Camel Stitch Crochet Tutorial with Photos and Video (looks like knitting!)

If you’re looking for a crochet stitch that gives the illusion of being knit, the camel stitch is definitely one you should take a look at. It’s a simple two row repeat that forms ridges like on a camel’s back, and the top of those ridges is really the top of each row, which creates the knit effect by showcasing the Vs at the top of the stitches. Are you ready to learn how to crochet the camel stitch?

The camel stitch is a simple two row repeat which showcases the V shapes that are normally at the top of each stitch, which is what gives the knitted appearance. It also created ridges in the fabric, like those on a camel’s back, by pushing the front of every row forward, which is how the stitch gets its name.

Pushing the top of the rows forward can be a bit confusing to learn, but once you’ve got that concept down, it’s actually a really easy stitch to work with.

Ready to learn it?

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What is the Camel stitch?

The camel stitch is a crochet stitch worked in any multiple of stitches. It is made with two alternating rows, which come together to form a one-sided fabric.

It is formed by making a half double crochet into the back bars of the stitches from the previous row. When crocheting down the front side of your work, you’ll be doing the same thing, but you’ll have to do it backwards so that all the ridges are formed on the same side of the fabric.

It sounds complicated, but once you’ve got it figured out, you can pretty much work this stitch on autopilot.

Is the Camel Stitch beginner friendly?

The camel stitch is not a complicated stitch. But it is a bit confusing.

Depending on what row you’re on, loops have to be pulled up in a sort of convoluted way. It can be difficult to tell where the hook needs to be inserted unless you really know the different parts of the stitch.

I don’t recommend this stitch for complete beginners until they have a decent understanding of stitch anatomy.

However, that said, a video tutorial does help a LOT when learning this stitch. If you want to give it a try and you don’t feel advanced enough, watch the video first before trying it!

Use the Camel Stitch in Your Projects

Like I said before, this stitch is one sided, meaning the knit effect is only visible on front. Keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to use the camel stitch in your projects.

With that said, here are some project ideas:

• I think a camel stitch beanie would be super cool. You could showcase the gorgeous knit-look fabric, and keep the ugly side hidden on the inside!
• A scarf made from the camel stitch would definitely be easy and neat, but keep in mind you would see the wrong side of the fabric.
• Wondering about a camel stitch blanket? I could go either way on that one. Again, it would be easy to see the ugly side. However, it still might be cool. Let me know if you try it! 😉
• Lastly, I think a headband made from the camel stitch would be AMAZING! This stitch is super stretchy, which is usually just what you want when crocheting a headband.

GET THE CLOSED STITCH DICTIONARY

Want a whole lot MORE closed crochet stitches for blankets and scarves? I would invite you to join 60+ others inside the Closed Stitch Dictionary!

In this dictionary, you get ALL my closed stitches in one PDF, with both photo and video tutorials ad-free. Not to mention, some fun bonuses you won’t want to miss!

More Stitch Tutorials

Looking for something similar but not quite sure what? I have lots of other stitch tutorials available to give you some inspiration. You can find them all here!

Here are a few that might interest you:

Jasmine Stitch / Spider Stitch / Star Stitch / Crunch Stitch

How to Crochet the Camel Stitch (Flat)

• To pin this stitch to your Pinterest boards, click HERE
• To join the Closed Stitch Dictionary and get this stitch (plus many others) ad-free, click HERE
• And to subscribe to my YouTube channel, click HERE

Notes:

• The Camel stitch is worked in any multiple of stitches, plus one chain for turning.
• Turning ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch

Abbreviations/Stitches Used

• Chain – ch
• Foundation Single Crochet (optional) – fsc
• Half Double Crochet – hdc
• Third loop – the horizontal strand of yarn that lays underneath the top two strands (the V) at the top of each stitch.

I always like to start my work with a foundation row instead of chains whenever possible.

The greatest benefit of using a foundation row is that the beginning of your work will be just as stretchy as the rest, rather than having a tight chain. Watch how easy it is in my Youtube tutorial here!

If you watch this and decide it’s not for you, you can still start with a chain. Just make any number of chains to the length you want your piece, then work one row of single crochet to get on the same page as me.

Materials:

This stitch can be worked in just about any size and type of yarn you’d like, with the size hook recommended on the label. For this tutorial, I used a worsted weight yarn and a 5.75 mm hook.

Instructions:

Fsc 20, or to your desired width (can be ANY multiple!) Turn.

Row 1:  Ch 1. Hdc across entire row. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1. Hdc (from the front) into the third loop of each stitch. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1. Hdc (from the back) into the third loop of each stitch. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until your desired length.

See picture tutorial below for demonstration on where and how to place your hook to draw up your loops for each row.

Camel Stitch Crochet Tutorial

Make 20 fsc, or to your desired width. Turn.

Ch 1, hdc into each fsc like normal to create the first row.

Hdc in the 3rd Loop

For row 2, we need to learn how to make stitches into the 3rd loop of the hdc. This is where the camel stitch is very unique! To get started, let’s discuss the anatomy of the hdc a bit.

First of all, the photo below shows what the very top of your work looks like when you work stitches like normal. However, for the camel stitch we will NOT be working in these loops. Rather, to create the knitted appearance, this is the part we will be pushing to the front of the work.

Let’s take a closer look at the top of one of those stitches. Here I’m pointing to one of the “v’s” individually.

This V-shape that forms the top of each stitch is made up of what’s called the first and second loops. Remember, we are NOT going to be working in them.

To find the 3rd loop, look directly underneath those top loops.

Directly underneath, you will see the third loop. From the back of your work, (the side that’s facing you now) it looks like this. (hook is pointing to the 3rd loop)

Draw up the loop for each stitch in this row through the third loop instead of the first two. Since it’s in the front right now, you can insert your hook in the same direction as normal.

Hdc in this method across the entire row.

To finish off the row, you may want to go through the second loop of the last stitch instead of the third. Not only is it easier to find in the last stitch, but it also helps make the edge of your work a little sturdier.

Turn your work and ch 1.

For row 2, you’re now looking at the front of the fabric. Now this is where it can get a little tricky. Because now we’re on the opposite side of the stitch, but we still need to hdc in the 3rd loop in order to pull the v’s to the front (to get the knitted appearance).

This is where the third loop lays when looking at the front.

It’s easy to get to from the front, but for the this row, and every odd numbered row, you’ll actually have to go on and pull up a loop from the back.

There are a couple different methods people use to do this. Some people flip their work upside down and work the whole row that way.

I prefer this method:

Insert your hook under the top two loops like you’re starting a normal stitch, only backwards.

Then turn your hook upside down to grab the third loop.

Pull the hook out from the back to draw up the loop.

Then complete your hdc like normal.

Repeat this method of hdc down the entire row. Again, you may want to use the second loop instead of the third for the very last stitch, but that is entirely up to you.

The photo below shows what you should have after row 3. As you can see, we have again pulled the v’s to the front of the work to create the knitted look.

Now just repeat rows 2-3 until your desired length!

Eventually, you will have a fabric with the front looking like this:

And the back looking like this:

I hope you have enjoyed learning how to crochet this unique, fun, knit-like stitch pattern.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to email me: rachel@desertblossomcrafts.com. I would love to help!