Tutorial on Crochet Stitches

A crochet hook allows you to catch the yarn when working stitches.

Crochet is a versatile fabric art that only looks complicated. In reality, most crochet patterns make use of only two or three of six basic crochet stitches worked in different combinations to create different effects. Variations like the "blackberry stitch" or "mile-a-minute lace" are no more than a series of single and double crochets that build upon each other to create a specific fabric pattern. Once you understand how to make a chain stitch, slip stitch, single crochet, and double crochet, you'll know enough to create nearly any crochet pattern that you like.

Things You'll Need

• Worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook, Size H

Instructions

Chain Stitch

1. Make a loop about six inches from the end of the yarn. Hold the loop closed between the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand. Let the cut end of the yarn fall in front of your palm. Bring the other end of the yarn over your index finger, and catch it between your middle and ring fingers.

2. Hold the crochet hook in your dominant hand as you would a pencil, with the hook end pointing down. Insert the hook through the loop of yarn from front to back with the hook facing down.

3. Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front--called a "yarn over" or "yo" in crochet patterns. Pull the hook back through the loop, catching the yarn with the hook and pulling the yarn through to form a loop on the hook.

4. Tug the yarn to tighten the stitch slightly, but leave it loose enough to insert the hook through it for later stitches. As you work and gain experience, you'll learn to control the tension of the yarn with your middle and ring fingers so that you won't have to consciously tighten each stitch.

5. Repeat Steps 2, 3 and 4 to make more chain stitches. All other stitches start with a loop remaining on the hook from the previous stitch.

Slip Stitch

1. Insert the crochet hook into the top loop of the second chain stitch from the hook.

2. Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front.

3. Pull the hook back through the stitch and through the loop on the hook in one movement. Use slip stitches to join rounds of crochet or move across a row without adding another row to your work.

Single Crochet

1. Insert the crochet hook through the top loops of a stitch in the previous row from front to back.

2. Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front.

3. Pull the yarn back through the stitch, but not through the loop on the hook, leaving you with two loops of yarn on the hook.

4. Bring the yarn over the hook and pull it through both loops on the hook to complete one single crochet.

Double Crochet

1. Bring the yarn over the crochet hook from back to front.

2. Insert the hook from front to back through the top loops of a stitch in the previous row.

3. Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front.

4. Pull the hook and yarn back through the stitch, but not through the loops on the hook.

5. Wrap the yarn over and pull it through two loops on the hook twice to finish one double crochet stitch.

Tips & Warnings

• If you make a mistake, just take your hook out of the work and pull the end of the yarn gently to undo the last stitches up to your mistake. The rest of your work will be fine.

• Try working with yarn that doesn't separate easily into strands. It will make your early efforts much easier.

• Aluminum hooks are a bit more expensive, but the yarn slides over them more smoothly, making them worth the extra few cents.

References

• Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Service: Crochet