Now that you’ve mastered the basics of learning to crochet, it’s time to make your crochet projects more flexible and expressive. Exploring more crochet stitches will bring your creations to life with beauty and detail. Grab your hook and let’s continue this unique learning to crochet journey!

 

Crochet Basic Stitch - Half Double Crochet Stitch

If you already have some experience with the Double Crochet stitch, picking up the Half Double Crochet stitch is quick and easy. Starting from a completed foundation chain:

1. Yarn over once, then insert your hook into the third chain from the hook.
2. Yarn over again and pull through the chain, creating a loop — now you have three loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over once more and pull through all three loops to complete the stitch.
4. Repeat these steps in each chain across the row until you reach the end. This completes one row of half double crochet, an essential crochet technique for anyone learning to crochet.

 

Crochet Basic Stitch - Treble Crochet Stitch

Treble Crochet stitch is the tallest stitch among the basic crochet stitches, making it perfect for airy and open designs. Start with a completed foundation chain and follow these steps to create a row of Treble Crochet stitches:

1. Yarn over twice, then insert your hook into the fifth chain from the hook.
2. Yarn over and pull through the chain to create a loop — now there are four loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops — leaving three loops on the hook.
4. Yarn over again and pull through the next two loops — now two loops remain on the hook.
5. Yarn over one last time and pull through the remaining two loops to complete the stitch.
6. Repeat these steps in each chain across the row until you reach the last chain. This completes one row of Treble Crochet stitches.

 

Crochet Basic Stitch - Slip Stitch

Slip Stitch is a simple yet subtle basic crochet stitch. It’s extremely useful in many crochet patterns. Using a completed row of Single Crochet stitches as your foundation, follow these steps:

1. Insert your hook into the first stitch.
2. Yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.

And that’s it — one Slip Stitch completed! This stitch is widely used in multicolor crochet projects and round crochet work, and mastering it will help you create more refined, colorful, and polished crochet creations.

 

Supplementary Information: About Basic Stitches

 

Differences in US/UK Names

Name(US)	Abbreviation(US)	Name(UK)	Abbreviation(UK)
chain	ch	chain	ch
single crochet	sc	double crochet	dc
double crochet	dc	treble crochet	tr
half double crochet	hdc	half treble crochet	htr
treble crochet	tr	double treble crochet	dtr
slip stitch	sl st	slip stitch	ss

In crochet, it's almost a rite of passage to encounter different names for the same stitch, which can sometimes lead to some delightful little surprises! Many basic stitches have completely different names in British and American terminology. The good news is, once you understand the correspondences and can identify which system a pattern is using, you can enjoy your crochet journey with confidence and ease.

 

Characteristics of Basic Stitches

ch: chain is almost the starting point for all crochet projects and determines the width of the piece.

sl st: shortest stitch, often used for connecting or creating flat edges.

sc: Dense and sturdy, with almost no gaps between stitches, commonly used in projects that require a solid structure.

hdc: balance between thickness and breathability, commonly used in garments.

dc: Versatile and breathable, used in many types of projects.

tr: tallest of the basic stitches, with wide spacing, often used in lace patterns.

 

🛒Crochet Finished Products→

 

Step-by-Step Practice: Magic Ring

Once you’ve mastered the basic stitches, it’s time to try making some simple crochet projects. For circular designs, the magic ring is a fantastic technique to start with, and if you’re planning to make coasters or beanies, it’s definitely worth learning. The detailed steps are as follows:

1. To start with a magic ring, place the yarn tail across your palm near the end of your little finger.
2. Wrap the yarn twice around your index and middle fingers, crossing it in your palm to form an “X” shape.
3. Use your thumb to hold the yarn in place. Turn your palm so the back of your hand faces you — you’ll see two parallel strands.
4. The strand farther from your palm is the one closer to the yarn tail (this is the second strand).
5. Insert your hook under the second strand, hook the first strand, and pull it through, twisting your hook to form a loop.
6. Then insert the hook under the second strand again, yarn over the first strand, and pull through to make a chain.Since this round uses Half Double Crochet stitches, make one more chain before starting.
7. Now, the magic ring is loosely formed — remove it from your fingers.
8. Yarn over once, insert the hook into the ring (under both the loop and the tail strand), yarn over again, and pull through the ring.
9. Yarn over again and pull through all three loops on the hook to make one Half Double Crochet stitch.
10. Repeat this step five more times (for a total of six stitches).
11. Pull the yarn tail gently to tighten and close the ring.
12. Finish by joining the round with a Slip Stitch, then fasten off to secure your work.

During the process, the size of the ring can be adjusted according to personal preference. There’s no need to pull the yarn too tightly with the hook — make sure it can still be adjusted easily.