Photo Tutorial – How To Crochet The Single Crochet Stitch

Dear Artsy Craftsy Friends ,

The photo tutorial on how to crochet the single crochet stitch was originally published in late 2013 , but the written instructions were lost during the time spent in the hospital , when I did not renew the hosting for this website . So the photos have been pending and waiting in my old computer for more than 4 years for me to repost them . So what I will try to do is give the steps on how to crochet the single crochet stitch while my sister will try to synchronize the photos to my instructions .

The single crochet stitch is one of the basic stitches in the art of crocheting , along with the half double crochet stitch , the double crochet stitch , the triple crochet stitch , the slip stitch and obviously , the foundation chain . If you know these simple stitches , then you will know how to crochet many other stitches , fancier and more complicated patterns .

The single crochet stitch is abbreviated as sc in all crochet patterns . It is necessary that you also learn that the term “yarn over hook” is abbreviated as YO . Also note that the term “loop” will be used quite often . I remember showing all these loops and YOs extensively in the photos . To begin learning this stitch I recommend that you try it on a smaller swatch before committing yourself to a larger project . So let’s give the single crochet stitch a try .

There is a small particularity to this stitch . No matter the number of single crochet stitches you want to make on your first row , you will always need to add an extra chain to the foundation chain to complete your desired number of stitches . So if you want to have 20 sc on row 1 , then you will need to chain 21 chains for your foundation chain . But let’s try working 10 sc on a few rows together .

Therefore chain 11 , as seen in the image bellow .

Row 1 : There is already a loop on the hook which is visible in the photo; to crochet the first single crochet stitch , insert your hook in the very first chain of the foundation chain which is also called “first chain from the hook” ; YO once and pull the yarn through the chain of the foundation chain ; now you have two loops on your hook ; YO once again and pull the yarn through both loops on your hook ; that’s it , you just completed your first single crochet stitch . ( see images bellow )

Let’s crochet another stitch together : there is already a loop on your hook ; insert your hook in the next chain of the foundation chain ; YO once and pull the yarn through the chain of the foundation chain ; you have two loops on your hook ; YO once again and pull the yarn through both the loops on the hook to complete the second single crochet stitch on row 1 , as you can see in the images bellow .

Repeat the following steps to complete 10 sc in total on this first row : * insert hook in next chain of the foundation chain ; YO once and pull the yarn through the chain ; you have two loops on your hook now ; YO once again and pull the yarn through both the loops on your hook to complete another single crochet stitch * . At the end of this first row don’t forget to chain 1 to move on to the next row , which is a step that needs repeated here and throughout . ( see images bellow )

The first row was completed on the right side of the project , whereas the second one will be executed on the back side (also called the wrong side), so at this point you need to turn the project on the other side . Take a look at how the stitches look on row 1 . Notice that every stitch has two loops on top , one in front and the other on the back of your work , as you can see in the image bellow .

Row 2 : To crochet the first single crochet stitch on this row work as follows : there is already a loop on your hook from previous row ; insert your hook in the first sc from row 1 , bellow the two loops pointed out earlier ; YO once and pull the yarn through sc ; you have two loops on the hook now ; YO once again and pull the yarn through both the loops on the hook ; now you have a first sc on row 2 and a loop on the hook . ( see images bellow )

Let’s try again for a second sc : insert your hook in the next sc , bellow the two loops of the respective stitch ; YO once and pull the yarn through the sc , bellow the two loops ; now you have two loops on your hook ; YO once again and pull the yarn through both the loops on the hook to complete the second sc ; you now have one loop on your hook . ( see images bellow )

Repeat the steps written earlier to complete the whole set of 10 sc on row 2 . Take a look at the following photos to make sure you don’t lose track along the way , especially at the end of the row . At this point you surely should remember to crochet a chain at the end of this row which is necessary to move on to the next row . Lastly ,turn to the other side of the project , which is now the right side . ( see gallery bellow )

Guys , that’s about it with the single crochet stitch . From now on each row is only a repeat of the second row , which I am sure you already know how to crochet . But to make sure you have visual support in learning this basic stitch you can continue following the gallery bellow which shows a few more completed rows .

Alternatively , you can also take a look at my old video tutorial on my crochet YouTube channel that teaches you how to crochet the single crochet stitch in a few minutes .

I hope this helps . Don’t forget to like and share if you found my instructions useful .

Happy hooking , dear fellow crocheters,

Cătătlina (from The Coolorburbians)

 

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