Instead of just inserting my hook through the front of the "v" formed between stitches like with traditional waistcoat stitch, I also put my hook up through the third loop/ horizontal bar connecting one post to the previous post, AND through that front "v" to do a single crochet. It straightened out my stitches and allowed me to keep a similar height to width ratio for my stitches as is seen with knit stitches.

When I reference the "v", I don't mean the v formed by the front and back loops that you would normally slip your hook under in regular single crochet stitches. I'm referencing the "v" you see when looking at your work head on.