Crochet Feather Stitch: Creating Texture [Patterns and Inspiration]
If you’re looking for a puffy, textured, and reversible crochet technique, the feather stitch will be the perfect choice. This lovely technique requires only basic skills and some patience, so it’s great for beginners.
Use it for blankets, winter accessories, or home decor. Explore fantastic projects by top designers and learn more about the feather stitch in this article.
If you like more in-depth articles, check out my Recommendation Series, or try my Free Patterns and Stitch Tutorials!
Types of Feather Stitch
There are two crafts in which we find the feather stitch.
Feather Stitch in Embroidery
Embroidery enthusiasts know this stitch very well, as it’s one of the most popular beginner techniques. The special way of stitching creates a feather-like structure, which we can further modify.
embroidered feather stitch – photo from thesprucecrafts.com
Crochet Feather Stitch
This type of stitch is the hero of today’s article. It’s puffy, reversible and great for beginners.
How to Crochet Feather Stitch
The first encounter with this technique may be intimidating, as it requires many yarnovers and intentional stitch placement. However, after a few repetitions, you will become confident and go on without thinking.
Feather Stitch Tutorial by Hooked by Robin
Robin’s tutorial is one of the best out there because she shows every step and provides clear instructions.
As you will see in her video or photo tutorial, the basis of this technique consists of the combination of half double crochet and chain stitches. She starts her tutorial with an advanced foundation half double crochet, but you can use a regular foundation chain and a row of regular HDC stitches instead.
The method of creating feather stitches is somewhere between crochet spike stitch (working in the row below), and puff stitch (pulling the yarn up to create volume).
photos by Hooked by Robin from hookedbyrobin.com
Find this free crochet tutorial on hookedbyrobin.com, or watch her video tutorial on youtube.com. Robin’s tutorials are the perfect starting point for any beginner.
What to use Feather Stitch for?
This technique is highly textured, squishy and reversible, but also quite heavy. We use it mostly for:
- Crochet blankets, baby blankets, throws and afghans
- Kitchen accessories, such as hot pads, potholders, or coasters
- Home decor, such as rugs and pillows
- Winter accessories, such as hats, cowls, scarves, and headbands.
- As a detail in combination with other crochet stitches.
Looking for free crochet patterns?
Crochet Feather Stitch Ideas
Soft As A Feather Baby Blanket by Merri Purdy
I’ve got fantastic news – crocheting allows us to work almost any stitch in the round. This way, we can transform horizontal stitch patterns into squares, hexagons, or even circles. Merri’s feather stitch square was an individual pattern, but soon expanded into a full-fledged baby blanket with a lovely scalloped edging. Take a look at both in the photos below.
photos by Merri Purdy on ravelry.com
photos by Merri Purdy on ravelry.com
You can purchase this pattern on ravelry.com.
Feather Stitch Crochet Baby Blanket by Dana Nield
Dana’s self-striping baby blanket will be a treat for those who dislike weaving in ends (don’t we all?). The lovely shades of chocolate brown, pink, and cream with sprinkles look super interesting and require no additional effort. As you can see in the photos, the fluffy feather stitch is beautifully framed with a simple but wide cream border.
photo by Dana Nield on ravelry.com
photo by Dana Nield on ravelry.com
Find this free crochet pattern on dananield.com, or purchase an ad-free PDF on ravelry.com.
Green Feather Stitch Blanket by Hazel
Hazel found inspiration in the colors of the countryside where she lives, which is a fantastic way to celebrate her beautiful surroundings. Her forest green blanket features both deep, earthy hues and delicate whites and greys. The crochet feather stitch creates an organic texture, encompassing you in a foresty embrace. Take a look at the photos and see how well this palette works with the technique.
photo by @thecrofters on Instagram: source
photo by @thecrofters on Instagram: source
To create a similar project, use a free crochet pattern called Feather Stripe Blanket by Heather Hamlin, available on amorecraftylife.com.
Colorful Feather Stitch Baby Sweater by Tracey B
It’s not common to use such dense stitches for garments, but Tracey’s baby sweater proves it’s a good idea. First of all, isn’t it the cutest? Secondly, the colorful stripes paired with the textural stitch are just magical. See how nicely she shaped the raglan part! I’m eager to try this idea in an adult-sized pullover.
photo by @trays_crochets on Instagram: source
Blue Feather Stitch Baby Blanket by Knot Your Grandmothers Crochet
The feather crochet stitch is one of the most squishy and dense, but elegant techniques you can use. As with other decorative stitches, you don’t need much to make them more interesting than they already are. The author of the blanket pictured below chose a very simple palette – dusty blue with white stripes.
photo by @crochicstyles on Instagram: source
photo by @crochicstyles on Instagram: source
To create a similar project, use a free video tutorial for Feather Stitch by Hooked by Robin, available on youtube.com.
Colorful Feather Stitch Blanket by Bonnie
Bonnie is an indie yarn dyer and has the ultimate privilege of crocheting with her own yarns. This stunning striped blanket used up the whole blanket kit of DK-weight yarn. Such yarn kits are a great option for those of you who don’t like or don’t feel confident enough to choose the colors themselves. The crochet feather stitch makes the blanket comfortably heavy and super squishy.
photo by @greenletterday on Instagram: source
photo by @greenletterday on Instagram: source
To create a similar project, use a free crochet pattern called Feather Stripe Blanket by Heather Hamlin, available on amorecraftylife.com.
Feather Stitch Potholders by Crude New York
Kia’s potholders are the perfect example of how you can practice a new technique while making something useful. Her color choices are impeccable, and the puffy nature of the feather stitch provides enough thickness for a potholder.
Remember that cotton yarn is the best choice for kitchen accessories because it soaks up water and can be used with hot objects.
photos by @crudenewyork on Instagram: source
To create a similar project, use a free crochet pattern called Feather Stitch Coaster by Ieva Linkeviciute, available on nordichook.com.
Blank Space 2.0 Blanket Version by Jessie
The juicy palette of Jessie’s feather stitch blanket makes me want to make one myself. A baby blanket like this will be super soft and squishy, reversible, and colorful. However, remember that feather stitch is a yarn-eater, so plan accordingly.
photos by @insidethepaperbox on Instagram: top, bottom
To create a similar project, use a free crochet pattern called Feather Stripe Blanket by Heather Hamlin, available on amorecraftylife.com.
Pastel Feather Stitch Blanket by Ashley
I’m a big fan of dusty pastel color palettes, so Ashley’s blanket is right up my alley. The feather stitch looks amazing with stripes because it creates spiky edges between the colors.
If you’re not sure how to come up with nice color palettes, read my article about choosing colors for crochet.
photos by @krowchet_momma on Instagram: top, bottom
To create a similar project, use a free crochet pattern called Feather Stripe Blanket by Heather Hamlin, available on amorecraftylife.com.
Striped Feather Stitch Blanket by Ashley
Two tones of the same color are enough to create an eye-catching design, such as this blanket by Ashley. Dusty mint and deeper, spruce-like hue come from the same color family, so they look great together.
photos by @krowchet_momma on Instagram: source
To create a similar project, use a free crochet pattern called Feather Stripe Blanket by Heather Hamlin, available on amorecraftylife.com.
White Feather Stitch Blanket by Patty
There’s no better way to showcase the beauty of the yarn than to use it in a textured crochet pattern. In this case, Patty chose Yarnspirations’ Caron Simply Soft yarn in the Off White colorway. Look at how shiny and luxurious this baby blanket is – a perfect gender-neutral gift for expecting parents.
photos by @crochicstyles on Instagram: top, bottom
To create a similar project, use a free crochet pattern called Feather Stripe Blanket by Heather Hamlin, available on amorecraftylife.com.
Arya Stripe Blanket by Baby Cloud Crochet Co
Amy designed this blanket to add some rainbow brightness to your days, but it’s up to you what colors to use! She decided to go with Deramores Studio Baby DK yarn, and you can make this pattern either in single- or double-stranded DK yarn.
photos by @babycloudcrochet on Instagram: top, bottom
Purchase this pattern on etsy.com.
Winter Feathers Headband by Kelly Martinelli
The texture, thickness, and squishy nature of the feather stitch make it perfect for winter accessories. Feather stitch hats, cowls, scarves, or headbands – crochet some for yourself or make a bunch for family and friends. Kelly’s headband features two colors of yarn and some eye-catching color changes.
photos by @hardknotlifecrochet on Instagram: source
Purchase this crochet pattern on etsy.com.
Summary
There are many reasons to learn how to crochet the feather stitch, but the number one is its versatility. This reversible technique will be an invaluable addition to your library of stitches, especially if you’re into crochet blankets or winter accessories. Depending on the yarn weight you use, a feather stitch afghan can work like a weighted blanket.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned crocheter, this technique will come in handy in many situations. I hope the tutorials and patterns linked in this article will open up a new world of possibilities in crochet.
