Basic Crochet Stitches Every Beginner Should Know

There is a lot that you can do with crochet.  More than just blankets and doilies! If you’re unsure of the possibilities, check out my post on Crochet Creations. Like all crafts, before you get started with doing more involved projects, you should learn the basics.  Below are the Basic Crochet Stitches that every beginner should know. These stitches are the foundation stitches of crochet.  Once you know these stitches, you can make anything! Including textured stitches, and stitch combinations!

Chain Stitch

The Chain Stitch is used in all projects.  From the starting chain to the turning chain, you’re going to need to know this stitch.  This stitch is also used to create spaces in projects.  

To do the Chain Stitch, create a slip knot, and insert your hook.  Tighten it around your hook, yarn over, and pull through the bottom loop on your hook.  Each yarn over and pull through is one stitch.

For a more in depth tutorial of this stitch, check out my Chain Stitch Tutorial.

Slip Stitch

The Slip Stitch is used for two main purposes.  It is used to close rounds when working around a project, such as border, or when making round blankets, doilies, or stuffed animals.  It is also used to move your hook. Sometimes, you want your stitches to start a few stitches over from where you’re working. To move your hook without fastening off and then fastening on again, you do the slip stitch to move your loops.

To do the slip stitch, you insert your hook into the next stitch, and pull up a loop.  Pull the same loop through the bottom loop on your hook. Each time you pull up a loop through the bottom loop on your hook, you create a slip stitch.  

Single Crochet

The Single Crochet is the smallest “building stitch” in crochet.  It creates a fabric that has minimal space between stitches. It is commonly used in blankets, purses and stuffed animals, or amigurumi.

To do the Single Crochet stitch, you insert your hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull the top loop through the bottom two loops on your hook.

For a more in depth tutorial of this stitch, check out my Single Crochet Tutorial.

Half Double Crochet

The Half Double Crochet is slightly larger than the single crochet.  Like the single crochet, it makes a fabric that has minimal space between stitches.  It is commonly used in blankets, clothing and decorative items.

To create the Half Double Crochet, you will yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over again, and pull through all the loops on your hook.

For a more in depth tutorial of this stitch, check out my Half Double Crochet Tutorial.

Double Crochet

The Double Crochet stitch is much taller than both the single crochet and half double crochet.  It creates a fabric that has a moderate space between stitches, but works up much more quickly than the single and half double crochet stitches.  It is most commonly used for blankets and clothing.

To create the Double Crochet, you will yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through the first two loops on your hook, yarn over again, pull through the final two loops on your hook.

For a more in depth tutorial of this stitch, check out my Double Crochet Tutorial.

Treble Crochet

The Treble Crochet is the tallest of the Basic Crochet Stitches.  It creates a fabric that has considerable space between stitches, but works up quickly.  It is most commonly used to create decorative and accent elements in projects, as the height and spacing of the stitches decrease the structural capabilities of the stitch.

To create the Treble Crochet, you will yarn over twice, insert your hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through the first two loops on your hook, yarn over again, pull through the next two loops on your hook, yarn over again, and pull through the last two hooks on your hook.

For a more in depth tutorial of this stitch, check out my Treble Crochet Tutorial.

Create Combinations & Textures With Basic Crochet Stitches

While these are the basic crochet stitches, they are by no means the only crochet stitches.  Knowing these stitches will give you the foundation knowledge to create amazing combination stitches, or give texture to your projects.

Once you have a working knowledge of these Basic Crochet Stitches, you can use them to create stitches that give your projects that extra little something.

You can create a fan stitch, a shell stitch, or do back loop only stitches to give your project dimension and texture.  Perhaps you can add an accent row to your projects. Or try the Moss Stitch or the V-Stitch.   

Projects with Basic Crochet Stitches

The following are projects that use the Basic Crochet Stitches

Chain Stitch – Embroidery Floss Choker & Bracelet Combo
Single Crochet – Single Crochet Headband

For more projects and tutorials, Follow me on Facebook, or join my Facebook Group!