As you will know, if you have been following this blog for any length of time, crochet offers a multitude of different stitch patterns, all differing in difficulty and appearance! The feather and fan crochet stitch is one of my personal favorites and stands out as a classic.
Feather and Fan Crochet Stitch Tutorial
The feather and fan crochet stitch began its life as a knitting stitch, but has now moved seamlessly into the world of crochet. Strategic increases and decreases within each row create rows of gentle waves or arches and dips. Read on to see exactly how to create this lovely effect.
Table of Contents
Supplies
- Any yarn can be used. See the “color choices” section.
- Crochet hook suitable for the yarn you have chosen.
- Scissors.
- Yarn needle for weaving in loose ends.
Color and Yarn Choices
This is a very light and lacy stitch, so if you are wanting to make a cozy blanket, it may be good to choose a thick, chunky yarn and a large crochet hook! If you are planning to make a delicate, lightweight scarf or shawl, this is the perfect stitch for you! Use a sport weight yarn for a lovely lacy effect.
The feather and fan crochet stitch lends itself to color changes every 4 rows or so, as each color takes on the lovely wavy shape of the stitch. It is also very pretty in a variegated yarn, for the same reason, but with a more subtle effect.
Of course, if you want to make a single-colored project, the pretty undulations and lovely texture will look just as good in one color.
Abbreviations
For the feather and fan crochet stitch, you will use the following abbreviations:
- ch = chain stitch
- dc = double crochet
- dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
- dc4tog = double crochet 4 together
- dc7tog = double crochet 7 together
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- tr = treble crochet
- YO = yarn over
Difficulty Level
Intermediate. The only slightly different instructions are the “double crochet stitches together” and the treble crochet, which is rarely used!
Special Stitches Used
Dc2tog: [Yarn over, put hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over, draw through two loops] Two times (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.
Dc4tog: [Yarn over, put hook into next stitch, pull up loop, draw through two loops] 4 times, (5 loops on hook), yarn over, and pull through all loops.
Dc7tog: [Yarn over, put hook into next stitch, pull up loop, draw through two loops] 7 times (8 loops on hook), yarn over, and pull through all loops. This one is the most difficult, simply because of the sheer volume of stitches you need to pull through at the end!
Step-by-Step Feather and Fan Crochet Stitch
Start with a multiple of 12+ 3 ch for turning.
Row 1:
- YO and insert hook into the fourth ch from hook.
- Dc4tog, [Yo, draw up a loop, yo again and draw through two loops, *yo, insert the hook into the next stitch, yo, pick up a loop.] Yo, draw through two loops. Repeat from * 3 times. Yo, pull the yarn through all four loops on your hook.]
- Ch 1, into the next 2 stitches (tr 1, ch 1).
- In the following stitch, (tr 1, ch 1, tr 1).
- (Ch 1, tr 1) in next 2 stitches.
- Ch 1, dc7tog. (To dc7tog, work as for dc4tog above, but repeat 6 times instead of 3.)
- Repeat to the last 4 sts of the row, then Ch 1, dc4tog.
You can see it already has its characteristic wavy shape!
Row 2:
Row 2 will begin with a dc2tog.
- Chain 2 and turn. (Counts as the first stitch in the cluster)
- YO, insert your hook into the next ch-1 sp, pull through (3 loops on hook). YO, pull through two loops on your hook. (1 loop on hook)
- Work a dc into each tr and ch-1 space from the first fan on the preceding row to complete 11 double crochet stitches.
- Dc2tog by working into the ch-1 sp before and the ch-1 sp after the dc7tog.
- Continue with dc 11 over each fan from the previous row, then dc2 tog over the ch-1 spaces before and after each dc7 tog.
- After you have completed the 11 dc over the last fan, create a dc2 tog between the last ch-1 sp and the dc4 tog from the previous row.
- Ch 2 and turn.
Row 3:
- Dc4tog, ch 1. (Keep in mind that the turning ch-2 counts as the initial stitch in your first dc4tog. This means you'll have to begin creating your dc stitches from the second stitch of the preceding row. (4 loops to pull through to 1))
- *(Tr 1, ch 1) twice. In the following stitch, [tr 1, ch 1, tr 1]. (Ch 1; tr 1) twice.
- Ch1, dc7tog.
- Repeat from * until there are only 4 stitches left in the row. Then dc4tog.
Row 4:
Repeat row 2.
More Rows
Keep repeating rows 3 and 4 until your project has reached the required length.
Well done! You have now learned to crochet the feather and fan crochet stitch!
Uses of the Feather and Fan Crochet Stitch
One of the feather and fan crochet stitch's most appealing features is its adaptability. It lends itself to a variety of projects.
This stitch makes lovely blankets from a fairly heavyweight yarn. This stitch is also perfect for blankets, made with a lighter weight yarn, which will drape and wrap beautifully.
This stitch creates delicate shawls and scarves that are truly unique. To heighten that fragile, intricate look, you could make one with a lightweight brushed yarn.
This stitch will also produce very effective cushion covers or tote bags. They may, however, require a lining to strengthen them against wear and tear.
Feather and Fan Crochet Stitch - In Conclusion
It is well worth learning to crochet this beautiful stitch! Once you construct the foundation, the magic begins. The interaction of the stitches creates the peaks and valleys that define the feather and fan pattern. This gives the fabric its unique charm. Its regular pattern makes a soft wave that looks like feathers floating in a light breeze, which is how it got its name.
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