As we have officially entered June and summer is finally smiling to us, the fifth part of my Crochet Stitches for bags Guide is dedicated to a stitch that is ideal for summer bags. So after the Zig Zag Puff stitch, the Balloon stitch, the Slanting bead Stitch and the Bumpy rows stitch comes the absolutely stunning Diagonal Herringbone Stitch.
The Diagonal Herringbone Stitch is only worked in the round and it’s a one-round repeat pattern. It is not increasable or decreasable it requires basic stitch knowledge as it is based on the single crochet. It produces a thick, non-transparent solid fabric, with a very impressive woven-like texture that resembles a lot of woven straw handicrafts.
Despite the fact that they share the same name the only similarity between the Diagonal and the regular herringbone stitch is that they are both based on the single crochet. And though regular Herringbone Stitch is also a very nice stitch with a similar woven-like look, suitable for summer bags, it is with certainty a much more difficult when worked in the round.
So if you sweep aside the more versatile nature of the regular Herringbone stitch that can be worked in rows and in the round, the Diagonal Herringbone stitch is the winner. First of all, because it’s easier to work and second because the herringbone pattern it produces is larger and much more imposing.
Diagonal Herringbone Stitch
Abbreviations:
ch: Chain
sc: Single crochet
slst: Slip stitch
Foundation:
Chain a multiple of 3. Slst into the last chain to join into a ring.
Round 1:
Ch 1 and then place 1 sc in each stitch. Slst into the chain of the beginning to join.
Round 2:
Ch 1 and then place 1 sc in each stitch. Slst into the chain of the beginning to join.
Round 3
Ch 1. *Place 2 sc into the first 2 stitches (one in each stitch). Return into the first sc insert your hook yarn over and pull a long loop. With two loops on your hook, locate the next stitch (the third one) and insert your hook two rows down. Yarn over pull a very long loop yarn over again and pull all 3 loops on your hook*. Repeat ** until the end of the round. When completing the last two single crochet of the round find the 1st foot of the 1st herringbone of this round and go one round down and insert your hook one stitch back. Then yarn over pull a long loop and pull through all loops on your hook. Slip stitch into the chain of the beginning to join the round.
Round 4:
Ch 1. Skip the 1st stitch and place 2 single crochet into the following two stitches (one in each stitch). Return into the first sc insert your hook yarn over and pull a long loop. With two loops on your hook, locate the next stitch (the third one) and insert two rows down (right next to the 2nd foot of the herringbone of the previous round). Yarn over pull a very long loop yarn over again and pull all 3 loops on your hook*. Repeat ** until the end of the round. When completing the last two single crochet of the round find the 1st foot of the 1st herringbone two rounds down and insert your hook. Then yarn over pull a long loop and pull through all loops on your hook. Slip stitch into the chain of the beginning to join the round.
Round 5 and on:
Repeat round 4
Tips
- Make sure to pull your long loops nice and loose without any tension.
- The only thing that you might find challenging about this stitch is locating the stitch where you insert to place the second foot of each herringbone. Keep in my mind that after the 3d round we skip one stitch and as a result the whole pattern moves one stitch to the left. So the easiest way to work is to use the previous herringbone stitch two rounds down and insert it right into the following stitch.
Dos
- This stitch looks amazing when worked with flat types of yarn like ribbon yarn or raffia.
- Due to its woven-like look, the Diagonal Herringbone stitch is the ultimate choice for beach bags and casual summer bags.
- If you like the straw bag trend that rules then runways for the last couple of years then you must try this stitch with a plant fiber type of yarn like raffia, jute, or paper string. The result will be absolutely amazing!
Donts
- Though many types of T-shirt yarn are flat, I do not recommend that you use it with the diagonal herringbone stitch. This stitch is thick and rich and if worked with a heavy yar such as t-shirt yarn the bag that will be created will probably weigh tones.
- Diagonal Herringbone stitch is a yarn eater. So do not use this stitch if your yarn supply is borderline or if you are looking for a stitch that will not take to much yarn to keep your project on a budget.
