How to Crochet - The Basic Stitches

Learning how to crochet is easy and a few basic stitches can be used to create more

complicated patterns.

Crochet is, by using a hook, the pulling of loops of yarn through other loops to create pieces of goods used for wearing apparel and for household items. The first published references to crochet were in the 1800s. Today there are many free crochet patterns available, along with instructions for learning the basic stitches, for those who are wanting to learn how to crochet.

With the invention of the cotton gin in the 1800s, crochet replaced more costly methods of lace making. Crocheted laces in the Edwardian period were elaborate with complicated stitching. White thread became common, replacing strong colors that were used earlier in the Victorian era. After WW1, there were less patterns produced for crochet, but after WWII, new patterns were produced, there were thicker threads and yarns, and there was a renewed interest in learning how to crochet. Today's yarns with new textures and wonderful colors have added to the popularity. There are many free crochet patterns online.

Although different pattern types are used for crochet projects, there are only a few basic crochet stitches to know when learning how to crochet as the interesting patterns are worked with combinations of these few stitches.

To form more complex patterns, these are basic stitches to learn:

US - The Stitch - The Abbreviation

Chain - ch

Single Crochet - sc

Half Double Crochet - hdc

Double Crochet - dc

Slip Stitch - slst

also - the Treble and Triple Treble

Different terminology is used in different countries. Some of the names of the stitches differ between American English - US - and British English - UK.

A few of the many patterns which are made using these basic stitches are the shell stitch and the picot, commonly used for edgings, the different cluster stitches, and the popcorn stitch. The instructions for forming these and many, many more complex patterns are generally included in the crochet pattern instructions.

For free online videos for basic stitches and for free crochet patterns online, Go Here.

Crochet Stitches - The Linguistics of Crochet

Crochet stitches are the linguistics of crochet. They are the very essence of the crochet craft and as such are deservedly got their own special "abbreviations" and quirks.

Purpose of Crochet stitches

Crochet stitches and crochet patterns are the blueprint to any crochet project. Just like sewing patterns and instructions are to a seamstress. You need to think of crochet stitches and patterns as you would think about ingredients and recipes.

Like a good recipes, good crochet patterns tell you what materials and crochet stitches you are going to need to complete the crochet project. The just like a good recipe the crochet pattern will tell you in a step by step pattern which type and how many crochet stitches are needed.

How a typical crochet pattern looks

This is an extract of what a basic crochet pattern looks and how the stitches are described.

You will need

Double knitting yarn / 4 mm Crochet hook

Stitches used

Chain ch / Slip stitch sl st / double crochet dc (UK) Single crochet sc (USA)

Starting at the top (Head)

Start with a slip knot on your hook

Make 4 ch and slip stitch into the first chain to form a circle

1. Make 1 chain and work 10 dc into the ring ending with a slip stitch into the first stitch.

2. Make 1 chain and then increase by working (1dc into the first &2dc into the next stitch) repeat this all round finishing with a slip stitch into the first stitch.

Did you notice the ch and dc these are the crochet stitch abbreviations. Saves repeating it longhand in the pattern; especially if it is a hand written pattern.

The crochet stitches abbreviations

Chain - ch
Single crochet - sc
Double crochet - dc
Slip stitch - sl st
Half double crochet - hdc
And so on ...
More Abbreviations

Crochet instructions are also abbreviated ... just to make life interesting

Increase - inc
Decrease - dec
Yarn over - yo
Yarn over hook - yoh

So there you have it ... crochet stitches are the linguistics of the crochet craft. One little twist there is a difference in the crochet stitches names in America and Britain ... what a surprise.

For the next installment of Crochet Stitches visit http://www.CraftMastery.com