How to Whip Stitch in Crochet
By Rachel Choi – 19 CommentsWhip stitching is a common method for sewing your crocheted items together. In this tutorial I’ll show you exactly how to whip stitch two pieces of crocheted material together. Whip stitches will create a seam, but shouldn’t be too noticeable when you’re done. In this tutorial I’ll be using different colors so that you can see exactly where the stitches are. Normally you will not use a contrasting color to sew your pieces together, you will use yarn that is the same color as your work.
This tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you.
Start by threading your yarn needle. Since I’m using a different color yarn for the sake of this tutorial I’ll also need to tie the opposite end of the yarn to one of the pieces I am sewing together. Depending on what you are sewing together you may like to leave a long tail of yarn at the end of your work so you can use that to sew the pieces together. But if you forget to or if you find it more convenient you can simply attach a new strand of yarn like I am doing here.
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Align your 2 crocheted pieces together.
Then insert your yarn needle through the 2 loops (front and back loops) of the crochet stitch on the opposite piece (the one your yarn isn’t attached to).
Then pull your strand of yarn through.
Insert your yarn needle though the 2 loops (front and back loops) of both pieces you are stitching together. Start with the first piece (the one your yarn was initially attached to), then insert your needle into the second piece.
Then pull your strand of yarn through.
You just completed one whip stitch! Now, let’s make another whip stitch. Insert your yarn needle, through the next set of loops (like you did before).
Then pull the strand of yarn through your loops. Simple as that!
Continue to sew your pieces together using this whip stitch technique. Here is what it’ll look like when you’re done.
Remember, the seam will be less noticeable when you use yarn that is the same color as your work.
You can also try inserting your hook into different parts of your crocheted piece to give it a different look, such as the back loops or front loops only. Sometimes the pieces you sew together will not have the front and back loops aligned, so simply insert your hook along the edge of your work.
Need help doing your whip stitch? Just let me know!
Thanks for this tutorial. I have inherited a stack of squares that my grandmother made and my Mom has been urging me to put them together. Now I know how.
Thanks so much for sharing. I just signed up for my first friendship-ghan. I had no idea how to sew them together.
What if you run out of yarn as you go? How do you know how much yarn to have on the yarn needle, especially when doing long joins in an afghan?
If you run out of yarn as you go, just secure the strand you are working with and start with a new strand of yarn where you left off. It’s not an exact science, but I like my strand of yarn to be 1 1/2 to 2 times the length of what I have to whip stitch together. With practice you’ll get a feel for how much you need and how much you’ll be comfortable working with at a time.
Thanks, Rachel. I’m rather new at this and am so delighted to find this web site. The video on how to handle loose ends was great!
Thank you for back post stitch and front post stitich. I just found a pattern with both and couldn’t figure it out. this really helps.
Thank you
[…] 3 inches above and below the fold. After folding join both sides either by whip stitching (Whip Stitch Tutorial) or by holding the two sides together and putting a sl st through each matching […]
You did not show how to finish the whipstitching of two pcs of crochet. I have found that just weaving back the end through the finished whipstitches does not always hold together, especially when you wash your item. I would like to see a better way to finish off the whipstitching process. Could you please elaborate for me? Thank you,
Hi Paula, I’d recommend finishing off by making a very small (not really visible) knot, then weaving the remaining end of yarn into your work. On your last stitch, instead of pulling the string completely tight, insert your needle through the loop of the stitch, then pull it tight. That will create the small knot. It’s sort of like finishing off when you hand sew something with needle and thread. Also, I agree when you say that just weaving the end in doesn’t really secure the strand of yarn. This is because a whip stitch isn’t a series of knots like crochet stitches are.
[…] would be better for a winter weather cuff. Four motifs of the same color are whip-stitched (see Whip Stitching in Crochet for more info. on this technique) together to form the cuff in this photo, but feel free to […]
Since I’ve recently gotten back into crochet after years away from it and doing other artistic endeavors I’ve forgotten some of my basics. Your whip stitch tutorial was a great refresher.
[…] I went back and stitched the flowers together with a simple whip stitch, just so it would lay flatter. You can find a whip stitch tutorial here: How to Whip Stitch in Crochet. […]
[…] of the sock together and whip stitch in each st up the back of the sock. Turn sock inside out. See Whip Stitch in Crochet for more information on joining the […]
Thanks for the tutorial, i am crocheting a slouchy beanie with a band and i did not know how to stitch the band together. i have been crocheting for about 1 yr. and your site helps me a lot. THANKS!!!!
Hi!
Love yr site – downloaded some of yr patterns – am making the arm warmers for my granddaughter’s birthday (coming up in a few days) – am what u wud call an “advanced crocheter” I guess but have never done any whipstitching before. Your instructions r very helpful but am confued as to what to do once whipstitched – is that the right side of the work or do I turn the work inside out? Sorry, just a bit confusing for me since I have never done this before. Thank u in advance for yr help I know my granddaughter will be ecstatic with the arm warmers – made her a pair of boot cuffs in the same color yarn. Tk u again for sharing yr talent & yr patterns & let’s not forget yr expertise. Much appreciate it.
Hi Helen! Both sides of the whip stitch look the same, so you can use either side as the right side, whichever side you like the best can be the right side.
Thank you Rachel for getting back to me so quickly – much appreciate it. Tk u also for the info. One more question, when you finish off the whip stitching do u finish off like all other finishes, that is, make the knot & weave in ends on wrong side. Finished first arm warmer (except for final few stitches of whipstitching). My teenaged granddaughter will love them. They r multi-colored with shades of various shades purple, various green shades – Loops & Threads Impeccable Fresh Lilac – all her favorite colors. Tk u again.
Yes, you will knot it and weave in the end like you would for other stitches. I hope your granddaughter enjoys her new arm warmers!
Tk u very much. U r super for answering so quickly. Still waiting fm other sites from questions I had about their projects. U r wonderful – enjoy coming to yr site to see yr patterns & share your answers others have asked. Learning a lot. Tk u again.