It can feel overwhelming when you first start to crochet! There are so many stitches and so many abbreviations, how do you know where to begin?
You only need to master 6 crochet stitches for beginners to start making a variety of projects that will make you feel like a champion crocheter!
This guide will show you the best basic crochet stitches to start learning.
What Are the Basic Crochet Stitches?
If you are just starting out, you will most likely learn these beginner crochet stitches first:
- How to make a chain (ch)
- How to Work a slip stitch (sl st)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Half double (hdc)
- Double stitch (dc)
- Treble or triple stitch (tc or tr)
The Chain stitch is the most important crochet stitch because it forms the foundation of many patterns.
The other stitches are great because they all build on each other. Each stitch is like an advanced version of the one before.
Our guide uses United States crochet terms. Check this chart for the corresponding UK definitions.
Free Crochet Abbreviations Chart
Get a free printable chart of all the crochet abbreviations you need to know when working on patterns.
The free download is in our pattern library.
Now, we will show you what each of these beginner crochet stitches looks like and how to make them.
1. The Chain Stitch (ch)
A series of chain stitches (ch) is the foundation for many patterns. Crocheting a chain is super easy and is nothing more than a series of loops that you pull with your hook.
Usually, this is the very first technique you need to learn. Not only because it forms the base of your crochet work but also because this is a great way for you to learn how to hold the crochet hook and get comfortable with the basic crochet movements.
How Do You Make a Crochet Chain?
- Make a Slip Knot
- Yarn Over
- Pull yarn backward through loop
- Repeat until you have the required number of chains (per your pattern)
See our tutorial on how to make a chain stitch for a more in-depth guide with step by step photos.
Or watch our YouTube video tutorial:
2. The Slip Stitch (sl st)
The slip stitch is often used to join the end of a round of stitches to the beginning. Without joining, your rows end up as more of a spiral than round.
You can also use a slip stitch to add a bit of texture to your piece.
This is the shortest stitch and unlike the single, half double, double and triple stitches, it does not really add any height. It is essentially a partial single crochet stitch that eliminates the yarn over at the end.
How Do You Make a Slip Stitch?
- Insert hook in chain stitch
- Yarn Over
- Pull yarn backward through two loops
See our list of essential crochet supplies you actually need! And nothing you don’t!
3. The Single Crochet (sc)
Once you have become comfortable making chains and slip stitches, you are ready to move on to single crochet.
When working the singles in the beginning chain, you will start the first single crochet in the second chain from your hook.
How Do You Crochet a Single Stitch?
- Insert hook in chain stitch
- Yarn Over
- Pull yarn backward through one loop
- Yarn Over
- Pull yarn backward through both loops on hook
See our tutorial on how to make a single stitch for a more in-depth guide with step by step photos.
Or you can watch our YouTube video on how to single crochet stitch:
4. The Half Double Crochet (hdc)
As the name suggests, the half double stitch falls somewhere between the single and the double in height.
If you are making your half doubles in a foundation chain, you will begin the first stitch in the third chain from the hook.
How to Make a Half Double Stitch
- Yarn Over
- Insert the hook in stitch
- Pull the yarn backward through one loop
- Yarn Over
- Pull the yarn backward through all loops on the hook
See our tutorial on how to make a half double stitch for a more in-depth guide with step by step photos.
Or watch our YouTube video:
5. The Double Crochet Stitch (dc)
The double stitch creates a row that is about twice the height of the single crochet. The basic technique is the same but there are a few more yarn overs and pull throughs.
If you are making your doubles in the foundation chain stitches, you will begin the first double in the fourth chain from the hook.
How to Crochet a Double Stitch
- Yarn Over
- Insert hook in chain
- Yarn Over
- Pull yarn backward through one loop
- Yarn Over
- Pull yarn backward through two loops
- Yarn Over
- Pull yarn backward through the last two loops on hook
See our tutorial on how to make a double stitch for a more in-depth guide with step by step photos.
Or watch our YouTube video:
6. The Triple or Treble Stitch (tc or tr)
Finally, the triple (also called the treble) crochet stitch is the next one you will probably learn. It is a very tall stitch, making an open and airy fabric.
To make the triples in the foundation chain, you will begin your first triple in the fifth chain stitch from below.
How to Crochet a Triple Stitch
- Yarn Over two times
- Insert hook in stitch
- Yarn Over
- Pull thru one loop
- Yarn Over
- Pull thru two loops
- Yarn Over
- Pull thru last two loops on the hook
See our tutorial on how to make a triple stitch for a more in-depth guide with step by step photos.
Be sure to bookmark or Pin This guide to the easiest beginner crochet stitches! You will want to refer back to it later.
After mastering these six beginner crochet stitches, you can learn any stitch!
If you want an easy way to start crocheting, start with one of these beginner crochet kits or one of these free patterns:
Check out these more advanced crochet stitches using the techniques you have learned here:
