Basic StitchesGetting started is the hardest part, but once the basic stitch is mastered, the rest will be smooth crocheting. You'll be ready to move onto more complicated stitches before you know it.SINGLE CROCHETThe first row of any crochet stitch is the hardest. This is because you don't have a lot to hold on to, so it's always going to be a bit clumsy. Take it slow. Keep in mind that once you've completed the first row, the rest will go much easier.To begin your first row of single crochet, make a foundation chain that has eleven chain stitches. Hold the yarn and crochet hook as before. Now hold the foundation chain so the top is facing you and your thumb and middle finger are holding the 3rd chain stitch from the hook. For the easiest maneuvering to go into a chain stitch, slide your thumb from the grip up to the throat of the hook, then anchor the loop on the hook with your thumb.single crochet

Single crochet swatch1. Insert the hook under both the front and back loops of the 2nd chain from the hook. (You can also use your other thumb to help it along.) Wrap the yarn over the hook from the back to the front (this is called a yarn over), then catch it with the hook. Now draw the hook through the two chain stitch loops. You now have two loops on the hook.2. Wrap the yarn over the hook from the back to the front (yarn over), then draw the yarn over through both loops on the hook.

3. You have now completed one single crochet stitch. Continue to repeat Steps 1 and 2 nine more times, inserting the hook into each chain stitch across. You now have ten single crochet stitches completed across the row.4. To proceed to the next row, make one chain stitch (this is the turning chain), then turn the piece from the right to the left; this step is called chain and turn. Remember that one chain stitch equals the height of the single crochet stitch and that you will always turn the piece from the right to the left. To begin the next row, insert the hook under both the front and back loops of the first stitch (skipping the one turning chain stitch). Continue to repeat the steps until you have completed ten rows of single crochet.

FASTENING OFFWhen you have completed the number of rows called for or have achieved the length measurement stated in a direction, you need to secure the last stitch so the rest of the stitches don't come undone or unravel. This is called fastening off. Simply cut the yarn coming from the ball about 12"/30.5cm from the loop on the hook. Bring the yarn over the hook, then draw the yarn end (called a tail) all the way through the loop on the hook. Pull the tail to tighten and secure the last stitch.

HALF DOUBLE CROCHETNow you're ready to go on to a more complex stitch. To begin your first row of half double crochet, make a foundation chain that has twelve chain stitches.half double crochet

Half double crochet swatch1. Hold the yarn and the crochet hook as before, but for this stitch hold the foundation chain at the 4th chain stitch from the hook. Yarn over the hook from the back to the front. Insert the hook under both the front and back loops of the 3rd chain stitch from the hook. Yarn over the front of the hook and then catch the yarn with the hook. Now draw the hook through the two chain stitch loops. You now have three loops on the hook.2. Yarn over the hook from the back to the front. Draw the hook through all three loops on the hook.

3. You have now completed one half double crochet stitch. Continue to repeat Steps 1 and 2 nine more times. You now have ten half double crochet stitches completed across the row. To proceed to the next row, make two chain stitches for the turning chain, then turn. Remember that two chain stitches equal the height of the half double crochet. To begin the next row, insert the hook under both the front and back loops of the first stitch (skipping the turning chain stitches). Continue to repeat the steps until you have completed ten rows of half double crochet. Fasten off.

DOUBLE CROCHETThe double crochet has one more step to do in order to complete the stitch than a half double crochetand that's how the half double crochet got its name. To begin your first row of double crochet, make a foundation chain that has thirteen chain stitches.double crochet

Double crochet swatch

1. Hold the yarn and the crochet hook as before, but for this stitch hold the foundation chain at the 5th chain stitch from the hook. Yarn over the hook from the back to the front. Insert the hook under both the front and back loops of the 4th chain stitch from the hook.2. Yarn over the front of the hook and catch the yarn. Now draw the hook through the two chain stitch loops. You now have three loops on the hook.

3. Yarn over the hook from the back to the front. Draw the hook through the first two loops on the hook. You now have two loops remaining on the hook. Yarn over the hook from the back to the front. Draw the hook through both the loops on the hook.4. You have now completed one double crochet stitch. Continue to repeat Steps 13 nine more times. You now have ten double crochet stitches completed across the row. To proceed to the next row, make three chain stitches, then turn. Remember that three chain stitches equal the height of the double crochet. Continue to repeat the steps until you have completed ten rows of double crochet. Fasten off.

TREBLE CROCHETThe treble crochet has one more step to do in order to complete the stitch than a double crochet. Now that you have three crochet stitches under your belt, it's time to follow slightly abbreviated directions to begin to prepare you for reading project directions. To begin your first row of treble crochet, make a foundation chain that has fourteen chain stitches.treble crochet

Treble crochet swatch1. Hold the foundation chain at the 6th chain stitch from the hook. Yarn over the hook two times. Insert the hook under the front and back loops of the 5th chain stitch from the hook. Yarn over and draw the hook through. You now have four loops on the hook.2. Yarn over the hook and draw through the first two loops on the hook. You now have three loops on the hook. Yarn over the hook and draw through the next two loops on the hook. You now have two loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw through both the loops on the hook.

3. You have now completed one treble crochet. Continue to repeat Steps 1 and 2 nine more times. You now have ten treble crochet stitches completed across the row. To proceed to the next row, make four chain stitches and turn. The four chain stitches equal the height of the treble crochet. Continue to repeat the steps until you have completed ten rows. Fasten off.

SLIP STITCHThe slip stitch is an odd little stitch that's shorter than a single crochet and is more utilitarian than decorative. It's used for anchoring chain stitches, shaping pieces, making drawstring cords, joining circles (called rounds) when crocheting in the round, securing seams together, finishing edges, and more. Although it is used in some pattern stitches, it is never worked in multiple rows all on its own. To practice making slip stitches, make a foundation chain that has eleven chain stitches.slip stitch

1. Insert the hook under both loops of the 2nd chain from the hook. Yarn over the hook and draw through the chain stitch and then the loop on the hook in one movement. One slip stitch completed.2. Continue to work one slip stitch in each remaining chain across. See what a nice drawstring or tie a single row of slip stitches makes.

Tip:It's almost impossible not to get interrupted when making a chain and counting chain stitches. To prevent making an error, write down the number of chain stitches you have to make on a sheet of paper. Chain stitch in increments of ten, making a check mark on the paper for every ten chain stitches. Continue in this manner until you have reached the number required.

Supplies Checklist: Crochet Hook Sizes vary based on the size of the gaps you want, however a standard 1/9-5.50MM needle will work well. Another good needle is the N-9.00MM Yarn The choices are limitless, but for this tutorial I will be using a very basic black yarn.Part 1: Making a Slip Knot When starting off any crochet project, youll need to make a slip knot. First hold your crochet hook in your hand like you would a pencil. Leave about a 4 tail and flip the tail over the yarn coming off of the yarn ball. Flip the tail under the loop that was created so that it is going down the center of the loop from behind. Pull the tail slightly through the loop. Place your hook into the new top look created (the smaller of the two loops). Pull the loop tightly around the hook and this is your slip knot, ready to create your first chain stitch.Part 2: Creating the Starting Chain Once you have your slip knot created and on your hook, you need to create the starting chain, which will be the sae in any crochet project. This gives you something to work from on the first row. Yarn hooked over the crochet hook. Hook the yarn and pull through the loop on the crochet hook. You should now just have one loop on the crochet hook. Repeat this, counting along the way until youve created the starting chain long enough for the project youre working on. Once youve created the chain long enough, flip around so that you are now working from the right to the left again.Part 3: Single Stitch Now that you have your starting chain created, flip the row around so that you are working from the right to the left for the first row. Insert the hook into the second loop on the starting chain (not counting the loop on the hook). After pushing through the loop, wrap the needle under the yarn (that is coming from the yarn ball). Pull the yarn through just the first loop on the hook. Once that is puled through the first loop on the hook, wrap the needle under the yarn again. This time pull it through both loops on the hook. Now there should be only one loop on the crochet hook. Continue the method above, inserting the hook into first loop next to the last stitch. An easy way to remember this is if the loop looks like it is being stretched by the loop that is on the hook, then go through the loop next to that one. Once you get to the end of a row, flip around so you are working from the right to the left each time and following the guidelines above. As you continue this, youll form a square (or whatever other shape/pattern youre working on).Part 4: Half-Double Stitch To create the half double stitch place the hook behind the yarn (that is coming from the yarn ball). Insert into the first loop (second if on a new row). Push through the loop like with the single stitch and wrap around the yarn. Pull through all of the loops on the hook so that when you pull it out it will only have one loop on the hook. Continue this down the row, flipping like above for each new row. Continuing this method will gives you a bit of a differnent pattern than the single stitch.Part 5: Double Stitch For the double stitch, place the hook behind the yarn (that is coming fromt the yarn ball). Insert into the first loop (second if on a new row). Push through the loop (like above) and wrap around the yarn. This time, only pull through the first loop on the hook and the yarn that was on top, leaving you with two loops on the hook. Wrap the hook behind the yarn again. Pull it through both loops on the hook this time. Now you should have just one loop on the hook. Repeat the above steps down the entire row. Like in the above stitches, flip over at the end of each row in order to keep working from right to left.

Step-by-Step StitchGuide!The Stitches and Abbreviations!Below are step-by-step instructions on making each on the main stitches you will come across in patterns in American Terminology.yo= Yarn over (hook). Bring yarn over hook from behind.ch= Chain. Make a slip knot, insert hook and pull firmish but not tight. yo and pull loop through.slst= Slip Stitch. Insert hook into stitch, pull through loop, pull loop through stitch on hook.sc= Single crochet. Insert hook into stitch, pull loop through, yo, pull through both loops on hook.hdc= Half double crochet. Yo, insert hook into stitch, pull loop through, yo, pull through all three loops on hook.dc= Double crochet. Yo, insert hook into stitch, pull loop through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops on hook.htr= Half treble. Yo twice, insert hook into stitch, pull loop through stitch, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 3 remaining loops on hook.tr= Treble. Yo twice, insert hook into stitch, pull loop through stitch, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through last 2 loops on hook.Picot= ch3, slst into 3rdch from hook. (Picotmade)