Basic crochet stitches US Crochet Terms
SLIP KNOT Pull a length of yarn from the ball. Start the loop approximately 6 inches from the end of the yarn, leaving a tail to weave in later.
Place the ball end of the yarn in a clockwise circle, laying it over the top of the tail end.
Insert the crochet hook into the centre of the loop, from front to back. Use the hook to grab the ball-end yarn, and pull it through the centre of the loop.
Pull both ends of the yarn to tighten the loop around the hook.
Chain (ch) Yarn over and pull through the loop on hook.
Slip Stitch (slst) insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, then pull through stitch on hook.
Single Crochet (sc) Insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.
Half Double Crochet (hdc) Yarn over insert hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
Double Crochet (dc) Yarn over insert hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, *yarn over and pull through 2 loops* x 2.
Treble Crochet (tr) Yarn over twice, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, *yarn over and pull through 2 loops* x 3.
Magic circle Wrap the yarn around your finger creating a circle, insert hook into the circle, yarn over and pull up a loop, work into the circle as instructed in the pattern, then pull the yarn end to tighten.
Changing Colours
This will vary depending on the project. When changing colours for tapestry single crochet or c2c, pull the new colour through the last pull through of the previous stitch. Read each round before starting and have your colours on hand. Sometimes it's best to carry the yarn if going a short way, sometimes it’s best to cut and start a new strand of yarn, either way is fine, see which works best for you.
Special Stitches
Linked Double Crochet A linked double crochet creates the stitches tighter together so there are no gaps like a regular double crochet.
Insert hook in the horizontal bar of the previous stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop. Insert hook into the next stitch (or the stitch you’re working into), yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops twice to complete the stitch.
To start in rows / rounds, ch2. Insert hook into second chain from hook, yarn over, pull up a loop. Insert hook into the first stitch / corner, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops twice to complete the first stitch. On the last stitch of a round, make the last ldc a bit tighter than usual to give a better finish.
Picot ch2, insert hook through the base of previously made stitch, yarn over and pull through the loop on hook.
Bobble Stitch (bs) *Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over pull through 2 stitches*, x 5, you should have 6 stitches on hook yarn over and pull through all 6.
Cluster (cl) *Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch and pull up a loop, Yarn over and pull through 2* x 2. YO, pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
Back and Front Loops
Back Loops (blo) Insert hook into the back loops of the stitch instead of both.
Front Loops (flo) Insert hook into the front loops of the stitch instead of both.
Decreases
sc2tog / sc3tog = sc 2/3 stitches together
hdc2tog = hdc 2 stitches together
Finishing Crochet
Surface Slip Stitch Holding the yarn behind your work, insert the hook through the fabric from the front to back, pull up the yarn to the front, insert hook into the next stitch, from front to back, yarn over and pull up a loop, pull through fabric and the loop on the hook.
Fasten off Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch yarn tail. Use the hook to draw the yarn tail through the loop on your hook. Remove the crochet hook from the work, and pull on the yarn tail to tighten it.
BLOCKING is a finishing technique that involves wetting or steaming your finished crochet piece and then shaping it to the correct dimensions as it dries. This can help even out stitches, straighten edges, and help your project achieve its final shape. It’s especially helpful for granny squares or garments where fit and shape are essential. A wooden blocking board is ideal for granny squares.
TEXTURED STITCHES
So many different textures can be made with crochet, most are using the simple crochet stitches that you know in a different place or sequence, some are variations of a stitch to get a different look.
I am working my way through some of them to make some 5” squares for a project.
If you would like to try some new textures you could work all the different stitches below to make some squares for a blanket. It’s a great way to learn some new stitches between projects. You could even chain more to make a full sized blanket in any of the below stitches.
I am using Simply Aran Paintbox yarns Blush Pink (184 metres per 100g) from Love Crafts and a 5mm crochet hook to get a 5” square. Each square used approx 30 metres.
[ ] = in the same stitch eg: [dc, ch2, dc] in the next ch2 space. That means you’ll make a double crochet, two chains, and another double crochet, all in the same space.
* * = repeat between This is to indicate a set of stitches that you’ll need to repeat a specified number of times. EG: *sc, hdc* x 4. This means you’ll make a single crochet, a half double crochet four times.
ALPINE STITCH
(chain any even number)
Row 1: ch22, dc in the 4th ch from hook, dc 18. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc all. (19) Turn
Row 3: ch1, dc, *fpdc, dc* repeat to the end. (19) Turn
Row 4: ch1, sc all. (19) Turn
Row 5: ch1, fpdc, *dc, fpdc* repeat to the end. (19) Turn
Repeat rows 2-5 until square
ALMOND RIDGES
Multiples of 8 +5 works best to make it even, but can be multiples 4 +5
Ch25
Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc 23. (24) Turn
Row 2: ch1, *slst 4, hdc 4* repeat x 3. (24) Turn
Row 3: (in blo) ch1, *hdc 4, slst 4* x 3. (24) Turn
Row 4: (in blo) ch1, *hdc 4, slst 4* x 3. (24) Turn
Row 5: (in blo) ch1, *slst 4, hdc 4* x 3. (24) Turn
Row 6: (in blo) ch1, *slst 4, hdc 4* x 3. (24) Turn
Row 7: (in blo) ch1, *hdc 4, slst 4* x 3. (24) Turn
Repeat rows 4-7 until square
BEAN STITCH
Chain any even number
ps = puff stitch (insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, *yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, pull up a loop* x 2, (6 loops on hook) yarn over pull through 6 loops, ch1 to finish
Row 1: ch18, sc in the 2nd chain from hook, ps, *skip 1, ps* repeat to the last stitch, sc 1. (8 ps / 2 sc) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc 1, *ps between each ps* repeat to last stitch, sc 1. Turn
Repeat row 2 until square
BOBBLE STITCH
bs = Bobble stitch- (yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 stitches), x 4, you should have 5 stitches on hook, yarn over and pull through all 5.
Chain in multiples of 4
Row 1: ch20, sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc 18. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc 1, *bs, sc 3* x 4, bs 1, sc 1. ( 4 bs / 15 sc) Turn
Row 3: ch1, sc all. (19) Turn
Row 4: ch1, *sc 3, bs* x 4, sc 3. (4 bs / 15 sc) Turn
Row 5: ch1, sc all. (19) Turn
Repeat rows 2-5 until square
BOBBLICIOUS STITCH
bs = Bobble stitch- (yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 stitches), x 4, you should have 5 stitches on hook, yarn over and pull through all 5.
Chain multiples of 4
Row 1: ch20, sc in the 2nd ch from hook, sc 18. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc 3, *bs, sc 3* repeat to end. (19) Turn
Row 3: ch1, sc 1, fpdc in the stitch two rows below, *sc 3, fpdc* repeat to last stitch and sc. (19) Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square
BOX STITCH
Chain in multiples of 3
Row 1: ch21, dc in the 4th chain from hook, dc 17. (18) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc, *ch2, skip 3, sc between the next 2 dc* repeat to end. (7 sc / 2 ch2) Turn
Row 3: ch1, dc 1, 3 dc in each ch2 space, dc at the end. (20) Turn
Repeat rows 2-3 until square
BRAMBLE STITCH
Chain any even number
Row 1: ch20, sc in the 2nd ch from hook, sc 18. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc 1, *tr, sc* repeat to end. (19) Turn
Row 3: ch1, sc all. (19) Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square.
CLUSTER STITCH
Chain any even number
Cl=Cluster stitch,yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, (yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, pull through all 4 loops on hook, ch1 to finish cluster.
Row 1: ch22, dc in the 4th chain from hook, *cl, sk1* repeat to last stitch, dc. (8 clusters / 2 dc) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc 1, ch1, *sc in between cluster, ch1* repeat to end, sc in the last. Turn
Row 3: ch1, dc 1, cluster in each ch1 space across, dc in last. Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square
CRISS CROSS STITCH
This stitch works best for an even number of stitches (chain any odd number)
Row 1: ch21, sc in the second chain from the hook, sc 19. (20) Turn
Row 2: ch1, *skip 1 stitch, dc in the next, dc in the skipped stitch* x 10. (20) Turn
Row 3: ch1, sc all. (20) Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square
CRUMPLED GRIDDLE
Chain any even number (sc worked on top of the sc below, dc worked in the dc)
Row 1: ch20, sc in the second chain from hook, *dc, sc* repeat across. (19) Turn
Row 2: sc, *dc, sc* repeat across. (19) Turn
Repeat row 2 until square
EXTENDED SINGLE CROCHET
Chain any number of stitches
ESC = Insert your hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 1 loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops.
Row 1: ch20, esc in 2nd chain from hook, esc in each chain. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, esc all. (19) Turn
Repeat row 2 until square
FRONT POST SHELL STITCH
Chain in multiples of 6+1
Row 1: Ch21, dc in 4th ch from hook, *skip 2, [3 dc, ch1, 3 dc] in the next, skip 2, dc in the next* x 3. (3 shells / 4 dc) Turn
Row 2: ch1, fpdc 1, *shell in the ch1 space, fpdc* repeat to the end. (3 shells / 4 dc) Turn
Row 3: ch1, bpdc 1, *shell in the ch1 space, bpdc* repeat to the end. (3 shells / 4 dc) Turn
Repeat rows 2-3 until square
HERRINGBONE HALF DOUBLE CROCHET
hhdc = herringbone half double crochet (herringbone half treble crochet UK)
Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook) pull first loop straight through the second (similar to a slip stitch). Yarn over, pull through the two remaining loops on the hook.
Row 1: Ch21, hhdc in the 3rd chain from hook, hhdc 18. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, hhdc all. (19) Turn
Repeat row 2 until square
HOVEN STITCH
Chain multiples of 3 (+2 + 2 for chain)
ch25
Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook, Hdc 1, *skip 1, ch1, hdc 2* repeat to end. (16 hdc +7 ch1)
Row 2: hdc 2 in blo, *dc in skipped stitch, hdc 2 in blo* repeat to end. (23)
Row 3: hdc 2 in 3lo, *ch1, skip 1, hdc 2 in 3lo* repeat to end
Row 4: hdc 2 in blo, *dc in skipped stitch, hdc 2 in blo* repeat to end
Repeat rows 3-4 until square
LEMON PEEL STITCH
chain any even number
Row 1: Ch20, sc in second chain from hook, *dc, sc* x 9. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, dc, *sc, dc* x 9. (19) Turn
Repeat row 2 until square
LOTUS STITCH
Ps = *yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop* x 2, 5 loops on hook, yarn over pull through all 5, ch1
Multiples of 6+1 + turning ch1
Ch20
Row 1: sc in the second chain from hook, sc 18. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc, skip 2, *[ps, ch1 x 2, ps] in the next, skip 2, sc* repeat to end. (5 lotus 4 sc) Turn
Row 3: ch1, [ps, ch1 x 2, ps] in the sc, *sc in centre ps, [ps, ch1 x 2, ps]* repeat to end. (5 sc, 4 lotus) Turn
Row 4: ch1, sc in the first ps, *[ps, ch1 x 2, ps] in the next sc, skip 2, sc* repeat to end, making the sc in the last ps. (5 lotus, 4 sc) Turn
Repeat rows 3-4 until square
MERMAID STITCH
MERMAID STITCH
Chain multiples of 4+1
Row 1: ch16, 3 dc in the 4th ch from hook, *skip 3, 5 dc in the next* x 2, skip 3, 3 dc in the last. Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc 3, *dc in the middle sipped stitch on the row below, sc 5* x 2, dc in skipped stitch, sc 3. Tufn
Row 3: ch1, sc, skip 2, *dc 5 in the next, skip 5* x 2, 5dc in the next, skip 2, sc in the last. Turn
Row 4: ch1, sc 1, dc in centre skipped stitch below, *sc 5, dc in centre skipped stitch on last row* x 3, sc 1. Turn
Row 5: skip 1, [3 dc] in the next, *skip 5, 5 dc in the next* x 2, skip 5, 3 dc. Turn
Repeat rows 2-5 until square
PRIMROSE STITCH
Chain in multiples of 2 + 1
Row 1: ch19, hdc 1, *skip 1, [sc, ch2, sc] in the next* repeat to the last two stitches, skip 1, hdc in the last. (14 sc + 2 hdc) Turn
Row 2: ch1, dc 1, [3 dc] in each ch2 space in the row below, ending with a dc in the last. (23) Turn
Row 3: ch1 hdc 1, skip 1, [sc, ch2, sc] in the next, *skip 2, [sc, ch2, sc] in the next * repeat to the last two stitches, skip 1, hdc in the last. (14 sc + 2 hdc) Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square
SEASHELL STITCH
Chain multiples of 6+2
Row 1: ch20, sc in the 2nd chain, *skip 2, 5 dc in the next, skip 2, sc in the next* x 3. (3 shells) Turn
Row 2: ch1, 3 dc in the first, sc in the centre of shell, *5 dc inthe sc, sc in the centre of shell* x 2, dc 3 in the last. Turn
Row 3: ch1, sc1, *5 dc in the sc, sc in the centre of the next shell* x 2, 5 dc in the sc, sc in the last. Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square
SNOWBERRY STITCH
ps = puff stitch (insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, *yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, pull up a loop* x 2, (6 loops on hook) yarn over pull through 6 loops.
Chain any even number
Row 1: ch18, sc in the 2nd chain from hook, sc 16. (17) Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc 1, *ps, sc* repeat to end. (9 sc / 8 ps) Turn
Row 3: ch1, sc all. (17) Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square
STAR STITCH
You will need 6 chains to make first, Then 2 chains per star
Row 1: Chain 26
STEP 1:
Insert hook in second chain from hook, yo pull up a loop, *insert in next ch, yo pull up a loop* x 4 (6 loops on hook, pull through all 6, ch1)
STEP 2:
Insert hook in the ch1, yo and pull up a loop, insert hook in the front stitch, yo pull up a loop, insert hook under, yo pull up a loop, *insert hook in next chain, yo pull up a loop* x 2 (6 loops on hook, pull through all 6, ch1), hdc 1
Repeat step 2 across (11 stars) Turn
Row 2: ch1, hdc 1, hdc 1 in the first eye, [2 hdc] in the centre of each eye, hdc 1 in the last eye, sc 1 at the end. (22) Turn
Row 3: ch4, Insert hook in second chain from hook, yo pull up a loop, *insert in next ch, yo pull up a loop* x 2, *insert in next stitch, yo pull up a loop* x 2, (6 loops on hook, pull through all 6, ch1)
Insert hook in the ch1, yo and pull up a loop, insert hook in the front stitch, yo pull up a loop, insert hook under, yo pull up a loop, *insert hook in next chain, yo pull up a loop* x 2 (6 loops on hook, pull through all 6, ch1) Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square
SUZETTE STITCH
Row 1: ch18, [sc, dc] in second chain from hook, *skip 1, [sc, dc] in next* x 8. (18) Turn
Row 2: ch1, *skip 1, [sc, dc] in next* repeat to end. (18) Turn
Repeat row 2 until square
WAFFLE STITCH
Chain multiples of 3
Row 1: ch24, dc in the 4th ch from hook, dc 20. (21) Turn
Row 2: ch1, dc 1, *fpdc 1, dc 2* x 6, fpdc 1, dc 1. (21) Turn
Row 3: ch1, dc 2, *fpdc 2, dc 1* x 6, dc 1. (21) Turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until square
WIDE HALF DOUBLE CROCHET STITCH
Wide hdc is worked the same as a regular hdc, it is just worked between the hdc on the previous round instead of on top.
Row 1: Ch21, hdc in the third chain from hook, hdc 18. (19) Turn
Row 2: ch1, whdc 19. (19) Turn
Repeat row 2 until square