Basic Stitches in Crochet – Beginner Tutorials

Want to learn basic stitches in crochet for beginners? I have gathered tutorials and videos to share on how to crochet both right and left handed.

I will share my tips for basis stitches in crocheting and my free beginner crochet patterns. All my patterns tutorials will be shown left-handed but I will try to include a video or written tutorial link for right handed crocheters.

Is crochet easy? I think it is easy to learn.

In my opinion crochet is easier than knit. There are lots of crochet videos and tutorials to help make it easy.

Crochet is easy because with just a few basic stitches in crochet you can do most patterns. Learn this easy craft with my tutorials and videos.

Basic Stiches in Crochet – US Terms

• Chain Stitch
• Slip Stitch
• Single Crochet Stitch
• Half Double Crochet Stitch
• Double Crochet Stitch
• Triple Crochet Stitch (Treble)

Crocheting is a great hobby. I think is easier to learn than knitting. All you need to crochet is a crochet hook and some yarn.

A great beginner crochet project would be a crochet headband, crochet washcloth, mug rug, or a scarf.

A simple beginner blanket would be a great next project like this blue and gray striped baby blanket or this how to crochet a blanket.

Yarn

For a crochet beginner, I would choose gauge 4 worsted yarn in acrylic. This is an average yarn that is easy to get and work with.

You can find the gauge of the yarn on the label, as well as, what it is made out of. You will be looking for gauge 4. I would stay away from velvet or chenille yarn for your beginning projects.

Crochet Hook

For the crochet hook, I would purchase a set of metal hooks, including a size H or 5 mm hook. I have found that the metal hooks are easy to work with.

There are affiliate links in this post. I will receive a small commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.

How to Crochet for Beginners – Basic Type of Crochet Stitches

Supplies

• H, 5 mm crochet hook
• gauge 4 acrylic yarn
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle ( large blunt needle)

How to Tie a Slip Knot

The first thing you need to know, after the hook and yarn for how to crochet for beginners is a slip knot. You use a slip knot to put the yarn to the hook.

You can make a slip knot and then tighten it around the hook or you can make the slip knot around the hook. I make a slip knot and then tightened it snug around the hook, but not too tight.

First, cross the yarn and hold the x between your fingers, with the short piece on the left.

Then, holding the x, put your fingers in the loop.

Form a loop, you pull on the short side of the yarn into the loop, while holding on the the short end of the yarn.

Pull on the loop you made until small enough to fit snugly around the crochet hook. Make sure you hold both pieces of yarn while you pull through the loop.

Then pull on the short end to tighten around the hook.

More Tip on How to Tie a Slip Knot

• How to Tie a Slip Knot – Right Handed Written
• How to Tie a Slip Knot – Right Handed Video
• Left Handed Written- How to Tie a Slip Knot
• How to Tie a Slip Knot – Left Handed Video

How to Hold the Crochet Hook

Pencil Grip

This way to hold the crochet hook is just as it sounds, like a pencil. Hold between you fingers and thumb like you would a pencil or pen around the area where the size in printed.

Right handed how to hold a crochet hook video

Knife Grip

You can also try the knife grip, which is like holding a dinner knife. It is an overhand grip. It is said to be more exact then the pencil grip but it’s all preference.

Hold the crochet hook like a dinner knife around the indented part of the hook with a finger on top to stead the hook.

This is the way I hold my crochet hook and find it the most comfortable. There is said to be a preference for lefties to use the knife grip, so make sure to try both.

How To Hold a Crochet Hook Right & Left Handed – Video & Tutorials

• Written Tutorial – How To Hold a Crochet Hook Right Handed
• How to Hold a Crochet Hook Right Handed – Video
• How To Hold a Crochet Hook Left Handed – Video

How to Hold the Yarn

You hold your crochet hook in your dominant hand and you feed your yarn from the skein or ball through your other hand. This keeps the tension of your yarn even.

Holding the yarn around the hook with your dominant hand, put the yarn around your index finger and between the next finger.

I use my pinky finger to help control how fast the yarn is fed through my fingers. Use your thumb and index finger to help control the yarn.

Lift up on your index finger to pull some yarn to make your stitch.

How to Crochet for Beginners Chain Stitch

The first crochet stitch you will need to learn is the chain crochet stitch. This stitch is how you will start all of your projects. The chain stitch is usually abbreviated ch.

You count your chain stitches by the top curve. You will want to count as you chain.

To do the chain stitch, first you have the slip knot snug on your hook, holding the hook in your preferred grip, and your yarn threaded through your opposite hand.

The slip knot needs to be close to the indention on the hook with the hook part facing up.

Next, lay the yarn over the hook using your opposite hand. This is called yarn over. Then twist the hook to catch the yarn. Then pull the hook through the loop.

You repeat the steps for the number of chains that are required for your pattern. You want each chain a similar size.

I hold the tail of the slip knot with my right hand (opposite of the hook). A little lose for chain stitches is better than too tight stitches If your project starts to ripple, then your chain stitches are likely too tight.

You will want to practice the chain stitch until you have an even stitches of the same size.

How to Crochet for Beginners Chain Stitch Right & Left Handed – Video & Tutorial

• Written Right Handed – How to Crochet for Beginners Chain Stitch
• How to Crochet for Beginners Chain Stitch – Video Right Handed
• Written Left Handed – How to Crochet for Beginners Chain Stitch
• How to Crochet for Beginners Chain Stitch – Video Left Handed

How to Single Crochet (UK – Double Crochet) – Basic Type Crochet Stitches

After you have the chain stitch mastered, you will want to learn the single crochet stitch. In the UK, the same stitch is called double crochet.

When you get to crochet pattern reading you will want to double check the terms and abbreviations used so there is no confusion.

After completing your chain stitches, insert your hook in the 2nd chain from the hook.

Next, yarn over. Then pull up a loop, twist the hook and put the yarn through making 2 loops on the hook.

Then, yarn over again and pull through the 2 loops on the hook. Stitch completed.

After finishing your row, chain 1 and turn (in a pattern you would follow the steps stated).

Next, row 2: insert your hook in the top of the stitch next to the turning chain you just made, and make a single crochet. You want to insert your hook under the V shape formed.

Repeat across to the end of the run. Chain 1 and turn. Then repeat row 2 until you have the number of rows you want.

Tip: Make sure you put a stitch in each stitch, not including the turning chain and make sure every row has the same amount of stitches. Don’t forget the chain 1 you made the row before. It can be hard to see.

Double Crochet Stitch – (UK Treble Crochet) – Basic Type Crochet Stitch

After you learn the single crochet stitch you will want to learn the double crochet stitch. This stitch is know as the treble in UK terms.

 In the 4th chain from the hook, yarn over and insert your hook into the chain space.

Yarn over again and pull through the stitch, also called pulling up a loop.  

Yarn over again and pull through the first two loops on the hook.

Yarn over and pull through the remaining loops on your hook. Stitch completed.

To complete the row, do one double crochet in each chain stitch. Chain 3 after the last double crochet. Turn.

Row 2: double crochet in the 2nd stitch, not the the one with the turning chain. Then double crochet in each stitch until the end of the row.

Make sure the last double crochet is in the turning chain from the row below. Chain 3. Turn.

Repeat row 2 until you have the size you want.

You will want to count your stitches and make sure you are not adding or subtracting which is a common beginner problem.

Half Double Crochet Stitch – Type of Crochet Stitch

• Written tutorial half double crochet stitch – basic stitches
• Half double crochet video – right-handed
• Half double crochet video – left-handed

Triple or Treble Crochet Stitch

• Written tutorial triple crochet stitch – basic stitches
• Triple crochet video – right-handed
• triple crochet video – left-handed

Free Beginner Crochet Patterns to Try

• Beginner How to Bulky Yarn Baby Blanket
• Even Berry Dish Cloth Crochet Pattern
• Herringbone Dish Cloth Crochet Pattern
• Beginner Ocean Stripe Baby Blanket – free crochet pattern
• Blue Stripe Baby Boy Crochet Blanket Pattern – Free
• 19 Free Crochet Dishcloth Patterns – Great for Cleaning
• Moss Stitch Crochet Cowl Pattern Free
• Moss Stitch Winter Headband Crochet Pattern Free
• Beginner Moss Stitch Scarf
• Chunky Herringbone Throw Pattern

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