Single Crochet Stitch Tutorial

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Let’s take a look at one of the most important stitches you’ll need to learn, in this single crochet stitch tutorial.

The single crochet is used in so many crochet patterns, and it is also the basis for learning so many other stitches too!

In this tutorial, I will take you step by step through the process of making a single crochet stitch, as well as showing you how they can be used, and sharing some beginner crochet patterns you can try out.

Hands holding a pink crochet hook and working with pink yarn, demonstrating a single crochet stitch tutorial; finished knitted pieces in yellow and cream sit in the background on a white surface.

Table of Contents

What is a Single Crochet Stitch?

A single crochet stitch is a simple stitch that creates a dense fabric without any holes in it.

It’s a versatile stitch that can be used for a wide variety of projects, from homewares to blankets to garments and toys. It can be worked in rows and also in rounds and spirals.

The single crochet is a US crochet term. In UK crochet terms, this is called a double crochet. Single crochet is abbreviated to sc in crochet patterns (UK double crochet is a dc).

How do you Make a Single Crochet Stitch?

Before you start this single crochet stitch tutorial, you’re going to want to make a slip knot on your hook and a foundation chain (a row of crochet chain stitches).

If you’re just starting out your crochet journey, you might want to check out some of the other posts in the beginner series to make sure you don’t skip the foundations:

Step by Step Video Tutorial

Before we get started press play and watch along as I crochet some single crochet stitches in this short video tutorial:

Step by Step Single Crochet Stitch Tutorial for Beginners

Supplies you’ll need

I used Wildflower Worsted by Herrschners in Rose Clover for the tutorial photos which is a lovely, category 4 (worsted) weight yarn, 100% Acrylic, 448m, 489yds, 226g, but you can use any yarn that you like. If you’re a beginner I’d recommend using a category 4 or 5 weight yarn so you can see your stitches easily.

You’ll need a corresponding crochet hook for the yarn you choose. If you look at the ball band, it usually gives you the recommended hook size. The hook I’m using is a Dots hook from WeCrochet.

If you only have one hook and ball of yarn though, just use what you’ve got. The important thing is to start crocheting!

Here is a short description of how to make a single crochet. Below is a step by step guide with pictures.

How to make a single crochet stitch –

Insert your hook under the top 2 loops of the stitch (they look like a ‘v’)
Wrap your yarn around your hook and pull it back through the stitch. You’ll now have 2 loops on your hook.
Wrap your yarn around your hook again, and pull that through both of the loops on the hook to complete your first single crochet stitch.

Note: when working your first row into the foundation chain, this will look slightly different. You will be inserting your hook into just 1 loop of each chain in the first step, instead of under the 2 top loops.

1. Insert your hook under the top 2 loops of the stitch (they look like a ‘v’)

Close-up of hands demonstrating a single crochet stitch tutorial with pink yarn and a pink hook; finished sections of yellow and cream crochet work are also visible on the table.

2. Wrap your yarn around your hook

Close-up of hands crocheting with a pink-handled crochet hook and pink yarn, demonstrating a single crochet stitch tutorial, with a textured yellow and cream crocheted piece in the background.

3. Draw the loop back through the stitch. You’ll now have 2 loops on your hook.

Close-up of hands crocheting with a pink hook and mauve yarn, demonstrating a single crochet stitch tutorial. Finished yellow and cream crochet pieces are visible in the background on a white surface.

4. Wrap your yarn around your hook again

Two hands holding a crochet hook with pink yarn, following a single crochet stitch tutorial. Finished pieces in yellow and cream are visible in the background on a white surface.

5. Pull that loop of yarn through both of the loops on the hook to complete your first single crochet stitch.

Hands holding a crochet hook and working with pink yarn, demonstrating a single crochet stitch tutorial, with a partially completed piece and a finished yellow and white crochet item in the background.

Once you’ve completed your first single crochet stitch, continue to repeat this across your row, working into each subsequent stitch.

At the end of the row, turn the piece around to work back along it. We then make 1 chain before carrying on the single crochet. This brings the hook up to the right level for the next row.

Remember that the first row will look different to subsequent rows, because now we’ll be working into the previous single crochets, rather than into the chain stitches. After the first row, we work through both of the loops on the top of the work, which look like a ‘v’.

Top Tips for Single Crochet

Try to hold your yarn in a way that creates a good amount of tension, but be careful not to pull the stitches too tight.
The first few rows are often the hardest, as there isn’t much to hold onto.
The chain 1 at the start of each row is called a turning chain. We don’t work into this and it does not count as a stitch.
Count your stitches regularly to make sure you haven’t accidentally added or missed stitches.

Single Crochet in the Round

Single crochet stitches can also be worked in the round, that is in a circle.

By adding extra stitches into the same stitch, we can create a flat circle. Or we can increase and decrease stitches to create 3d shapes. This is called amigurumi and is often used to make crochet toys and stuffed animals.

We can work single crochet in the round in two different ways: joined rounds or continuous spirals, but in both versions, the actual single crochet stitch is made in exactly the same way as the single crochet stitch tutorial for rows above.

Single Crochet in Different Loops

After the first row of single crochet, which is worked into a single loop of the chain, all subsequent rows were worked through both of the top loops of the previous stitch.

However, we can also just work into one of those loops, which we call the front and the back loops.

By doing this, we can create some beautiful texture in our work. You can find out more about front and back loop only crochet stitch in this tutorial.

Projects Using Single Crochet

The majority of my patterns will use a single crochet stitch in them somewhere, often combined with other stitches too! So you might need to look up some extra stitches if you eager to try a pattern.

A crochet green cone-shaped Christmas tree, inspired by easy Christmas crochet patterns, with multicolored beads and a silver star topper sits on a black surface next to a gold decorative item and a pinecone.

This simple beaded amigurumi crochet Christmas tree pattern uses single crochet in the round to create a simple, yet stunning Christmas decoration.

ad-free pdf pattern

soothing stripes crochet blanket free crochet pattern, beginner crochet pattern

The soothing stripes blanket free crochet pattern uses the simplest of crochet stitches in a front and back loop combination to get the most wonderful textured blanket.

ad-free pdf pattern

A person in a white shirt and blue jeans stands in a doorway, elegantly holding the end of their brown and beige crocheted scarf, crafted from an easy triangle shawl crochet pattern.

This easy triangle shawl crochet pattern uses double crochet stitches, but it’s a super easy pattern that’s beginner-friendly and fun.

ad-free pdf pattern

Next Steps in Your Crochet Journey

Now that you’ve mastered the single crochet, the next thing to learn is how to half double crochet stitch. Head on over to the next blogpost in this series to continue your crochet journey!

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Learn Some More Crochet Stitches With Me

Now that you’ve cracked the basics, it’s time to learn some more crochet stitch tutorials – here are some of my favourite beginner stitches:

35 Easy Crochet Stitches for Beginners

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to make a single crochet stitch with me! I really hope you’ve caught the crochet bug and I’d love to share in your crochet journey with you! You can sign up to become a member of HanJan Crochet and I’ll let you know about all the fabulous crochet adventures, offers, lives and more too!

See you there!