How to Crochet: A Guide to Crocheting for Beginners

We here at Easy Crochet frequently get this question: How do I learn how to crochet as a beginner? If learning how to crochet is at the top of your list, then this easy to understand crochet beginners guide will help.

Below, in our learn to crochet guide we’ll explain different parts of basic crochet knowledge including what a crochet hook is, common crochet abbreviations, simple crochet stitches and even how to spell crochet (you’d be surprised). All of which are perfect for absolute beginners learning to crochet for the first time.

We will also go over all the different types of yarns you can use and suggest some free beginner crochet patterns as well.

You can also take our FREE 4-week crochet course to learn how to crochet as well!

Crochet is – at times – spelled incorrectly as croshay, chrochet, crocet and crotche, but the correct way to spell it is crochet. If you do come across a crochet pattern with it spelled the other way, rest assured they are talking about the same thing I am going to teach you about here.

Ready to get started? Keep on reading to learn to crochet basics, so you’ll be ready to start your first crochet project with confidence with these step-by-step crochet instructions for beginners.

How to Crochet: Crochet Beginners Guide

First thing’s first: just start crocheting now. As a beginner to crochet, this is the most important part. With our beginners guide to crochet, I promise you can do it! I was a beginner once before, too. I can tell you it is not hard to crochet, and you’ll be glad you started.

I’ve written this crochet guide in an easy-to-understand way that will help all beginners learn the basic crochet knowledge that’s needed to start your first crochet project! Our easy crochet step by step guide is the way to go!

This crocheting for beginners guide is an easy way and the best way to learn all you need to know about crochet by studying about: 

• Crochet Hooks
• Yarn
• Crochet Stitches
• Crochet Abbreviations
• Weaving in Yarn Ends
• Gauge in Crochet
• Joining Yarn / Changing Colors in Crochet
• How to Keep Track of Rows and Stitches

Each of these topics above will help you learn how to crochet step by step in a way that you will want to keep on learning more.

OR….

You could also purchase our crochet cheat sheet guide, which includes a beginner printable crochet stitch guide. Plus, nine (now 11) pages of other helpful resources for how to learn crocheting skills and techniques.

What Is Crochet?

Crochet is the art of creating fabric by looping yarn with a crochet hook. Sounds simple, right? Well, it is… I promise! Learning to crochet takes time, so take it slow, remember that you will more than likely make mistakes, (but that’s ok) and be sure to read all the sections below to get started.

What Materials Or Tools Do I Need to Crochet?

While, you’ll really only need just two basic crochet supplies as a beginner to get started, we also have a full list of our recommended products.

• Yarn: Yarn comes in many weights (how thick it is) and yardages. Certain projects use specific weights of yarn, but others – like blankets – can use just about any weight. You can buy yarn online or in-store, but I always prefer to buy it online. Online, you have a much wider selection and can choose from just about any brand there is.
• Crochet Hook: Crochet hooks come in many sizes. The most common, however, is anywhere between a 3 mm and 15 mm size. There are sizes smaller and larger than those, but are only used for very specific use cases. Crochet hooks are generally used with specific yarn weights as well. For example, medium #4 weight yarn should be used with either a 5.5 mm or 6.5 mm hook.

With all the different types of yarns and hooks, the selections can be a bit overwhelming. However, luckily for you, just about every crochet pattern gives you the specifics of what you’ll need.

The crochet pattern will tell you the exact yarn weight, type of yarn, and the preferred hook size. Then, with the right yarn and hook, you’ll be on track to begin making your first scarf, hat, blanket, or something else.

What Is a Crochet Hook?

A crochet hook is a handheld tool used to form crochet stitches. The different parts of a crochet hook are listed in this image and include the point, throat, grip, shaft, and handle.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the hook so when you pick up a hook for the first time, you will understand it and its parts before starting your first pattern.

Crochet Hook Sizes

There are over thirty different sizes of crochet hooks, and crochet patterns will usually require a specific hook size.

Crochet hooks are identified by either their US or Metric names. For example, a 5.5 mm metric size hook is also called a I-9 size hook in the US.

Easy Crochet has conveniently classified all our patterns into which hook size is used. Here are the hook sizes we have crochet patterns for:

• 2.25 mm (B-1)
• 2.75 mm (C-2)
• 3.5 mm (E-4)
• 3.25 mm (D-3)
• 3.75 mm (F-5)
• 4 mm (G-6)
• 4.5 mm (7)
• 5 mm (H-8)
• 5.5 mm (I-9)
• 6 mm (J-10)
• 6.5 mm (K-10.5)
• 7 mm
• 8 mm (L-11)
• 9 mm (M/N-13)
• 10 mm (N/P-15)
• 15 mm (P/Q)
• 16 mm (Q)
• 40 mm

Crochet hooks not only come in different sizes, but also different materials and shapes. From ergonomic hooks, to steel or Tunisian hooks, each type of hook has a specific use. Making sure you get the right one is essential!

I recommend starting with a Medium (#4) weight yarn and a 5.5 mm (I-9) Crochet Hook to begin your crochet journey.

How to Hold a Crochet Hook

The two most common ways to hold a crochet hook are a pencil grip and the knife hold method.

• Pencil Grip: Use your thumb and index finger to pinch or hold the grip of the hook (see illustration above) like you would a pencil.
• Knife Hold: As the name implies, you will hold the hook like you would a knife, placing your thumb on the thumb rest or grip.

There are different ways to hold the hook, but the most important thing is to choose one that works best for you.

The rule of thumb is to hold your crochet hook with your dominant hand and the working yarn with the non-dominant hand. You can find videos on YouTube that will help go through this process step by step.

Yarn in Crochet

Yarns are available in many fibers, lengths, and weights. You can tell a specific yarn’s qualities by reading its label. Yarn thickness is used to determine the weight of the yarn, which can be categorized into numerical weights of 0 to 7.

The weight of the yarn will also determine what size crochet hook you will use, too! To make it easy, most yarn companies include all this information on the yarn label of each skein of yarn. So if you are ever unsure what weight of yarn you have or what hook you need to use, just check the label.

Yarn Weight

Yarn comes in a variety of different weights, and the higher the number, the thicker the yarn. Here are all of our crochet patterns broken down by the weight of yarn that they use:

• Weight 1 – Super Fine
• Weight 2 – Fine
• Weight 3 – Light
• Weight 4 – Medium
• Weight 5 – Bulky
• Weight 6 – Super Bulky
• Weight 7 – Jumbo

There are many different types of yarn, each made of a different fiber. Some yarns are 100% acrylic, wool, or cotton, while some are blends of each. Every fiber does not work for each type of project. For example, wool that should be used on a sweater should not be used to make a blanket.

My personal favorite yarns to crochet with is a medium weight four yarns (aka worsted weight yarn) such as Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand, Brava Worsted by We Crochet or any cotton yarn too.

Both of the yarns mentioned are 100% acrylic yarn, inexpensive and work perfectly to crochet blankets with! Take a peek at Vanna’s Choice below!

How to Hold Yarn in Crochet

There are a couple of different ways to hold yarn in crochet.

The first way is to wind the yarn around your little finger, under the two middle fingers and over your index finger of your left hand, starting with the yarn tail end of the yarn. If you are left-handed, you will use your right hand and follow the steps above.

The second way to hold yarn is to hold it between the index finger and middle finger as you are working. This is the method I use as a crocheter and started with many years ago.

Whatever method you decide to use, just pick the one that works easiest for you as a crocheter. Crocheting doesn’t have to be difficult, so just do what works best for you in crochet.

Beginner Crochet Stitches & Techniques

The chain and single crochet stitches are two of the most common and basic stitches that every beginning crocheter needs to know before trying to tackle making a project from a crochet pattern.

Below, You’ll learn how to start crochet projects by studying beginner crochet stitches. I’ll also explain basic techniques of more crochet stitches like the slip stitch, half double crochet and double crochet stitch too! Once you learn all about the different stitches below, you will be well on your way to beginning crocheting!

Beginner Basic Crochet Stitches

• Chain Stitch
• Single Crochet
• Slip Stitch
• Half Double Crochet
• Double Crochet
• Triple Crochet

Learn more about each beginner-friendly simple crochet stitch below with our easy instructions. Once you get the hang of these common crochet stitches, then you can move on to more advanced stitches in your crochet projects.

#1. Chain Stitch (ch)

A chain stitch, is a simple crochet stitch that often forms the foundation of what crochet stitches are worked into during most crochet projects. View our video tutorial on chain stitches. You will hear this first row sometimes called the foundation chain, which is just a series of chain stitches worked one after another. There is a front loop and back loop of every chain (or stitch) that resembles a V. 

The number of chains across in a crochet pattern can determine the length or the width of a crochet project.

1. To make your first stitch, start by making a slip knot.
2. Insert hook into slip knot point first, bring yarn over the shaft of the hook from back to front and grab it with the throat of the hook.
3. Draw hooked yarn through slip knot and onto the hook. This movement will make one ch stitch.
4. Repeat steps two and three for the next stitches until you have the desired number of stitches for a pattern. One loop will remain on hook.

When first starting out, I suggest making as many chain stitches as you’d like in a row to get used to crocheting this stitch.

Turning Chains: A turning chain is the chain made at the start of a row (or end of the row) with your hook to bring the yarn up to the height of the next row. The turning chain number will depend on what crochet stitch you are using.

#2. Single Crochet Stitch (sc)

Single crochet stitches are one of the first beginner crochet projects you make! This first project usually consists of rows and rows of single crochet stitches to make a scarf, washcloth, or even a blanket if you are feeling adventurous.

One single crochet stitch after another creates a tighter crochet fabric in projects and is the perfect stitch for beginners for easy crocheting.

1. Insert the crochet hook from front to back in the center of the second chain from the hook.
2. Bring the yarn over (yo) the hook and pull the yarn back through the chain from back to front  (2 loops on hook).
3. Yo and pull through both loops on the hook.
4. Learn more about the single crochet stitch and how to start making single crochet rows for your next project.

#3. Slip Stitch (sl st)

A slip stitch is a stitch that used in surface crochet as well as in patterns to create texture and uniqueness.

1. Insert hook into the designated stitch
2. YO (yarn over) and pull back through the st and through the loop on the hook.

#4. Half Double Crochet Stitch (hdc)

The half double crochet stitch or HDC stitches are a favorite stitch of many since it has some height but is also quick to work up.

1. Yo (yarn over) insert the hook from front to back of the designated stitch
2. Yo the hook and pick up a loop.
3. Yo the hook and pull back through all three loops on the hook.

#5. Double Crochet Stitch (dc)

Double Crochet stitches are fun to learn because it’s the next step up from a half double crochet. You’ll quickly realize how much quicker it is to finish crochet projects when you are using a double crochet stitch over the other types of stitches.

1. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook into the specified st.
2. YO the hook again, draw the yarn through the st, so there are 3 loops on the hook
3. YO the hook again draw it through 2 loops, so there are 2 loops on the hook
4. YO the hook, draw it through the final 2 loops.

#6. Triple Crochet Stitch (tr)

The Triple Crochet stitch or Treble Crochet Stitch (aka treble stitch), one of the tallest crochet stitches you can create. This is usually the next stitch you’ll want to learn after the DC stitch.

1. Make a chain of a desired length of any #
2. Yarn over the hook twice, inert hook in the designated the next stitch (the fifth chain from the hook for the first TR of a project)
3. YO, draw through the stitch (four loops on the hook)
4. YO, draw yarn through two loops on the hook. (three loops on the hook)
5. YO, draw yarn through two loops on the hook (two loops on hook)
6. YO, draw yarn through two loops on the hook

You made a Triple Crochet Stitch! Now, to continue: YO twice, and repeat steps 2-6 in next chain or stitch

More Beginner Crochet Techniques + Skills to Know

To expand your crochet skills even more, I recommend learning about how to read crochet patterns, crochet abbreviations and more below.

How to Read a Crochet Pattern

One of the first things you need to do once you get all the tools of the trade, is to understand how crochet patterns are written, and how you must read them. Most crochet patterns feature an extensive use of abbreviations, and all have a common outline.

Crochet patterns can be written in either American Crochet terms or UK crochet terms. The stitches and techniques below will be shown in American Crochet Terms (or US Standard terms). In the skills to know section, there is a better explanation of these terms.

Crochet Abbreviations in Patterns

Crochet abbreviations are a way to shorten a crochet stitch’s name or certain crochet actions inside crochet patterns. There are even punctuation combinations that are short for repeatable actions.

For example, single crochet abbreviated will be written as sc.

Many crochet designers (including me on my crochet blog), publishers, and companies will use these standard US abbreviations (or American Crochet Terms) when referring to various crochet stitches and actions.

It is essential to understand what these abbreviations mean because most crochet patterns will only refer to stitches and actions in abbreviated form. You can take a look above at the crochet stitch section to see the abbreviations I used, or click the link above too to learn all about crochet stitch abbreviations.

Weaving in Yarn Ends in Crochet

After you’ve finished all the stitches in your new crochet project, you’re going to have some ends of yarn hanging loose. The next step is to secure and hide them.

Weaving in yarn ends is a method used to secure & hide yarn tails (the snipped off ends) by stitching them back in and through a crochet project.

Here is a quick and easy tutorial on how to weave those pesky ends in below.

How to Weave in Ends in Crochet

1. Attach the cut yarn end (or the working yarn) to the yarn needle and weave horizontally across your work.
2. Change directions multiple times, and then weave yarn vertically in the opposite direction as many times as you can before cutting off the yarn with scissors close to the project.

The Importance of Gauge in Crochet

Gauge is a measure of how many stitches and rows fit a length of a crocheted piece. This crocheted piece is usually 4 inches (or about 10 cm), and it is used to indicate the size of each stitch.

If I can recommend nothing else, please remember that getting your gauge right is extremely important!

If you get more stitches than the pattern’s gauge, that means your crochet is too tight, If you get fewer stitches than the pattern, your crochet is too loose. Understanding how your personal tension impacts gauge is critical.

Expert Tip: Make sure the gauge is followed for a perfectly shaped project.

Joining Yarn in Crochet

Joining yarn is the method of entering a new ball or skein of yarn when you’ve crocheted to the end of your current thread.

You can see our tutorial on how to change colors in crochet, which will help you when you want to not only change colors, or you run out of yarn in a project.

How to Keep Track of Stitches in Crochet

The best way to keep track of crochet stitches and rows in crochet projects is by using a stitch marker or (sm) abbreviated. A stitch marker is a small tool that is used in crochet and knitting to help keep the place of a stitch while working up a design.

Stitch markers can be made of metal, plastic, or even left over yarn. Anything that can be used to mark the place of a stitch can be considered a stitch marker.

Good First Crocheting Project for Beginners

A beginner granny square is a great project for a newer crochet to make. It uses double crochet stitches in clusters to make the square. It also can use a magic circle aka magic ring to start the square, so it has a seamless circle to start the project with.

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How to Crochet Beginner Step-by-Step Tutorial

The step-by-step beginner tutorial below will teach you how to make a single crochet row.

Use this single crochet tutorial with step-by-step photos and a video tutorial of this beginner-friendly stitch.

1. Chose your yarn
2. Chose the hook that corresponds to the yarn
3. Hold the hook in your dominant hand (left hand or right hand)
4. Make a slip-knot
5. Chain 9
6. In the second chain stitch from the hook, single crochet
7. Single crochet into each chain across
8. At the end of the row, chain 1 and turn your work aka flip over
9. Chain 1 and repeat steps 6-8 to complete another row

After you are familiar with the terms and resources above, then you are ready to make your very own crochet project and apply the new skills you learned like granny squares, simple blankets, crochet hats and more!

Check out or extensive archive with over 400 free crochet patterns, many of which are the easiest skill level. These free patterns and free crochet projects are broken up by yarn weight, yarn type, brand, skill level and more!

Crochet Beginner Guides + A Free Easy Crochet Pattern

• Crochet the Perfect Temperature Blanket: A Guide
• How To Tell The Right Side vs Wrong Side in Crochet
• Why is My Crochet Blanket Curving?
• The Many Types of Crochet
• The 9 Best Ways to Seam Crochet Projects Together
• What is DK Weight Yarn?

Even More Beginner Crochet Tutorials

• Whip Stitch Crochet Seaming Technique
• How to Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (hdc slst)
• How to Single Crochet Increase (sc inc)
• How to Make a Seam with the Mattress Stitch
• How to Single Crochet Two Together (SC2tog)
• How to Crochet a Cable Stitch
• How To Crochet The Moss Stitch (Granite, Linen, Woven Stitch) Guide
• How to Crochet a Granny Stripe in Rows
• How to Make a Crochet Rib Stitch (Photo Tutorial)

More Crochet Stitches to Learn

Explore the different crochet stitches below to expand your crochet skills and knowledge.

• 28+ Amazing Crochet Stitches to Learn
• Back & Front Post Double Crochet Stitches
• Bobble Stitch Crochet Pattern
• Bullion or Roll Stitch Crochet Tutorial
• Corner to Corner Crochet (C2C) for Beginners Guide: Video + Photos
• Crochet Griddle Stitch Tutorial
• Crochet Loop Stitch Tutorial
• Crochet Mesh Stitch Pattern
• Crochet Popcorn Stitch Pattern
• Crochet Ridge Stitch Tutorial

More Patterns to Crochet

How to Crochet a Granny Square

Beginner Crochet Scarf Pattern

How to Crochet a Hat

How to Crochet a Throw Blanket for Beginners