How to crochet

When learning how to crochet, there are many techniques you will need to get to grips with. 

We've compiled an easy guide on the best way to get going, starting with the four steps required to tying the perfect slip knot. 

We'll then explain how to master a variety of stitches including chain, half treble and slip stitch, before running through double crochet, treble and double treble stitch. 

Our helpful list will also discuss increasing and decreases stitches, before ending with tips on fastening off.

Slip knot

1 Loop the yarn with the ball end on top (the ball end is shown with a straight edge).

2 Dip the hook into the loop, catch the ball end and pull it through the loop.

3 Pull both ends of the yarn to tighten the knot.

4 Pull the ball end to bring the knot up to the hook.

Chain (ch)

1 Twist the hook under and over the yarn – yarn round hook (yrh). Pull the yarn through the loop on hook and drop it off to make first chain.

2 Continue to make chain in this way. Each chain is made up of three strands, with the V shape the ‘right side’. When counting, don’t count the loop on the hook.

Slip stitch (slst)

1 Make a length of chain. Insert the hook under two strands of second chain from hook and yarn round hook.

2 Pull the yarn through the chain and loop on the hook. This stitch has virtually no height.

Double crochet (dc)

1 Insert the hook under the top two strands of the second chain from the hook.Yarn round hook.

2 Pull the yarn through to make loops on the hook.Yarn round hook again.

3 Pull the yarn through both loops on the hook. Insert the hook in the next chain and repeat steps 1-2.

Remember not to take the yarn round hook before inserting the hook. When working into stitches always insert the hook under the top two strands of yarn unless instructed otherwise.

Half treble (htr)

In height, the half treble is halfway between a double crochet and a treble and is frequently used as a transitional stitch between the two.

1 Yarn round hook and insert the hook in the third chain from the hook.

2 Yarn round hook and pull the yarn through to make a loop on the hook, then yarn round hook again.

3 Pull the yarn through all three loops on the hook to complete the stitch.

Treble (tr)

Treble stitch is twice the height of double crochet, because it has an initial yarn round hook, which requires additional steps (wraps) to complete the stitch. The height of stitches is dictated by the number of wraps worked.

1 Yarn round hook before inserting the hook under two strands of the fourth chain from the hook.

2 Yarn round hook and pull the yarn through to make three loops on the hook.

3 Yarn round hook again.

4 Pull the yarn through first two loops on hook, making two loops on the hook.

5 Yarn round hook for the last time and pull it through the remaining two loops.

6 To continue making treble, yarn round hook and insert the hook in the next chain, then repeat steps 2-5. 

At the beginning of a row three chain usually stand in for the first treble. On the next row make sure that the treble following the chain is made in the second stitch of the previous row, because if it’s made in the stitch immediately below you will have made an extra stitch.

The last treble of the row will be made in the top chain that started the previous row. Understanding row-end stitches will keep the edges under control.

Double treble (dtr)

1 Yarn round the hook twice before inserting the hook under the top two strands of the fifth chain from the hook.

2 Yarn round hook and pull the yarn through to make four loops on the hook.

3 Yarn round hook and pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook to make three loops on the hook.

4 Yarn round hook and pull the yarn through the next two loops on the hook to make two loops on the hook.

5 Yarn round hook and pull the yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook.

6 The finished double treble. To continue making double treble, yarn round hook twice and insert the hook in the next chain or stitch, then repeat steps 2-5.

Decreases

Decreases are part stitches worked into a stated number of stitches and then joined into one in the last stage. Decreasing one treble stitch is shown, but the principle is the same in all stitches.

1 Without making the last wrap of each make a treble in each of the next two stitches: * yarn round hook, insert hook in next stitch, yarn round hook, pull through, yarn round hook, pull it through two loops; repeat from * once, leaving three loops on the hook.

2 Yarn round hook and pull it through all three loops on the hook.

Increases

For clarity these are shown as single increases worked in treble, but the principle is the same in all stitches.

1 At the beginning of a row, instead of working into the next stitch after the chain that counts as the first stitch, work into the stitch below. This increases one stitch.

2 Mid row simply work the additional stitch, or the stitches, in the place indicated.

3 At the end of a row, work two stitches in the top chain that formed the first stitch of the previous row.

This increases one stitch.

Fastening off

Simply break the yarn, take it through the last loop and draw it up.