How to Single Crochet

Single Crochet is the most basic stitch after the chain, and even though it is simple, it can be used to make a lot of different things. If you learn how to single crochet, I assure you that all the following stitches you learn will be much easier because this one is the base for many other stitches.

Like always, before starting with the explanation and the photos, I have some notes to share with you about the single crochet:

• When you start, make sure NOT to twist the chain and work (without exception) in the front of the chain. If you have trouble identifying the sides of the chain, you can look HERE.
• The first row of single crochet is the most difficult of all because you will be working on the foundation chain with a minimal surface, and it’s very unstable, so don’t worry and keep going. With every row, the work will become bigger and easier to hold and crochet in it.
• If you are right-handed, you ALWAYS will work from right to left direction, but if you are left-handed, it will be the opposite, and you ALWAYS will work from left to right direction.

How to do a Single Crochet Stitch – Starting from a Chain

Start with a slip knot and chain 11. (For this example, I will use a chain with 11 stitches, but you can use as many as you want).

1.- Insert your crochet hook in the second chain from your hook.

* Why in the second chain? Because the first chain will give you the height of the row.

2.- Yarn over* and pass the yarn through the chain. Now, you have two loops on your hook.

* Yarn over is wrapping the yarn in your crochet hook. Going down and then going up with your hook around your yarn.

3.- Yarn over one more time, and pass the yarn through both loops on your hook. And done! Your first single crochet is ready.

Now to continue, insert your crochet hook in the next chain and repeat. Yarn over and pass the yarn through the chain. Yarn over one more time, and pass the yarn through both loops on your hook. Keep going and do the same in each chain until you finish.

When you are done with all of the chains, you have to count your stitches, and you should have 10 single crochet stitches. Why 10 stitches and not 11 like in the beginning? Because you skipped the first chain and started from the second chain.

If you have some doubts about counting your stitches, you can visit my post about that HERE.

How to Turn Your Crochet Work

Do you remember at the beginning of this post I told you about the direction of your work?

Well, if you ended the first row of single crochet, you can’t continue working in the same way, so for that, you have to turn your work to keep crocheting in the same direction.

First, you have to keep the hook in the last loop and make a chain*. Then turn your work clockwise direction. This will leave your crochet at the beginning of the new row and you will be able to start crocheting again.

With this movement, the first row’s last stitch becomes the first stitch of the second row.

*The chain (or chains) you use to turn around your work and start a new row are called turning chains. Usually, the turning chains are counted as a regular stitch EXCEPT when working with single crochet when you don’t have to count it.

How to do a Single Crochet Stitch – Starting from a previous row of single crochet

Now your work will be looking a little bit different, but the idea is the same. The only variation is that instead of working in the chain, you have to work on top of your previous single crochet stitches.

Start with the new row, insert your crochet hook in the first stitch, and be careful of passing through BOTH loops of the stitch. Remember, your first stitch is the last stitch of the previous row, NOT the turning chain. Then continue with the same steps as when you worked on the chain. Yarn over and pass the yarn through the stitch. Yarn over one more time, and pass the yarn through both loops on your hook. Keep going and do the same in each stitch until you finish.

And that’s it! You don’t need to know anything more. Finish the row, make a chain, turn your crochet work and start with the new row. Repeat until you are happy with your results.

Knowing how to do the chain stitch and the single crochet, you are ready to start with small crochet projects or even with your first simple scarf. Don’t be afraid to try some projects. It won’t be easy, but it will be fun! And remember, if you have to start over and over again is ok. It is practice, and crochet is a LOT of practice. Embrace the error and keep going!

VIDEO:

I hope that this has been useful to you, and remember, if you have any questions about this topic or any suggestion for a new one, PLEASE write me a comment below or send me an email, and I’ll answer you happily.

Also, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram (@nightlycrafter) to see sneak peeks of the new blog post, my daily projects, and much more.

Happy Crocheting!

Paula.

NEXT IN CROCHET FOR BEGINNERS

You know how to make the single crochet stitch so, now you are ready to continue with the next step in the Crochet for Beginners series: WHERE DO I INSERT MY CROCHET HOOK?

PIN IT FOR LATER!