How to Crochet Feather and Fan Stitch (Easy Wave Pattern)

The feather and fan crochet stitch creates soft, wavy rows using strategic increases and decreases. Originally inspired by a knitting stitch, this crochet version forms a beautiful rippling texture that works especially well for blankets, scarves, shawls, and lightweight crochet projects. Although the feather and fan stitch looks intricate, it is created using repeated rows of double-crochet clusters and treble-crochet stitches. This tutorial will show you how to crochet feather and fan stitch step-by-step.

What is Feather and Fan Crochet Stitch?

Feather and fan stitch creates soft, repeating waves with raised arches and dips across the fabric. The stitch pattern resembles rippling feathers or gentle ocean waves. This textured stitch works especially well in striped yarns and color-changing projects because the waves become more visible. Strategic increases and decreases within each row create gentle waves, arches, and dips. Read on to see exactly how to create this lovely effect.

Looking for more textured crochet patterns? Browse the complete crochet stitch library.

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!

How to Crochet Feather and Fan Stitch (Step by Step)

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.

Best yarn for feather and fan stitch: Light and medium-weight yarns work especially well because they highlight the lacy wave texture and create beautiful drape. Variegated yarn and striped color changes can make the feather and fan waves stand out even more clearly.

This is an intermediate stitch. The only slightly different instructions are the “double crochet stitches together” and the treble crochet, which is rarely used!

Start with a multiple of 12+ 3 ch for turning.

1. Row 1: First Feather and Fan

1. YO and insert hook into the fourth ch from hook.
2. 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.]

3. Ch 1, into the next 2 stitches (tr 1, ch 1).
4. In the following stitch, (tr 1, ch 1, tr 1).
5. (Ch 1, tr 1) in next 2 stitches.

2. Valley

6. Ch 1, dc7tog. (To dc7tog, work as for dc4tog above, but repeat 6 times instead of 3.)

3. Repeat for Row 1

7. Repeat to the last 4 sts of the row, then Ch 1, dc4tog.

You can see it already has its characteristic wavy shape!

3. Dc Row with Increases and Decreases

Row 2 will begin with a dc2tog.

1. Chain 2 and turn. (Counts as the first stitch in the cluster)
2. 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)
3. Work a dc into each tr and ch-1 space from the first fan on the preceding row to complete 11 double crochet stitches.
4. Dc2tog by working into the ch-1 sp before and the ch-1 sp after the dc7tog.

5. 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.
6. 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.

6. Ch 2 and turn.

4. Row 3

1. 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))
2. *(Tr 1, ch 1) twice. In the following stitch, [tr 1, ch 1, tr 1]. (Ch 1; tr 1) twice.
3. Ch1, dc7tog.
4. Repeat from * until there are only 4 stitches left in the row. Then dc4tog.

5. Row 4 Repeat Row

Repeat row 2.

6. More Feather and Fan Stitch 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!

Feather and Fan Crochet Stitch Projects

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.

Is Feather and Fan Stitch Beginner-Friendly?

Feather and fan stitch is best suited to adventurous beginners or intermediate crocheters because it combines grouped decreases with treble crochet stitches. I find the repeating wave pattern becomes much easier after a few rows once the arches and dips become visible.

Feather and Fan Stitch FAQs

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In Conclusion

It is well worth learning to crochet this beautiful stitch! The feather and fan crochet stitch creates beautiful rippling waves using repeating increases and decreases. Its soft flowing texture makes it ideal for blankets, shawls, scarves, and decorative crochet projects. Although the stitch may look complicated at first, the repeating rows quickly become easier with practice and create impressive textured results.