How to crochet easily

If you want to learn to crochet, single crochet is one of the most important stitches you have to know. Most of the crochet instructions and projects contain single crochet stitches.

Single crochet (called double crochet in British crochet patterns) is one of the easiest stitches to master. Once you have learned the single crochet stitch, there are endless possibilities to use it. You can combine it in rows, in rounds or spirals, as an edge, in different parts of the stitch for different effects and in countless variations with other stitches.

 

What you will need

• 1 crochet hook
• 1 ball of yarn

Instructions

1)Use your crochet hook

After you have formed the basic chain of stitches, guide the hook through the first chain. For the second row and beyond, insert your hook into the single crochet work just below in the row.

Push the hook under both loops at the top of the chain.

For some patterns you only have to work through one of the loops, which gives a different look. Examples can be found at the end of this tutorial. If in doubt, work through both loops.

2)Thread over and grab the thread

Prepare to make (create) loop with the crochet hook. Wrap the yarn over your crochet hook and grip it with the hook.

When you have practiced these steps to the point where they are automatic, you may reach the point where there is no gap between the first and second step. Your hook will grab the thread as soon as you insert it into the stitch.

3)Draw the loop

Pull or “pull” the hook and the working yarn through the loops. You should now have two stitches or “loops” on your hook.

4)Yarn again and again

Wrap the yarn around your crochet hook again and hook in the yarn.

5)Pull the yarn through both loops

Pull the hook and the thread through both loops on the hook. This completes the single crochet stitch. One loop remains on your crochet hook. This loop is the starting point for your next stitch.

You can repeat this sequence of steps as often as necessary to create additional single crochet stitches across the row (or round).

Tips for beginners

If you crochet in rows, the first row can be a challenge, especially for beginners. Many beginners have difficulty holding the work; there is not much to hold in the beginning.

If you have problems working your first row of single crochet stitches, ask an experienced crochet worker to work the first rows for you. Then you can continue crocheting on the same piece. After the first rows are finished, you will find it easier to hold the work.

When you have worked enough rows to master the single crochet stitch, you will find it much easier to work those tricky first rows in future projects.

What you can do with Single Crochet

If you try to insert your hook through a loop only, the stitch will get a new look. Try these variations, which correspond to the quadrants in the photo:

• Top left: Pass the hook through both loops of the stitch. This is the standard single crochet work. When people without any other description refer to “single crochet”, they mean this.
• Upper right: Insert hook only in the front loop (FLO) of the stitch. This variation creates a more open style of single crochet work.
• Bottom left: Insert hook into the back loop (BLO) of the stitch only. This creates a variation with a ribbed appearance. As a finished fabric it is also slightly more stretchy.
• Bottom right: Pass the hook through alternating loops (FLO, BLO, FLO, BLO, etc.). This creates a strongly structured crochet fabric.

No matter where you insert your crochet hook, follow the same steps to finish the single crochet work. All these different types of single crochet work create a dense, thick fabric that is perfect for items that need to be closed (instead of lace). Washcloths, thick blankets, gloves and winter scarves are good for single crochet stitches.

Once you have learned to crochet, you can make all kinds of things. Single crochet is the main stitch used for example in Amigurumi and is also used in other types of crochet projects.