Every beginning is hard. No, I definitely don’t want to discourage you. On the contrary—I want to encourage you! Keep crocheting, even if your first blanket turns out more lopsided than the Leaning Tower of Pisa or if, according to others, your crocheted stuffed dog looks more like an elephant. (P.S.: I’m writing that last part from experience. Thanks, bro!). What I’m trying to say is that expecting to whip up a showstopper right away as a beginner crocheter is a bit unrealistic. Put some time into mastering the basic stitches and start with small, simple projects. Those basic stitches—that’s what I want to talk to you about today. Think of this blog as a sort of beginner’s guide, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of crocheting using six different stitches.
The Cast-On Loop
It doesn’t fall under the category of “crochet stitches,” but we’ll start with it anyway: the starting loop. This loop, also known as a slip knot, is the starting point for virtually all projects crocheted in back-and-forth rows.
1. Wrap a string around two fingers
2. Use your Crochet Hook to pull the back loop through the stitch and tighten it. Don’t pull the loop too tight; it should still be able to slide along your Crochet Hook. Make sure the starting thread (the short end) is at least 10 cm long so you can easily weave it in later.
Crochet Stitch 1: a chain stitch or chain
The chain stitch is one of the basic stitches in crocheting. If you crochet several chain stitches in a row, this is called a chain. A chain like this is often the starting point for a garment, accessory, or home decor project.
1. Make a cast-on loop
2. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook (this is called a yarn over). Pull the yarn through the loop on your Crochet Hook. You have now crocheted one chain stitch.
3. If you want to make a chain of chain stitches, repeat step 2 until you have the required number of chain stitches.
Tip: Make sure you don't crochet the chain stitch too tightly. This can cause your project to pull. If necessary, use a Crochet Hook that is one size (or half a size) larger for the chain stitch than for the rest of your project.
Crochet Stitch 2: a slip stitch
The slip stitch is a smaller, tighter version of single crochet. Because of this, this stitch is often used, for example, to close a round of crochet or a chain of chain stitches, to join different sections together, or to move the starting point of your crochet project.
1. Insert your Crochet Hook into the stitch where you want to make a slip stitch. Note: If you’re making a slip stitch in a chain stitch, insert the Crochet Hook into the chain stitch space (passing under 1 loop). In all other cases, insert the Crochet Hook under both loops of the stitch.
2. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook (this is called a yarn over)
3. Pull the thread through the stitch and the loop on the needle
Crochet Stitch 3: a single crochet
The most commonly used stitch in crochet is the single crochet. Cuddly toys, blankets, phone and iPad cases, pencil cases, and bags… the single crochet is the foundation for a wide variety of projects. By crocheting single crochets, you create a dense and sturdy piece.
1. Insert your Crochet Hook into the stitch where you want to make a single crochet. Note: If you’re making a single crochet in a chain stitch, insert the Crochet Hook into the chain stitch (under one loop). In all other cases, insert the Crochet Hook under both loops of the stitch.
2. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook (this is called a yarn over)
3. Pull the yarn through the stitch. You now have 2 loops on the needle.
4. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook again and pull it through both loops.
Crochet Stitch 4: Half Double Crochet
The half double crochet is an open decorative stitch. It’s great for a scarf, for example. For this example, we’ll make a chain of chain stitches and work a row of half double crochets along it.
1. Make a chain of chain stitches
2. Skip 2 chain stitches to create height
3. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook
4. Stitch your needle into the third chain stitch from the Crochet Hook
5. Wrap the yarn around the needle and pull it through the stitch. You now have 3 loops on the needle.
6. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook again and pull it through all the loops.
Crochet Stitch 5: a double crochet
Like the single crochet, the double crochet is a commonly used crochet stitch. The double crochet is slightly taller and longer than the single crochet and results in a more flexible crochet fabric. It’s a great stitch for clothing projects, for example. You normally work a double crochet into the “v” (both loops) of a previous row, unless you’re working on a chain of chain stitches.
1. Make a chain of chain stitches
2. Skip 3 chain stitches to create height
3. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook
4. Stitch your needle into the fourth chain stitch from the Crochet Hook
5. Wrap the yarn around the needle and pull it through the stitch. You now have 3 loops on the needle.
6. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook again and pull it through the first 2 loops
7. Turn the work again and pull it through the last 2 loops
Crochet Stitch 6: a treble crochet
A treble crochet is almost identical to a double crochet. You simply wrap the yarn around the hook one extra time and pull it through one extra time. You normally crochet a treble crochet into the “v” (both loops) of the previous row, unless it is a chain stitch.
1. Make a chain of chain stitches
2. Skip 4 chain stitches to create height
3. Wrap the yarn around your Crochet Hook twice
4. Stitch your needle into the fifth chain stitch from the Crochet Hook
5. Wrap the yarn around the needle and pull it through the stitch. You now have 4 loops on the needle
6. Wrap the yarn around again and pull it through the first 2 loops
7. Wrap the yarn around again and pull it through 2 loops
8. Wrap the yarn around one last time and pull it through the last 2 loops
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Would you also like to learn how to decrease or increase while crocheting? Or are you looking for a new, challenging crochet stitch? Then check out our helpful tutorials, where we explain every stitch and technique step by step.
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