Learn to Crochet:
A Beginner's Guide
Features crochet stitch
with video links
to make the learning
NOTE: I have written
these instructions for
the crocheter who has never tried these stitches.
I have included links to videos I have uploaded to
Youtube in order for visual learners to see each stitch demonstrated.
Have you ever watched in awe as someone worked with yarn and a hook and wonder how you could learn how to do that? If you've always wanted to learn how to crochet but didn't know where to begin, this page is for you!
To learn how to crochet you need to familiarize yourself with crochet abbreviations and stitch instructions. There are numerous stitches in the crochet world but you only need to know a few of them to make something beautiful.
Nearly all crochet projects begin with a slip knot and are finished by fastening off at the end.
When you first begin to learn I recommend you make a coaster size swatch of each of the basic stitches in order to learn the stitch and achieve an even tension. (Tension is how loose or tight you crochet your stitches. When beginning to crochet sometimes the stitches seem uneven... once you become comfortable with each stitch your tension will even out and the crochet fabric have a neater appearance.)
Okay... Let's get started!
Make a practice swatch to learn how to make the a single crochet stitch!
(refer to the stitch instructions and watch the videos linked below)
1. Make a slip knot and place it on your hook.
2. Chain 16.
3. Work one single crochet in the second chain from the hook
(the loop on the hook never counts as a chain).
Note: When working into the foundation chain stitches you can insert your hook under the top strand of each chain (the method most people use); or insert the hook into the back ridge, a/k/a "the hump", on the back side of each chain.
4. Work one single crochet stitch in each remaining chain. (You should have 15 single crochet stitches now)
5. Chain 1 and turn the work over so you will be working back into the stitches you just made.
6. Work one single crochet stitch into both loops of each single crochet stitch on the
previous row. (You should have 15 single crochet stitches again).
7. For each additional row, chain 1, turn the work over and repeat step 6.
Once the piece is square fasten off.
TIP: To be sure the swatch is a square, fold opposite corners together and if it is square the folded piece will be an even triangle.
Beginner Single Crochet Swatch (Part 1)
Beginner Single Crochet Swatch (Part 2)
(not a standard abbreviation)
To begin to crochet you first need to make
a slip knot:
With the palm of your hand facing you--place
the end of the yarn across the palm of your hand. Wrap the yarn around your fingers from right to left and over your palm again laying it across first strand of yarn. Now reach through the loop that is around your fingers and pull the longest strand through it, tighten to form the slip knot. Insert your crochet hook into
this loop and tighten the loop by pulling the yarn ends.
Be careful not to make the first loop to tight on your hook because when the loop on the hook is too tight it is more difficult to make your stitches.
With the slip knot on your hook, yarn over
and draw through the loop that is already on your hook. Continue this
for how many chains you need to begin your project.
The first row of a crochet project begins
with a series of chain stitches.
Always work in the second chain from the
hook for a single crochet.
Always work in the third chain from the hook for a half double crochet.
Always work in the fourth chain from the hook for a double crochet.
Always work in the fifth chain from
the hook for a treble crochet.
When working into the chain you can either
insert your hook under the top strand of each chain (the method most
people use) or into the back ridge, "the hump", of each chain
Take the hook around the working yarn from left to right. Do this the number of times indicated for the stitch you are making.
Insert your hook
into the stitch or space indicated, then yarn over and pull up a loop.
(You should have two loops on your hook.) Yarn over and draw through both
of the loops on your hook.
HALF DOUBLE CROCHET
Yarn over and insert your hook into the stitch
or space indicated,
yarn over and pull up a loop.
(You should have 3 loops on your hook.)
Yarn over again and draw through all three of
the loops on the hook.
Yarn over and insert your hook into the
stitch or space indicated.
Yarn over and pull up a loop. (3 loops
Yarn over and draw through 2 of the loops. (2 loops on hook.)
Yarn over and draw through
the last 2 of the loops.
(Also known as Triple Crochet)
Yarn over twice, then insert your hook into
the stitch or space indicated.
Yarn over and pull up a loop. (4 loops on
Yarn over and draw through 2 loops.
(3 loops on hook.)
Yarn over and draw through 2 loops.
(2 loops on hook.)
Yarn over and draw through two loops.
Once you complete
your last stitch on a project you will have one loop on your hook.
Cut the yarn leaving about a 4-6" tail to be woven in.
Yarn over, draw the yarn tail completely through the loop, and pull
This secures the yarn so the project doesn't unravel.
Now you need to weave in the yarn tail using
a crochet hook or a yarn needle.
The yarn needle is quicker and you can weave the strand in without disturbing