the stitches stack neatly on top of each other and form the same vertical “V” pattern you see in knitted stockinette.

What the Fabric Is Like

Waistcoat stitch creates a dense, structured fabric that feels warm and slightly thicker than standard single crochet.

Because the hook is inserted lower into the stitch, the rows are shorter, which contributes to that solid feel.

In my experience, this stitch works particularly well for:

• hats
• mittens
• baskets
• cosy accessories

It can also work for blankets, although the fabric will be quite firm unless you use a larger hook.

A Useful Tip

Waistcoat stitch is much easier to work with slightly looser tension.

If your tension is tight, inserting the hook into the centre of each stitch can become quite fiddly. Going up one hook size often makes the stitch much more comfortable to crochet.

Best Worked In The Round

This stitch usually looks best when worked in the round, because you are always working on the right side of the fabric. That keeps the “knit-like” appearance consistent.

Single Crochet Back Loop Only (scBLO)

Another simple way to create a knit-like texture is to work single crochet in the back loop only.

Normally, a crochet stitch has two loops at the top. When you insert the hook into only the back loop, the front loop remains visible on the surface of the fabric.

This creates neat horizontal ridges that resemble the texture of knitted fabric.

Why This Technique Is Useful

This is one of the easiest ways to add a knit-like look to crochet because:

• it uses a basic stitch
• the technique is easy to learn
• it creates a clean, structured texture

It works well for:

• blankets
• scarves
• garments
• textured accessories

The appearance will vary slightly depending on whether you work flat in rows or in the round, because the direction of the stitches changes.

Linen Stitch (Moss Stitch)

The linen stitch, also known as moss stitch, creates a beautifully balanced fabric with a subtle woven appearance.

Rather than mimicking knitting directly, this stitch produces a texture that looks similar to woven fabric, which many people find visually close to knitted textures.

The pattern is created by alternating:

• single crochet stitches
• chain spaces

Because the stitches are worked into the chain spaces of the previous row, the fabric forms a soft grid pattern.

Why Crocheters Love This Stitch

Linen stitch has several qualities that make it especially enjoyable to crochet:

• The rhythm is simple and repetitive.
• The fabric has a lovely drape.
• It works beautifully with colour changes or variegated yarn.

It’s also one of the stitches I often recommend for relaxing crochet projects, because the pattern quickly becomes very intuitive.

If you’d like to see exactly how this stitch is worked, I’ve created a step-by-step moss stitch crochet tutorial on YouTube, where I demonstrate the rhythm of the stitch and how the pattern develops row by row. I also use this stitch in my Easy Moss Stitch Blanket pattern, which is a relaxed, beginner-friendly crochet blanket that’s ideal if you’d like to practise moss stitch on a larger project. You can watch the tutorial on YouTube and explore the pattern on my website.

Projects That Work Well

Linen stitch is often used for:

• scarves
• cowls
• blankets
• dishcloths
• home accessories

If you enjoy calm, steady crochet projects, this stitch is a very satisfying one to work.

Brioche Crochet

Brioche crochet is inspired by brioche knitting, which produces a thick, reversible fabric with deep texture.

The crochet version builds a similar effect by combining:

• front post stitches
• back loop stitches or chains

The front post stitches are worked around stitches from two rounds below, which creates a layered structure.

Over several rows, this builds up a fabric with impressive depth and softness.

What Makes Brioche Crochet Special

Brioche crochet creates a fabric that is:

• thick and squishy
• highly textured
• visually striking

It works beautifully in a single colour, but alternating colours every row or two can produce stunning striped effects.

One example is my Down the Line Beanie, which uses brioche crochet to create textured stripes with strong colour contrast.

If you enjoy exploring different textures in crochet, brioche crochet is well worth trying.

If you’d like to try this technique yourself, I’ve created a step-by-step brioche crochet tutorial where I demonstrate the stitches and explain how the layered texture is built. Seeing the placement of the front post stitches in particular can make the technique much clearer. You can watch the tutorial on my YouTube channel if you’d like to follow along.

Crochet Ribbing That Looks Like Knitted Ribbing

Many crochet projects use ribbing that mimics knitted ribbing.

This is usually achieved by working back and forth in rows using back-loop stitches.

The ridges created by this method closely resemble the look of knitted ribbing and are commonly used for garment edges.

There are three main stitches that work particularly well.

Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only (hdcBLO)

Half double crochet in the back loop only creates soft, chunky ribbing that works up relatively quickly.

This technique is often used for:

• hat brims
• sweater cuffs
• blanket edges

Because half double crochet stitches are taller than single crochet, the ribbing grows quite quickly and has a relaxed feel.

Half double crochet in the back loop only can also be used over larger areas, back and forth in rows, to create a chunky, textured fabric with a knitted appearance.

Single Crochet Back Loop Only (scBLO)

Single crochet back loop only creates tighter ribbing with narrower ridges.

This is a good option if you want ribbing that feels more structured.

For example, the ribbing on my Asher Handwarmers uses this technique to create a neat, snug fit around the wrists.

Slip Stitch Back Loop Only (slstBLO)

For very dense ribbing, slip stitches worked in the back loop only can create an excellent effect.

This technique is slower than the others, but it produces ribbing that looks remarkably similar to knitted ribbing.

It’s a popular choice for:

• fitted cuffs
• cardigans
• garment hems

Which Crochet Stitch Looks Most Like Knitting? (5 Crochet Techniques That Look Like Knitting)

If you’re aiming for the closest visual match to knitted stockinette, waistcoat stitch is usually the best choice.

However, other techniques can also create knit-like textures depending on the project.

For example:

• Waistcoat stitch – closest to stockinette knitting
• BLO stitches – create ribbed knit-like texture
• Linen or moss stitch – woven texture similar to knit fabric
• Brioche crochet – deep, plush knit-inspired texture

Trying a few swatches is often the best way to see which effect you prefer.

Final Thoughts

Crochet and knitting are different crafts, but there are many ways to borrow visual ideas from one and apply them to the other.

Techniques such as waistcoat stitch, back-loop stitches, and brioche crochet allow you to create fabrics that closely resemble knitting while still enjoying the rhythm of crocheting.

If you enjoy experimenting with texture, these stitches are well worth adding to your crochet toolkit.

And as always, the best way to understand how they behave is simply to try them yourself with a small swatch and see which ones you enjoy crocheting the most.

If you enjoy experimenting with crochet stitches for blankets, you might also like exploring my Crochet Blanket Resource Hub, where I’ve collected stitch tutorials, blanket patterns and helpful guides all in one place.

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About Catherine Crochets

Catherine is a crochet designer based in Surrey, UK, specialising in crochet blanket patterns and colourwork designs.

Her work focuses on thoughtful, accessible crochet projects that help makers build confidence while creating beautiful pieces for their homes. Catherine’s designs often explore tapestry crochet, textured stitches and carefully chosen colour palettes.

You can explore her crochet patterns here.

She also shares tutorials, crochet tips and stitch guides on her blog and YouTube channel.