Learn Basic Crochet Stitches

The most basic crochet stitches are described below in a step by step photo tutorial and described using US terms.


These picture tutorials walk you through the very basic crochet stitches.

If you are quite new to crochet I would start at the beginning of the list below. This picture tutorial starts with the basic slip knot and shows you step by step how to create each stitch.

As you go through the the stitches you learn basic crochet terms that are explained at the beginning (such as yarn over (yo), pull up a loop, or pull through 2 loops). The stitches towards the lend of the list use these terms to describe each step.


The slip knot is where the most basic crochet begins.
This is the first step in crochet.
All the other stitches are built upon learning the slip knot.


Then move on to learn how to make chain (ch) stitches, single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc) and so on.


For quick reference click on the stitch name below
There will be more stitches added soon!

The Slip Knot:

Step 1: With the tail end of your yarn, wrap it over top of your hook, then bring it behind your hook and across the same strand creating a loop with a long tail.
Step 2: Continue to wrap the tail end behind the hook (close to the point of the hook).
Then wrap it back around in front of the hook. This is called a “Yarn Over”.
Step 3: Pull the yarn with the hook through the first loop you created (in step 1). Then tug on both strands at the same time to create your slip knot. Don’t tug on the yarn too tightly, you will need to crochet in this stitch eventually.

The Chain Stitch – ch

Step 1: Once you have your slip knot on the hook wrap the yarn behind the hook and back around the front of the hook (see picture below). This is called a “yarn over”
Step 2: Pull the yarn that is over the hook through the slip knot.
You have just created your first chain. Tug the working yarn strand a bit to create a smaller chain stitch (the loops that is around your hook).
Pictured Above: The slip knot is below the hook and the first chain you just created is on the hook. *When counting chains you never count the slip knot. You always begin with the first chain you make after the slip knot.

Single Crochet – sc


The single crochet stitch is not very tall (height wise).
It is one of the smallest crochet stitches.
The next stitch that is a step taller is the hdc (half double crochet)
Following that is the dc (double crochet) and the TR (treble crochet) is even taller!

Once you have finished your ch stitches, depending on the pattern it might say sc into the second ch from hook.
Step 1: Insert hook into the 2nd ch.
NOTE: if you are not making a sc into ch stitches, make sure to go through both loops of the stitch.
Step 2: Bring the working yarn over the front of the hook, this is called a “yarn over” (yo).
Step 3: Pull through the first loop on the hook. You will now have 2 loops on your hook.
Step 4: Yarn over (yo) and pull through both loops on hook.
You have just completed a single crochet.

Double Crochet – dc

Step 1: yo and insert your hook into the next stitch (go under both loops of the stitch)
Step 2: Once your hook is inserted into the stitch yo again and pull up a loop.
Step 3: You now have 3 loops on your hook.
Yo and pull through the first 2 loops on hook.
Step 4: You now have 2 loops on your hook.
Yo and pull through the 2 loops left on hook.
You have just completed a double crochet (dc)

Crochet Through Front/Back Loop Only – FLO BLO

If you look at your work from a birds eye view (top) you can see each crochet stitch has two loops. The front loop and the back loop.

When you crochet into the back loop only (BLO) you only go through the back loop of the crochet stitch (see photo above)

When you crochet into the front loop only (FLO) you only go through the front loop of the crochet stitch (see photo above).

Crochet whichever stitch your pattern calls for through BLO or FLO.

Slip Stitch – SS

Step 1: Insert your hook through the next stitch and yarn over
Step 2: Pull up a loop. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
Step 3: Pull the first loop through the second loop.
You have just created a slip stitch.

Single Crochet 2 Together – sc2tog (decrease)

Step 1: Insert your hook into the next stitch
Step 2: Yarn over (Yo) and pull up a loop
Step 4: You now have 2 loops on your hook.
Insert your hook into the next stitch and yo
Step 5: Pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 6: Yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
You have just created a sc2tog (decrease)

Double Crochet 2 Together – dc2tog (decrease)

Step 1: Yo and insert your hook into the next stitch and draw up a loop.
Step 2: You now have 3 loops on your hook.
Yo and pull through the first 2 loops.
This is the first dc of the dc2tog.
Step 3: You now have 2 loops on your hook.
Yo and insert you hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop.
Step 4: You now have 4 loops on your hook.
Yo and pull through the first 2.
This is the second dc in the dc2tog.
Step 5: You now have 3 loops on your hook.
Yo and pull through all 3 loops.
You have just completed a dc2tog.

Treble (Triple) Crochet – TR

The treble crochet stitch is quite a tall stitch.
It is similar to a DC, except you yo twice, insert hook in stitch, yo and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yo pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yo pull through last two loops on hook. TR complete!

If you want to make a taller stitch the more times you yo and pull through 2 loops, the taller the stitch will be. (I.E yo 3 times to make a double Treble, and yo 4 times to make a Triple Treble stitch)

Step 1: Yarn over (yo) twice and insert your hook into the next stitch.
Step 2: Yo and pull up a loop
Step 3: You now have 4 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through 2 loops.
Step 4: You now have 3 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through 2 loops on hook.
Step 5: You now have 2 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through the last 2 loops on hook.
You have now completed a treble crochet stitch.

Magic Circle (Magic Loop) – MC

I hope you have found this crochet tutorial created by Pine Tree Crochet helpful.


If there are any other stitches you would like added to the Basic Crochet Stitches Page, please let me know by sending me a note on the Contact Me page.

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Please do not copy and paste this tutorial onto any other website, use the pictures on this blog or claim the pattern/tutorial as your own.

Please link back to this crochet stitch tutorial on the blog to allow others to learn these stitches and share inspiration.

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