Crochet 101: The Basic Stitches

By Ashly Turner & Sharon Marie

Are you just beginning to learn to crochet? Or maybe it’s been a while and you need a quick refresher? Here’s a list of the basic crochet stitches and how to accomplish them.

The Chain Stitch (ch or chs)
The chain stitch is used to start most crochet projects and is the most basic stitch. Often times a group of chain stitches at the beginning of a project is referred to as a base chain, foundation chain, or starting chain.

Chain stitches are also used at the beginning or end of each row to facilitate in changing rows. This is called a turning chain.

Chains can also be used in combination with other stitches to create different effects, especially in lace.

To create a chain stitch:

Create a Slip Knot and place it on your hook

Yarn Over (YO) Wrap yarn Around hook

Pull Yarn through starting loop on hook

Repeat till you reach the desired length

The Slip Stitch (sl)
The slip stitch is also a very simple stitch that is often used to join rounds of stitches. Slip stitches can also be used in surface crochet to add color and designs to your base project.

To create a slip stitch:

Insert hook into desired stitch

Yarn Over (YO)

Pull through stitch and Loop on hook

The Single Crochet Stitch (sc)
The single crochet stitch is used often in crochet patterns. This is a tight stitch that is short in height.

To create a single crochet stitch:

In your starting chain inset hook into desired stitch

Yarn Over (YO) Wrap Yarn around hook

Pull yarn through stitch (2 loops on hook)

YO

Pull through both loops on hook

Your finished stitch

The Half Double Crochet Stitch (hdc)
The half double crochet stitch is also used often in crochet patterns. This stitch is slightly more loose and slightly taller than the single crochet stitch, but slightly tighter and shorter than the double crochet stitch.

To create a half double crochet stitch:

Yarn Over (YO) Wrap yarn around hook

Insert Hook into desired stitch

YO

Pull Yarn through stitch (3 Loops on hook)

YO

Pull through ALL 3 loops on hook

Your finished stitch

The Double Crochet Stitch (dc)
The double crochet stitch is a tall, textured stitch that has many uses in crochet patterns. The texture of the double crochet pattern combines well with other crochet stitches, making it a valuable stitch with unlimited way to use it.

To create a double crochet stitch:

Yarn Over (YO)

Insert Hook into desired stitch

YO

Pull through stitch (3 loops on hook)

YO

Pull through 2 Loops (2 loops on hook)

YO

Pull yarn through the 2 Loops on hook.

Your finished stitch

The Triple Crochet Stitch (Treble Crochet Stitch) (tr)
The triple or treble crochet stitch is a taller stitch than the double crochet stitch. It also requires a bit more effort to use versus the single, half double or double crochet stitches which are more fluid.

To create a triple crochet stitch:

Yarn Over (YO) Wrap yarn around hook 2 TIMES

Insert Hook into desired stitch

YO

Pull Yarn through stitch (4 Loops on hook)

YO

Pull yarn through 2 loops (3 Loops on hook)

YO

Pull through 2 Loops on hook (2 Loops on hook)

YO

Pull Yarn through the 2 loops on hook

Your finished stitch

Stay tuned for more Crochet 101 lessons!