This is a list of what I have determined to be the most important crochet stitches to learn when you are first starting on your crochet journey. These stitches are: chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. For each stitch I have listed what the stitch is mainly used for, then I have instructions on each step to follow in order to complete the desired stitch.
Chain
To start almost any crochet project you make a foundation chain. The first step to making a foundation chain is a slip knot. While a slip knot is not a stitch, it is important, if you do not know how to make a slip knot, instructions are at the bottom of this post.
With a slip knot on your crochet hook, yarn over (wrap the yarn around your crochet hook, I personally prefer wrapping the yarn over my hook from right to left), then pull the slip knot over your crochet hook, this can be helped by using the tail (the yarn hanging off of your slip knot that will be woven in at the end. You should end up with one strand of yarn around your hook. Yarn over and pull the beginnings of your chain over the crochet hook.
Continue to repeat these steps of yarning over and pulling through until you get to the desired length of your chain which will depend on your project or the pattern that you are following.
Single Crochet
Can be used for ribbing, it’s the main stitch used in amigurumi, and many other things. I would have to say that this is one of the more universal stitches, while still being very simple with only a few steps.
If you are beginning to use this stitch immediately after making your foundation chain, you will insert your hook into the second chain from your hook (so make your foundation chain one longer than you want your panel to be. If you’re following this after your first row into the foundation chain you want to do a chain up of 1 and turn your work, and insert your hook into the first stitch closest to your chain. So after you insert your hook into the desired stitch you wrap your yarn around the hook before pulling it through. Then, yarn over again and pull through both loops on your hook. You have completed your first single crochet! Continue this process of inserting your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through, then yarn over and pull through 2.
Remember: you only do a chain up of 1 at the end of each row, before you turn your work and begin the next row.
Half Double Crochet
Half double crochet stitches are mainly used to create a not quite as dense fabric as if you were to only use single crochet stitches, but without as much loose space and less lacey of a fabric than if you were to use a double crochet.
Before you insert your hook into your desired stitch you want to yarn over, this is the main difference between a single crochet and a half double crochet, giving the stitch more height. If you are beginning to use this stitch immediately after making your foundation chain, you will insert your hook into the second chain from your hook (so make your foundation chain one longer than you want your panel to be). If you’re following this after your first row into the foundation chain you want to do a chain up of 1 and turn your work, and insert your hook into the first stitch closest to your chain. A chain up of 1 before beginning half double crochets is my preference, some prefer using a chain up of 2 at the end of each row. It is up to you whether you want to use a chain up of 1 or 2, it may depend on what project you’re doing if you decide to use a chain of 1 or 2. If you are still in the beginning stages of your crochet journey you may make your stitches tight, if this is the case I would suggest a chain up of 2.
After you have done your yarn over and inserted it into your stitch you are going to yarn over again before pulling it back through your stitch. At this point you should have 3 loops on your hook. To finish off your half double crochet stitch you are going to yarn over again before pulling through all 3 loops on your hook. Your half double crochet stitch is now completed!
Repeat this process in which you yarn over, insert your hook, yarn over again and pull through, then yarn over and pull through 3, until the end of your row and do your chain up of 1 or 2 before turning your work and continuing the next row.
Double Crochet
Double crochet stitches allow you to work up a panel quickly and it creates a fabric that drapes nicely. It is taller than a half double crochet stitch which contributes to it working up faster. It is also the stitch used in granny squares which is a signature item for crochet, these will be covered in another post.
Same as in making a half double crochet you will yarn over before you insert your hook into the desired stitch. If you are starting to use this stitch immediately after making your foundation chain you will want to insert your hook into the third chain from your hook, so make your foundation chain 2 chains longer than you want your panel to be. This is because of the height of the double crochet. Similar to the half double crochet there is a personal preference component to the chain up amount, either 2 or 3 chains. My personal preference is two chains. The main reason for using 2 versus 3 chains has to do with your tension. When people typically begin to crochet, they have a tighter tension, so making a chain up of 3 might be better if you are first starting out and have yet to figure out how to fix your tension.
So after you have done your initial yarn over and inserted your hook into your desired stitch you are then going to yarn over again before pulling your hook through. At this point you should have 3 loops on your hook. Then you are going to yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on your hook. Leaving 2 stitches on your hook, finally to finish off your double crochet stitch you are going to yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops on your hook leaving 1 loop. You have now completed a double crochet stitch!
Continue this process of doing a yarn over, insert your hook, yarn over and pull through, yarn over pull through 2, and yarn over pull through 2, until you reach the end of your row before doing your chain up of 2 or 3 before you turn your work and continue your double crochet stitches into the next row.
How to Make a Slip Knot
Start your slip knot 4 or 5 inches above the end of your yarn tail, by leaving a slightly longer tail this gives you enough extra yarn to weave it into your stitches at the end to hide it.
You are going to fold your yarn into a loop, then with your thumb and index finger in the loop you are going to pinch and pull the yarn that is on the bottom side of the yarn tail that was on the bottom side of the loop through the loop. Then you are going to insert your hook into the loop that you have now created and pull one of the yarn tails to tighten the loop snuggly onto your crochet hook. You are now ready to begin your first crochet project!
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