crochet basics

Crochet Basics: A Beginner's Guide

Materials You'll Need:

  • Crochet hook
  • Yarn
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle for weaving in ends
  • Ribbon for marking the beginning of each row


Common Abbreviations:

  • ch: Chain stitch
  • sc: Single crochet
  • inc: Increase (work two stitches in the same stitch)
  • dec: Decrease (combine two stitches into one)



Basic Crochet Stitches:

1. Slip Knot:

            • Make a loop with the yarn, leaving a tail.
            • Insert the hook into the loop.
            • Pull the working yarn through the loop to create a slip knot.


2. Single Crochet (sc):

            • Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook.
            • Yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook).
            • Yarn over again and pull through both loops.


3. Increase (inc):

            • Insert the hook into the stitch.
            • Yarn over and pull up a loop.
            • Yarn over and pull through both loops (one single crochet made).
            • Insert the hook into the same stitch again.
            • Repeat the single crochet to add an extra stitch.


  4. Invisible decrease (dec):

            • Insert the hook into the front loop of first stitch and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
            • Insert the hook into the front loop of the next stitch and pull up another loop (3 loops on hook).
            • Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete the decrease.


   5. Chain Stitch (ch):

            • Yarn over (wrap the yarn over the hook).
            • Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook.
            • Repeat to create a chain of the desired length.


    6. 6-Loop Bobble:

            • Yarn over, insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
            • Yarn over and pull through the first two loops (2 loops remain).
            • Repeat this process five more times in the same stitch (you'll have 7 loops on the hook).
            • Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook.
            • Secure with a chain stitch if needed to tighten the bobble.


7. Changing Yarns:

    • When you reach the point where you need to change yarn colors or skeins:
      • Work the last stitch of the current color until the final yarn over.
      • Yarn over with the new color and pull through to complete the stitch.
      • Continue crocheting with the new yarn.
      • Leave tails from both yarns to weave in later for a neat finish.


8. Magic Ring:

          • Create a loop with the yarn, crossing the end over the working yarn.
          • Insert the hook into the loop, yarn over, and pull up a loop.
          • Chain one to secure.
          • Work the desired number of stitches into the ring.
          • Pull the yarn tail to tighten the ring and close the center hole.


9. When making amigurumi, always work in a spiral

10. Keeping Track in Spiral Rounds:

          • Attach a small ribbon or stitch marker at your starting stitch.
          • Place the ribbon alternating over or under stitch number one as you complete each round to keep track of your starting point.
          • This helps maintain even rows and avoid confusion in spiral patterns.


11. Finishing Off:

        • Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.
        • Yarn over and pull the tail through the last loop to secure.
        • Use the yarn needle to weave in loose ends neatly.



Tips for Success:

        • Maintain even tension to keep stitches consistent.
        • Count your stitches to ensure even rows.
        • Practice basic stitches before starting complex patterns.
        • Follow along to YouTube videos to perfect any techniques you can’t quite get the hang of.
        • Practice makes better!