How To Crochet Stitches | Crocheting For Beginners

Get started with crocheting for beginners and learn the most common crochet stitch guides to help work your way up!

RELATED: 17 Amazing Crochet Patterns For Beginners

In this article:

1. Easy Beginner Crochet Patterns
2. Basic Terms and Abbreviations
3. Slip Stitch Steps
4. Chain Steps
5. Single Crochet Steps
6. Double Crochet Steps
7. Fasten Off Steps

Crocheting for Beginners: How to Get Started

Easy Beginner Crochet Patterns

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Crochet is one of those things that can bring you a quick return on your investment of learning time. With just a little basic knowledge and a few single crochet stitches, you can be well on your way to crocheting hats, scarves, blankets, potholders, and much more!

Below I am going to share the absolute basics with you so you can get started on all those projects you’ve pinned on Pinterest! Crochet for beginners can be intimidating, but don't be afraid to give it a shot.

Learn these quick and easy crochet patterns in an hour or so with these simple stitches!

Let's get started. Here is everything you need to know about beginner crocheting.

Don't forget your supplies! You won't be spending too much time running around the craft store, they're super easy finds!

Supplies:

• Yarn – worsted weight (size 4 on most yarn packages) is a good one to start with; it's easy to work with and used for a variety of projects
• Hook – size H is a good first hook to buy as it pairs well with worsted weight yarn and can be used for a variety of projects
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle – for weaving in your ends
• Pattern – start with something easy!

Next, you will need to understand basic crochet terms in order to read patterns. I will be demonstrating most of these for you.

Basic Terms and Abbreviations

1. Slip knot – This is how you will begin projects that are crocheted in rows.
2. Magic circle – This is how you will begin projects that are crocheted in the round.
3. In the round – This type of crochet is stitched in one direction, without turning at the end of the row; used mostly for hats.
4. sl. st. = slip stitch
5. ch. = chain
6. SC = single crochet stitch
7. HDC= half double crochet stitch
8. DC = double crochet stitch
9. spc(s) = space(s)
10. yarn over = Lay yarn from your working end over your hook in order to draw it through your loop.
11. R1, R2, etc. = You will see this in most crochet patterns; it can stand for a row or round and signifies the number of the row or round you are on; following it will be directions for crocheting that particular row or round.
12. Fasten off – This simply means to cut your threads and weave in your ends so the work is “finished”.

Let’s get started.

Slip Stitch Steps

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1. Wrap the yarn around your first two fingers, making a loop.
2. Insert your hook under the first loop of yarn, reaching for the one behind it.
3. Use your hook to grab the yarn that is behind the loop and pull it through.
4. Pull your slip knot tight. It should look like the picture. You now have one loop and two pieces of yarn; the end that is cut is called the free end, the other is the working end and is what you will use to crochet.

RELATED: 17 Awesome Crochet Blanket Ideas You Can Easily DIY

Chain Steps

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1. Yarn over your hook from your working end.
2. Hook the yarn and draw through your loop (slip knot); you have made one chain stitch.
3. Let’s chain 10 for practice. This is how you form your foundation chain to begin every crochet project. You will always chain the number of times specified in your pattern but the slip knot does not count in this number

Single Crochet Steps

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1. Insert hook into the 2nd chain from hook.
2. Yarn over.
3. Draw yarn through the loop; you should now have two loops on your hook.
4. Yarn over again.
5. Draw yarn through both loops on hook.
6. Continue your sc across your row then chain three and turn your work (this is called the “turning chain”)

Double Crochet Steps

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1. Yarn over.
2. Insert hook into 2nd stitch.
3. Yarn over.
4. Draw yarn through the loop.
5. You should now have three loops on your hook.
6. Yarn over and draw through the first two loops on your hook.
7. You now have two loops on your hook.
8. Yarn over and draw through remaining two loops.
9. Continue dc across your previous row of sc.

Fasten Off Steps

1. Cut off your working end.
2. Pass end of yarn through your loop.
3. Pull tight.
4. Weave ends into your work using needle then cut the remaining yarn.

Other Tips:
Try crocheting your foundation chain with a hook a size larger than what you will use for your pattern. This will make it easier to access the loops on your first row.

Check out this video on how to double crochet stitch by Crochet Guru:

That's all! We hope you enjoyed our tutorial on the basics of crocheting.

Once you get the hang it, you'll find yourself wanting to learn more complex crochet patterns. Have fun making it!

Are you new in crocheting? Tell us how this tutorial worked out for you in the comments section below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 19, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.