Crochet Wave Stitch - Free Waves Crochet Pattern

The crochet wave stitch can refer to either a gentle, undulating version of the chevron stitch or it can refer to the ‘rolling wave stitch’ which is a combination of basic crochet stitches which creates a pleasing wave effect. Whichever variation you choose, they are both super stitches for blankets, shawls, scarves, hats, or bags and will look just as good as a fabric for garments.

Crochet Wave Stitch Tutorial

Wave stitch can be made with as many colors as you please, but looks best with at least two colors to show up the wave shapes clearly. If you are not a fan of stripes and are wanting a more textural wave, using only one color, I will give instructions for that as well. But first, let's look at the multicolored versions!

Materials for Crocheting Wave Stitch:

• Yarn in colors of your choice.
• Crochet hook to suit your yarn.
• Scissors and tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Abbreviations for Wave Stitch Pattern:

All instructions are written in US terminology.

• sc= single crochet
• hdc=half double crochet
• dc= double crochet
• tr=treble crochet
• ch=chain stitch
• sk=skip                                                    
• st(s) stitch(es)
• sl st= slip stitch
• tog= together
• BLO=back loop only
• RS=right side
• WS= wrong side

How to Crochet Wave Stitch - Waves Crochet Pattern 3 Ways

Here is the step by step instructions for 3 methods of crocheting the wave stitch pattern.

STYLE 1: Long Wave Stitch Crochet (Rolling Wave Stitch)

These crochet waves are also called the rolling wave stitch and the wavy stitch crochet.

When creating this wave stitch, your ‘waves’ will appear to overlap each other. The peak of the first row of waves will intersect with the lowest part of the next row of waves and vice versa. This one uses the varying heights of all the basic crochet stitches to create the crests and dips of the waves. It looks especially good if you make your stripes from dark to light and then back again, but of course, the color choice is entirely yours!

Foundation Chain for Wavy Stitch Crochet:

• Multiple of 10 +3

 Row 1 of Crochet Waves:

• Work 1 sc into 2nd chain.
•  *1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc.
• Repeat from * until the last chain.
• 1 sc, turn and change colors.

Row 2:

• Ch 3 (counts as first tr),
• *1 tr, 1 dc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 dc, 1 tr, repeat from * until last chain, 1 tr, turn.

Row 3:

• Ch1, work 1 sc into each st.

•  Change colors.

Row 4:

• Ch 1, 1 sc,
• *1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, repeat from * until last chain, 1 sc, turn.                                           

Row 5:

• Repeat row 3                   
• Change colors.

Repeat rows 2-5 until you have reached the required length for your item. Complete the sequence by working just one row with the same color as you started with.

STYLE 2: Easy Crochet Wave Stitch (Ripple Stitch Crochet)

This basic wave stitch pattern is also known as the ripple pattern. It will use the double crochet 2 together (dc 2 tog), which is a method of decreasing as well as the crochet increase.

Here is how to do the ripple stitch crochet:

Foundation chain:

• Chain a multiple of 12 to the required length, plus 2 for the turning chain. (My small swatch is 24+2.)

Row 1:

• Dc into the third chain from the hook.
• *Work 1 dc into each of the next 3 chains.
• [dc 2 together in the next two chains], do this twice. (Decrease)

• Work 1 dc into each of next 3 chains.
• [work 2 dc into next chain] twice. (Increase)

• Repeat from * across. (Your last stitch will be a crochet increase.)

Row 2:

• Color change, if desired: Fasten off the first color, tie the new color to the last stitch of the previous color, insert the hook into the stitch and, draw up a loop with the new color, proceed with the next row.
• Turn.
• Ch 2,  dc into first stitch.
• *1 dc into each of next 3 stitches.
•  [dc 2tog over next 2 sts] twice. (Decrease)

Crochet Wave Stitch

• Work 1 dc into each of next 3 stitches.
• [work 2 dc into next stitch] twice. (Increase)

• Repeat from * across. (Your final stitch must be an increase into the turning chain of the previous row.)
• These last stitches of each row should only be one increase, not two as in the middle of the rows.

Every increase must be into an increase stitch below it, and every decrease into a decrease stitch.

• Repeat Row 2 to desired length.

This stitch can be worked just as easily using treble (tr) stitches. Just substitute tr for dc in each instruction, and have a turning chain of ch 3. This will result in a looser fabric and will work up faster because of the extra height of the stitches. In the picture below, the top two rows have been worked in treble crochet. You can see how the stripes have turned out wider than the dc rows.

STYLE 3: Textured Crochet Wave Stitch

This is the wave stitch pattern that can be made using only a single color because it has textural ridges which separate the waves.

This one is a little more complicated because you will be working into the BLO (back loop only) for all your stitches, but as with all crochet stitches, it becomes easier with practice! I would suggest you work on a practice swatch before starting your actual project! This working into the back loop is what creates the ridges and the texture for this stitch.

Also, please note that this stitch is not reversible, so is not ideal for items that will show both sides. It will work well for a cushion cover or a bag, but not as well for a scarf or a blanket! The waves just don’t show up properly on the wrong side.

The BLO instruction means that as you make that stitch, instead of putting your hook through both loops of the stitch in the previous row, as you usually do, you insert it only into the back loop of the stitch. This creates a ridge at the front, which is what gives you that texture.

Here is how to do the textured wave stitch crochet:

Foundation chain:

Multiple of 10 + 6                  

Row 1:

• Loosely slip sttitch in the 2nd chain from hook and in next 4 chains.
• *1 hdc in next 5 chains.
• 1  slip stitch in the next 5 chains.
• Repeat from * to end of the row.
• Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2 (WS):

• Working in the BLO, sl st in first 5 sts. (Insert hook where I have placed the needle. Keep those sl sts loose all the time!)
• *1 hdc in BLO of next 5 stitches.
• 1 sl st in the BLO of next 5 stitches.
• Repeat from * to end of row.
• Turn.

Row 3 (RS):

• Chain 1.
• 1 hdc in BLO of first 5 sts.
• *1 slst in BLO of next 5 sts.
• 1 hdc in BLO of next 5 sts.
• Repeat from * to end of row.
• Turn.

Row 4 (WS):

• Chain 1.
• 1 hdc in BLO of first 5 sts.
• *1 slst in BLO of next 5 sts.
• 1 hdc in BLO of next 5 sts.
• Repeat from * to end of row.
• Turn.

Row 5 (RS):

• Working in the BLO, slst in first 5 sts.
• *1 hdc in BLO of next 5 sts.
• 1 slst in the BLO of next 5 sts.
• Repeat from * to end of row.
• Turn.
• Repeat rows 2-5 until your project measures the length you want, ending on a 5th row.
• Fasten off as usual.

You really only get the wave effect when you have done quite a number of rows!

 Crochet Wave Stitch - In Conclusion     

Whichever type of wave stitch you decide on, I am sure you will find it a lot of fun to watch the ripple shapes emerge. I actually find wave stitches quite addictive! (Just one or two more rows until I stop! I want to see the waves forming!)

If you are making one of the multi-color versions, they are a great way to use up scraps, as long as you are certain that your scrap will reach all the way across your item! Try a small sample of each type, then decide which ‘look’ you like the best.

You will find that these stitches work up quickly, and you can create something exceptional in a short space of time! The various versions of wave stitch are all extremely pleasing, and well worth learning to do!