US crochet terminology is used throughout this guide. If you're following a UK pattern, be careful: stitch names such as “single crochet” and “double crochet” can mean different stitches in UK terminology.

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The Basic Crochet Stitches to Learn First

If you're completely new to crochet, start with these:

1. Slip stitch (sl st)
2. Single crochet (sc)
3. Half double crochet (hdc)
4. Double crochet (dc)
5. Treble crochet (tr)

The taller the stitch, the more yarn-over steps you'll generally use and the more open the resulting fabric tends to become.

That doesn't mean one stitch is better than another. Each has a different purpose.

Single crochet creates a compact fabric.

Half double crochet gives you a little more height and drape.

Double crochet works up quickly and creates a more open fabric.

Treble crochet produces even more height and openness, making it useful for lace and decorative designs.

Let's look at them one by one.

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1. Single Crochet (sc)

Single crochet is one of the easiest basic crochet stitches for beginners and one of the most useful.

It creates a relatively short, dense fabric with good structure and definition.

You'll see single crochet frequently in:

• Amigurumi
• Bags
• Dishcloths
• Coasters
• Borders
• Toys
• Small accessories

How to Crochet Single Crochet

1. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
3. You now have two loops on your hook.
4. Yarn over again.
5. Pull the yarn through both loops.

One loop remains on your hook.

That's one single crochet.

What Does Single Crochet Look Like?

Single crochet produces small, compact stitches that sit close together.

It's particularly useful when you want a firm fabric rather than a loose, drapey one.

For amigurumi, this dense structure is especially helpful because it reduces the size of the spaces between stitches.

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2. Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Half double crochet sits between single crochet and double crochet in height.

It's a useful middle ground when you want more height and faster progress than single crochet without making the fabric as open as many double-crochet fabrics.

How to Crochet Half Double Crochet

1. Yarn over.
2. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
4. You now have three loops on your hook.
5. Yarn over once more.
6. Pull through all three loops.

One loop remains on your hook.

What Is Special About Half Double Crochet?

The half double crochet has a distinctive horizontal bar created by the way the stitch is formed.

Depending on how you're working the stitch and which loops you use, you may also encounter a third loop, which can be used to create interesting textures.

HDC is commonly used for:

• Hats
• Scarves
• Blankets
• Sweaters
• Baby items
• Textured fabrics
• Ribbing when worked through specific loops

It's one of the most versatile stitches to learn after single crochet.

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3. Double Crochet (dc)

Double crochet is another essential crochet stitch for beginners.

It's taller than single crochet and generally creates a fabric with more drape and larger spaces between stitches.

Because the stitch works up relatively quickly, it's particularly popular for blankets, granny squares, garments, and decorative crochet.

How to Crochet Double Crochet

1. Yarn over.
2. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
4. You now have three loops on your hook.
5. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops.
6. You now have two loops on your hook.
7. Yarn over again.
8. Pull through the remaining two loops.

One loop remains.

You've just made a double crochet.

What Is Double Crochet Good For?

Double crochet is especially useful when you want a project to grow relatively quickly.

Try it for:

• Blankets
• Granny squares
• Shawls
• Sweaters
• Cardigans
• Scarves
• Motifs
• Open textured patterns

It's also one of the stitches you'll encounter constantly when learning how to read crochet patterns.

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4. Treble Crochet (tr)

Treble crochet, sometimes called triple crochet in some terminology systems, is taller than double crochet.

It creates a more open fabric and is useful when you want dramatic stitch height or a lighter, lacy appearance.

How to Crochet Treble Crochet

Using US terminology:

1. Yarn over twice.
2. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
4. You now have four loops on your hook.
5. Yarn over and pull through two loops.
6. You now have three loops.
7. Yarn over and pull through two loops.
8. You now have two loops.
9. Yarn over and pull through the final two loops.

One loop remains on your hook.

What Is Treble Crochet Used For?

Treble crochet works beautifully in:

• Shawls
• Lace patterns
• Decorative motifs
• Open blankets
• Edging
• Lightweight garments
• Tall stitch combinations

Because it is tall and relatively open, it can also create dramatic texture when combined with shorter stitches.

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5. Slip Stitch (sl st)

Don't overlook the humble slip stitch.

Unlike the other stitches in this guide, slip stitch is primarily used to join, move, or finish crochet work rather than build height.

It's also useful for surface crochet and creating certain decorative effects.

How to Make a Slip Stitch

1. Insert your hook into the indicated stitch.
2. Yarn over.
3. Pull the yarn through the stitch and directly through the loop already on your hook.

That's it.

A slip stitch is very short and doesn't add much height to the fabric.

Common Uses for Slip Stitch

You'll often use slip stitches for:

• Joining rounds
• Closing granny squares
• Moving across a row without adding height
• Joining crochet pieces
• Surface crochet
• Finishing edges
• Decorative details

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Crochet Stitch Comparison

Important: stitch height isn't an exact measurement. Your yarn, hook size, tension, and individual technique all affect the finished height.

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Crochet Turning Chains Explained

When you're crocheting back and forth in rows, you'll normally make a turning chain before beginning the next row.

The purpose is to bring your working loop up to an appropriate height for the next stitch.

The number of chains you make often depends on the stitch you're about to work.

However, don't treat common turning-chain numbers as universal rules.

A pattern may specify that its turning chain counts as a stitch, or it may instruct you to make a chain that does not count as a stitch.

Always follow the pattern you're using.

This matters because it affects:

• Your stitch count
• Where you work the first stitch
• Where you work the final stitch
• The appearance of your edges

If you're struggling with straight crochet edges, the turning-chain instructions are one of the first things worth checking.

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How to Choose the Right Crochet Stitch

Not sure which basic crochet stitch to use?

Think about the fabric you want.

Want a firm fabric?

Try single crochet.

It's excellent when you want structure and relatively small spaces between stitches.

Want something between dense and open?

Try half double crochet.

It's a great everyday stitch for blankets, hats, scarves, and garments.

Want your project to grow faster?

Try double crochet.

The extra height allows you to cover more area with fewer rows.

Want an open or lacy effect?

Try treble crochet.

Its extra height makes it useful for airy designs and decorative stitch patterns.

Need to join or finish something?

Try a slip stitch.

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5 Tips for Better-Looking Crochet Stitches

Learning the steps is only part of the process. Your tension and stitch placement have a huge effect on the finished fabric.

1. Don't Pull Every Stitch Tight

Your stitches need enough room for the hook to enter comfortably.

If you're constantly tightening the working loop around your hook, your fabric can become stiff and difficult to work into.

2. Practice Consistent Tension

Your tension doesn't need to be absolutely identical on every stitch.

The goal is to develop a consistent rhythm so your stitches have a similar size and appearance.

3. Count Your Stitches

If a pattern says you should have 25 stitches at the end of a row, count them.

Finding an error after one row is much easier than discovering it after twenty.

4. Pay Attention to Which Loops You're Using

Unless a pattern tells you otherwise, most standard crochet stitches are worked through the designated top loops of the stitch.

But patterns can specifically instruct you to work:

• In the front loop only (FLO)
• In the back loop only (BLO)
• Around a post
• Into spaces
• Into chain gaps

Those changes can dramatically alter the texture.

5. Practice on a Small Swatch

Don't learn a new stitch for the first time on a huge blanket.

Make a small swatch first.

You'll quickly see how the stitch behaves, how much yarn it consumes, how tight your tension is, and what the finished fabric looks like.

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One More Thing: US and UK Crochet Terms

If you buy patterns from different designers or countries, pay attention to the terminology.

US and UK crochet terminology use some of the same words for different stitches.

For example, a US single crochet (sc) corresponds to a UK double crochet (dc).

A US double crochet (dc) corresponds to a UK treble crochet (tr).

This is one of the easiest ways for a beginner to accidentally make the wrong stitch while following an otherwise perfectly good pattern.

Before starting, check whether the pattern uses US or UK crochet terms.

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Which Crochet Stitch Should You Learn First?

If you're completely new to crochet, don't try to learn everything at once.

Start with single crochet, then move on to half double crochet and double crochet.

Once those feel comfortable, add treble crochet and slip-stitch techniques.

After that, you'll have a solid foundation for learning more advanced crochet stitches such as shells, clusters, bobbles, cables, popcorns, and lace combinations.

The exciting part is that complicated-looking crochet doesn't always require complicated individual stitches. Designers create thousands of different textures and patterns by combining a relatively small set of basic stitches in different ways.

So learn the basics well, and you'll have the foundation to tackle much more ambitious crochet projects.