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The most basic of crochet stitches include the chain stitch, slip stitch, double crochet stitch and triple stitch. Since most crochet patterns include them all, it’s important to be confident and skilled at creating these stitches. However, you can and will find patterns that skip the treble or double crochet stitch, so it’s important that you learn at least one of these basic stitches. Still, it won’t be long before you find that you need to have both in your crochet skills repertoire.
It’s important to start from the initial setup location to start crocheting. This is achieved by wrapping the yarn around itself into a looped loop, then inserting the hook into the loop and catching the thread with your hook and bringing it back through the looped loop, and finally tightening the slipping knot onto your hook. The next task is to hold the yarn securely with your free hand just below the slip knot, while holding the crochet in your normal dominant hand in a style that suits you (like holding a pencil or knife).
The chain stitch was the first crochet stitch used on all patterns; providing the foundation row or loop for straight line or round crochet. It is a very simple stitch that is briefly referred to as ch in crochet patterns.
To make a series of chain stitches, wrap your yarn around your hook (two loops on the hook) and then thread your hook through the first loop on the spindle. Now you only have one loop on your hook and a chain stitch is formed. Repeat this process for as many chain stitches as needed for your individual crochet pattern or project.
When crocheting in the round (round garments and squares like hats and bottoms are made this way) you need to combine chain stitches with a slip stitch. In crochet patterns, the slip stitch is abbreviated as ss. It’s very simple. Insert your hook into the middle of the first chain stitch crocheted, pick up the yarn and pull it out again, leaving two loops on the hook. Now pass the hook through the first loop on the hook, leaving only one loop on the hook and assemble the work into a loop.
The double crochet stitch, abbreviated as DC, or the single crochet stitch in America, is very similar to the slip stitch described above. But the hook is inserted into the next stitch to be worked. This will vary depending on what project you’re doing. After attaching the hook to the appropriate position, take the thread and pull the hook back out of the loop, leaving two loops on the hook. Now wrap the yarn around the hook again and make three loops on the hook. Finally, with a double crochet stitch, run the hook through all the loops to leave only one loop on the hook.
The basic crochet stitch we’ll cover last is the treble stitch, abbreviated as tr in crochet patterns, and also known as double crochet in America. This is the hardest of the basic crochet stitches and is the meat and veggie of crochet, as many advanced stitches and techniques rely on this stitch. As a result, it’s a good idea to be proficient at performing this crochet stitch.
To crochet a treble stitch, wrap the yarn around the hook before inserting the hook into the stitch you want your treble to be. Catch the thread as before and pull the hook through the stitch. At this point you will have three loops on your hook. Wrap the yarn around your hook again and make four loops on the hook. Now pass the hook through the second and third loops on the hook and leave two loops on your hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook, making three loops again, and thread the hook through these remaining stitches so that only one loop and a formed treble remain on the hook.
Now that we’ve covered the basic crochet stitches, you have the basic techniques for crochet. With only this limited amount of crochet knowledge, you’d be surprised how many patterns and projects you currently have at your disposal. Please don’t just take my word for it, go and see for yourself! And don’t forget to have fun!
