Learning how to crochet can be difficult. From Chains to Double Crochets, there's just a few basic stitches that are used in almost every pattern. If they're not, you can almost certainly see some sort of variation of these while you're learning new techniques and new stitches.
PLEASE NOTE: I am right handed, so all instructions here will be right-hand instructions. If you are left handed and want to follow along, you may have to mirror the pictures in this article.
Just picking up corchet and don't know where to start? Check out my post on the Essential Tools you Need to Start Crocheting for a list of all of my essential tools that I needed to start crocheting!
Want to quick jump to a specific stitch? Use the links below to jump to the stitch you're looking for!
Bonus: Slip Knot
While not really a stitch, the slip knot is an important part of crochet projects. Most flat projects you start off will start with a slip knot at the beginning of the work. This does not count as a stitch in final stitch counts.
- Holding the yarn in your hands, place your working yarn in your left hand and the tail of your yarn in the right.
- With the tail end of your yarn, create a loop by bringing it back and over the working yarn. With your left hand, pinch the overlap. You should now have a loop in your left hand
- Drop the tail and allow the tail end of your yarn to hang down behind your loop (created in step 2)
- With your right hand, pull a piece of the hanging tail end of yarn through the loop
- While holding the tail end of yarn in step 4, let go of the loop in your left hand and pull both the working and tail end of the yarn with your left hand.
After pulling your slip knot tight, you're good to start crocheting your first stitches!
Chain (Ch)
The chain (or Ch as it is often referred to in patterns) is the first step to many crochet stitches and projects.
The chain stitch is used in a ton of different patterns for various techniques, but some of the most common include:
- Starting Chains: the beginning of your work
- Turning Chains: used when turning your work to add more rows
- Mesh and Lace Patterns: used as a way to add holes and to open up your work more
- Turning Corners: If working in something like a granny square or some other pattern that requires sharp corners, chain stitches can be used
- And more...
Steps to complete your first chain stitches:
- Twist your yarn around the back to the front of your hook - otherwise known as "Yarn over". (2 strands of yarn on your hook)
- Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook
Single Crochet (SC)
The single crochet stitch (also referred to as SC) is the first stitch we'll look at past the starting vhsin - and this is where things can get a bit tricky.
With the chain stitch, it doesn't matter where you start - it is always the same, yarn over and pull through the loop on your stitch. With the single crochet, however, things start to change.
Because the single crochet stitch has a "height" of 1 stitch, you will need to make sure that you chain 1 at the end of every row as a turning chain. This will help keep your work smooth and keep it from looking wonky at the edges.
If you are adding a single crochet off of a beginning chain row (first row): You will skip 1 chain and instead work your first single crochet into the 2nd chain from your hook.
If you are adding a single crochet after turning your work: Unless otherwise stated by the pattern, your first single crochet will be in the same stitch as your turning chain.
Steps to completing your first single crochets:
- Insert hook into next stitch
- Yarn over
- Pull yarn through your stitch (2 loops on hook)
- Yarn over
- Pull through both loops on your hook
Note: In most cases, the first single crochet of every row will be done in the stitch directly below your turning chain from the previous row. This is because, with the single crochet, the turning chain almost never counts as a stitch.
Half Double Crochet (HDC)
Similar to how the single crochet has a "height" of one - the half double crochet (also known as HDC) follows by having a slightly taller height than the previous stitch.
While the turning chain for a single crochet is 1 stitch, the turning chain for a half double crochet follows as a "height" of 2 stitches. This means, on first rows you will skip 2 chain stitches. On later rows, you will be using a turning chain of 2 stitches. Remember, this also depends on pattern designer's preferences.
If you are adding a half double crochet off of a beginning chain row: You will skip 2 chains and instead work your first half double crochet into the 3rd chain from your hook.
- Yarn over
- Insert hook into your next stitch (or 3rd chain from hook if starting off of a chain foundation row)
- Yarn over
- Pull through your stitch (3 loops on hook)
- Yarn Over
- Pull through all 3 loops on your hook
If you are adding a half double crochet after turning your work: Depending on the pattern, your turning chain may or may not count as a half double crochet. Be sure to read pattern notes!
Below is a picture showing the placement of the first stitch based on the two following scenarios past row 1:
- Turning chain DOES count as a stitch: skip the first stitch and instead place your first half double crochet of the row into the red stitch.
- Turning chain DOES NOT count as a stitch: place your first half double crochet of the row into the yellow stitch.
Double Crochet (DC)
Double crochets are a bit tricker than the previous two stitches. While the single crochet and half double crochet had a "height" of 1 and 2, the double crochet can have 2 different heights.
In some cases, your double crochet may have a "height" of 2, but it may also have a "height" of 3. This is largely dependant on what a pattern designer decides. I tend to lean towards using a turning chain of 3 chains for double crochets, but I know plenty of patterns that call for turning chains of 2 chains.
If you are adding a double crochet off of a beginning chain row: You will skip 2 (or 3) chains and instead work your first double crochet into the 3rd (or 4th) chain from your hook.
- Yarn over
- Insert hook into next stitch (3rd stitch from hook on foundation chain rows)
- Yarn over
- Pull yarn through your stitch (3 loops on hook)
- Yarn over
- Pull yarn through 2 loops on your hook (2 remaining loops on hook)
- Yarn over
- Pull yarn through remaining 2 loops on hook
Much like the half double crochet, there are two ways of adding new rows using the double crochet - either counting the turning chain as a double crochet or not counting it as a double crochet.
- Turning chain DOES count as a stitch: skip the first stitch and instead place your first double crochet of the row into the red stitch.
- Turning chain DOES NOT count as a stitch: place your first double crochet of the row into the yellow stitch.
Slip Stitch (Sl St)
The slip stitch is the final stitch that I would consider "essential" to start learning crochet.
The slip stitch is often used in cases where you want to close up a gap while working in the round. However, it's also fantastic for finishing a project off with a nice border or sewing together granny squares.
- Insert hook into next stitch (if working on a foundation chain, this should be the 2nd stitch from your hook)
- Yarn over
- Pull yarn over through the stitch (2 loops on hook)
- Continue pulling yarn over through the 2nd loop on your hook
Stitch Cheatsheet
It can be a bit difficult at first to learn how the stitches work together and what stitches count turning chains as one and what ones don't. Hopefully this handy chart will help!
| Stitch | Abbreviation | Stitch Height | Turning Chain Counts as Stitch? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | Ch | 1 (per chain) | N/A |
| Single Crochet | SC | 1 | No |
| Half Double Crochet | HDC | 2 | Sometimes |
| Double Crochet | DC | 2 or 3 | Almost Always |
| Slip Stitch | Sl St | 0 | No |
| Stitch | St | N/A | N/A |
Keep in mind that some pattern designers have different preferences when it comes to whether or not turning chains count as stitches or how many turning chains you need for the pattern. When working on a new pattern, always completely read the pattern first before beginning! This will save you a ton of headache and hopefully help avoid too many questions while you're working on the project.
Whether you're just learning to crochet or already started on the journey, I hope that this article helped you in some shape or form! Learning to crochet can be difficult, but once you get started, you're going to love it!
Looking for patterns? Ravelry is a fantastic place to start! You can also find my patterns on this blog and thousands of other patterns online both for purchase and for free.
Until next time!
