Crash Course Crochet – The Ultimate How To Crochet For Beginners Step By Step Guide

So you’ve decided to learn how to crochet, but have no idea where to even start. Well, first and foremost, congratulations on starting your crocheting journey! Crocheting can be difficult to learn, however learning how to crochet can be invaluable.

In this step by step guide, we’ll go over some of the most basic principles in crochet to help beginners learn to crochet and have a true understanding of crocheting. I’ll be taking you step by step, learning how to hold your yarn and hook, how to create a slip knot, how to chain, how to single crochet, how to build a piece row by row, and how to finish off your piece. Once you’ve mastered those things, it’s easier to move on to more complex foundational crochet stitches for beginners.

This is the ultimate guide if you’ve never picked up a hook before or need to strengthen your foundational knowledge of crochet. For the true beginner, I highly suggest bookmarking this page and practicing each portion multiple times before moving on to more complex stitches.

In my opinion, the best way to learn is to do. So let’s pick up some yarn and a hook and get right into it!

What You’ll Need

To get started, you’re going to need a few things. I know that shopping for what you’ve never had to shop for can be really confusing, so I’ll go in depth to help you pick out the right tools and materials to get you started.

• A Crochet Hook: The first thing you’re going to need is a crochet hook. For a beginner, I would generally recommend an aluminum size G-6/4mm crochet hook. I find the G hook to be the “Goldilocks” hook for beginners; it’s not too big to manage comfortably and it’s not too small that it makes your stitches hard to work with. You can buy single crochet hooks or buy them in a pack of multiple sizes. The single hook gives you one the hook you need and has a cheaper price point, but packs of hooks give you multiple different sizes at a cheaper price per hook. If you think you’ll want to stick with crocheting and want to start building your hook stash, a pack of hooks would probably be the better investment. But if you don’t want the higher upfront cost and are OK with piecing together your hook collection overtime, a single hook would be your best bet.
• Yarn: One thing you’ll notice as you start to get into the crocheting/knitting/yarn crafting world is that there’s a lot of different kinds of yarn out there. And I mean a lot. Yarn comes in different weights, materials, plys, brands, and price points. Some yarns are more solid and easier to work with, some brands split a lot easier and are difficult to work with. Some yarns are novelty yarns, with fun extras crafted into them that give pieces a cool finished look, some yarns are more plain and traditional looking. Some yarns are really fine and some are super bulky. When you’re learning to crochet, I would definitely stick with a simple, low cost yarn – such as a super saver worsted weight yarn. While it doesn’t feel as nice as some of the softer yarns, it isn’t going to split a bunch so it’s easier to work with getting started. It’s also cheap, and when you’re learning a new craft, cheap is good.
• Scissors: Most people have a decent pair of scissors around the house, but it’s a good idea to make sure your scissors are sharp enough to cleanly cut your yarn. Dull scissors will fray the yarn when it cuts, and that results in more difficulty finishing your project. I’d highly recommend that if you don’t have a good pair of craft scissors to pick up a pair, label them, and hide them from the other people you live with (because they will use your scissors on paper and dull them). Especially if you have children, because children do not respect craft scissors and will use them on paper 0.2 seconds after you tell them not to.
• Tapestry/Yarn Needle: A Tapestry needle is used for weaving in the loose ends of yarn at the end of your project. It’s important to weave in your ends instead of cutting them sort at the knot to help secure your piece and ensure it doesn’t come apart. Tapestry needles are large, dull needles with big eyes. They are often plastic, but can also be made of metal.
• Patience: Aside from the hook and yarn, patience is going to be one of the most important things for learning how to crochet. Learning any new skill takes time, and crocheting is no exception. There’s a lot of joy in crocheting, but there’s also plenty of frustrations – especially in the beginning or when learning new stitches. Larger pieces like blankets and scarves take time to make, even for the fastest of crocheters. Take your time, keep at it, and have fun.   
  

Starting Your Piece – Making a Slip Knot

To start most crochet projects, you’re going to need to learn how to make a slip knot. A slip knot is a knot that can slide and be tightened or loosened based on your needs. There are many different ways to make a slip knot, however I’m going to explain the one that I prefer. I find it easier to make and work with, as you’ll be making it with your hook and hand, much in the way that you’d be holding the yarn while working.

To make the slip knot, take your yarn in your non-dominant hand (pictured as my left). The “tail” of your yarn should be in the palm your hand, and the “working yarn” (the yarn attached to the ball or skein you’ll be crocheting from) should be above your index finger. Holding onto the tail firmly in your palm, wrap the working yarn around your index finger once, bringing it under your index finger and back over. Lightly pull the working yarn towards your left hand to make an “X” over the previous strand and place your thumb on the X to secure it.

Now you can release the tail from your palm and the yarn won’t slip out of the position. Place the working yarn in between your middle and ring fingers to create tension; it shouldn’t be too tight, but there shouldn’t be any slack in the strand (it can be easier for some to wrap the yarn above the middle finger, then weaved through the other fingers to create tension – use whatever works best for you). In your dominant hand, insert your crochet hook into the loop made on your index finger and past the working yarn. It’s helpful to hold the hook sideways when inserting or pulling through to ensure the hook doesn’t get caught on the loop. “Catch” the strand of working yarn onto the hook, turn it sideways, and pull the hook with the working yarn through the loop on your finger.

If you’ve done it right, you should now be able to slide your finger out of the loop of yarn. Pull the tail to tighten the knot, and now you have your slip knot on your crochet hook. If the loop is too big, pull the working yarn to tighten the knot. Your knot should be able to easily slide up and down your hook, but should still be snug on the hook.

If made correctly, your slip knot can easily be undone by removing the hook and pulling on the working yarn.

Holding Your Yarn and Hook

Now that you have a slip knot on your hook, you’re almost ready to start learning how to make stitches. Before you start, it’s important to know how to hold your yarn and hook.

In your non-dominant hand, pinch your project near the hook in between your thumb and middle finger. This will help to stabilize your project. In the beginning, that will be on your slip knot by the tail end, but as you work, move your pinch along so that it’s always near your hook. This will make it easier to insert your hook into the stitches and keep your crocheting even.

To create tension in the yarn needed to crochet, drape the working yarn (the yarn attaches to the ball or skein) over your index finger of your non-dominant hand, and either lace it between your lower fingers or grip it securely in the palm of that hand. This will help to keep it taught, which will not only make it easier to work, but will make your work more even. Your index finger will be slightly raised to give you room to work the stitches.

Your hook will go in your dominant hand, pinched between your thumb and index finger. Most hooks have a flattened part for easy, comfortable gripping. Some people prefer holding the hook under the palm, with the other fingers resting on the hook for stability. Others prefer to grip it more like a pencil, with the end of the hook above the hand, using the space between the thumb and index finger for stability. I would suggest trying both and figuring out which is more comfortable for you.

This position is how you’ll hold your yarn and hook while you work on your crocheting. It does take some practice to get comfortable, but keep trying and working at it to figure out what works best for you. When you’re starting out, I suggest taking frequent hand breaks, as this hand position can be uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. 

Making Your Foundation Row – The Chain Stitch

One of the most important stitches you’ll need to know is how to make a chain stitch. A chain stitch is used in your foundation and turning. As you go on to more advanced crochet, chains are also used in patterns to make lace designs.

To make a chain stitch, you first need to yarn over your hook. Push the tip of your hook away from you, into the triangle space created by your index finger and working yarn. You want to use the yarn closest to your hook for yarn overs. While your hook is in that space, turn your hook vertical to put the yarn in front of the hook. Catch the working yarn (the yarn held by your finger) on the hook. Now turn your hook point with the yarn on it towards the knot (so that the open hook “faces” the knot), this helps to make sure that the yarn stays on your hook and that your hook doesn’t catch on the loop when you pass it. With the yarn on your hook, pull the hook through the loop. This will give you one new chain stitch and create a new loop on your hook that you’ll be working through.

A foundation row is a row of chains that you’ll work other stitches into. To make a foundation chain row, you’ll want to chain the amount of stitches you need, plus whatever turning stitches you need. For this, we’ll chain 10 stitches for our foundation, plus one turning chain stitch. So chain 10 more stitches for a total of 11 stitches. Your chain will look a lot like a braid on the “right side” (the side you work from).

To count your chain stitches, always count towards the “V” of the stitch (pictured below). The loop on your hook does not count as a chain stitch, so make sure you don’t count it.

Your First Row – The Single Crochet Stitch

Now that you have your foundation row, you’re ready to create your first row and learning the single crochet stitch. You’re going to make your first single crochet is the second chain from your hook, the first chain acts as a turning chain for single crochet (other stitches have different turning chains).

To make a single crochet, insert your hook into the desired stitch (in the case of your chain, that’s the second chain stitch from the hook). On a chain row, insert the hook in between the two loops of the stitch (in the center of the stitch). On a row of previous stitches, you’ll be inserting your hook under both top loops on the stitch.

Do the same yarn over technique as the chain, inserting the hook into the triangle space, turning it vertical to put the yarn in front of the hook, and catching it on the hook. Turn your hook so it “faces” the “V” of your stitch, and draw through the stitch. This will create two loops on your hook. Yarn over again (using the same in the triangle, turn vertical, and catch technique), turn the hook to face the chain row and pull the yarn through both loops on your hook.

Congrats! You’ve made a single crochet. Continue making single crochets in each chain stitch until you reach the end (be mindful not to twist your chain). When you’re done, you should be able to count 10 stitches (count the “V’s” of the row you just did to make sure).

Adding Length – Turning Your Project and Making More Rows

Once you’ve finished your first row of single crochet, you’ll want to crochet more rows to add length to your work. When you’ve reached the end, make one chain stitch. This is called a “turning chain” – it raises the hook high enough to properly make the first stitch in the next row. Once you’ve made your turning chain, turn your work over from right to left, so you’re looking at the back of the row you just did. The tail should still be at the bottom of your work and the row you just did should still be on top, just flipped over.

Now, you’ll be single crocheting in each stitch, from right to left (or left to right for lefties). The only difference in these single crochets is that you’ll be working in the whole stitch, instead of just one loop. Insert your hook just under both loops of the stitch, making sure not to drop the front loop (which is shorter than the back loop and can be difficult to see). Once you get to the end of the row, repeat the whole process of adding rows – make your turning chain, turn your work, then single crochet in each stitch across. Do as many rows as you need to make a square (this will depend on how loose or tight you crochet).

Fasten Off Your Crochet And Finishing

Once you’ve got your square made or finished whatever project you’re doing, you need to fasten off and finish your work. Finishing is almost as important as crocheting, because you can run the risk of your work being pulled out if you skimp on this.

To fasten off, you’re literally just going to be tying a knot at the end of your work, but in a much more secure and close to your work way than by hand tying. After you’re done with your piece, make one chain stitch. Then, you want to cut the yarn leaving about a 3-inch tail. Then simply pull the yarn on your hook fully through the chain you just made and pull tight. Now, your work won’t come undone.

After you’ve fastened off and secured your work, take your tapestry needle, and weave the loose ends into your work. Do not cut the yarn at the knot. Cutting the yarn at the knot leaves your knots vulnerable to coming undone, which can mean your crocheting can come undone. By weaving in the ends, you’re not only cleaning up the look of your piece, but you’re securing it against coming undone. I like to make a small running stitch into the stitches of my rows, working many stitches onto the needle before pulling through, then straightening it out.

Congratulations! You’ve Made Your First Crochet Piece

Once you’ve fastened off and weaved in your ends, you’ve done it! You’ve made a crochet square. Give yourself a pat on the back, jump up and down, run and show a special person in your life while screaming “I did it”, and feel great that you’ve learned the basics of crochet and made something. That’s a huge achievement and you should feel proud of the work you’ve done.

If you still feel like you don’t know what you just did, that’s OK. Practice making more squares. Practicing will help you get a better understanding of crochet every time you do it. I’ve been crocheting for over 20 years, and I still feel like I learn something new each time I pick up my hook. Make squares until you’re confident to take the next step or make enough to sew together and make a blanket or scarf. When you’re ready to learn more stitches, I suggest going over to my foundational crochet stitches post.

I hope you had fun and learned a lot from this post. If you feel stuck, need more help, or just want someone to shout “I did it” to, please leave me a comment.

Happy crocheting!