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Basic Crochet Stitches: The 6 Stitches Every Crocheter Uses
Almost every crochet pattern is built from six basic stitches: chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet. They differ in height, which you get from the number of yarn overs before inserting the hook.
Updated:
- Stitch height grows with each yarn over: single crochet is the shortest standing stitch; treble is about three times its height.
- Turning chains: sc ch 1, hdc ch 2, dc ch 3, tr ch 4.
- Yarn overs before inserting the hook: sc 0, hdc 1, dc 1, tr 2.
- UK names are one step up: US sc = UK dc, US hdc = UK htr, US dc = UK tr, US tr = UK dtr.
- The chain and slip stitch have the same name in US and UK patterns (UK abbreviates slip stitch as ss).
Crochet stitch heights at a glance
| US name (abbr.) | UK name (abbr.) | Yarn overs first | Turning chain | Relative height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain (ch) | Chain (ch) | – | – | Foundation |
| Slip stitch (sl st) | Slip stitch (ss) | 0 | – | Almost flat |
| Single crochet (sc) | Double crochet (dc) | 0 | 1 | 1Ă— |
| Half double crochet (hdc) | Half treble (htr) | 1 | 2 | about 1.5Ă— |
| Double crochet (dc) | Treble (tr) | 1 | 3 | about 2Ă— |
| Treble crochet (tr) | Double treble (dtr) | 2 | 4 | about 3Ă— |
Heights are approximate and depend on your tension, but the order never changes.
Chain and slip stitch
Chain (ch)
Yarn over and pull through the loop on the hook. Chains form the foundation row, the turning chains at row ends, and spaces in lace patterns. When counting, do not count the slip knot or the loop on the hook.
Slip stitch (sl st)
Insert the hook, yarn over, and pull through the stitch and the loop on the hook in one motion. It adds almost no height. Use it to join rounds, move across stitches without adding height, and for neat edgings and surface decoration.
Single crochet and half double crochet
Single crochet (sc)
Insert the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both. It makes a dense, firm fabric that is ideal for amigurumi, bags, dishcloths and edgings.
Half double crochet (hdc)
Yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3. It is a little taller than single crochet, works up faster, and gives a soft fabric that suits hats, sweaters and blankets. It also creates a third loop on the back that is used for ribbing and knit-look textures.
Double crochet and treble crochet
Double crochet (dc)
Yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops), yarn over and pull through 2 (2 loops), yarn over and pull through the last 2. It is the workhorse of granny squares, shawls, C2C blankets and lace. The fabric is more open and drapey than single crochet.
Treble crochet (tr)
Yarn over twice, insert the hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops), then [yarn over, pull through 2] three times. It is tall and open, used in lace, shells and fast blankets. Adding one more yarn over at the start makes a double treble (dtr).
Turning chains: count it or not?
At the start of each row you chain up to the height of the stitch you are about to make. Whether that chain counts as a stitch depends on the pattern:
- Single crochet: ch 1 never counts. Work the first sc into the first stitch.
- Half double crochet: ch 2 usually does not count in modern patterns; check yours.
- Double and treble: ch 3 or ch 4 usually counts as the first stitch. Skip the first stitch and work into the top of the previous row's turning chain at the end.
Many crocheters prefer a stacked or chainless starting stitch for neater edges. Whatever you choose, count your stitches every row.
Where to insert the hook
- Both loops: the default, unless the pattern says otherwise.
- Back loop only (BLO): creates horizontal ridges and stretchy, ribbed fabric.
- Front loop only (FLO): leaves a ridge of back loops for adding a later layer, such as a hat brim or ruffle.
- Into a space: under a chain, as in granny squares and C2C.
- Around the post: front post and back post stitches wrap around the stitch below for raised textures and ribbing.
Yarny has step-by-step guides for 25+ techniques, and each step has an “I need help” button that opens an AI helper when a stitch doesn't look right.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest crochet stitch?
The chain is the first stitch everyone learns, and single crochet is the easiest standing stitch for making fabric. Once those are comfortable, half double and double crochet only add one extra yarn over and pull-through.
What is the difference between single and double crochet?
Double crochet starts with a yarn over and is completed in two pull-throughs, making it about twice as tall as single crochet. Single crochet makes dense fabric; double crochet makes taller, more open and drapey fabric that grows faster.
Why does US single crochet equal UK double crochet?
The two systems count loops differently. UK names count the loops on the hook after pulling up the first loop, while US names count the pull-throughs. The stitches are identical; only the names are shifted by one.
Which crochet stitch uses the least yarn?
Taller stitches cover more height per unit of yarn, so double and treble crochet generally use less yarn for the same area than single crochet, which is dense and yarn-hungry. Lace and open patterns use the least overall.
How many crochet stitches are there?
There are only a handful of basic stitches, the six on this page plus variations like double treble. Hundreds of named stitch patterns, such as shells, puffs, bobbles and the moss stitch, are combinations of these basics.