Basic Stitches — Learn to Crochet

BlingBlingYarn · Learn to Crochet

Every kit starts with a few core stitches. Scan the QR code on your pattern, find the stitch you need, and follow the video and written steps below. Bookmark this page so you can come back anytime.

New to crochet? Start with Chain and Magic Ring, then move on to Single Crochet.

Quick Answer: The stitches used in most BlingBlingYarn kits are chain (ch), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), magic ring (MR), increase (inc), decrease (dec), slip stitch (sl st) and fasten off (FO). Every card below includes a short video and written steps.

Getting Started

Build the foundation: the starting chain and the adjustable ring.

Foundation

Chain Stitch ch

Make a slip knot, yarn over, and pull through the loop on the hook. Repeat for the required number of chains. Keep the chains even — they become the foundation row.

Foundation

Magic Ring MR

Wrap the yarn around your fingers twice, insert the hook under both loops, pull up a loop and ch 1 to secure. Work stitches into the ring, then pull the tail to close it tight.

Basic Stitches

These five stitches cover almost every BlingBlingYarn pattern.

Basic stitch

Single Crochet sc

Insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops. This is the tightest and most common basic stitch.

Basic stitch

Half Double Crochet hdc

Yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over and pull up (3 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. Slightly taller than single crochet, with a softer drape.

Basic stitch

Double Crochet dc

Yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over and pull up (3 loops). Yarn over and pull through 2 loops; yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. Twice the height of single crochet.

Basic stitch

Treble Crochet tr

Yarn over twice, insert the hook, yarn over and pull up (4 loops). Yarn over and pull through 2 loops — three times. A tall stitch for lacy, open fabrics.

Basic stitch

Extended Double Crochet edc

Yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over and pull up (3 loops). Yarn over and pull through 1 loop only; then yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice. Adds a little extra height.

Shaping · Increase & Decrease

Change the stitch count to shape amigurumi, keychains and wearable pieces.

Shaping

Increase inc

Work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch. The stitch count increases by 1. Space increases evenly so your piece stays flat.

Shaping

Decrease dec

sc2tog: insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up; insert into the following stitch, yarn over and pull up; yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. Two stitches become one.

Shaping

Double Crochet Decrease dc2tog

Start a double crochet but stop with 2 loops on the hook. Start the next double crochet in the following stitch, stopping with 3 loops; yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Finishing

Close your last loop and join rounds neatly.

Finishing

Fasten Off FO

Cut the yarn, leaving a 10–15 cm tail. Yarn over and pull the tail through the loop on your hook, then pull gently to secure. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and weave it in.

Finishing

Slip Stitch sl st

Insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on the hook. It adds no height; use it to join rounds or move across the work.

Slip stitch crochet tutorial

Written steps + photo. No video for this stitch yet.

Working into Loops

Change the texture of the fabric by choosing which loop you work into.

Technique

Back Loop Only BLO

Work each stitch into the back loop only — the loop farther from you — instead of under both loops. This leaves the front loop free and creates a ribbed texture.

More Techniques

Technique library · 9 videos

Loop Start

An adjustable loop start for working in rounds.

Circular Start 2

A second method for starting a circular piece.

Single Crochet in the Round

Work continuous single crochet rounds without joining.

Striped Single Crochet

Create horizontal stripes while working single crochet.

Picking Up Stitches

Pick up stitches along a chain or edge cleanly.

Changing Colors

Change color at the end of a stitch for a clean transition.

Row-by-Row Color Change

Change colors at the start of a new row.

Color Stripes

Work tidy color stripes without carrying yarn across the front.

Long Stitch Pattern

A textured pattern built on taller stitches.

Beginner FAQ

How do I hold the yarn?
Hold the working yarn in your non-dominant hand, tensioned around your fingers, and hold the hook in your dominant hand. Keep the tension light enough that the hook slides through each loop.
Why does my project curl?
Tension is usually the cause. Try a larger hook or loosen your grip, and check your stitch count at the end of each row.
How do I count stitches?
Count the V-shaped tops along the row, not the turning chain unless the pattern says to. Place a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of each round.
Are these US or UK terms?
This page uses US terms. A US single crochet is a UK double crochet, and a US double crochet is a UK treble.

Ready to put these stitches to work?

Practice with a glow-in-the-dark craft kit — every kit links back to this guide.

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