How to Crochet for Beginners

Crochet Heart Round 3 - SC Stitches

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5-10

The art of crocheting is a lifelong skill you can use to make beautiful gifts and items for your home and wardrobe. Begin by learning a couple of basic stitches and then build on that with more advanced stitches and patterns. As you begin your crochet journey, you'll first need to figure out what size and style of hook feels most comfortable to you. Then, choose simple yarns and beginner patterns to work with. Lastly, practice and practice; you'll be a pro at crochet in no time.

Here's a simple guide to crocheting for beginners, complete with a video, how-to steps, and pictures.

5:34

Watch Now: 4 Handy Beginner Crochet Stitches

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Scissors

Materials

  • Crochet hook
  • 1 skein yarn
  • Pattern for beginner project

Instructions

How to Crochet for Beginners

  1. Choose a Crochet Hook and Yarn

    You don't need many supplies to get started with crochet. Your most important tool will be your crochet hook and there are plenty of different sizes and types to choose from. When you're choosing a beginner crochet hook, opt for one made of aluminum because the metal will make the yarn glide easily.

    The three basic crochet supplies you'll need include:

    • An aluminum crochet hook​ size I-9 or H-8, whichever feels best in your hand
    • A skein or ball of wool or acrylic yarn
    • Scissors
    Crochet Infinity Scarf Supplies
    Mollie Johanson
  2. Learn How to Hold the Hook

    Begin by holding your crochet hook like you would hold a pencil, with your thumb and index finger squeezing the hook at the little indentation in the middle known as a finger hold. You can slide your third finger up towards the tip of the hook for comfort and control. The hook will be turned slightly towards you, but it shouldn't be facing downward or upward.

    Holding a Crochet Hook Knife-Style Right-Handed
    Mollie Johanson
  3. Learn the Slip Knot

    Tying a slip knot onto the crochet hook is one of the first things you need to learn to get started with crocheting. Making a slip knot on your crochet hook is how you'll cast the yarn onto the hook so you can start your project. To make a slip knot, quickly twist and loop the yarn onto the hook, wrap the yarn under the hook, and pull it through the loop to tighten. Don't worry if it's awkward at first; just keep practicing and it'll get easier.

    How to Make a Slip Knot in Crochet
    Mollie Johanson
  4. Crochet a Chain Stitch

    Beginning crocheters usually learn the chain stitch as their first stitch. The chain stitch is one of the most important basic stitches you'll need to know because it forms the foundation of most crochet projects. In a pattern, the abbreviation for the chain stitch is "ch," or sometimes "chs" for the plural form. You'll usually see "ch" followed by a number. For example, ch 135 means that you should crochet 135 chain stitches.

    How to Chain Stitch in Crochet
    Mollie Johanson
  5. Learn the Single Crochet Stitch

    After you've learned the chain stitch, you'll learn the essential single crochet stitch. The pattern abbreviation for the single crochet stitch is "sc," usually along with the number of stitches you'll need to make.

    How to Single Crochet
    Mollie Johanson
  6. Find a Beginner's Project

    Now that you know how to do a slip knot and basic stitches, you're ready to tackle a beginner project. You can start on a scarf or even a baby blanket designed for new crocheters. Some beginner patterns may be written without abbreviations for simplification. When you begin your first project, take it slow and be patient with yourself. It's okay if you have to start over from the beginning of the pattern to get it right.

    Working the Face Scrubbies in Rounds
    Mollie Johanson
  7. Learn the Double Crochet Stitch

    You can take your crochet skills to the next level by learning the double crochet stitch. You'll be able to create granny squares for Afghans when you learn this stitch. Practice making little swatches until your double crochet stitches are even. The pattern abbreviation for the double crochet stitch is "dc," plus the specified number of double crochet stitches.

    How to Double Crochet
    Mollie Johanson
  8. Create a Granny Square

    You can work clusters of double crochet stitches to create a granny square. The granny square is the foundation of many crocheted items, from blankets to pillow covers. You can even sew them together to create a warm and cozy doggie sweater. Make your grant squares one color or multicolored, but whatever color scheme you decide, know that you're becoming a better crocheter with every square you create.

    How to Crochet a Granny Square
    How to Crochet a Granny Square Kathryn Vercillo
  9. Learn How to Make a Slip Stitch

    Slip stitches serve multiple purposes in crochet projects. They join pieces together, create simple finished edges, and make decorative elements on the surfaces of crocheted pieces. In addition, you can use the stitch in rows to form a dense material. Crocheting a fabric made of the slip stitch is called Bosnian Crochet (or sometimes a variety of other names).

    Add Surface Decoration With Slip Stitch
    Mollie Johanson
  10. Learn More Basic Stitches

    Add to your crochet skills by learning more basic stitches, including the half double stitch which results in a herringbone, the treble (or the triple crochet stitch) that creates a taller stitch, and the Tunisian crochet stitch, which creates a look resembling a knit fabric. 

    Learn How to Work the Basic Crochet Stitches
    Mollie Johanson
  11. Learn Finishing Techniques

    Finishing techniques are an important part of crocheting. In addition to the slip stitch that adds a simple edging, you'll want to know how to make wide or narrow edgings. The easiest edging is made from a single crochet stitch. It's a terrific solution for many projects, even for rounded edges.

    Finished Crochet Infinity Scarf
    Mollie Johanson
  12. Learn How to Crochet Left-Handed

    You can be left-handed and crochet, even though many patterns include right-handed instructions. Traditional patterns were written for right-handed crocheters, but many contemporary tutorials have instructions for left-handed artisans. You'll find plenty of tips and tricks to help you along the way as a lefty and most importantly, you'll also find numerous fellow left-handed crocheters to bond with and learn from.

    Crocheting Left-Handed
    Crocheting Left-Handed Photo © M. Solovay