6 Basic Crochet Stitches You Need to Know

Key Takeaway: If you want to learn how to crochet, you need to master the six basic crochet stitches that are the foundation of almost every crochet project. These stitches are the chain stitch, the slip stitch, the single crochet, the half double crochet, the double crochet, and the treble crochet. In this article, you will learn how to make each of these stitches with easy-to-follow instructions, photos, and videos. You will also learn how to use these stitches to create different textures and patterns, and how to compare their sizes and heights. By the end of this article, you will be ready to start making beautiful and fun crochet projects with your new skills.

Table of Contents

What are the 6 Basic Crochet Stitches?

Crocheting is a fun and relaxing hobby that anyone can learn. All you need are some basic supplies, such as a crochet hook, a ball of yarn, and a pair of scissors, and some basic skills, such as how to make a slip knot, how to hold the yarn and the hook, and how to read a crochet pattern. But the most important skill that you need to learn is how to make the basic crochet stitches.

The basic crochet stitches are the building blocks of crochet. They are the simplest and most common stitches that you will see in almost every crochet pattern. They are also the foundation for learning more advanced and complex stitches, such as clusters, shells, bobbles, and cables.

The six essential stitches are the chain stitch, the slip stitch, the single crochet, the half double crochet, the double crochet, and the treble crochet. Each stitch adds height to your work and allows you to create different textures and designs. In this article, we will show you how to make each of these stitches step by step, with clear explanations, pictures, and videos. We will also show you how to use these stitches to make simple and easy crochet projects, such as scarves, hats, blankets, and more.

Before we start, let’s review some important terms and abbreviations that you will need to know:

Yarn over (yo): Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front.
Hook through: Insert the hook into the specified stitch or space.
Pull up a loop: Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch or space, leaving the loop on the hook.
Pull through: Yarn over and pull the yarn through the loops on the hook.
Chain stitch (ch): The simplest stitch that forms the foundation of most crochet projects.
Slip stitch (sl st): A small and simple stitch that joins one crocheted element to another, or closes a round.
Single crochet (sc): The shortest and most basic stitch that creates a dense and tight fabric.
Half double crochet (hdc): A stitch that is slightly taller and looser than the single crochet, and creates a soft and flexible fabric.
Double crochet (dc): A stitch that is twice as tall as the single crochet, and creates a light and airy fabric.
Treble crochet (tr): A stitch that is three times as tall as the single crochet, and creates a lacy and open fabric.

How to Make a Chain Stitch

The chain stitch is the first basic technique that all beginners need to know. The chain stitch is the simplest stitch on this list. Good thing, too, as it’s used as the starting point for almost all crochet patterns.

Most crochet projects begin with a number of chain stitches. A starting chain, or foundation chain, is a series of chain stitches that forms the foundation for the rest of the crochet project.

To make a starting chain:

Make a slip knot, and insert your hook.
Yarn over and pull up a new loop. The first chain stitch is complete.
Repeat to make the next chain stitch and the rest of the foundation chain.

A turning chain often starts each new row in a crochet project. The height of the turning chain, which is the number of chains you create, depends on the stitches used in that row. For example, a double crochet row begins with three chains.

Crochet chains often connect other stitches in a crochet pattern, particularly when working in the round. For example, throughout the classic crochet granny square motif, a “ch 2” separates double crochet stitches to create a space in each corner of the square. The picot stitch is a common crochet edging that incorporates a crochet chain to create a texture. Openwork lace or mesh, long fringe, and big loops all use crochet chains as a core feature of their design.

Experiment with a simple project using a basic crochet chain. Crochet a set of long chains, knot them together at both ends and make your first simple crochet scarf.

How to Make a Slip Stitch

Crochet slip stitches are small and simple. They are the foundation of all crochet. The abbreviation for slip stitch in a pattern is usually “sl st.”

The most frequent use of the slip stitch is when you’re working in the round, and you’ll be instructed to “join with a slip stitch to form a ring” or “slip stitch to close round.”

Slip stitches are useful for joining one crocheted element to another. For example, you can place a pair of granny squares side-by-side and slip stitch crochet them together.

Crochet slip stitches are also often used for adding flourishes. For example, in surface crochet, slip stitches add color and visual interest to the surface of a crochet or knitting project. It’s almost like you’re using slip stitches to embroider a flourish on a crocheted item.

To make a slip stitch:

Hook through the specified stitch or space.
Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook in one motion. The slip stitch is complete.

How to Make a Single Crochet Stitch

The single crochet stitch is the shortest and most basic stitch that creates a dense and tight fabric. The abbreviation for single crochet in a pattern is usually “sc.”

The single crochet stitch is one of the most versatile and common stitches in crochet. You can use it to make anything from simple squares and rectangles to intricate shapes and motifs. The single crochet stitch is also the basis for many other stitches, such as the crab stitch, the spike stitch, and the popcorn stitch.

To make a single crochet stitch:

Hook through the specified stitch or space.
Yarn over and pull up a loop. You should have two loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. The single crochet stitch is complete.

How to Make a Half Double Crochet Stitch

The half double crochet stitch is a stitch that is slightly taller and looser than the single crochet, and creates a soft and flexible fabric. The abbreviation for half double crochet in a pattern is usually “hdc.”

The half double crochet stitch is a great stitch for beginners who want to add some height and drape to their crochet projects. The half double crochet stitch is also a good stitch for making textured patterns, such as the basketweave stitch, the waffle stitch, and the camel stitch.

To make a half double crochet stitch:

Yarn over and hook through the specified stitch or space.
Yarn over and pull up a loop. You should have three loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook. The half double crochet stitch is complete.

How to Make a Double Crochet Stitch

The double crochet stitch is a stitch that is twice as tall as the single crochet, and creates a light and airy fabric. The abbreviation for double crochet in a pattern is usually “dc.”

The double crochet stitch is one of the most popular and widely used stitches in crochet. You can use it to make fast and easy crochet projects, such as blankets, scarves, and shawls. The double crochet stitch is also a great stitch for making lace patterns, such as the pineapple stitch, the shell stitch, and the fan stitch.

To make a double crochet stitch:

Yarn over and hook through the specified stitch or space.
Yarn over and pull up a loop. You should have three loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. You should have two loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook. The double crochet stitch is complete.

How to Make a Treble Crochet Stitch

The treble crochet stitch is a stitch that is three times as tall as the single crochet, and creates a lacy and open fabric. The abbreviation for treble crochet in a pattern is usually “tr.”

The treble crochet stitch is a fun and easy stitch to learn, and it adds a lot of height and drama to your crochet projects. You can use it to make beautiful and delicate crochet projects, such as doilies, table runners, and curtains. The treble crochet stitch is also a great stitch for making decorative patterns, such as the pineapple stitch, the shell stitch, and the fan stitch.

To make a treble crochet stitch:

Yarn over twice and hook through the specified stitch or space.
Yarn over and pull up a loop. You should have four loops on the hook. You should have four loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook. You should have three loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through the next two loops on the hook. You should have two loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook. The treble crochet stitch is complete.

![Treble crochet stitch diagram]

How to Use the 6 Basic Crochet Stitches

Now that you know how to make the six basic crochet stitches, you can use them to create different textures and patterns for your crochet projects. Here are some examples of how you can combine and vary these stitches to make beautiful and fun crochet designs.

Stripes: You can make stripes by changing the color of your yarn at the end of each row or round. You can use any stitch or combination of stitches to make stripes, but the most common ones are the single crochet, the double crochet, and the treble crochet. You can make your stripes as wide or as narrow as you like, depending on how many rows or rounds you crochet with each color. For example, you can make a simple striped scarf by crocheting 10 rows of single crochet with one color, then switching to another color and crocheting 10 more rows, and repeating until you reach the desired length.
Ripples: You can make ripples by increasing and decreasing the number of stitches in each row or round. You can use any stitch or combination of stitches to make ripples, but the most common ones are the double crochet and the treble crochet. You can make your ripples as big or as small as you like, depending on how many stitches you increase or decrease in each row or round. For example, you can make a simple ripple blanket by crocheting a foundation chain that is a multiple of 14, then working a double crochet in the fourth chain from the hook and in each of the next 4 chains, then working 3 double crochets in the next chain, then working a double crochet in each of the next 4 chains, then skipping 2 chains, then working a double crochet in each of the next 4 chains, then working 3 double crochets in the next chain, and repeating until the end of the row, then turning and working the same pattern in each row.
Granny squares: You can make granny squares by working groups of stitches in chain spaces, and joining them with slip stitches. You can use any stitch or combination of stitches to make granny squares, but the most common one is the double crochet. You can make your granny squares as big or as small as you like, depending on how many rounds you crochet. You can also change the color of your yarn in each round to make colorful and vibrant granny squares. For example, you can make a simple granny square by making a slip knot, then chaining 4, then joining with a slip stitch to form a ring, then chaining 3 (counts as first double crochet), then working 2 double crochets in the ring, then chaining 2, then working 3 double crochets in the ring, then chaining 2, then working 3 double crochets in the ring, then chaining 2, then joining with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3, then fastening off, then joining a new color of yarn in any chain 2 space, then chaining 3 (counts as first double crochet), then working 2 double crochets in the same space, then chaining 1, then working 3 double crochets in the next chain 2 space, then chaining 2, then working 3 double crochets in the same space, then chaining 1, then repeating for the remaining two corners, then joining with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3, then fastening off, then repeating with a new color of yarn for each round, until you reach the desired size.
Lace: You can make lace by working stitches and chains in a pattern that creates open spaces and holes. You can use any stitch or combination of stitches to make lace, but the most common ones are the double crochet and the treble crochet. You can make your lace as intricate or as simple as you like, depending on the complexity of the pattern. For example, you can make a simple lace scarf by crocheting a foundation chain that is a multiple of 8, then working a treble crochet in the eighth chain from the hook, then chaining 3, then skipping 3 chains, then working a treble crochet in the next chain, and repeating until the end of the row, then turning and working the same pattern in each row.

How to Compare the Sizes and Heights of the 6 Basic Crochet Stitches

The six basic crochet stitches have different sizes and heights, which affect the look and feel of your crochet projects. Here is a table that compares the sizes and heights of these stitches, assuming that you use the same hook size and yarn weight for each stitch.

Stitch	Size	Height
Chain	Smallest	None
Slip	Small	Very low
Single	Small	Low
Half double	Medium	Medium
Double	Large	High
Treble	Largest	Very high

As you can see, the chain stitch is the smallest and has no height, while the treble stitch is the largest and has the most height. The slip stitch, the single crochet, the half double crochet, and the double crochet are in between, with increasing sizes and heights.

The size and height of the stitches affect the gauge, the drape, and the texture of your crochet projects. The gauge is the number of stitches and rows per inch, and it determines the size and shape of your crochet projects. The drape is the way your crochet projects hang and flow, and it determines the style and fit of your crochet projects. The texture is the way your crochet projects feel and look, and it determines the comfort and appearance of your crochet projects.

Generally, the smaller and lower the stitches, the tighter and denser the fabric, and the larger and higher the stitches, the looser and lighter the fabric. For example, if you use the same hook size and yarn weight, a project made with single crochet stitches will have a smaller gauge, a stiffer drape, and a smoother texture than a project made with double crochet stitches, which will have a larger gauge, a softer drape, and a more open texture.

Therefore, you should choose the stitches that suit your crochet projects best, depending on the size, shape, style, fit, comfort, and appearance that you want to achieve. You should also check the gauge of your stitches before you start your crochet projects, and adjust your hook size or yarn weight if needed, to make sure that your crochet projects turn out the way you want them to.

Conclusion

In this article, you learned how to make the six basic crochet stitches that are the foundation of almost every crochet project. You also learned how to use these stitches to create different textures and patterns, and how to compare their sizes and heights. By mastering these stitches, you can start making beautiful and fun crochet projects with your new skills.

We hope that you enjoyed this article and that you found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you and see your crochet creations.

Thank you for reading this article and for being a part of our Crochet Chronicles community. We appreciate your support and your passion for crochet. Happy crocheting!

Source: (1) 6 Basic Crochet Stitches for Beginners – The Spruce Crafts. https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/basic-stitches-in-crochet-978516. (2) 6 Basic Crochet Stitches for Beginners (Learn These First!) – Sarah Maker. https://sarahmaker.com/basic-crochet-stitches/. (3) How to Learn Basic Crochet Stitches step by step for Absolute Beginners …. https://www.pocketyarnlings.com/blog/learn-basic-crochet-stitches-step-by-step.