Single Crochet Stitch: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

The single crochet stitch is one of the most important basic crochet stitches to learn. It is simple, compact and incredibly versatile making it a great stitch for beginners as well as experienced crocheters.

Single crochet creates a dense fabric with very little space between the stitches. It can be used for everything from blankets and scarves to bags, toys, home decor and garments.

In this tutorial you’ll learn exactly how to make a single crochet stitch, where to insert your hook, how to count your stitches, how to work single crochet in rows and rounds and how to avoid some of the most common beginner mistakes.

• Skill level: Beginner
• US term: Single Crochet
• UK equivalent: Double Crochet
• US/UK abbreviation: sc/dc
• Stitch height: short
• Turning chain: chain 1
• Turning chain counts as a stitch: No, unless a pattern specifically tells you otherwise.
• Stitch multiple: Any number of stitches
• Row repeat: 1 row
• Fabric: Dense, sturdy and relatively firm
• Best for: Blankets, amigurumi, bags, dishcloths, borders, garments and more.

What is a Single Crochet Stitch?

Single crochet is one of the shortest and most compact of the basic crochet stitches.

To make a single crochet, you insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. You then yarn over again and pull through both loops on your hook.

Because the stitch is quite short, the rows sit closely together and produce a firm fabric.

Single crochet is also used as the foundation for many more advanced crochet techniques. so becoming comfortable with this stitch will make learning new stitch patterns much easier.

US and UK Crochet Terminology

Crochet terminology differs between the United States and the United Kingdom, so it’s important to know which terminology a pattern uses.

A US single crochet (sc) is called a UK double crochet (dc).

Throughout Crochet Stitch Finder, instructions will use US crochet terminology unless otherwise stated.

Anatomy of a Single Crochet Stitch

Understanding what a single crochet stitch looks like makes much easier to know where to insert your hook and how to count your stitches.

When you look at the top of a completed single crochet stitch, you will see two loops forming a small V shape.

The loop closest to you is called the front loop. The loop furthest away from you is called the back loop.

Unless a pattern tells you otherwise, insert your hook underneath both loops of the V when making a standard single crochet stitch.

Materials You’ll Need

• Yarn
• A crochet hook suitable for your yarn
• Scissors
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends

How to Make a Single Crochet Stitch

Step 1

Make your desired number of chains.

Step 2

Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. The loop on the hook never counts as a chain.

Step 3

Yarn over by wrapping the yarn over your hook from back to front

Step 4

Pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have two loops on your hook.

Step 5

Yarn over again

Step 6

Pull the yarn through both loops on your hook.

You have completed one single crochet stitch.

Single Crochet Practice Swatch

A small practice swatch is a great way to become comfortable with the stitch.

Foundation: Chain 21

Row 1: Work 1 single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You should now have 20 stitches.

Row 2: Ch 1. Work 1 single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. You should still have 20 stitches.

Repeat Row 2 until your swatch reaches the desired size.

The chain 1 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch.

Where Do You Insert the Hook?

When working into a previous row of single crochets, look along the top edge of your work. Each stitch has a small V at the top.

Insert your hook underneath both loops of that V

One of the most common beginner mistakes is accidentally inserting the hook into the space between stitches rather than into the stitch itself.

Take a moment to identify each V before inserting your hook.

How to Count Single Crochet Stitches

Learning to count your stitches is especially important when working single crochet because the first and last stitches of a row can sometimes be difficult to recognise.

Look at the top of your row and count each V shape. Each V represents one single crochet.

If the pattern says you should have 20 stitches at the end of the row, you should be able to count 20 V shapes across the top.

Using a stitch marker in the first and last stitch can be very helpful when you are learning.

How to Keep Your Edges Straight

If your crochet piece gradually becomes narrower or wider, you are probably accidentally losing or adding stitches. A common cause is missing the last stitch of the row. The last stitch can sometimes pull slightly towards the side and be harder to use. Count your stitches at the end of every row while you are learning.

You can also place a stitch marker into the first stitch of each row so you know exactly where your final stitch should be on the following row.

Does the Turning Chain Count as a Stitch?

For standard single crochet, the chain 1 turning chain usually does not count as a stitch. After turning your work, make sure you make your first single crochet into that first single crochet stitch and not the chain 1.

However, always follow the instructions in the specific patten you are using because a designer may occasionally use a different method.

How to Single Crochet in Rows

Single crochet worked back and forth in rows creates a dense fabric with a subtle texture.

1. Chain 1
2. Turn your work.
3. Insert your hook into the first stitch.
4. Work one single crochet into each stitch across.

Continue repeating this row for as long as required.

How to Single Crochet in Rounds

Single crochet can also be worked in the round. There are two common methods.

Joined Rounds

At the end of each round join the last stitch to the first stitch with a slip stitch. You then begin the next round according to the pattern instructions.

Continuous Rounds

Instead of joining at the end of each round, continue crocheting directly into the first st itch of the previous round, This create a spiral. Continuous rounds are particularly common in amigurumi.

Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round so you don’t lose your place.

How to Increase in Single Crochet

A single crochet increase is made by working two single crochet stitches into the same stitch. This adds one stitch to your stitch count and makes the fabric wider. For example, “2 sc in the next” means work two single crochet into the next stitch.

How to Decrease in Single Crochet

A single crochet decrease joins two stitches together so they become one stitch. It’s commonly abbreviated as sc2tog, meaning single crochet two together:

1. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
3. Insert you hook into the following stitch.
4. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
5. You should now have three loops on your hook.
6. Yarn over.
7. Pull through all three loops.

Two stitches have now become one.

Single Crochet Through the Front Loop Only

Instead of inserting the hook into both loops of the stitch, you can work through only the front loop. This is usually abbreviated as FLO. Working single crochet through the front loop changes the appearance and drape of the fabric and leaves the unused back loop visible.

Single Crochet Through the Back Loop Only

For back loop only single crochet, insert your hook through the back loop of the stitch only. This is abbreviated as BLO and creates a visible ridge in the fabric. When worked back and forth in rows, single crochet through the back loop only can create a stretchy ribbed texture that is often used for crochet cuffs, hems and borders.

What Yarn is Best for Learning Single Crochet?

A smooth yarn with good stitch definition is easiest to learn with. Avoid very fluffy, fuzzy or heavily textured yarn when you’re first practicing because it can make the top loops difficult to see. A light or medium coloured yarn is also easier to work with than black or very dark yarn.

What Crochet Hook Should I Use?

Use the hook size recommended for your yarn as a starting point. if your stitches feel extremely tight and you struggle to insert the hook, try moving up one hook size. If the fabric feels very loose and you have large gaps between the stitches, try using a smaller hook. For stitch tutorials the goal is to create fabric that is comfortable to work with and makes the individual stitches easy to use.

Single Crochet Stitch Variations

• Front loop only single crochet
• Back loop only single crochet
• Extended single crochet
• Waistcoat stitch
• Spike single crochet
• Foundation single crochet
• Surface single crochet

Frequently Asked Questions

Is single crochet easy for beginners?

Yes. Single crochet is one of the first basic stitches most beginners learn. It uses only a few simple movements and is an excellent stitch for practicing tension and stitch placement.

What is single crochet called in the UK?

Us single crochet is called double crochet in UK terminology.

How many chains do I make for a single crochet turning chain?

Usually chain 1.

Does chain 1 count as a single crochet?

Usually no. In most standard single crochet patterns, the chain 1 used for turning does not count as a stitch.

Why is my single crochet getting narrower?

You are most likely accidentally missing the first or last stitch of the row.

Why is my single crochet curling?

A small amount of curling can happen because of tight tension or because your foundation chain is tighter than the following rows. Blocking can often help once the piece is complete.