Crochet How-Tos

Learn all the basic stitches needed to start on various crochet projects as well as other techniques such as increasing and decreasing and how to read patterns and symbols.

Help for Left-Handed CrochetersHelp for Left-Handed Crocheters

Learning to crochet with your left hand in a right-handed world can be really confusing! Don't despair ...

How to Block a Finished PieceHow to Block a Finished Piece

Blocking your crochet items puts the finishing touch on your hours of stitching. While it isn’t many stitchers’ favorite ...

How to Crochet in a Front or Back LoopHow to Crochet in a Front or Back Loop

When you make a stitch, you create a V shape on the top of the stitch. That V has a front loop (the loop/leg closest ...

How to DecreaseHow to Decrease

Decreases are used to shape crochet pieces. They narrow your fabric where needed. They are also used in some special stitches.

How to Double CrochetHow to Double Crochet

Double crochet is one of the basic crochet stitches. It is a taller stitch than single crochet. It produces a fabric ...

How to Form a Slip Knot & Chain StitchHow to Form a Slip Knot & Chain Stitch

Once you have figured out how to hold your hook, you are ready to start crocheting. The first steps are ...

How to Half Double CrochetHow to Half Double Crochet

Just as its name implies, the half double crochet includes one less step than the double crochet stitch and works ...

How to Hold a Crochet HookHow to Hold a Crochet Hook

Crochet hooks come in many sizes, from very fine steel hooks that are used to make intricate doilies and lace to ...

How to IncreaseHow to Increase

Increases are used to shape crochet pieces. Increases can widen a piece of fabric where needed. They are also incorporated ...

How to Join a New Ball of YarnHow to Join a New Ball of Yarn

If you crochet a large piece of fabric, you are inevitably going to use up all of the yarn from one ball and need to add another to ...

The key to reading crochet patterns is understanding the writing style, which includes crochet abbreviations and symbols.

How to Read Stitch Diagrams (also known as Symbol Crochet)How to Read Stitch Diagrams (also known as Symbol Crochet)

Crochet symbols are a universal language and are an alternative to written instructions. If you are a visual stitcher this style ...

How to Single CrochetHow to Single Crochet

Single crochet is a short, solid stitch. It is usually one of the first stitches learned. It produces a solid fabric with minimal gaps ...

How to Slip StitchHow to Slip Stitch

The slip stitch is the shortest of all crochet stitches. Slip stitches have many uses in crochet. They can be used to add a decorative touch ...

How to Treble CrochetHow to Treble Crochet

The treble crochet is a tall stitch that works up quickly. It is a little taller than the double crochet. Treble crochet creates a fabric ...

How to Work into the ChainHow to Work into the Chain

Once you have worked the beginning chain, you are ready to begin the stitches required to make your crochet project.

Understanding AbbreviationsUnderstanding Abbreviations

Abbreviations are used in crochet to shorten patterns. Without them some patterns would be extremely long.

More Crochet Topics

Crochet for Beginners

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Crochet Resources

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Crochet Specialty Stitches

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Crochet Techniques

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