V-Stitch: How to Do It Step by Step

V-Stitch is a crochet stitch that makes open, airy, drapey columns of Vs. Makers reach for it for shawls, summer tops, light blankets. It is rated beginner here, so it is a good stitch to learn early and practice on a small swatch before a real project.

1. A V-stitch is (dc, ch 1, dc) worked in the same stitch or space. 2. On the foundation row, work a V-stitch, skip the next stitch or stitches as the pattern says, and repeat. 3. On following rows, work each V-stitch into the ch-1 space at the center of the V below. 4. Finish rows with a dc in the turning chain or last stitch to square the edge. Work slowly for the first few repeats, keep your tension even, and check the result against the steps before continuing across a whole row or motif.

US patterns abbreviate v-stitch as V-st. UK patterns use the same abbreviation, V-st, so this one reads the same on both sides of the Atlantic. Pattern keys list every abbreviation used, usually near the materials list.

The most common problems are: working into the dc instead of the ch-1 space; losing edge stitches so the piece narrows. Most are easy to spot if you pause after a few repeats and compare your work with the steps. Good light helps a great deal, especially with dark yarn or thread.

Stitches closely related to v-stitch include Double Crochet, Shell Stitch. Learning them together makes patterns easier to read, because many designs switch between related stitches to change texture, height or line. Each has its own step-by-step page in the stitch dictionary.