Crochet Stitches.

Here you can find all you need to know as a beginner about basic crochet stitches:how to make them, explanations with step-by-step pictures just in case you need to review the stitches or learn them. All the stitches you need to start (and successfully finish!) your beginner crochet project are: Slip knot, Chain, Slip stitch, Single crochet and Double crochet. You also need to know how to increase stitches and decrease stitches. Thats it and you wouldnt believe how far you can go with only these few simple stitches! :) And some advanced and complicated stuff you will master later

How to make a CROCHET SLIP KNOT.

Almost every crochet project starts with a crochet slip knot. There are multiple ways to make it. This knot serves as a basic for your first stitch and is usually unvisible in the project, that's why it's not so important how exactly you've made it. If you can't figure it out - just make a simple double knot around the crochet hook, it will work too. :) The crochet slip knot is usually not mentioned in crochet patterns and instructions, but you cannot start to crochet anything without making it first. :) Here is one of the ways to make a crochet slip knot:

This is step-by-step instruction: how to make a slip knot.

Make a loop around the hook, place the short end of the yarn over the hook, "hook" it and draw it through the loop.

Voila! The crochet slip knot is done and you can start a chain!

How to make a CROCHET CHAIN STITCH.

Most crochet projects starts with a crochet slip knot which continues in a chain. Chain stitch is a first stitch for a beginner to learn. The abbreviation for this stitch: CH, Ch, ch. For example, CH 5 means you need to make 5 chain stitches (the slip knot in the beginning is usually NOT mentioned and NOT counted)

This is the Crochet Hold the short end of Hook the yarn and Slip Knot. the yarn between your draw it through the thumb and the third loop. The first chain finger and place the stitch is ready, repeat yarn over the hook in as many times as front of the loop of needed :) the slip knot.

Here is the chain! :)

How to make a CROCHET SLIP STITCH.

Slip stitches are very usable. You can use them to finish the row, to join elements (stitches and details), or as a finishing edge. The abbreviation for the slip stitch is: sl st or Sl St.

Insert your crochet hook into the spot where you want to make a slip stitch, hook the yarn and draw it through that spot and through the loop on your crochet hook at once. (Slip stitches are in blue yarn)
Almost all crochet patterns using circles (hats, bags and more) start with the phrase: CH 3, join in a ring with a slip stitch.

This is how to do that:

This is CH 3 - chain Insert the hook in the of 3 stitches first stitch of the chain, yo have 2 loops on your hook.

Yarn over the hook The beginning and and draw the yarn the end of the chain through both loops. joined in a ring with a slip stitch. :)

How to make a SINGLE CROCHET STITCH. This is the most popular ccrochet stitch to create a body of your project. The Single Crochet Stitch ia also a base for other stitches as well. Abbreviation used for this stitch: SC, Sc, sc. Note: * if the number of stitches is AFTER the abbreviation, make needed number of stitches each in the next following stitch. for example: SC 3 meand: make a SC in the nearest stitch, another SC in the next following stitch and another SC in the next stitch (in other words, make 3 SC stitches in 3 stitches, one-by-one) *If the number of stitches is BEFORE the abbreviation, make all needed stitches in one stitch as an increase (usually 2 stitches, rare 3 and almost never more). For example: 2 SC means: make 2 SC in one nearest stitch (this is an increase). * [SC 3, 2 SC] means: make SC, SC, SC, 2SC in one stitch.

Step 1: Insert hook Step 2: Yarn over in the stitch of the the hook previous row (it can be a beginning chain if this is your first row).

Step 3: Draw up Step 4: Yarn over the loop: now you again and draw it have 2 loops on through the both your crochet hook loops at once.

Now you have only one loop on your hook. The stitch is completed.

Make as many SC stitches as needed till the end of the row.

Turn the work for the next row, make a chain stitch (CH1) and continue making SC slitches for the next row till the end.

Slip stitch square :)

How to make an INCREASE for a Single Crochet Stitch:

Increase means that you make 2 stitches (or more) of the current row in one stitch of the previous row to increase the number of stitches in the current row.

Just make another single crochet stitch in the same stitch as the previous one (the 2 stitches forms letter "V").

How to make a DECREASE for a Single Crochet Stitch:

Decrease means that you crochet 2 stitches (or more) of the current row together so in the next row it will be only one stitch instead of 2 or 3stitches (or more). Let's say you need to decrease 2 stitches: make Steps 1-3 for the first SC stitch and hold 2 loops on the hook,

then make Steps 1-3 for the second SC stitch in the next stitch. Now you have 3 loops on your hook. Complete Step 4 for both stitches together: yarn over and draw it through the 3 loops at once, joining the two stitches at the top.

Incert the hook in the Incert the hook in the Pull the yarn through next stitch, yarn over, next stitch, yarn over. the stitch. You have 3 pull the yarn through loops on the hook. the stitch, hold 2 loops on the hook.

Yarn over and complete 2 SC stitches together drawing the yarn through 3 loops at once. The result is two SC stitches joined at the top (opposite to increase where stitches are joined at the bottom).

How to make a DOUBLE CROCHET STITCH. This stitch uses a Single Crochet Sitch as a base adding 1 more level to it. The abbreviation for that stitch is DC, Dc or dc.

Step 1: tYarn over Step 2: the hook in (yes, BEFORE you the stitch of the insert the hook in previous row the stitch of the

Step 3: Yarn over Step 4: Draw the again, hook the yarn through the yarn. first loop from the

previous row).

left.

Step 5: Yarn over the Step 6: Yarn over the The Double Crochet hook again and draw hook one last time stitch is completed! :) the yarn through the and draw the yarn first two left loops at through remaining 2 once. loops at once.

Increase means that you make 2 stitches (or more) of the current row in one stitch of the previous row to increase the number of stitches in the current row. It is simple! Just make the second Double Crochet stitch in the same stitch as the previous Double Crochet stitch. They will look like the letter "V" - 2 stitches joined at the base! :)

How to make an INCREASE for a Double Crochet Stitch:

How to make a DECREASE for the Double Crochet Stitches.

Decrease means that you crochet 2 stitches (or more) of the current row together so in the next row it will be only one stitch instead of 2 or 3stitches (or more). Let's say you need to decrease 2 stitches: make Steps 1-6 for the first DC stitch and hold 2 loops on the hook, then make Steps 1-5 for the second DC stitch in the next stitch. Now you have 3 loops on your hook. Complete Step 6 for both stitches together: yarn over and draw it through the 3 loops at once, joining the two stitches at the top.

Flower Embellishment Here is a simple flower that can be used as an embellishment on hats, purses, or anything else you like. You can attach a pin backing to make a brooch or an elastic to make a cute hair tie. It also can be attached to the Easy & Cute Crocheted Headband for an awesome accessory.

Flower Embellishment

Supplies: Any yarn and coordinating hook. Gauge is not important for this project. Terminology:

Ch- chain Sc- single crochet Sl st- slip stitch Tr- treble stitch Instructions:

Rnd 1- In adjustable ring, sc 6. Pull loop closed. Rnd 2- Join to with slst 1st sc, Ch 3. (Join to front loop only of next sc with sls, ch 3) 5 times. Join with sl st to 1st sl st. Rnd 3- Working behind Rnd 2, join with sl st to back loop only of 1st sc in adjustable ring. *Ch 3, tr in same sc as join, ch 3. Join with sl st to back loop of next sc in adjustable ring. Rep from * 4 more times. Ch 3, tr in same sc as sl st, ch 3. Join with sl st to 1st sl st. Fasten off.

Back Side

Make Steps 1-5 for the first DC stitch.

In the next stitch: make Steps 1-5 for

Yarn over and complete Step 6 for

The result: 3 Dc stitches joined at the

Hold 2 loops on the the second DC stitch. hook.

the both stitches together drawing the yarn through all 3 loops at once.

top (the opposite to increase, where 2 stitches are joined at the bottom).