How to Make a Single Crochet

The single crochet (abbreviated sc) is the most fundamental of all stitches in crocheting. The compact single crochet stitch creates a tight, dense fabric. Learning how to make a single crochet will serve as the foundation for your crocheting ventures – as all stitches are typically variations of this core stitch.  Now that you know how to single crochet, you can use this stitch over and over again, alone or in combination with other stitches:

The single crochet: Step-by-step instructions

Making a single crochet stitch is a process that involves creating a foundation chain and completing a series of yarn overs. Follow the steps below for detailed instructions on how to make a single crochet:

1Crochet 17 chain stitches.

This step makes a foundation chain. You work your first row of stitches into this foundation chain.

2Insert the hook from front to back into the second chain from the hook.

Be sure that you have the right side of the foundation chain facing you and your yarn hand holding the foundation chain.

3With your yarn hand, wrap the yarn from back to front over the hook.

What you’ve just done is called a yarn over (abbreviated yo).

4Rotate the throat of the hook toward you with your hook hand, and pull the hook with the wrapped yarn through the stitch.

You should have two loops on your hook.

5With your yarn hand, wrap the yarn from back to front over the hook.

You completed another yarn over.

6Rotate the throat of the hook toward you with your hook hand, and draw the hook with the wrapped yarn through both loops on the hook.

One single crochet is now complete, and one loop remains on your hook.

7To work the next single crochet stitch and continue the row, insert your hook into the next chain stitch.

This step starts your second row of stitches.

8Repeat Steps 3 through 6.

You’ve now completed the second stitch.

9Work 1 single crochet stitch (sc) in each chain stitch (ch) across the foundation chain.

You should have 16 single crochet stitches, or one row of single crochet.

If you’re wondering what happens to your 17th chain stitch in single crochet, remember that you worked your first single crochet into the second chain from the hook. The skipped chain stitch is considered a turning chain that brings you up to the level needed to work your first stitch of the new row.