How to Crochet the Single Crochet Stitch

The single crochet is one of the basic crochet stitches. After learning the chain stitch, the next step is to learn how to crochet the single crochet stitch. Your very first project is on the horizon. So let’s learn this stitch so you can get some practice in!

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Supplies

Yarn — medium weight, #4
Crochet Hook –size I-9

If you are following a pattern, use the yarn and crochet hook suggested in the pattern.

If you would like to make a project right away, I have a great pattern here. You need medium weight, #4 cotton yarn and a size H-8 crochet hook.

If you are practicing with no pattern in mind, a worsted weight yarn in acrylic, cotton or wool will be your best choice. Look for the number 4 on the back of the yarn wrapper. Choose a light, bright color and stay away from fuzzy, loopy or slippery yarns. You really want to be able to see your stitches when you are starting out with crochet. As far as a crochet hook, I recommend an I-9, 5.5 mm crochet hook. If you have questions about the tools you need to start crocheting, read Crochet Tools for Beginners.

How to Crochet the Single Crochet Stitch – Picture Tutorial

Start with a slip knot. If you need help making a slip knot, check out How to Make a Slip Knot.

Chain 16. Remember the slip knot and the loop on your hook do NOT count as chains. If you need help crocheting a chain, check out How to Crochet the Chain Stitch.

Yellow yarn crocheted in a chain of 16. Red crochet hook.

The First Row – Working into The Chain

Insert your hook into the middle of the second chain from the hook.

Yellow yarn crocheted in a chain. Arrow and description indicating the second chain from the hook. Red crochet hook.

Red crochet hook with active loop on hook. Hook is inserted into second chain from hook.

Wrap the yarn around the hook from the back of the hook to the front. This is called a yarn over.

Red crochet hook with active loop on hook. Hook is inserted into second chain from hook. Yarn is wrapped around hook from back to front.

Pull the yarn through the chain. You will have two loops on your hook.

Yarn over again and pull through 2 loops on your hook.

Yellow yarn. Red crochet hook with two loops on the hook and a yarn over being demonstrated.

Red crochet hook with yellow yarn. Demonstrating pulling through 2 loops on crochet hook.

Great job! You just made one single crochet!

Red crochet hook. Yellow yarn crocheted into a chain with one single crochet.

Now do the same thing in the next chain. I’ll walk you through it. Insert your hook in the next chain. Yarn over. Pull the yarn through the chain. You have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over. Pull the yarn through 2 loops on your hook. Scroll back up through the pictures if you need to.

Make a single crochet in each of the remaining chains. You should have 15 single crochets when you are done. Remember, you can scroll back up at any time if you need reminders. This is what your first row should look like. It will probably curl a little at first…that’s ok!

One row of 15 single crochet in yellow yarn.

When you get to end of the row, stop and count. When you look at the top of the single crochet, you will see a “V”. You can see I highlighted one of the V’s in blue. Count your stitches. You should have 15. I recommend stopping to count stitches at the end of every row. That way you can fix problems right away instead of having to open up several rows.

Top of a single crochet row showing the v shape of the top of the stitch.

The Second Row – Working into a Row of Single Crochets

When you have verified that you have 15 stitches, it’s time for the next row. It looks a little different so I’ll walk you through it.

Start by chaining 1. This will get you to the height you need to be to properly start a single crochet row. The chain does NOT count as a stitch here.

Yellow yarn. Red crochet hook. One row of single crochet. Example of chain 1 at the end of a row.

Turn your work.

Backside of one row of single crochet in yellow yarn.

You will now be crocheting into the top of the single crochet. Insert your hook through the middle of the first stitch, right under the V-shape. The entire V-shape should be on your hook.

Red crochet hook inserted into top of single crochet. Yellow yarn.

Yarn over.

Pull through the V-shaped loop. There are 2 loops on your hook.

Yarn over. Pull through 2 loops.

Insert the hook into the next stitch and repeat. Continue down the row. Count at the end to make sure you have 15 single crochets.

Chain 1 and turn your work.

Nice work! Now keep going. As you practice, find out the most comfortable way to hold your hook and yarn. With patience and practice, you will gain better control of your tension.

Ready for your first project? Try the Absolute Beginner Crochet Coaster Pattern.

Swatch of single crochet 15 in yellow yarn.

Thank you so much for checking in with The Craft Stash Queen today! I really appreciate that you spent part of your day here! Check in often for tips, tricks, tutorials, and patterns.

I hope you found this tutorial on how to crochet the single crochet stitch helpful. While you are learning to crochet, I am learning how to create tutorials to help you learn. I’m working hard on my photography…I really hope my photography skills will improve over time. And, I hope to be brave enough to do some videos soon! I really want you to have a great experience with my tutorials so please let me know if you have any comments or questions!