Have you ever tried to crochet?  It may seem intimidating at first, but you can start by learning 5 basic crochet stitches.  Wondering what are the most common crochet stitches?  The 5 simplest crochet stitches to learn are the chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and slip stitch.  Once you get the hang of these basic stitches, you can make a plethora of projects throughout your crochet journey!

In this post I will share step-by-step tutorials for 3 of these most common crochet stitches to learn – the chain stitch, single crochet stitch and the slip stitch.  Check out my separate post for the double crochet and half double crochet stitches, which are the remaining 2 most basic crochet stitches.

I’ll explain the best uses for the different stitches, as well as how to crochet them.  Whether you are a crochet beginner or have some experience, I hope you will learn something interesting for your skill level.  I have also packaged all 5 crochet stitch tutorials into a FREE GUIDE for absolute beginners! Grab the guide below to learn the crochet basics…

Get the FREE crochet guide for beginners – you will receive photo tutorials for all 5 stitches in this ‘basic crochet stitches pdf’ file:

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You can use the following supplies to practice these crochet stitches:

Supplies

• Crochet hook (any size you are comfortable with).  I am using a crochet hook size J (6mm) hook in the photos.
• Yarn (size 4 medium weight is a good size to practice with)

Here are some ideas for hooks in different sizes, and yarns for beginners:

Crochet Abbreviations (in US Terms, aka American crochet terms)

ch – chain

st – stitch

yo – yarn over

sc – single crochet

sl – slip stitch

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5 Basic Crochet Stitches

How to crochet for beginners

When you are beginning to learn how to crochet, the first thing you will need to learn is how to chain and single crochet.  These are the most common stitches in crochet projects and are simple to get the hang of. The slip stitch is also a basic stitch to learn, and is helpful with finishing an edge or joining stitches in a round.

My instructions are written for right-handed crocheters, but you can reverse the instructions for left-handed work.

Before I show you these basic crochet stitches for beginners, I want to explain how to hold your working yarn as the first step.  The ‘working’ yarn is the strand that is continually coming from your yarn ball (or skein) as you crochet.  The ‘tail’ is the small strand that hangs from your initial slip knot.

You want an even tension in your working yarn as you crochet.  If you let the working yarn hang loosely from your work, it will be difficult to manage in a consistent way.  It is better to keep the working yarn led by your index finger and between remaining fingers as such:

This way the yarn will flow better from the ball (or skein), through your fingers, to the hook. Place your hook in your dominant hand.

How to crochet the Chain stitch (Ch)

The chain stitch is normally used to begin a crochet project with a starting chain.  You use the crochet hook and yarn to form a simple ‘chain’ of stitches, counting each stitch as you go.  The number of chain stitches will determine the starting point length of your piece.  Most crochet patterns will begin with the instruction to ‘Ch x’ where x represents the number of chains.  The resulting chain of this number of stitches helps to form what is called the ‘foundational row’ or ‘foundation chain’, basically the base row of your project.

Let us walk through the CHAIN STITCH step by step to make a crochet chain:

Step 1 – make a slip knot on your crochet hook as so, leaving a small tail of yarn:

Gently tug at the working yarn and tail to tighten. You can use your left middle finger and thumb to gently hold the slip knot at the hook, as well as to hold each subsequent chain you make.

Step 2 – wrap yarn over the hook from back to front and grasp it with the chin of the hook:

Step 3 – using the hook, pull the yarn through the loop of the slip knot: 

One chain stitch has been made:

Continue wrapping the yarn over the hook and pulling it through the chain just made.  Each time you do this it counts as 1 chain.

It is important to practice this chain stitch so that each chain can result in a consistent size.  If you chain the yarn loosely, your chains will be large.  Conversely, if you chain the yarn tightly, the chains will be small. 

You will notice that your chain of stitches appears as a series of ‘V’ letters.  Those top loops of the ‘V’ form a stitch and consist of a front loop and back loop.

Here I chained 11 stitches total:

Another use for the chain stitch is within open-weave stitch patterns.  Anytime a pattern instructs to ‘Ch x’ (where x is a number) between other stitches, the chain formed will create an opening there. 

For instance, the ‘ch 2’ instruction in the pattern below creates the ‘holes’ in the work:

How to crochet the Single Crochet stitch (sc)

The single crochet stitch is frequently used in many crochet projects.  It is the most common stitch and appears as a shorter and tighter weave.  Single crochet is often used in many closed stitch patterns – those where there is little gap between stitches.  It is a terrific stitch to practice as a beginner. 

It may be helpful to remember that ‘single’ refers to ‘one’.  When commencing a row with a single crochet stitch, you will usually chain ‘one’. This will help begin the row at the proper ‘single’ height. 

Let us walk through the SINGLE CROCHET STITCH step by step:

Make chain stitches for foundational row

First, you will need to create a chain of any number of stitches for a foundational row (see previous instructions for Chain stitch).  Here I chained 11 stitches. Each chain appears like a sideways ‘V’:

Create first row of sc stitches

Step 1 – insert crochet hook into the second chain from the hook (chain ’10’ in photo above), from front to back: 

(note – when beginning the first row of a project from a foundational chain, there are several options on where to insert the hook into a particular stitch, appearing as a ‘V’.  For our purposes, simply insert the hook into the back part of the ‘V’.  It is easier to do this on a foundation row chain than attempt to insert your hook into both parts of the ‘V’.)

Step 2 – wrap yarn over the hook from back to front and grasp it with the chin of the hook:

Step 3 – using the hook, pull the yarn through the loop of the stitch (the first loop).  You will notice that two loops are on your hook:

(steps 2 and 3 are often referred to as ‘yo and draw up a loop’ where yo = yarn over)

Step 4 – wrap yarn over the hook from back to front and grasp it with the chin of the hook:

Step 5 – using the hook, pull the yarn through both loops that are on the hook:

(steps 4 and 5 are often referred to as ‘yo and pull through 2 loops’ where yo = yarn over)

One SINGLE CROCHET STITCH has been made:

Repeat these steps to continue making single crochet stitches into each chain to the left across your row:

Insert hook, yo and draw up a loop

Yo and pull through 2 loops

Here I have worked 10 total single crochet stitches:

Create next row of sc stitches

Once you reach the end of your row, you will turn your work from right to left so that your hook is once again at the right-most end of your row.  (Turn your work as you turn pages in a book):

Next you will need to Ch1 (chain 1) to begin a new row of sc stitches.  This unused chain, called the ‘turning chain’ (tch), provides room to maneuver the hook and creates an even edge:

To continue the single crochet stitch in the 2^nd row, you will follow the steps above.  The difference is that you will begin with the first stitch (just below/left of tch), and you will be inserting your hook into both loops of the ‘V’ on each stitch as so:

Insert hook into each ‘v’ stitch, yo and draw up a loop

Yo and pull through 2 loops

Here I have worked 10 total single crochet stitches in the 2nd row:

Practice many rows of single crochet stiches to get the feel for it.  They are super quick and simple to stitch up.  It is a great idea to put a stitch marker in the very first and last stitches of each row.  That will help you determine where to begin and end each sc stitch in the next row. 

IMPORTANT – regarding counting stitches, you will need to understand how many stitches you are meant to have after each row on any given pattern.  If the pattern begins with a row of 28 sc stitches, for instance, it will usually instruct you to Chain 29 to start because single crochet rows begin with one unused ‘turning’ chain. 

Next basic crochet stitches for beginners to learn

The next few stitches you may proceed to learn after the chain and single crochet are the double crochet and half double crochet stitches.  These are also common in many crochet patterns and add both height and texture to your work.

Finishing or Joining Crochet Stitch

How to crochet the Slip stitch (sl)

The slip stitch is the shortest of all crochet stitches, and is mostly used for joining stitches together, shaping the work, or for carrying the yarn to another part of the project. 

Slip stitches are not normally worked in individual rows, but rather used to finish off edges nicely or to join work in a round.

Let us walk through the SLIP STITCH step by step:

First, you will need to create a piece of work with several single crochet stitches. We are going to use the slip stitch to create a finished edge.  Use your practice piece from the single crochet stitch.

Here is my row of 10 sc stitches, with the ‘ch1’ for step 1 below:

Step 1 – Ch1, then insert crochet hook into the next stitch from the hook (see photo below), from front to back. 

Step 2 – wrap yarn over the hook from back to front and grasp it with the chin of the hook.

Step 3 – using the hook, pull the yarn through both loops that are on the hook.  One slip stitch has been made.

(steps 2 and 3 are often referred to as ‘yo and pull through 2 loops’ where yo = yarn over)

Repeat these steps to continue making slip stitches into each st to the left across your row:

Insert hook, yo and pull through 2 loops

Here I have worked 10 total slip stitches:

This creates a nice, finished edge to your top row.  Slip stitches are usually not worked in multiple rows.  Rather, they provide a neat edge to your work or are often used to join stitches in a circular piece of work.  When joining in the round (circle), the crochet pattern may instruct you to Ch1, then work a slip stitch to join the last stitch of the round with the first stitch.

What is the easiest thing to crochet for a beginner?

Your first crochet project can be:

• dish cloths
• scarves
• pot holders
• baby blankets
• cup cozies

These types of projects are normally square or rectangular in shape, and would require the same amount of stitches per row. Beginning with these shapes allows you to practice counting your stitches, which is a critical skill to learn in the beginning.

I have a compilation of over 25 CROCHET PATTERNS FOR BEGINNERS if you’d like to start with beginner crochet patterns. And check out THIS CROCHET CUP COZY PATTERN BUNDLE – they’re a great set for beginners to try a first project!

If you want to start with a simple ad-free bundle of digital crochet patterns, try out my beginner collection…

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The most important thing is to be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process. It’s a good idea to practice much before tackling difficult projects. And if you are concerned with making crochet mistakes, check out this resource…

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You will have a wonderful hobby in no time!

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