Crochet · stitch guide

Crochet stitches: basic and textured stitches, with UK names

Crochet stitches are all built from the same moves: pulling loops through loops. The basic stitches (chain, slip stitch, single, half double, double and treble crochet) differ only in height, and textured stitches like moss, waffle, crochet knit stitch and ribbing combine them in different places.

The basic crochet stitches

US name	UK name	How	Turning chain
Chain (ch)	chain	Yarn over, pull through the loop on the hook. 3D lesson	-
Slip stitch (sl st)	slip stitch (ss)	Insert, yarn over, pull through the stitch and the loop on the hook. For joining and moving along.	-
Single crochet (sc)	double crochet (dc)	Insert, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2. 3D lesson	1
Half double crochet (hdc)	half treble (htr)	Yarn over, insert, pull up a loop (3 on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3.	2
Double crochet (dc)	treble (tr)	Yarn over, insert, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2) twice.	3
Treble crochet (tr)	double treble (dtr)	Yarn over twice, insert, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2) three times.	4

Patterns differ on whether the turning chain counts as a stitch; follow yours.

Textured crochet stitches

Moss stitch (linen or granite stitch): (sc, ch 1, skip 1) across; on the next row, work each sc into a chain-1 space. Flat, neat and good for blankets and bags.
Waffle stitch: front post double crochets stacked in a grid make deep square pockets. See the full crochet waffle stitch tutorial.
Crochet knit stitch (waistcoat or centre single crochet): a single crochet worked through the middle of the V of the stitch below instead of under the top loops. In the round it looks like knitted stockinette.
Ribbing: rows of single or half double crochet worked in the back loop only form ridges; worked sideways they make a stretchy cuff or brim. Alternating front and back post double crochet makes a rib in the round.
Crossed double crochet (crochet cross stitch): skip a stitch, double crochet in the next, then double crochet into the skipped stitch, crossing over the first. Makes a row of Xs.
Jasmine stitch: a lacy flower texture built from clustered puff-like stitches. It's an intermediate stitch; follow a pattern's exact instructions for the counts.

Crochet edgings

Single crochet border: one round of sc all around, with 3 sc in each corner so it lies flat.
Crab stitch (reverse single crochet): single crochet worked backwards along the edge for a corded look.
Picot: chain 3, then slip stitch into the first chain, for little points.
Ruffles: work several taller stitches (for example 3 dc) into each stitch; the extra stitches make the edge ripple.

Yarn over vs yarn under

A standard yarn over wraps the yarn over the hook from back to front. Wrapping it the other way (yarn under) makes a tighter, smaller single crochet whose stitches sit as little Xs. Neither is wrong; mixing them in one piece changes the gauge.

New to all of it? Start with how to crochet, then check your rows with the pattern checker.

Practise the stitches in 3DCrochet 101 shows each basic stitch as a looping 3D lesson you can turn and watch from any angle. Free, no account needed to watch.

Open Crochet 101 Abbreviations chart

Questions

What are the basic crochet stitches?

Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet (US names). Almost every other stitch is a combination of these.

What is the easiest crochet stitch?

Single crochet: insert, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops. It's short, dense and the stitch most amigurumi use.

What is the crochet moss stitch?

Single crochet and chain 1 alternating, with each single crochet worked into the chain-1 space of the row below. It's also called linen or granite stitch and makes a flat, woven-looking fabric.

Is yarn over or yarn under better?

Yarn over (wrapping the yarn from back to front) is the standard. Yarn under gives a tighter, smaller single crochet that some amigurumi makers like; whichever you use, keep it the same throughout one piece.