Learn the Basic Crochet Stitches

Learning the Basic Crochet Stitches:

For any crochet pattern, there are a few basic stitches to learn. The most basic and common are single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, and treble crochet. Once you practice and get the hang of it, following any pattern will be easy. 

Most written patterns that you find can be followed if you know the basic stitches and their short forms used. There are some patterns that have diagrams to follow. Check out this article on How to read crochet diagrams

 

One thing that is important to remember is there is a difference between UK and US patterns.

US                                   vs               UK

SC (single crochet)                         DC (double crochet)

HDC ( half double crochet)            HTR (half treble)

DC ( double crochet)                      TR ( treble)

TR   ( treble)                                     DTR ( double treble)

Slip stitch (Sl St)

We are starting with the slip stitch commonly written as ‘sl st’ in patterns. 

Insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.

Here is a great article from thesprucecrafts.com to learn more about Slip Stitch

I am explaining these Basic Crochet Stitches in US terms:

Single crochet (sc)

 

This is a very common stitch. It is written as ‘sc’ in patterns. 

Insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through both the loops on the 

hook.  

Watch to learn Single crochet, a video by Bella Coco on Youtube.

Half Double crochet (hdc)

This stitch is written as hdc in patterns.  

Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook. 

Watch to learn Half Double Crochet, video by Bella Coco on Youtube

Double crochet (dc)

Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, (yarn over, pull through two 

loops) twice. 

Watch to learn Double Crochet,

Video by Bella Coco on YouTube.

Treble crochet (tr)

Yarn over two times, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, (yarn over, pull through

 2 loops) 3 times. 

Watch to learn Treble Crochet

Video by Bella Coco on Youtube

 

Things you can crochet using the above stitches:

Well using the above stitches you can crochet just about anything. If you are starting I would suggest a scarf, a dish towel, a trivet, coasters, doilies, even a baby blanket!  You can follow any pattern if you practice these stitches. 

Here are the links to some of the patterns:

Potholder by Rachel of Adventures of a DIY Mom: Super easy single crochet Potholder

Wristlet by Stitch in Progress: Single crochet wrist lanyards

Bow by Kim Layton of EverythingEtsy: Easy Crochet Bow using double crochet

 

If you are new to crochet and would like to learn, please read this Introduction to Crochet.