In the Philippines, crochet is alive and thriving. If you are looking for a new hobby, try crochet. Crocheting is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby. But like any skill, it takes time and practice to master.
Learning the different crochet stitches for beginners is essential. These basic crochet stitches serve as the building blocks for more complex patterns.
Perfecting the basic crochet stitches for beginners is a great help in the long run. It will make it easier to understand more advanced crochet stitches and patterns. And it will also give a beginning crocheter the confidence to take on more challenging crochet projects.
So, grab your hook and yarn, and let’s start with the basics!
US vs UK Crochet Terms
The US and UK crochet terms refer to the different names used for crochet stitches. This tutorial uses the US crochet terms.
This difference can cause confusion when following crochet patterns from different countries. That’s why it is important to pay attention to the crochet terms used in a crochet pattern.
To avoid confusion, many crochet patterns now include both US and UK crochet terms. Some also specify the stitch abbreviation used in the pattern.
It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with both sets of terms. Check out the conversion table below.
Materials Needed for the Tutorial
Before we dive into the tutorial, let’s talk about the materials you’ll need. Don’t worry, you don’t need anything fancy! You’ll need a crochet hook, yarn, and a pair of scissors.
Make sure that the size of your crochet hook is appropriate for your crochet yarn. Read this guide on choosing the right crochet hook.
The best crochet yarn size for beginners is worsted. You may use 8ply milk cotton yarn or 10ply combed cotton yarn and a 4mm crochet hook.
There are also other notions that you may (or may not) need depending on your project such as:
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
And that’s it! Once you’ve gathered all your materials, you’re ready to start practicing these basic stitches.
How to Hold Your Crochet Hook and Yarn?
When it comes to crochet, holding the crochet yarn and hook correctly is essential for achieving even stitches and a comfortable grip.
Here are some steps to help you get started:
1. Place the yarn over your left-hand index finger, letting it rest between your middle and ring fingers. Use your pinky finger to control the tension of the yarn as you work.
| Yarn wrapped around the fingers of the hand. |
| Yarn wrapped around the index finger, then between thumb and middle finger. |
2. Hold the crochet hook like a pencil or knife, whichever you are comfortable with.
| Pen grip |
| Knife grip |
Then, you’re ready to start on the first crochet stitch below.
Basic Terms and Movements in Crochet
Here are some fundamental crochet terms that you need to understand first. Some of these are hand movements. Combining these hand movements results in a crochet stitch.
Crochet Abbreviations
The set of letters inside the parentheses is the abbreviation for the crochet stitch.
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- yo – yarn over
Yarn Ends: Ball and Tail
The ball end of a yarn come from the center of a yarn ball or skein. The tail end is the loose end of the yarn.
Yarn Over (yo)
To yarn over, wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front.
Pull a Loop
To pull up a loop, you insert the hook into a chain or stitch, yarn over, and then pull the wrapped yarn back through the chain or stitch, creating a new loop on the hook.
Pull Through
Once you have one or more loops on the hook, yarn over, and then pull the wrapped yarn through the loops on the hook in one smooth motion.
Turning Chain
The number of chains you make after a row is a turning chain. It provides height for the next row. After making chain/s, turn your work.
The number of turning chains required depends on the stitch being used.
- sc – 1 ch
- hdc – 2 ch
- dc – 2 ch
But I personally use 1 ch for all three crochet stitches. It makes the edges smoother.
Fasten Off and Weave Ends
Fastening off and weaving ends ensures that your crochet work is securely finished and prevents unraveling. It is typically done at the end of a project or when changing colors.
To fasten off in crochet, follow these steps:
1. Complete the last stitch of your row, leaving a yarn tail of about 6 inches (15 cm).
2. Cut the working yarn, leaving a tail of approximately 6 inches (15 cm).
3. Yarn over and pull the cut end of the yarn through the loop on your hook.
4. Gently pull the yarn tail to tighten the loop and secure the stitch.
5. Thread the yarn tail through a yarn or tapestry needle.
6. Insert the needle under the top loops of the next stitch or a nearby stitch to secure the fasten off.
7. Pull the yarn tail through the stitch, creating a small knot to secure the end.
8. Weave the yarn tail through several stitches on the backside of your work using the yarn needle.
9. Trim any excess yarn, leaving a short tail that is hidden within the stitches.
5 Basic Crochet Stitches
Chain Stitch
The chain (ch) stitch is the foundation of crochet. It is used in almost every crochet project. It creates a series of loops that are used to build the other stitches.
Here’s how to make a chain stitch:
1. Make a slipknot: Start by making a loop with your yarn, leaving a long tail. Pull the yarn ball end through the loop until a knot is made. Insert your hook and pull the yarn to tighten the loop around the hook (but not too tight). This creates a slipknot that will stay on your hook.
2. Yarn over: Bring the yarn over the top of your hook from back to front. The yarn should be in front of your hook.
3. Pull through: Use your hook to pull the yarn through the loop on your hook. This creates one chain stitch.
4. Repeat: To make more chain stitches, repeat steps 3 and 4. Keep making chain stitches until you have the desired number for your project.
Slip Stitch
The slip stitch (sl st) is one of the most basic crochet stitches. It is commonly used to join stitches together or to create a foundation row for other stitches.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
2. Yarn over (wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front).
3. Pull the yarn through the stitch and the loop on your hook. This creates a slip stitch.
Repeat steps 1-3 across the row.
Single Crochet Stitch
Single crochet (sc) is a fundamental stitch that is used in many crochet projects. It creates a dense, tight fabric perfect for items requiring a structure.
Here’s how to do a single crochet stitch:
Single Crochet Row 1
1. Begin by making a foundation chain. Insert your crochet hook into the second chain from the hook.
2. Wrap the yarn over the hook, from back to front.
3. Pull the yarn through the chain stitch, so you have two loops on the hook.
4. Wrap the yarn over the hook again.
5. Pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.
6. You have now completed one single crochet stitch.
Repeat steps 2-5 for each stitch across the row.
Single Crochet Row 2
1. Make a turning chain.
2. Insert your hook into the first stitch of the previous row.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
4. Yarn over again.
5. Pull through the two loops on the hook.
Repeat steps 2-5 for each stitch across the row until you reach the end.
Half Double Crochet Stitch
The half double crochet (hdc) stitch is a versatile stitch that can be used for a variety of crochet projects. It is taller than a single crochet but shorter than a double crochet and creates a slightly looser fabric than single crochet.
Here are the steps to make a half double crochet stitch:
Half Double Crochet Row 1
1. Start with a foundation chain.
2. Yarn over (yo) the hook.
3. Insert the hook into the third chain from the hook.
4. Yarn over the hook again.
5. Pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have three loops on the hook.
6. Yarn over the hook again.
7. Pull the yarn through all three loops on the hook.
Repeat steps 2-7 across the foundation chain.
Half Double Crochet Row 2
1. Make a turning chain.
2. Yarn over and insert the hook into the first stitch of the previous row.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
4. Yarn over and pull through the three loops on the hook.
Repeat steps 2-4 for each stitch across the row until you reach the end.
Double Crochet Stitch
Double crochet (dc) is another basic stitch in crochet that is used to create fabric with a looser texture. This stitch is often used in patterns for blankets, scarves, and shawls.
To make a double crochet stitch, follow these steps:
Double Crochet Row 1
1. Start by making a foundation chain of the desired length.
2. Yarn over the hook and insert the hook into the fourth chain from the hook.
3. Yarn over the hook and draw up a loop through the chain, so you have three loops on the hook.
4. Yarn over the hook again and draw through the first two loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over the hook again and draw through the remaining two loops on the hook.
Repeat steps 2 to 5 until you reach the end of the row.
Double Crochet Row 2
1. Make a turning chain.
2. Yarn over and insert the hook into the first stitch of the previous row.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
4. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over and pull through the two loops left on the hook.
Repeat 2-5 steps for each stitch across the row until you reach the end.
Tips for All Basic Crochet Stitches
1. Keep your tension consistent: One of the most important things to keep in mind while crocheting is to maintain consistent tension. If your tension is too loose or too tight, your stitches won’t look neat and uniform.
2. Practice makes perfect: Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts at a new stitch turn out differently. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to crochet the stitch with ease and confidence.
3. Use the right hook size: Be sure to use the recommended hook size for the yarn you’re using. Using the wrong size hook can result in stitches that are too loose or too tight.
4. Count your stitches: It’s easy to lose track of your stitches, especially when working on a large project. Counting your stitches after each row can help you catch any mistakes early on.
5. Take breaks: Crocheting can be relaxing, but it’s important to take breaks to avoid strain on your hands and eyes. Give yourself regular breaks to stretch and rest.
6. Easy crochet projects for beginners: Start practicing your skill with easy crochet projects. There are a lot of patterns designed for beginners and they only use basic crochet stitches. Check out some beautiful patterns below.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to crochet with confidence and create beautiful projects.
Final Thoughts on Basic Crochet Stitches
There you have what you need to start crocheting. These are chain stitch, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. Make sure to pick one easy crochet pattern and keep on practicing with it.
In the next blog, I will be sharing advanced crochet stitches. So, keep on practicing until then, and, stay tuned.
Let's get connected!