Crochet Terms & Stitches

This is a list of the basic crochet terms and stitches you need to make most simple projects. I will try to come back here and add more stitches if I use new ones in projects. The term or stitch name is followed by the abbreviation in parenthesis, and then a description and instructions on how to make the stitch.

Yarn Over (yo)
This isn’t a stitch per say, but it is a common crochet term that I felt warranted a definition as it is used often in patterns and stitch definitions.
Yarning over is simply wrapping the yarn over the crochet hook so that you can pull it through loops to make a stitch.


 Chain (ch)
The Chain Stitch is the most basic crochet stitch and is the foundation for almost every project.

For this stitch you simply yarn over and pull the yarn through the current loop on the hook.

Slip Stitch (sl st)

The Slip Stitch is used to join ends of rows or pieces and to move along the edge of a piece.
To work the Slip Stitch simply insert the crochet through the desired stitch or space, yarn over, and pull through all items on the hook.

Single Crochet (sc)
Single Crochet Stitch is a very dense sturdy stitch that resists stretching. I typically will try to put at least one row of Single Crochet near the edge of an item for that reason, it really helps afghans keep their shape.
Insert the crochet hook through the desired stitch or space, yarn over, pull the yarn through the stitch or space without pulling it through the loop on the hook. Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook.

Double Crochet (dc)
This is a great stitch for working things up fast since (as the name implies) it is twice the size of a Single Crochet.
To work the Double Crochet yarn over then insert your hook into the desired stitch or space, yarn over again and draw the loop through the stitch or space, yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook, yarn over one more time and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook.