The right and wrong side of crochet refer to the two distinct faces every piece of crocheted fabric has, one meant to show outward on the finished project and one that typically faces inward or gets hidden in a seam. I make a habit of identifying both sides on row 1 of every project, before momentum builds and it becomes harder to double check. This applies to flat crochet worked in turned rows, since pieces worked in continuous rounds do not have the same 2 sided structure in quite the same way.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Finish your first row and lay the piece flat
- Look at the row of stitch tops for clean V shapes with little visible texture behind them, a sign you are looking at the right side
- Flip the piece over and look for a small horizontal bump under each V, which marks the wrong side
- Clip a stitch marker or safety pin onto the right side corner immediately, before starting row 2
- Check your marker every few rows to confirm you have not lost track of which side is which
I clip my own marker on the very first row of every project now, since waiting even a few rows makes both sides start to look more similar as the fabric grows.
Common Mistakes
- Working in dim light, where the subtle bump difference between sides is much harder to spot
- Setting a project down mid row and picking it back up from the wrong end later
- Assuming single crochet fabric has no visible difference between sides, when a careful look usually still reveals one
- Forgetting to check which side faces you after a long break from a project
Frequently asked questions
Does the turning chain count as a stitch?
It depends on the stitch. In double crochet, the chain 3 turning chain often counts as the first stitch. In single crochet, the chain 1 turning chain typically does not.
Does it matter which side faces out on a finished piece?
For most projects yes, since the right side typically has the cleaner stitch definition the designer intended to show. A few reversible stitch patterns look fine either way.
What if I genuinely cannot tell the sides apart?
I pick a side, mark it immediately, and stay consistent from that point forward. For many stitch patterns, especially very textured ones, consistency matters more than which specific side you chose.
Mark your right side from row 1
A stitch marker clipped early removes any later guesswork. Our getting started series covers the earlier chain and first row steps if those still feel new.
Start the beginner series