Rewards
The fantail stitch is an open lace made of fans and arches. Each fan is three double crochets, a chain, and three more, spread like a bird's tail. Chain-3 arches and small V-stitches hold the fans together.
It drapes well and uses less yarn than a solid stitch, so it suits shawls, wraps and summer tops. It's intermediate: the stitches are basic, but there are four different rows to keep straight.
The one thing that makes it work: every fan is centered over a V-stitch, and every V-stitch over a fan. Each row swaps which one sits on top.
Watch: Fantail Stitch Video Tutorial
Watch where the hook goes on Rows 2 and 4: into the chain space in the middle of each fan and each V. Those two spaces carry the whole pattern.
What You Need
The swatch uses worsted (medium) weight yarn and a 3.5mm (US E-4) hook, small for worsted on purpose to keep the fans crisp. A smooth, light-colored yarn shows the structure best while you're learning.
Abbreviations used (US terms): CH (chain), SC (single crochet), HDC (half double crochet), DC (double crochet), Sk (skip), St(s) (stitch/stitches), Chsp (chain space), TC (turning chain), Fan (3 DC, CH 1, 3 DC in the same place), V (HDC, CH 1, HDC in the same place). From Row 1, each repeat uses 8 chains plus 4 for the edges; the swatch chains 32.
Fantail Stitch Written Pattern
Size: 6"x6"
Gauge: 4x4 in DC = 14sts x 12 rows
Yarn: 24g of DGY worsted weight recycled silk
Crochet Hook Size: 3.5mm
Abbreviations: CH - Chain; DC - Double Crochet; SC - Single Crochet; HDC - Half Double Crochet; Sk - Skip; Fan - 3DC, CH 1, 3DC; St(s) - Stitch(es); Chsp - Chain space; V - HDC, CH, HDC; TC - Turning Chain
CH 32
Row 1: SC into 2nd CH from hook, 1SC into next CH, *sk 3 CH, Fan, sk 3, 1SC* Repeat ** to the last st, 1SC. Turn.
Row 2: CH2 (Counts as HDC), HDC in same st, *CH 3, SC in the chsp of the Fan, CH 3, [HDC, CH 1, HDC] into SC* repeat ** across until last st. 2HDC into last SC. Turn.
Row 3: CH 3, 3DC into first st, *1SC into next CH3 arch, CH1, 1SC into next CH3** work a Fan into the center of the V, repeat from * ending last repeat at ** 4DC into top of TC. Turn.
Row 4: CH 1, SC into first st, *CH 3, V into next chsp, CH 3, 1 SC into chsp in the Fan; repeat from * ending last repeat in top of TC. Turn.
Row 5: CH1, 1SC into first st, *1 SC into next arch, Fan into chsp in V, 1 SC into next arch** CH 1; repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1SC into last SC. Turn.
Rows 6-16: Repeat rows 2-5.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Row 1 sets the fans. After two single crochets, skip three chains, work a fan into one chain, skip three more, then a single crochet. The skipped chains give the fan room to spread.
- Row 2 builds arches. Chain 3, single crochet into the fan's center chain space, chain 3, then work a V (hdc, ch 1, hdc) into the single crochet between fans.
- Row 3 puts new fans on the Vs. Single crochet into each arch with a chain between, then a fan into the center of the V. Half-fans at each edge keep the sides straight.
- Row 4 reverses it: chain 3, V into the chain space, chain 3, single crochet into the fan's center. Row 5 brings the fans back to their Row 1 positions, and Rows 2 through 5 repeat.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Count the starting chain twice. If it's off by one, the last repeat won't fit.
- Keep the chain-3 arches even. Tight arches pucker the fabric; loose ones leave holes larger than the fans.
- Use the chain space, not a stitch, for every fan and V. Working into a stitch instead of the space shifts the fan off-center.
- Block it. Lace looks crumpled off the hook, and a wet block opens the fans and sets the arches.
What to Make With the Fantail Stitch
A rectangular wrap in sport or DK weight is the best first project: no shaping, and the stitch does the work. A lace weight makes a light summer scarf, a cotton worsted makes an open market bag, and fingering weight makes a table runner. Because it's light on yarn, it's a good single-skein stitch; see our one skein crochet projects for more ideas.
Related Stitches
- Crochet Shell Stitch — the simpler fan this pattern grows from
- Fan and V Stitch — the same two elements in a denser arrangement
- Basic V-Stitch — practice the V on its own first
- Browse every crochet stitch tutorial
Yarn for This Stitch
Lace wants drape. A sport weight yarn on a 4mm or 4.5mm hook lets the fans open up and the wrap fall softly. Darn Good Twist Sport Weight Silk Yarn is a good match here: the recycled silk has a slight sheen that catches on the fans, and it is hand-dyed by artisans in India.
If you'd like a new skein to practice on every month, Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins with a knit and crochet pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping.
Fantail Stitch FAQ
Is the fantail stitch the same as the shell stitch?
No. The fantail splits each fan with a chain, adds chain arches between rows and alternates fans with V-stitches, so it's much more open.
How much yarn does the fantail stitch use?
Less than a solid stitch of the same size, because so much of the fabric is chain. The 6-inch swatch used 24g of worsted weight.
Is the fantail stitch beginner-friendly?
It's a step up. Learn the shell stitch first if you're new to lace.
