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Start with three stitches that unlock much of beginner crochet: the chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet. This guide uses U.S. terminology and takes you from a slip knot to a counted practice swatch, with clear instructions for turning, tension, and troubleshooting.
What you will learn
This beginner lesson uses U.S. crochet terminology to teach three foundational stitches in a useful order:
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- Chain stitch (ch): the linked foundation used to begin many projects.
- Single crochet (sc): a short, dense stitch that is easy to count and practice.
- Double crochet (dc): a taller stitch that creates fabric with more height and openness.
You will finish with a small practice swatch rather than a complicated project. That lets you concentrate on holding the yarn, moving the hook, counting stitches, and keeping your tension reasonably even.
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What you need
- Yarn
- A crochet hook suited to the yarn
- Scissors
Medium-weight yarn is a practical choice for learning because its strands are easy to see and manipulate. It is commonly used with a regular hook in approximately the 5.5–6.5 mm range, often labeled an I–K range. These are general guidelines, not rules: the yarn label and a project pattern’s stated gauge take priority.
If you do not know which hook to choose, a crochet hook set gives you several common sizes to try. Pair the hook with the yarn label’s recommendation, and choose a size that lets you form loops without fighting the yarn.
For practice, medium-weight yarn or worsted-weight yarn is usually easier to see than very fine yarn. You can also keep stitch markers and a yarn or tapestry needle nearby. They are optional for this lesson, but stitch markers and a yarn needle are useful for marking locations and weaving in loose ends later.
Before you begin: how crochet loops work
In the instructions below, “yarn over” means placing the working yarn over the hook, usually from back to front, so the hook can draw it through a loop. Keep the loop on the hook relaxed. If you pull every loop tight, the hook will become difficult to insert; if the loops are extremely loose, the fabric may be uneven.
The loop currently on your hook does not count as a completed stitch. Likewise, the slip knot you use to begin does not count as a chain stitch.
1. Make a slip knot
- Make a loop in the yarn, leaving a short tail.
- Pull a section of the working yarn through the loop to form a new loop.
- Place the new loop on the hook.
- Gently tighten the knot around the hook, leaving enough room for the hook to slide through it.
The loop on the hook is your starting loop. It is not chain one.
2. Chain stitch (ch)
A chain stitch forms a series of linked loops. Chains are used for foundation rows, spaces, loops, and turning chains.
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How to make one chain
- Hold the slip-knot loop on the hook without tightening it.
- Yarn over.
- Draw the yarn through the loop already on the hook.
The new loop on the hook is ready for the next chain. Repeat those three movements until you have the required number of chains.
For practice, make a foundation chain of 13 chains. Count only the V-shaped chain links you made after the slip knot; do not count the slip knot or the loop currently on the hook.
How to read a chain
Viewed from above, the top edge of a chain looks like a row of small Vs. Keep your chain relaxed. A chain that is pulled too tightly is difficult to insert the hook into when you begin the first row.
3. Single crochet (sc)
Single crochet is a relatively short stitch that produces a dense fabric. In U.S. patterns, it is abbreviated sc.
How to make one single crochet
- Insert the hook into the designated stitch or chain.
- Yarn over and draw up a loop.
- Yarn over again.
- Draw the yarn through both loops on the hook.
One single crochet is complete, and one loop remains on the hook.
Work the first single-crochet row into your chain
With a foundation chain of 13, skip the first chain next to the hook and insert the hook into the second chain from the hook. Make one single crochet there. Continue across the chain, making one single crochet in each chain.
You should have 12 single crochets. The starting chain is skipped, so 13 foundation chains commonly produce 12 single crochets in this type of U.S. foundation row.
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Turn and work the next row
- Make 1 chain. This is the turning chain for a typical single-crochet row.
- Turn your work so the completed row is facing you from the opposite direction.
- Insert the hook into the first stitch of the row, not automatically into the turning chain.
- Make one single crochet in each stitch across.
Count the row when you finish: you should still have 12 single crochets. Continue making a chain-1 turning chain and working across the row for several rows.
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4. Double crochet (dc)
Double crochet is taller than single crochet and generally creates a more open, flexible fabric. In U.S. terminology, it is abbreviated dc. Its defining feature is that the stitch is completed in two pull-through stages.
How to make one double crochet
- Yarn over before inserting the hook.
- Insert the hook into the designated stitch or chain.
- Yarn over and draw up a loop. You now have three loops on the hook.
- Yarn over and draw through the first two loops. Two loops remain.
- Yarn over again and draw through the remaining two loops.
One double crochet is complete, with one loop left on the hook.
Starting a double-crochet row
A common U.S. setup uses a chain-3 turning chain at the beginning of a double-crochet row. In many patterns, that chain-3 counts as the first double crochet. In others, it does not. Always follow the pattern’s stitch-count instructions and notes.
When working directly into a foundation chain, a common teaching method is to yarn over and make the first double crochet in the fourth chain from the hook. The three chains nearest the hook provide the height needed to begin the row. This is a standard convention, but a pattern may specify a different starting location.
Chain, single crochet, and double crochet compared
| Stitch | U.S. abbreviation | What it does | Typical fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain stitch | ch | Creates foundation links, spaces, and loops | Open chain of linked Vs |
| Single crochet | sc | Builds short rows of fabric | Shorter and denser |
| Double crochet | dc | Builds taller rows of fabric | Taller and generally more open |
These stitches also have distinct symbols on standard crochet charts. When reading a chart, use the symbol key supplied with that specific pattern; designers may add their own conventions.
Beginner practice swatch
Use this exercise to practice the movements without committing to a full project.
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- Make a foundation chain of 13.
- Skip the chain next to the hook and work 12 single crochets across.
- Chain 1 and turn.
- Work one single crochet in each stitch across, counting 12 stitches.
- Repeat the single-crochet rows for several rows.
- Make a fresh foundation chain and practice double crochet. Use the turning-chain convention stated by your pattern or lesson.
- Compare the two swatches. Notice that double crochet is taller and usually more open, while single crochet is shorter and denser.
The count of 13 chains is only a convenient practice recommendation. Real patterns may require a different foundation count, a turning chain that behaves differently, or a stitch multiple such as a particular number plus extra chains.
Counting and tension: the habits that prevent most beginner problems
Count at the end of every row
Count your completed stitches before starting the next row. If the practice swatch began with 12 stitches, each subsequent row should normally contain 12 stitches unless the instructions say otherwise. Missing the first or last stitch can make a rectangle gradually narrow or widen.
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Use a stitch marker if you have trouble identifying the first or last stitch. Marking the first stitch of a row can be especially helpful when the turning chain does not count as a stitch.
Keep the foundation chain loose enough to enter
The first row is often the most awkward because inserting a hook into a foundation chain is less straightforward than working into established stitches. Do not judge your first swatch too harshly. Practice improves your ability to control the yarn and maintain a usable loop size.
Do not chase perfect tension immediately
Your early fabric may have uneven stitches. That is normal while your hands learn how the hook, yarn, and tension interact. Aim first for loops that are consistent enough to work into and stitches that can be counted. Consistency develops with repetition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Important terminology warning: U.S. versus British patterns
This lesson uses U.S. crochet terminology. British terminology gives several stitches different names, so the same abbreviation or written instruction cannot always be interpreted the same way across countries.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match| U.S. term | British term for the same stitch |
|---|---|
| Single crochet | Double crochet |
| Double crochet | Treble crochet |
| Slip stitch | Single crochet |
| Chain | Chain |
Before beginning a project, look for a note such as “US terms” or “UK terms,” usually near the pattern’s abbreviations or stitch key. If no terminology is stated, check the designer’s glossary or instructions rather than guessing from the abbreviation alone.
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What changes when you move from practice to a real pattern?
- Hook size: use the size specified by the pattern when gauge matters, even if it differs from the general range suggested for your yarn.
- Yarn: choose the weight, fiber, and amount listed by the pattern. Medium-weight yarn is convenient for learning but is not automatically correct for every project.
- Turning chains: confirm whether a chain-1 or chain-3 counts as a stitch.
- First and last stitches: follow the pattern’s instructions for where to place them, especially around turning chains.
- Gauge: make a gauge swatch when the finished size matters. A different tension can change the width, height, and yarn usage.
If you want an offline reference after this lesson, an optional beginner crochet book or stitch guide can help you review symbols and terminology away from a screen. It is not required to complete the practice swatch.
Quick troubleshooting
- I cannot insert the hook into the foundation chain.
- Your chains may be too tight. Loosen the working yarn, use a slightly larger hook for practice, or make a new chain deliberately leaving the loops more relaxed.
- My swatch gets narrower every row.
- You may be missing the first or last stitch. Count every row and identify the complete first and last stitches before turning. Check whether the turning chain counts as a stitch.
- My swatch gets wider.
- You may be crocheting into the turning chain when it should not count, or placing an extra stitch at a row edge. Follow the pattern’s stitch-count directions and compare the count before and after each row.
- My single crochet looks like double crochet.
- Review the final pull-through. Single crochet has two loops after you draw up the loop and is completed by pulling through both at once. Double crochet starts with a yarn over and has three loops before two separate pull-throughs.
- My double crochet has holes.
- Some openness is normal because double crochet is taller. If the gaps are unusually large, keep the loops closer to the hook and avoid making the starting chain or drawn-up loop excessively loose.
Next step
Repeat the swatch until you can make a foundation chain, single crochet, and double crochet without having to stop at every stitch. The goal is not a perfect first rectangle; it is learning to recognize the V-shaped top of a stitch, maintain the row count, and understand how the number of pull-throughs changes the height and density of the fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between U.S. and British crochet terms?
This lesson uses U.S. crochet terminology. A U.S. single crochet is called a British double crochet, and a U.S. double crochet is called a British treble crochet. A British single crochet corresponds to a U.S. slip stitch. Check the pattern’s terminology note before starting.
How many single crochets come from 13 chains?
A 13-chain foundation commonly produces 12 single crochets when you skip the first chain next to the hook and begin in the second chain from the hook. The exact count can vary when a pattern uses a different starting or turning-chain convention.
What is the difference between single crochet and double crochet?
A single crochet is shorter and denser. A double crochet is taller and generally more open because it begins with a yarn over and is completed in two pull-through stages.
The Bottom Line
In U.S. crochet terminology, make a chain with a yarn-over and pull-through, make single crochet by drawing up a loop and pulling through two loops, and make double crochet by starting with a yarn-over and completing two pull-throughs. Practice 12-stitch rows, count every row, keep the foundation chain relaxed, and check whether any pattern uses U.S. or British terminology before you begin.
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