Introduction to Crochet/Stitches

Chaining

This video demonstrates how to start a chain

Each stitch in a chain is commonly abbreviated "ch".

To start the chain, make a loose knot. Insert hook into the side of the knot where the yarn will be continuing (rather than the yarn remainder). Yarn over and pull hook through.

Each chain should be pulled on the same side as the original. Yarn over and pull hook through.

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  1. yarn over from near to far, bring yarn around and yarn over again the other way and pull hook through.
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  2. The completed first loop, with the base chain knot. From here you build your chain. You may wish to tighten the knot a bit manually.
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  3. yarn over and pull through the first loop
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  Continue with the same stitch, yarn over, pull through chain.

Turning the chain

Turning the chain using a slip stitch

The chain is commonly turned by inserting the hook into a chain a specified distance from the hook. Single crochets (SC) are usually 2nd chain from hook, Half double crochets (HDC) start in the 3rd chain from hook, double crochet 4th chain, treble crochet, 5th chain, etc.

Slip stitch (Intl: Single crochet)

Commonly abbreviated "sl st" or simply "sl", the slip stitch is made by:

1. For a first stitch after chain: Insert hook into the 2nd chain from hook. Yarn over (yo) and pull through both the chain and the loop.
2. For other stitches in the row: Insert hook into the next chain. Yarn over (yo) and pull through both the chain and the loop.
3. For later rows:
   1. Turning: Insert hook into 1st stitch from hook. Yarn over (yo) and pull through both the stitch and the loop.
   2. Cointinuing: Insert hook into following stitch. Yarn over (yo) and pull through both the stitch and the loop.

Single crochet (Intl: double crochet)

This video demonstrates turning the chain and single crochet

When working into a chain, insert hook in second chain from the hook. Yarn over, pull through the chain. Yarn over, pull through the other two loops on the hook.

When working into later rows row, chain one, and insert hook in the first stich of the row. Yarn over, pull through the stich. Yarn over pull through the other two loops on the hook. The chain at the start of the row is called the turning chain.

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  1. Insert hook into second chain from hook
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  2. Yarn over and pull loop through 2nd chain from end.
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  3. Yarn over again.
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  4. Completed single crochet stitch

Half double crochet

When working into a chain, yarn over first, then insert hook in third chain from the hook. Yarn over, pull through the chain. Yarn over again, pull through all three loops on the hook.

Then yarn over again, insert into next chain, yarn over and pull through chain, then pull through all three loops.

When working into successive rows, turn by chaining two, yarn over, and insert hook in the second stich of the row. Yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through all three stitches.

For subsequent stitches, yarn over, insert into next stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, then pull through all three loops.

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  1. Yarn over and insert into 3rd chain from end
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  2. Yarn over again and pull through chain
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  3. Yarn over again and pull through all three loops.
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  ! Completed half double crochet stitch with setup for next one

Double crochet

When working into a chain, yarn over first, then insert hook in fourth chain from the hook. Yarn over, pull through the chain. Yarn over again, pull through first two loops, leaving one on the hook. Then yarn over again, pulling through both loops.

Then yarn over again, insert into next chain, yarn over and pull through chain, then pull through first two loops, leaving one on the hook. Then yarn over again, pulling through both loops.

When working into successive rows, turn by chaining two, yarn over, and insert hook in the third stich of the row. Yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through first two loops, leaving one on the hook. Then yarn over again, pulling through both loops.

For subsequent stitches, yarn over, insert into next stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, then pull through first two loops, leaving one on the hook. Then yarn over again, pulling through both loops.

• Double crochet steps
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  1: yarn over, then insert hook into 4th chain from hook
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  2: yarn over and pull through chain
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  3: yarn over and pull through first two loops, leaving the new loop and one remaining loop
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  4. yarn over, and pull through two remaining loops