Single Crochet

Single crochet (pattern abbreviation: sc) is the most basic of all the crochet stitches. It’s a short
stitch that makes a dense fabric. Be sure the front side of the chain is facing you.

Count to the 2nd chain from the hook. Insert the hook, front to back, under the 2 top loops of the
foundation chain.

Yarn over hook (from the back toward you as shown), and pull through those top loops to draw
up a new loop.

You now have 2 loops on your hook.

Yarn over again and pull through both loops on your hook. You now have 1 loop left on your
hook.
Half Double Crochet

Half double crochet (pattern abbreviation: hdc) is slightly taller than a single crochet. To
accommodate the taller stitch, you’ll now work your first stitch into the 3rd chain. This stitch is
the first of the basic stitches that requires a yarn over before you insert the hook. Again, be sure
the front side of the foundation chain is facing you.

Yarn over and insert the hook, front to back, under the 2 top loops of the 3rd chain from the
hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through to draw up a loop.

There are now 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
Double Crochet

Double crochet (pattern abbreviation: dc) is another basic stitch. As with a half double crochet
stitch, you start with a yarn over before you insert the hook. Because a double crochet has one
more yarn over than a half double crochet, it’s taller and creates a somewhat open fabric.
Because it’s taller, this time you’ll work your first stitch into the 4th chain from the hook.

Yarn over and insert the hook, front to back, under the top 2 loops of the 4th chain from the
hook.

Pull through the loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over again.

Pull through the 2 loops closest to the hook’s point as shown. Two loops remain on the hook.
Yarn over once more and pull through the 2 remaining loops.

You now have a single loop remaining on the hook.

Triple Crochet

Triple crochet (pattern abbreviation: trc), the last of the basic stitches, is the tallest and creates an
open fabric. This stitch starts with 2 yarn overs before you insert the hook. Working this stitch is
similar to working double crochet; you just need to work one more yarn over. As the tallest
stitch, you’ll now work into the 5th chain from the hook.

Yarn over and insert the hook, front to back, under the top 2 loops of the 5th chain from the
hook. Pull through the loop. You now have 4 loops on the hook.

Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops closest to the point of the hook (A). Then, yarn over
again and pull through the next 2 loops closest to the point of the hook (B).
Two loops remain on the hook. Yarn over one last time and pull through both loops.

One loop remains on your hook.

Slip Stitch

A slip stitch (pattern abbreviation: sl st) doesn’t add stitches or height to your piece. It’s used
mainly for joining (such as a ring or seams) and moving across existing stitches without adding
stitches or height to them. It’s also an ideal stitch to use as a finishing touch because it makes a
nice, firm edge.

You already know how to do a chain stitch, so you know how to make a slip stitch, too. The only
difference is that with a slip stitch, you insert your hook into a foundation chain or stitch.

To make a slip stitch, insert your hook, front to back, under the 2 top loops of a chain or stitch.
Yarn over, and in one motion, pull through the chain or stitch and the loop on your hook. One
loop remains on the hook.

To use a slip stitch to join a ring, insert your hook under the 2 top loops of the first foundation
chain and then yarn over.

Pull the hook through the chain and the loop on the hook. One loop remains on the hook. You
have now completed a slip stitch and made a ring.