How to Crochet:  Tips and Tutorials

Chain (ch)

The chain stitch is the most basic and you will use this one on all projects you work.  

Important note: Do not pull your yarn too tight because it will be difficult to get your hook through a very tight chain. Keep trying, it just takes practice.

Step 1. Make a slip knot: cross the tail end of the yarn under the main length of the yarn coming from the ball.

Step 2. Insert the hook into the loop and grab the yarn with hook. Draw the hooked yarn through slip knot and onto hook. This makes one chain stitch. Pull the short tail, if necessary, to adjust the chain stitch

Step 3. Repeat Step 2 until you have the required length of the chain.

Each chain stitch creates a small v. Count each v as one stitch.

Learn how to make a chain stitch.

Single Crochet (sc)
UK Double Crochet (dc)

Step 1. Work a length of chain. For instance, 21 chains.(You do not count the loop on the hook). The number of chains should be equal the number of stitches required plus one. Your 21 chains will make 20 stitches.

Step 2. Skip the first chain stitch. The single crochet (sc) is placed in the 2nd chain from your hook. Draw the yarn through the chain stitch and up onto the hook. There are now 2 loops on the hook.

Step 3. Bring the yarn over hook from back to front, and draw it through both loops on the hook. One loop remains on the hook. You have made one single crochet stitch. Repeat Step 3 to the end of the row. You will have 20 single crochet stitches.

Step 4. To start the second row, make 1 ch (1 chain) before turning the work. It will be your 1 turning chain. After turning the work, insert the hook into the next stitch. (Your first stitch is the turning chain). Continue working 1 single crochet (1 sc) into each stitch of the previous row.

Step 5. Finishing: cut the yarn from the main ball, leaving a piece approximately 6 in in length. Pull this piece through the loop so that a little knot is formed.

Learn more about the single crochet stitch

Double Crochet (dc)
UK treble crochet (tr)

Step 1. Work a length of chain. For instance, 23 chains. (You do not count the loop on the hook). The number of chains should equal the number of stitches required plus three. Your 23 chains will make 20 stitches.

Step 2. Put the yarn over the hook. Skip the first 3 chain stitches. The double crochet (dc) is placed in the fourth chain from your hook. Draw the yarn through the chain stitch and up onto the hook. There are now 3 loops on the hook.

Step 3. Yarn over, pull through the first 2 loops. There are 2 loops on the hook now. Yarn over, pull through the remaining two loops. One double crochet is completed. Repeat Step 2 and 3 to the end of the row. Make sure you have exactly 20 double crochet stitches at the end of the row.

Step 4. To start the second row, you should chain 3 so all your stitches will be at the same height. These are your 3 turning chains. They count as the first double crochet (dc) for the second row. This is why when you start the second row, you go into the 2nd stitch. Continue placing 1 dc in each stitch to the end. Make sure you have exactly 20 stitches.

Note: If you find there is a hole at the start of the rows, chain 2 instead of 3 to get the needed height. You will have to see what works best for you. This bit of advice applies to all of the stitches described on this page.

Learn more about the double crochet stitch

Go to the Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

Half-Double Crochet (hdc)
UK half treble crochet (htr)

The half-double crochet is a slightly taller stitch than the single crochet (sc) and makes a slightly denser project.  It is worked similar to the double crochet, except that you do a yarn over twice.

You will be chaining 2 stitches at the end of the row to turn, so that if you started with 22 chain stitches, you will end up with 20 half-double crochet stitches.

Step 1. To begin a half-double crochet stitch, draw up a loop of yarn around the hook (yarn over).

Step 2.  Insert your hook under the top 2 loops of the next stitch.  Yarn over.

Step 3.  Pull the yarn through the stitch, then draw the yarn over the stitch again.  There will be 3 loops on the hook.

Step 4.  Pull the yarn over through the 3 loops still on your hook. Work each chain stitch until you reach the end of the row.

Step 5.  Chain 2 and Turn your work.  You have completed one row of half-double crochet.

NOTE:  The chains that you make at the end of the row are normally counted as one half-double crochet stitch

Half double crochet stitch

Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

Treble Crochet or Triple Crochet (tr)
UK double treble crochet

The treble crochet stitch (tr) is taller than the double crochet (dc)

Step 1.  Make a foundation chain (ch).  For practice, I suggest you make a chain of 18 stitches. Allowing for turning using 4 chain stitches, you will end up with 14 treble crochet stitches per row.

Step 2. Start by wrapping your yarn over the hook twice.  (YO twice).

Step 3.  Insert your hook into the 5th chain from the hook.  Turn your hook slightly so it is facing forward, pass the hook under the yarn os it crosses over the hook.  Draw the yarn through the stitch.  There should be four loops left on the hook.  

Step 4. Pull the yarn over and through two loops on the hook. 

Step 5.  Pull the yarn-over again through the next two loops and yarn over.

Step 6.  Pull the yarn over through the last 2 loops.

Step 7.  To turn, chain four and begin the next row.

NOTE:  Be sure to count the stitches per row.  There should be the exact number on each row.  If you have less than the correct number, you have forgotten to work every stitch.  If you have too many, you are adding stitches where they don't belong.

Visit the treble crochet Stitch tutorial