Have you ever come across the terms Right and Wrong side in crochet, and wondered what they mean?
Maybe you’ve seen rs and ws and were confused about what the pattern is trying to tell you to do.
And let’s be honest—does crochet really have a “right” or “wrong” side?
You’re not alone if all of this has you scratching your head!
In crochet, Right Side and Wrong Side are ways of talking about the look and orientation of your stitches and fabric.
Let’s break it all down so you can see why these terms matter and how they come into play in your projects!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Table of contents
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What are RS and WS in Crochet
The terms Right Side (RS) and Wrong Side (WS) refer to both individual crochet stitches (like chains, single crochet, half-double, double, or treble) and the fabrics they create.
These terms are used to help crocheters understand the appearance and orientation of their stitches and the fabric they create.
While they may seem confusing at first, once you understand them, they’ll make following patterns, and creating a specific look, much easier.
Right Side (RS)
The Right Side is essentially the front of your work.
It’s the side of the stitch that faces you as you crochet, and it is usually the side that will be visible when the project is complete.
For example, the Right Side of a project is often the “pretty” or finished side meant to face outward, showcasing a specific texture or design.
A helpful tip: When working, the Right Side is the side that faces you while creating the stitches, so if you’re unsure, think of it as the “front” view!
Wrong Side (WS)
The Wrong Side is the back of your work.
This is the side that faces away from you as you crochet.
While it might not be as polished as the Right Side, it is still a part of the fabric and often shows a different texture or look.
For some projects, the Wrong Side is meant to stay hidden, like the inside of a hat or the back of a wall hanging.
However, in reversible designs, both sides may look equally attractive.
A helpful tip: When working, the Wrong Side is the side that faces away from you while creating stitches, so if you’re unsure, think of it as the “back” view!
Crochet in Rows
When you crochet in rows, you’ll typically turn your work after completing each one.
This can result in fabric where both sides look identical, or it might create fabric where one side is meant to be the “front” to showcase a specific pattern—your pattern will let you know if that’s the case.
For example, take a look at a single row of double crochet stitches—they are a great way to see how this looks!
Note the individual white lines showing the strands of yarn that construct each stitch; this will help you identify distinct differences of each side of a double crochet stitch.
Wrong Side (Back)
The back (Wrong Side) pictured on the left has a raised and bumpy texture.
Right Side (Front)
The front (Right Side) pictured on the right has a flat and tight texture.
Crochet Stitches in Rows
Every stitch has a back (Wrong Side) and front (Right Side).
To see the chain, single and half double stitches worked in rows, check out the basic stitch section of this article: How to Crochet: A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners
Crochet in Rounds
When working in rounds, your crochet usually starts in the center and builds outward in a circular pattern.
This naturally creates fabric with a distinct Right Side and Wrong Side.
That said, always check your pattern for specific notes or instructions, as some designs might have unique requirements for which side to designate as Right Side and Wrong Side.
Here’s an example: Double Crochet stitches worked in joined rounds, without turning.
This keeps one side of the stitches facing you throughout the project, resulting in a fabric with two distinct sides: Right Side and Wrong Side.
Wrong Side (Back)
The Wrong Side (Back) pictured on the left has a raised and bumpy texture.
In this specific stitch and project, the back of the stitches extends further, creating a fabric with a slightly convex appearance.
Right Side (Front)
The Right Side (Front) pictured on the right has a flat and tight texture.
In this specific stitch and project, the front of the stitches pulls, creating a fabric with a slightly concave appearance.
Crochet Stitches in Rounds
Stitches worked in rounds typically create a distinct back (Wrong Side) and front (Right Side).
To work the single, half double, and double crochet stitches in joined rounds, check out the stitch patterns in this article: How to crochet in joined rounds: Single, Half Double & Double Stitches
Reversible Crochet Fabric
Sometimes, the Right and Wrong sides of your crochet work are interchangeable, meaning the fabric looks the same on both sides and are Reversible.
This happens with patterns that create a visually identical texture, like simple rows of single crochet or double crochet stitches.
In these cases, you don’t need to worry about which side is “right” or “wrong” because either side can be the front or back (that’s because they are reversible).
Reversible fabrics are especially handy for projects where both sides might be visible; projects like scarves, blankets, or washcloths.
So, if your pattern doesn’t specify a Right or Wrong side, and the fabric looks identical on both sides, you’ve got a reversible fabric—and one less thing to stress about while crocheting!
Here’s a look at two types of fabric: one with distinct Right and Wrong sides, and another that’s reversible.
The fabric on the Left shows the Jeobneun Stitch, which is a raised fabric texture that is noticeable on one side only, creating a distinct right side.
The fabric on the Right shows the Linen Stitch, which is a simple stitch and row repeat where both sides looks the same, creating a reversible fabric.
Why do Right and Wrong sides matter?
Why do Right and Wrong sides even matter in crochet?
Well, you might think beauty is in the eye of the beholder—and you’re absolutely right!
Sometimes, it’s as simple as choosing which side of your fabric you find more attractive or pronounced.
And that’s okay.
However, when a pattern specifies the Right or Wrong side, it’s usually for a reason.
The designer might be pointing out that a particular pattern or texture appears on one specific side of the fabric, and they want you to pay attention to that detail.
That’s really all there is to it!
In short, every crochet stitch has a distinct Right (Front) and Wrong (Back) side.
And depending on the project, the fabric created by those stitches might have a front and back side, too!
Video Chat
For even more details and real-life examples of right and wrong sides in crochet, watch this video chat:
Now that we’ve outlined some differences between the right and wrong sides in crochet stitches, projects, and fabrics…
Click Here to continue this conversation in our community!
Peace + Love + Crochet
Salena
Is there a pattern available for the last square shown (grey with lime green edging). It is just beautiful, I love it, and I especially love the edging.
Thank you for asking! Is this the pattern you’re looking for: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flagstone-lace-afghan
Yes, that is the pattern. Thank you.
Yes it is. Thank you.
I’m having problems with understanding the front from the back of the Granny square.
Great question! You can find the right side of a fabric by finding the right side of the stitches used in the fabric. Share a picture in our community for hands-on help, right here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmericanCrochetAssociation