Crocheting chain stitches and single crochet stitches: step by step

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Your first crochet project begins with a loop on the hook. From this, you create a chain of slip knots, on which you then crochet the first single crochets. Take your time and try out the steps directly with yarn and a hook.

What you need

Prepare a smooth, clearly visible yarn and a matching crochet hook. The yarn label gives you an indication of the hook size. The following explanations are written for crocheting with the right hand.

The foundation loop

Form a loop with the yarn. Pull the working yarn through this loop to create a new loop. Insert the crochet hook and gently tighten the loop. It should sit on the hook but still be easy to move.

How to hold the hook and yarn

There are different ways to hold a crochet hook. I hold it similarly to a knife. In my grip, the working yarn runs over the left hand and index finger. Find a grip that allows you to control the yarn without cramping your hand.

Crocheting slip knots – sl

Hook the working yarn and pull it through the loop on the hook. This is your first slip knot. Repeat the movement until a small chain of slip knots is formed. The loop that is currently on the hook does not count as a slip knot.

The single crochet – sc

Insert the hook into the designated stitch, hook the yarn, and pull it through the stitch.

Now there are two loops on the hook.

Hook the yarn again and pull it through both loops. Your single crochet is finished. Once you have worked the entire row, it will look like this:

A little exercise: 10 stitches per row

In my method, the turning slip knot always counts as a replacement for the first stitch. A row of 10 stitches therefore consists of one replacement slip knot and 9 crocheted single crochets.

1. Crochet 11 slip knots. The loop on the hook does not count.
2. Insert the hook into the third slip knot from the hook and crochet a single crochet. The preceding slip knot forms the replacement for the first single crochet of the row.
3. Crochet one single crochet into each subsequent slip knot. In the end, you will have 9 single crochets and the replacement slip knot, making a total of 10 stitches.
4. Turn the work and crochet a turning slip knot. It replaces the first single crochet of the new row.
5. Skip the first single crochet of the previous row, as your replacement slip knot is already above it. Crochet the next single crochet into the second stitch of the previous row. Insert the hook under both top loops.
6. Continue crocheting one single crochet into each subsequent single crochet. Crochet the last single crochet into the replacement slip knot at the end of the previous row. This way, you will again have 9 single crochets and one replacement slip knot, for a total of 10 stitches.

The following detailed images show the insertion points on my sample from the basic course. For the little exercise above, stick to 10 stitches per row.

The black arrow shows the insertion point for the next single crochet. The stitch marked by the red arrow is skipped because it has already been replaced by the turning slip knot.

Don't forget the last single crochet into the replacement slip knot of the previous row at the end of the row.

Repeat the last steps for several rows. The stitches do not have to look perfectly even yet. The important thing for now is that you can recognize the stitches and that the number remains the same.

Why does my crochet work get narrower or wider?

If your sample gets narrower, you may have forgotten the last stitch in the replacement slip knot of the previous row. If it gets wider, you may have additionally inserted the hook into the first single crochet, even though the turning slip knot already replaces it.

Count at the end of each row. If necessary, mark the turning slip knot so that you can more easily find it again at the end of the next row.

Remember: The turning slip knot counts

In my crochet basics, the turning slip knots count as the first stitch. Therefore, the first stitch below it is skipped, and the last stitch of the row is crocheted into the replacement slip knot of the previous row. This keeps the stitch count the same.

What's next?

First, practice until you can clearly recognize the slip knots and single crochets. After that, you can learn half double crochets, double crochets, and triple crochets. You don't need a purchase project for this first exercise yet: a small sample is perfectly sufficient.

Continue to Lesson 2: Half Double Crochets, Double Crochets, and Triple Crochets

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