Crochet basics

Every crochet project starts with three things: a slip knot, a chain, and a way to turn at the end. Get these right and you can start any pattern.

The slip knot

Make a loop with the yarn so the tail end crosses over the working yarn (the strand attached to the ball). Reach through the loop, grab the working yarn, and pull it through to form a new loop. Slip this new loop onto your hook and pull the tail to snug it — not tight, just firm enough that it won't fall off. This is your first "stitch" and counts as the anchor for your chain.

The chain (ch)

The foundation chain is the starting edge of flat crochet — the equivalent of casting on in knitting. With the slip knot on your hook:

1. Yarn over — wrap the working yarn over the hook from back to front.
2. Draw through the loop on your hook.
3. You now have one chain stitch. Repeat.

Patterns say "Ch 20" meaning make 20 chain stitches. Count the Vs on the front — each V is one chain. Don't count the slip knot or the loop on the hook.

The slip stitch (sl st)

The slip stitch is the shortest crochet stitch — it adds almost no height. It's mainly used to join rounds (when working in the round, you sl st into the first stitch of the round to close it) and to move the working yarn to a new position without adding height.

1. Insert hook into the stitch.
2. Yarn over.
3. Draw through both the stitch AND the loop on your hook in one motion.

Turning chains

At the end of a flat row, you turn your work and make a few chains before starting the next row — these are turning chains, and they bring the hook up to the right height for the next stitch. The pattern specifies how many: typically ch 1 for sc, ch 2 for hdc, ch 3 for dc. The turning chain may or may not count as the first stitch — the pattern will tell you.

Next: Single crochet →