Double Crochet (dc)

This is the stitch that looks most recognizable as the "typical" crochet stitch and the one that you will most likely use to make all of those granny squares!  You start with 1 loop on your hook. You DO wrap the yarn around your hook before sticking the hook into the next chain or stitch below. Then, wrap the yarn around the hook and pull through a loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the first 2 loops on the hook. Now, you have 2 remaining loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the remaining 2 loops. You now have 1 loop on your hook again and should have just completed a double crochet stitch.

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

The half double crochet is a great stitch for use in making clothing projects.  You start with 1 loop on your hook. You DO wrap the yarn around your hook before sticking the hook into the next chain or stitch below. Then, yarn around the hook and pull through a loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through all 3 loops at the same time. You now have 1 loop on your hook again and should have just completed a half-double crochet stitch.

The First Row

I always say that the first row is the hardest because you have to work into the foundation chains.  The best, but hardest, way is to insert your hook in between the two top loops and the one bottom loop of the chain.  This method gives the smoothest look to the bottom of your work.  If the look of the bottom isn't a factor, then go ahead and just insert your hook into any one or two of the loops of each chain stitch in making your first row.



If you find that you're a tight crocheter, then working into the foundation chains for the first row can really be difficult.  So, try using a size or two larger hook than called for in the pattern to chain the foundation chains and then switch back to the right-sized hook for the first row and rest of the pattern.

Chain Stitch (ch)

The chain stitch provides the foundation for just about any piece of crocheting you are going to do.  You start with a loop that is held together with a slip knot.  Put the loop on your crochet hook, yarn over, pull a loop through the loop on your hook, yarn over, pull a loop through the loop on your hook, and just keep repeating until you have the number of chain stitches that you want.

Slip Stitch (sl st)

The slip stitch is a great way to tighten up the shape of your work and to finish off edges.  Unlike in knitting, there is no need to "bind off" your piece after you have finished crocheting it.  But, sometimes, you might want to create a border around a pot holder, for example, and really define its shape. 

The slip stitch involves inserting your hook into the stitch below (or, if you are working along the side of a crocheted piece, into the side of a stitch), yarn over, pull through a loop and keep going to pull that same loop through the loop on your hook.  You should now have just one loop on your hook and have completed a slip stitch.  It's like creating a row of chain stitches on top of the row you've just crocheted or along the side of a crocheted piece.

Left Handed Crochet

Lefties tend to get neglected, but not here!  There are clearly written instructions for left handed crochet on Craftbits' website at this link http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1324 as well as videos available on YouTube demonstrating left hand crochet.

Holding the Hook

This tip is great for golfers too!  Whether you choose to hold your hook like a pencil or a knife, you should hold it as though it were a bird -- tightly enough that it won't fly away, but loosely enough that you won't kill it!  Getting just the right grip on your hook is important for maintaining the uniformity of your stitches as well as the health of your hands, fingers, and wrists.

Single Crochet (sc)

The single is the most common stitch of all. It is the very first stitch that you learn when you start crocheting.  You start with 1 loop on your hook. You do NOT wrap the yarn around, you just go ahead and stick the hook into the next chain or stitch below and then yarn around the hook (you're looping the yarn from behind the hook up over to the front of the hook) and pull through a loop. You now have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn around the hook and pull the yarn through the 2 loops on your hook. You now have 1 loop on your hook again and should have just finished a single crochet stitch.