Welcome to Sofasaurus Crochet! I’m Sofia, and in this beginner-friendly tutorial I’ll guide you through how to crochet the single crochet. Whether you’re an experienced crocheter looking to refine your technique, or still a beginner eager to dive into the next thing, this step-by-step guide was designed with you in mind. I’ll break down the process into simple, easy-to-follow steps to ensure that you gain the confidence to crochet single crochet stitches without a second thought. Grab your yarn and favorite crochet hook and we’ll get started! Don’t forget to subscribe for more crochet tips and tutorials. If you’re interested in a printable, ad-free version of how to crochet single crochet, you can check it out in the shop! Happy Crocheting!

In UK Terms, this stitch is called the double crochet.

First Time Crocheter? This is the recommended order for anyone learning how to crochet.

Please note

All instructions are in US terms. Please treat the techniques used in this post as recommendations – crochet is an art form and experimentation is the best way to figure out what works best for you! Also, I only recommend products and services that I would use myself and all opinions expressed in this post are my own.

This post may contain affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

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Materials

Yarn: Any medium or worsted-weight yarn
Hook: 5.5mm crochet hook

Video Tutorial

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Written Instructions

Everything you need to understand what, why, and how!

What is a Single Crochet?

The Single Crochet (sc) is one of the basic crochet stitches. It’s a versatile stitch that can be used to create a variety of projects – from blankets to garments to accessories. Single crochet is a good stitch for beginners because it sets the foundation for every other crochet stitch.

How do you crochet Single Crochet?

These are quick notes, for an in-depth explanation scroll just a little more.

For the beginning chain, you can start with however many chains you like. The number of chains you make will determine the width (or height) of your project.

Start by working into the second chain from the hook.

Insert your hook into the stitch
Yarn over and pull up a loop
Yarn over
Pull through both loops on the hook
Repeat

Tips + Tricks

If your chains tend to end be a little tight, I would recommend going up a hook size just for the chain. This will help prevent the fabric from stretching (or “growing”) as you work your rows. The goal is to create a chain that is just as wide as the stitch itself. Eventually, you should be able to establish the width of your project with just the beginning chain!
our final stitch count for the row will be one less than the number of chains you start with. I generally prefer to keep my swatches around 25 chains, and for this example, I would end up with 24 stitches for the row.
If you want to hold the loop to keep it on your hook you can use your index finger or thumb. Just make sure the loop is still flexible enough to move up and down the body of the hook.

Foundation Row

Insert your Hook into the Stitch

Hold the chain between the left middle finger and thumb. You want to position your middle finger directly behind the chain you plan to work into (in this case, the second chain from the hook) and your thumb should be right at the base of that same chain (the bottom of the “V). Push the tip of your hook into the center of the chain (the center of the “V”) Then use your left thumb to help guide that top loop onto the hook. This is considered “insert your hook into the stitch” in crochet language. Push the hook all the way through and yarn over.

Yarn Over

To yarn over, you need to pay attention to the head of the hook. Make sure it’s facing you and then bring it down in front of the yarn and then back up behind the yarn. Then rotate your right wrist toward you to turn the head of the hook down.

Pull up a Loop

To pull up a loop, slowly guide the hook back through the chain stitch while also keeping the yarn wrapped around the hook. Pinch the chain with your middle finger and thumb and pull it down slightly so that the hook doesn’t get caught on the stitch. Then push both loops back onto the body of the hook.

Yarn over again

Before you yarn over again, use your middle finger and thumb to pinch the chain that you just pulled through and pull it underneath your hook. This will give you additional control and help you maintain tension as well. Then rotate your hook to face you again. Next, rotate your wrist to turn the hook down.

Pull through both loops on the hook

Then continue to pinch with your middle finger and thumb and pull down slightly while pushing up your hook to create tension with the loops. This will prevent the hook from getting stuck on the loops. Next, push the new loop back onto the body of the hook.

Repeat until the end of the chain

Then move your middle finger and thumb to the next chain. Place your middle finger behind the chain stitch and your thumb at the bottom of the stitch. And point your hook into the center of the chain and pick up the top loop. Then repeat all the steps until you’ve reached the end of the row.

Second Row of Single Crochet

Chain 1 for your turning chain and then turn your work like you would flip the page of a book.

TIP: Decide whether you want to “chain and turn”, or “turn and chain” NOW for all of your projects. Creating a habit of either (not both) will help you remember to add your turning chains. Forgetting about the turning chain is the most likely reason your square/rectangle starts looking like a trapezoid!

You will insert your first stitch into that first gap (or first “V”) at the base of the chain. Place your left middle finger behind that stitch/gap/V and rest your left thumb on the bump in between the stitches.

Then push your tip into that first gap and use your left thumb to make sure you pick up both loops of the “V.” Then repeat all the other steps for the single crochet.

Animation

Hopefully, this animation can help you understand the concepts a little better!

Coming Soon!

Photo Tutorial

Are you more of a visual person but don’t have the patience to watch a video right now? Take a look at this photo tutorial and don’t forget to save it for later!

Coming Soon!

Illustrated Guide

Are you more of a visual person but don’t have the patience to watch a video right now? Then take a look at this illustrated guide and don’t forget to save it for later!

Crochet Chart Symbols

Crochet Charts are a great way to avoid common language barriers and clarify difficult crochet patterns. These symbols are used to help you visualize where stitches go and how they align with one another. Don’t forget to add this image to your crochet toolbox!

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find a collection of common issues and troubleshooting tips! If you’d like to add your own question, just leave a comment on this post!

I can’t fit my hook through the loop
What is the difference between “Yarn Over” vs. “Yarn Under?
What is tension?
How can I get more even stitches?
What’s a good first project for a beginner?

If you’re struggling with feeding the hook through the loop, there are a couple of things you can try to keep your loops larger

You can grab each chain as you finish it, i.e. travel up the chain. This helps keep the chain from getting pulled tight when you wrap it back around the hook for the next chain.
You can also make sure to push the loop back onto the body of the hook after each chain. This will create a “whipping” motion that’ll help your muscles remember the movement in the future.
Or you could go up a hook size. Although it might seem counter-intuitive (because the head of the hook will get bigger), it’s the body of the hook that determines the size of the loops. Therefore, a larger body will also create larger loops!
Finally, make sure you don’t choke out your hook – this happens when you let the loop on the hook travel up toward the head. Again, keep it on the body of the hook for even chain stitches.

The “yarn over” is used for every stitch in crochet and creates a signature “V” shape within the stitch itself. The “yarn under” is only an option for the single crochet and creates an “X” shape.

Tension describes the evenness and size of stitches in relation to others. The only way to truly improve tension is with practice – over time your hands will develop the muscle memory required to achieve “even tension.”
Tension can also references the size of the stitch. The theory is that you can “control your tension” to create smaller or larger stitches to achieve a different effect. I don’t recommend this practice. Just go up or down a hook size – if your stitches are all even in size you do not have to “adjust your tension” to match a pattern.

The best way is through practice, but I do have a few tricks that have helped my students in the past
– First, make sure the loop is always either as big or only slightly bigger than the body of the hook. Take care not to choke your hook. You should never struggle with pulling the yarn through the loop on your hook because it’s too small.
– At a minimum, hold the yarn by either wrapping it around your left index or middle finger. I wrap mine around the pinky for extra control, but keeping your hand from flailing around like crazy helps SO MUCH
– You can also use your left middle finger and thumb to control the bottom of your stitches. This will be especially useful when working with puff stitches.

A really good beginner project is anything square or rectangular: coasters, scarves, pot holders, dish towels, table runners, blankets, etc.