Basic Crochet Stitch Tutorial for Beginners (with pictures!)

Crochet stitches can be confusing, first you need to make sure you are using the right terminology (see THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CROCET TERMINOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS here). Then second, you need to actually work out how to make the stitches!

I can help with that.

Today we are going to start be looking at how to attach our yarn to the hook. Then, we will look at 2 of the most common stitches, which will allow you to create a multitude of adorable things.

Let's start with a Slip Knot; the knot at the beginning of almost every crochet project, which attaches our yarn to our hook.

Unlike typical knots that stay tight when you tighten them, a slip knot is designed so that it 'slips' easily and can either tighten the loop or loosen it by pulling one way or the other. 

There are a few different ways to create a slip knot, below is the method I use which I find very easy but you may find a method you like better and that is ok! This is just a guide to get you started and you can tweak things to suit your preferences when you start to get the hang of things.

So how do we actually MAKE a slip knot? Let's take a look.

As I am a right handed crocheter I hold my hook in my right hand.

I hold the tail of my ball of wool in the palm of my left hand.

Now I wrap the yarn around my pointer and middle fingers and create a cross on top of my fingers.

Now I put my hook under the first loop on my MIDDLE finger.

Then I grab the second loop with my hook and pull that second loop under the first.

Now I wiggle my fingers out and pull both strands of yarn to tighten the knot.

Now, to tighten the loop on our hook we just pull the 2 strands of yarn in opposite directions.

To loosen the loop, just hold the tail and pull up with your hook.

Great work!! Now, we have our yarn on our hook, what do we do now? Well, next we will be looking at a chain Stitch. The chain Stitch forms the basis of many Crochet projects, things like blankets, scarves, beanies and much more.

A chain Stitch is the easiest stitch to learn, in my opinion.

Do you remember finger knitting as a kid? I'm sure you or someone you know has finger knitted at some point in there life right? Well finger knitting IS a chain stitch! But instead of using a hook you are using your fingers! Using a hook is much quicker and easier AND you will avoid the pain of the yarn rubbing on your fingers!

Let's take a look shall we.

Now that you have learnt the slip Stitch you should be able to create that loop on your hook with ease. Once you have that loop you are ready to go. Just follow the guide below and you will be a master of the chain stitch in no time too!

Start by placing your yarn over your hook, like this.

Then you want to use your hook to grab that crossed yarn and pull it back and through the loop on your hook.

Viola! I told you you would be a master in  no time! A chain Stitch is that simple!

Now, last but not least, let's look at the Single Crochet. Remembering that for the purposes of teaching you this I will be using US terminology and that in UK terminology this stitch is called a DOUBLE Crochet. Dont worry, go back and read my previous post about the differences between US and UK terminology and how to recognise and understand patterns written in each!

Now lets take a look.

Starting a single crochet is almost the same as a chain stitch but with one extra step. 

First, we push our hook through the chain stitch we have made, like so. There should be 2 loops on your hook now.

Then, we grab our yarn

and we pull the yarn through the first loop on our hook.

Followed by the second loop. So we pull the yarn through BOTH loops on the hook, and we are done!

Well done! You successfully learnt how to begin most crochet projects! Let me know how you did in the comments section! Or email me pictures and let me know how you did. Let me know if you have any difficulty understanding the steps. I will be posting the video tutorial to YouTube once it has been edited 😊

I cant wait to see all the amazing things you create now that you know how to get started! 

Until next time,

Mel x