How to Single Crochet: Easy Steps for Beginners
Short, dense, and wonderfully forgiving, single crochet is the stitch you’ll use more than any other. Learning how to single crochet well gives you the base for toys, coasters, bags, and plenty more.
Below is the full stitch, step by step, followed by a flat practice swatch so you can see rows form and check your count. Grab a chain of sixteen (see slip knot and chain stitch basics if you need a refresher) and settle in.
What You Need
- Worsted-weight yarn in a light color
- A 5 mm (H-8) hook
- A stitch marker or safety pin
Row 1: Working Into the Chain
Step 1: Find the Second Chain
Skip the chain nearest the hook. Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook, going under the top V, or through the back bump if you prefer a tidier edge.
Step 2: Pull Up a Loop
Yarn over and pull a loop through the chain. Two loops now sit on your hook.
Step 3: Finish the Stitch
Yarn over again and pull through both loops. One single crochet complete, and one loop left on the hook.
Step 4: Repeat Across
Insert the hook into the next chain and repeat steps two and three until you reach the end. A chain of sixteen gives you fifteen stitches.
Row 2 and Beyond
Step 1: Turn and Chain One
Turn your work so the other side faces you. Chain one. That chain lifts the yarn to the right height, and it does not count as a stitch.
Step 2: Stitch Into the First Stitch
Insert the hook under both top strands of the first stitch, then work a single crochet exactly as before.
Step 3: Work to the End
Place one stitch in each stitch across. Your last stitch goes into the final stitch of the row below, not into the turning chain.
Step 4: Count
Count the V’s along the top edge. You should still see fifteen. Repeat Row 2 until you have fifteen rows, and you’ll hold a small square.
Common Mistakes
- Counting the turning chain. Treating it as a stitch makes rows grow wider by one each time.
- Skipping the last stitch. The edge dips inward and the swatch narrows.
- Pulling stitches tight. The hook struggles to enter the next stitch. Loosen your grip a little.
- Splitting the yarn. The hook catches only part of a strand. Aim for the center of the V.
- Working into the wrong loop. If a stitch looks different, check whether you went under both strands.
Practice Swatch Goal
Aim for a square of fifteen stitches by fifteen rows. Fold it corner to corner; if the edges match, your count was good. Flat shapes like the crochet pink wallet make a rewarding next step, and the crochet keychain patterns offer quick small projects.
Bonus: Edge Check With a Safety Pin
Pin a marker through the last stitch of every row before you turn. At the start of the next row, you’ll see exactly where the final stitch belongs, and wobbly edges disappear fast.
FAQs About Single Crochet
Is the turning chain ever counted?
Not for single crochet, since one chain adds almost no height. Taller stitches work differently, which the half double and double crochet lesson explains.
Why does my swatch curve?
Uneven tension is the usual culprit. Keep the same grip on yarn and hook from row to row.
Which loop do I work into?
Both top strands of the V, unless a pattern says otherwise.
Row by Row, You’re Building a Skill
A fifteen-by-fifteen square won’t win ribbons, but it teaches your hands an astonishing amount. Keep that swatch nearby. Whenever a new pattern feels complicated, remember it’s usually single crochet stitched in a different shape.
