Learning how to crochet can feel overwhelming at first, especially with so many stitch names and techniques floating around. But the truth is, you only need a few basic stitches to start making beautiful, functional pieces right away. Whether you're hoping to crochet your first scarf, cozy up with a handmade blanket, or dive into amigurumi, everything starts with a solid foundation. In this guide, we’ll cover the first five crochet stitches every beginner should learn—and how to use them. You’ll find photos demonstrating the basic techniques of each stitch, as well as links to more in depth tutorials if you find yourself needing more guidance.
The slip stitch is unique in that it doesn't add height to your work, making it ideal for creating seamless joins and subtle textures. It's often employed to move the working yarn across a row without adding extra stitches or height, allowing for smooth transitions in patterns.
1. Make a Slip Knot: Begin by creating a slip knot and placing it onto your crochet hook. Tighten it just enough so it slides easily along the hook.
2. Attach to your project: Insert your hook into the corner stitch on your project or piece of crochet.
3. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over and pull the yarn through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion. You have now completed a slip stitch. It’s that simple!
4. Repeat Process: Insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull through both stitches again.
📍If you need more in-depth guidance, the full blog post on this stitch can be found HERE.
The single crochet stitch is the shortest and one of the most fundamental stitches in crochet. It forms a tight, dense fabric that is perfect for projects requiring structure and durability. Mastering this stitch is essential for any crocheter, as it serves as the building block for many more complex patterns and techniques.
I use this stitch as the base for all of my botanical tapestry designs, making it the perfect stitch to begin with if you are interested in tapestry crochet!
1. Make a Slip Knot: Begin by creating a slip knot and placing it onto your crochet hook. Tighten it just enough so it slides easily along the hook.
2. Create a Foundation Chain: Next, make a foundation chain by yarning over (yo) and pulling through the loop on the hook. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of chain stitches. For this demonstration, I have made 11 chain stitches. You will want to add 1 to the number of stitches you’d like your final piece to be across.
3. Insert Hook and Pull Up a Loop: Skip the first chain from the hook, then insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the chain stitch. You should now have two loops on your hook.
4. Complete the Stitch: Now yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook. And there you have it! You’ve just made your first single crochet stitch!
📍If you need more in-depth guidance, the full blog post on this stitch can be found HERE.
The half double crochet stitch stands out due to its unique structure. It begins with a yarn over, similar to the double crochet, but concludes by pulling through all three loops on the hook, distinguishing it from both single and double crochet stitches. This results in a stitch that is taller than a single crochet but shorter than a double crochet, offering a perfect middle ground in terms of height and density.
The half double crochet stitch is my personal favorite stitch to use! The Mosaic Throw Blanket and Celestial Cat Cardigan involve many uses of hdc, and you’ll often see me using it as a border stitch in most projects because I find it to be the perfect height between a single crochet and a double crochet.
1. Make a Slip Knot: Begin by creating a slip knot and placing it onto your crochet hook. Tighten it just enough so it slides easily along the hook.
2. Create a Foundation Chain: Next, make a foundation chain by yarn over (yo) and pulling through the loop on the hook. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of chain stitches. For this demonstration, I have made 12 chain stitches. You will want to add 2 to the number of stitches you’d like your final piece to be across.
3. Yarn Over and Pull Up a Loop: Yarn over, then insert your hook into the third chain from the hook.
4. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over and pull the yarn through the chain stitch. You should now have three loops on your hook.
5-6. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over again and pull through all three loops on the hook. Congratulations! You’ve just made your first half double crochet stitch.
📍If you need more in-depth guidance, the full blog post on this stitch can be found HERE.
The double crochet (dc) is one of the basic crochet stitches, taller than both the single and half double crochet stitches. It creates a fabric with a moderate amount of openness, offering a balance between density and drape. This makes it ideal for a variety of projects, including blankets, sweaters, shawls, and more.
Double crochet is the foremost stitch I use in the Diamond Cat Sweater pattern because with more space in the stitches, the fabric is breathable and comfortable for my kitty.
1. Make a Slip Knot: Begin by creating a slip knot and placing it onto your crochet hook. Tighten it just enough so it slides easily along the hook.
2. Create a Foundation Chain: Next, make a foundation chain by yarn over (yo) and pulling through the loop on the hook. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of chain stitches. For this demonstration, I have made 12 chain stitches. You will want to add 2 to the number of stitches you’d like your final piece to be across.
3. Yarn Over and Pull Up a Loop: Yarn over, then insert your hook into the third chain from the hook.
4. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over and pull the yarn through the chain stitch. You should now have three loops on your hook.
5. Yarn Over and Pull Through Two Loops: Yarn over again and pull through only the first two loops on your hook. You should now have two loops remaining.
5. Yarn Over and Pull Through Remaining Loops: Yarn over once more and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook. Congratulations! You’ve just made your first double crochet stitch.
📍If you need more in-depth guidance, the full blog post on this stitch can be found HERE.
The magic circle is a method for starting crochet projects in the round, enabling you to pull the center tightly closed. This technique results in a seamless and professional-looking start where a closed center is desirable.
1. Make a Loop: Hold the yarn tail in your palm and wrap the working yarn around your fingers to create a loop. Insert your crochet hook under the first strand of the loop, then grab the working yarn with your hook. Pull the working yarn through the loop, but do not tighten it yet. This creates the base of your magic circle.
2. Insert Hook into Loop: Depending on the stitch you’re using, you may yarn over before inserting your hook into the circle to start your stitch. For this tutorial, I am using single crochet, so we will not need to yarn over before inserting. Simply insert your hook and pull up a loop.
3. Single Crochet into the Loop: Complete your single crochet stitch by yarning over again and pulling through both loops on the hook.
4. Work Stitches into Circle: Crochet the required number of stitches into the magic circle by inserting your hook into the loop, yarning over, and completing each stitch as usual. I am beginning with 6 stitches.
5. Tighten the Loop: Once you have the desired number of stitches, pull the yarn tail to close the circle tightly.
6. Join to First stitch: Join with a slip stitch to the first stitch or continue working in a spiral, depending on your pattern.
📍If you need more in-depth guidance, the full blog post on this stitch can be found HERE.
With just these five foundational stitches and techniques, you’ll be ready to tackle most beginner-friendly crochet patterns—and even start experimenting with your own. As you get more comfortable, you’ll naturally discover new stitches, textures, and combinations. But every seasoned crocheter starts right where you are, with the basics.
Here’s your beginner roadmap:
Over time, you’ll start to feel your rhythm, build your confidence, and crochet your first masterpiece from just a ball of yarn and a hook.
Check out the tutorials linked in each section above to dive deeper into each stitch with step-by-step instructions and beginner-friendly photos. Check out the full techniques page of my website for more beginner tutorials!
