Want to learn to crochet but you’re not sure what the stitches are? Or maybe you’re not sure what stitch you should start with as a beginner. In this post I’ve shared my crochet stitch guide for absolute beginners. My students swear by this pattern. I hope it’ll be handy for you, too!
If you’d prefer a handy PDF of this guide, it is available here.
Think of this crochet stitch guide as the official quick reference companion for learning crochet. This works as a way to remind yourself of what stitches mean when you are working on a project. I also include the UK variations for the terms.
Inside:
- Single crochet
- Half double crochet
- Double crochet
- Triple crochet
- V stitch crochet
- Shell stitch crochet.
In this guide with clear colour photographs I explain how many chains you need as well as how to do each stitch. Please make sure you have a look at the photographs, or visit my youtube channel for more help.
Crochet stitches for beginners
The basics
This is an introductory guide to the main basic crochet stitches. If you’d like to see demonstrations, please subscribe to my youtube channel by clicking here.
Single crochet (UK Double Crochet)
Abbreviations: sc (US) dc (UK).
Single crochet is the smallest stitch you can do in crochet. It is commonly used in dishcloths, face scrubbies and amigurumi. The dense, short stitches are great for toys as the stuffing is less likely to leak out! Single crochet also works great for baskets as it provides a dense, sturdy fabric.
Directions:
Insert hook, yarn over and pull through a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops.
When making a turning chain, always chain 1.
Half double crochet (UK Half Treble)
Abbreviations: Hdc (US) Htr (UK)
I really like half double crochet as it starts off as a double but ends as a single. It’s a tall enough stitch without all of the work.
Yarn over hook, insert hook, yarn over and pull through a loop. Yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the hook. Do this in every chain.
When you get to the end, chain 2 and turn.
Double crochet (UK Treble)
Abbreviations: Dc (US) Tr (UK)
The Dc is one of the most common crochet stitches you will come across. It’s speedy and tall. Your work will grow quickly.
Chain 3 and turn. Yarn over hook, insert hook, yarn over and pull through a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.
When making a turning chain, always chain 3.
Triple crochet (Double Treble (UK)
Abbreviations: Tr (US) (Dtr UK)
This is a very tall stitch (but not the tallest!) requiring a turning chain of 4 stitches.
Yarn over twice, insert hook. Yarn over and pull through a loop. *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat * 2 more times.
When turning, always chain 4.
V stitch 
Abbreviations: V st
V stitch is a crochet lace stitch. We create the vs by using double crochet and chains.
V stitch is made by working a multiple of 3 chains plus an additional 4 chains.
First row (after chaining)
Make a dc (UK Tr) into the 5th chain from hook. Chain 1 and make a second Dc (UK tr) into the same stitch. Skip the next 2 chains and and make another V into the next stitch. Continue until you only have 2 chains left. Skip one chain and make a single dc into the next chain.
Second row: Make a 3 ch turning chain, make a V into the centre of the last V you made. This is called the chain space. Chain 1 and do the same again in every V across. When you get to the end, make a single Dc (UK Tr) into the last chain. Repeat for every following row.
Shell stitch
Shell stitch chains are always a multiple of 6 plus 2 additional chains.
Row 1: Single crochet (UK double) into the 2nd chain from the hook, skip the next 2 chains, and dc (UK tr) 5 times into the next chain, sk next 2 chains, sc into the next chain, sk 2, dc 5 times into the next chain. Repeat to end, where you should end with one sc.
Row 2: Chain 3 and turn. Dc 2 more times into the last sc of the previous row. *Make a sc into the top centre stitch of the next shell, then make 5 dc into the next sc*. Repeat * to end and make 3dc into the last sc.
Row 3: Ch 1 and sc into the first dc of the previous row, *dc 5 times into the next sc, sc into the top centre stitch of the next shell* repeat to end, ending with a sc.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 to end.
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Thank you for using my crochet stitch guide.
