If you’re ready to start crocheting but all the different stitches sound foreign to you, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll explain seven basic crochet stitches every beginner should know. Then we’ll explore several other simple stitches to try once you’ve mastered those first few.
So grab your hook and some yarn, and let’s get started!
Table Of Contents
- What Is Crochet?
- 7 Basic Crochet Stitches
- 28 Additional Crochet Stitches To Try
- How to Practice Different Crochet Stitches
What Is Crochet?
Crochet is a centuries-old craft that turns yarn into functional and beautiful pieces. It’s similar to knitting, but in crochet, you don’t use two needles. Instead, you use a hook to make loops to create your fabric.
With crochet, you can create beautiful blankets, clothes, stuffed animals, and more.
Note: If you’re new to crocheting, you’ll want to check out our step-by-step beginner's guide.
Supplies For Crochet
You just need a handful of supplies to crochet. The essentials are:
- Crochet hooks
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Yarn needle
With these things, you can create many different projects. Just make sure the crochet hook fits the yarn you choose. If you try to work bulky yarn using a small hook, you’ll get frustrated and likely give up.
If you decide you like crocheting, you might choose to invest in some additional supplies, like stitch markers or blocking tools, to give you more control over your work and help you crochet even faster.
7 Basic Crochet Stitches
After you gather what you need, it’s time to learn some simple crochet stitches. Let’s look at seven of the most common. For each, you’ll find written instructions and a video tutorial.
Chain Stitch
As we mentioned earlier, nearly every project starts with the chain stitch. It’s one you definitely want to master.
To form your starting chain, first, make a slip knot and insert your hook. Then, wrap the yarn over the hook. Carefully draw the newly formed loop back through the slip knot.
Repeat the process for each chain you need to make. Your pattern should tell you how many to do.
Single Crochet Stitch
Once you have the chain stitch down, give the single crochet stitch a try. It builds upon the chain you just made.
To make this stitch, insert your hook into the second chain. Then, wrap the yarn over the hook and draw the hook through the loop. You should now have two loops on the hook.
Wrap the yarn over the hook again and pull both loops through. Then, put the hook into the next chain and do the whole process again.
Slip Stitch
You use the slip stitch to join rounds and skip along the row when crocheting. It’s also useful for making surface stitches on your projects to add decorations.
When you’re ready to practice, prepare your chain. Then, insert the hook into the second loop. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull both loops through.
Repeat these steps as many times as the pattern calls for.
Double Crochet Stitch
This is a slightly longer stitch than the single crochet. It’s very versatile, and you can use it to create granny squares, coasters, and bookmarks, among other things.
Begin by making your chain. Then wrap the yarn over your hook and insert it into the third chain from the hook Next, wrap the yarn over again and pull the yarn through the third chain. You should now have three loops on your hook.
Yarn over again and pull through two loops. Then bring the yarn over your hook one last time and pull it through the remaining two loops. Repeat this across your chain as many times as needed.
Half-Double Crochet Stitch
The half-double crochet stitch works up quickly once you get the hang of it. You’ll often see this stitch in sweaters, blankets, and scarves, as it adds density and drape to your fabric.
Begin by wrapping the yarn around your hook and inserting it into the second chain. Wrap the yarn again, and pull up a loop.
Then, yarn over another time and pull that yarn through all three loops to complete the stitch.
Treble Crochet Stitch
Also known as the triple crochet stitch, the treble crochet stitch makes large, airy fabric. Your finished piece will drape beautifully when it includes this tall stitch.
To make it, wrap the yarn around your hook twice. Then, skip four chains to serve as your first stitch, and insert the hook into the fifth chain.
Now, wrap the yarn again and pull up a loop. If you count the loops on your hook, you should get to four now. Yarn over again and pull it through two loops. Do this again twice, remembering to wrap the yarn over each time.
Granite Stitch
This is the stitch of many names. It’s known as the granite stitch, moss stitch, and seed stitch.
No matter what you call it, it’s a pretty pattern made by combining single crochet and chain stitches. However, the written directions make it seem much more complicated than it is. So be sure to watch the tutorial while you follow along.
First, create a chain with an even number of stitches. Then, skip the first three chains and insert your hook into the fourth one. Chain one. Then, skip a chain and do a single crochet. Repeat the “chain one, skip one, single crochet” pattern to the end of the row.
Next, chain two. For the second row, skip the first crochet and do a single crochet in the chain space. For this entire row, repeat this pattern:
- Chain 1
- Skip 1
- Single crochet (made in the chain space)
Each subsequent row follows this pattern, so keep going.
28 Additional Crochet Stitches To Try
Once you learn the seven basic stitches above, you’ll be ready to add even more variety to your creations.
Here are some additional stitches to try. To get started, simply search YouTube for tutorials of each:
- Basketweave
- Block
- Blueberry
- Bobble
- Brick
- Cable crochet
- Chevron
- Crab
- Crocodile
- Granny stripe
- Half treble
- Herringbone
- Irish
- Long wave
- Mesh
- Mini-bean
- Popcorn
- Puff
- Ripple
- Rose petal
- Seed
- Shell
- Spike
- Star
- Sunburst
- Tapestry
- V-stitch
- Waffle
How to Practice Different Crochet Stitches
Now that you know how to form several crochet stitches, take time to practice each one.
Here are some suggestions to help you improve:
- Know that all the stitches will initially feel awkward. You need to develop muscle memory, so keep trying. Soon you won’t have to think as much about how to form each one, and it’ll feel more natural.
- Pick one stitch to master at a time. Trying to learn them all at once can feel overwhelming.
- Practice, then unravel your stitches and try again. You can use the same pieces of yarn multiple times to reduce waste.
- Select a pattern that uses the stitches you’re learning to practice even more. Try these beginner-friendly projects to start with.
Once you feel confident with crocheting, you can mix and match these stitches to create unique patterns.
Crochet Like A Pro!
By mastering some of the crochet stitches mentioned above, you’ll soon be crocheting like a pro. So gather your crochet hooks and some yarn from GANXXET, and start practicing.
Before long, you’ll be creating amazing things. Happy crafting!
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