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Stitch library

Crochet stitches: types, basic stitches and stitch patterns

Browse every stitch in the library with its US and UK names side by side, the turning chain and a step-by-step tutorial. Start with the 6 basic stitches, explore textured, post, lace and knit-look stitches by family, or look a stitch up in the A to Z dictionary. Patterns use US terms; switch to UK terms at any time.

stitches
19
stitch families
5
Stitch terms
Close-up overhead photo of a gap-free cornflower blue Linked Double Crochet LDC swatch on a birch desk beside a wooden crochet hook and brass scissors

Start here

The 6 basic crochet stitches every beginner should learn first

Every other stitch is built from these six. They are listed from shortest to tallest; each step up adds one yarn over and one chain to the turning chain.

Stitch heights from shortest to tallest, measured in turning chains.
The 6 basic crochet stitches with US and UK names, yarn overs and turning chains
Stitch (US)UK nameYarn oversTurning chainTutorial
Slip stitch sl stSlip stitch ssNoneNoneHow to slip stitch
Chain chChain chNoneNoneHow to chain
Single crochet scDouble crochet dcNoneChain 1How to single crochet
Half double crochet hdcHalf treble crochet htr1Chain 2How to half double crochet
Double crochet dcTreble crochet tr1Chain 3How to double crochet
Treble crochet trDouble treble crochet dtr2Chain 4How to treble crochet
Yarn over (yo)
Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front. Taller stitches start with one or more yarn overs.
Pull up a loop
Catch the yarn and draw it back through the stitch or chain, adding a loop to the hook.
Pull through 2 loops
Yarn over and draw the yarn through the next 2 loops on the hook, closing part of the stitch.

Swatch tipPractise new stitches with smooth, light-coloured worsted (#4) yarn and the hook size on the yarn label, so you can see every loop. Dark, fuzzy or splitty yarn hides the stitch anatomy.

Reader favourites

Most popular crochet stitches at a glance

The stitches readers open most, from the basics to linked, post and V-stitches.

Beginner

ChainChain

chUK chchUS ch

The chain is the first stitch in almost every project. Here is how to make an even foundation chain, and how to count it without mistakes.

Beginner

Double crochetTreble crochet

dcUK trtrUS dc

Double crochet at a glance: US and UK names, chart symbol, height, turning chain and the stitches built on it. The full step-by-step tutorial is on our homepage.

  • Chain: Any number + 2
Intermediate

Front post double crochetFront post treble crochet

FPdc / BPdcUK FPtr / BPtrFPtr / BPtrUS FPdc / BPdc

Work around the post to push stitches forward or back, for stretchy ribbing, cables and the waffle stitch.

  • 3D texture
  • Yarn eater

Best for: Garments, Blankets

Beginner

Half double crochetHalf treble crochet

hdcUK htrhtrUS hdc

The half double crochet sits between a single and a double crochet in height. It makes a dense, warm fabric and works up quickly.

  • Dense and warm

Best for: Blankets

Beginner

Single crochetDouble crochet

scUK dcdcUS sc

Single crochet is the shortest basic stitch and the first one most people learn. In UK patterns it is called double crochet (dc).

  • Chain: Any number + 1
  • Dense and warm

Best for: Amigurumi, Bags, Borders

Intermediate

Linked double crochetLinked treble crochet

ldcUK ltrltrUS ldc

A double crochet that links to its neighbor at mid-height, for solid, gap-free fabric at double crochet speed.

  • Chain: Any number + 3
  • Gap-free
  • Reversible

Best for: Blankets

Easy

V-stitchV-stitch

V-stUK V-stV-stUS V-st

The V-stitch is two double crochets with a chain between them, worked into one stitch. It makes an airy, quick fabric for blankets and shawls.

  • Chain: Multiple of 3 + 1
  • Open and lacy

Best for: Blankets, Scarves and shawls

Stitch families

Browse all types of crochet stitches by family

Basic stitches and variations

12 stitches

The core stitches and the variations built on them: extended stitches for extra height, linked stitches for gap-free fabric, foundation stitches that replace the starting chain, and the decreases you use for shaping.

Beginner

ChainChain

chUK chchUS ch

The chain is the first stitch in almost every project. Here is how to make an even foundation chain, and how to count it without mistakes.

Beginner

Double crochetTreble crochet

dcUK trtrUS dc

Double crochet at a glance: US and UK names, chart symbol, height, turning chain and the stitches built on it. The full step-by-step tutorial is on our homepage.

  • Chain: Any number + 2
Beginner

Half double crochetHalf treble crochet

hdcUK htrhtrUS hdc

The half double crochet sits between a single and a double crochet in height. It makes a dense, warm fabric and works up quickly.

  • Dense and warm

Best for: Blankets

Beginner

Double crochet increaseTreble increase

dc incUK tr inctr incUS dc inc

Also called 2 dc in next st, inc, 2dc

Work two complete double crochets into the same stitch to add one stitch, with the pattern-reading rules that stop '2dc' being read as two plain stitches.

Beginner

Single crochetDouble crochet

scUK dcdcUS sc

Single crochet is the shortest basic stitch and the first one most people learn. In UK patterns it is called double crochet (dc).

  • Chain: Any number + 1
  • Dense and warm

Best for: Amigurumi, Bags, Borders

Beginner

Slip stitchSlip stitch

sl stUK ssssUS sl st

The slip stitch has almost no height. Use it to join rounds, move across your work without adding height, and make neat edges.

Intermediate

Linked double crochetLinked treble crochet

ldcUK ltrltrUS ldc

A double crochet that links to its neighbor at mid-height, for solid, gap-free fabric at double crochet speed.

  • Chain: Any number + 3
  • Gap-free
  • Reversible

Best for: Blankets

Easy textured stitches

2 stitches

One- and two-row repeats that mix basic stitches and chains for woven, crossed or pebbled texture, without post stitches or complicated counting.

Easy

Back loop double crochetBack loop double crochet

dc BLO / dc FLOdc BLO / dc FLOUS dc BLO / dc FLO

Also called dc BLO, BLdc, dcbl, dc FLO, FLdc, dcfl

Work under one loop instead of both: back loop only for stretchy ribbing, front loop only for a flatter drape, and how to find a double crochet's third loop.

  • Reversible

Best for: Blankets, Garments, Scarves and shawls

Easy

Crossed double crochetCrossed treble crochet

crossed dc (X-st)UK crossed trcrossed trUS crossed dc (X-st)

Also called Criss-cross stitch, X-stitch

Two ordinary double crochets worked out of order cross into a raised X, with a free washcloth pattern to practise on.

  • Chain: Multiple of 2 + 1

Best for: Scarves and shawls, Home decor

Post, waffle and 3D stitches

2 stitches

Stitches worked around the post of the stitch below, or several loops closed together, for ribbing, cables, waffles and raised texture. They use more yarn than flat stitches.

Intermediate

Double crochet clusterTreble cluster

dc-cl, bobble, popcornUK tr-cl, bobble, popcorntr-cl, bobble, popcornUS dc-cl, bobble, popcorn

Also called 2dc-cl, 3dc-cl, 4dc-cl, 5dc bobble, 5dc popcorn, bo, mb, pc, pop

Two to five incomplete double crochets closed together make a cluster, a bobble, or a popcorn — three ways to bundle one stitch into a raised, 3D texture.

  • 3D texture

Best for: Blankets

Intermediate

Front post double crochetFront post treble crochet

FPdc / BPdcUK FPtr / BPtrFPtr / BPtrUS FPdc / BPdc

Work around the post to push stitches forward or back, for stretchy ribbing, cables and the waffle stitch.

  • 3D texture
  • Yarn eater

Best for: Garments, Blankets

Dense and knit-look stitches

1 stitch

Stitches worked into a different loop or slipped through the post, for tight, slanted or knit-like fabric.

Lace, shell and V-stitches

2 stitches

Groups of stitches and chain spaces that open up the fabric for drape, breathability and quick progress.

Easy

Double crochet shell stitchTreble shell stitch

5dc shellUK 5tr shell5tr shellUS 5dc shell

Also called 5dc shell, shell stitch

Skip two, fan five double crochets into the next stitch, skip two, anchor with one single crochet: the classic scalloped shell, staggered like bricks.

  • Chain: Multiple of 6 + 2

Best for: Blankets, Borders

Easy

V-stitchV-stitch

V-stUK V-stV-stUS V-st

The V-stitch is two double crochets with a chain between them, worked into one stitch. It makes an airy, quick fabric for blankets and shawls.

  • Chain: Multiple of 3 + 1
  • Open and lacy

Best for: Blankets, Scarves and shawls

Projects

How to choose the right crochet stitch for your project

Foundation chain calculator

Blankets

Taller stitches cover a blanket faster: double crochet and the V-stitch grow quickly, while half double crochet and linked double crochet make a warmer, denser fabric. For baby blankets, pick a gap-free stitch so small fingers do not catch in the spaces.

Garments and scarves

Wearables need drape and stitches that are easy to shape. Pick a stitch that looks good on both sides for scarves, because both sides show. Check your swatch hanging down, not just lying flat.

Yarn savers and yarn eaters

Open stitches with chain spaces use less yarn for the same area. Post stitches, bobbles and other raised stitches wrap more yarn around each stitch, so they use more. Swatch in your chosen stitch, then let the yarn yardage calculator work out how much to buy.

Stitches by project

Blankets
Garments
Scarves and shawls
Bags
Home decor
Amigurumi
Borders

Terminology

US vs UK crochet stitch terms

Every UK name is one step taller than the US name for the same stitch.

US to UK terms converter
US and UK names for the same crochet stitches
US termsUK terms
Slip stitch sl stSlip stitch ss
single crochet scdouble crochet dc
half double crochet hdchalf treble crochet htr
double crochet dctreble crochet tr
treble crochet trdouble treble crochet dtr
double treble crochet dtrtriple treble crochet trtr

How to identify a mystery stitch

  1. Measure the height. Compare one row with the turning chain: about 1 chain tall is single crochet, 2 is half double, 3 is double, 4 is treble.
  2. Look for raised posts. Posts that stand out or sink in are front or back post stitches.
  3. Check for ridges. A horizontal ridge across the row means the stitches went into one loop only, or into the third loop of a half double crochet.
  4. Find the spaces. Regular holes between groups of stitches point to V-stitches, shells or mesh built from chain spaces.

Dictionary

A to Z crochet stitch dictionary

  • incsee Double crochet increase
  • mbsee Double crochet cluster
  • pcsee Double crochet cluster
  • popsee Double crochet cluster

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about crochet stitches

What are the 6 basic crochet stitches?

From shortest to tallest: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc) and treble crochet (tr). Almost every other stitch is a combination of these, worked into different places or loops.

What is the easiest crochet stitch for a beginner?

The chain comes first, because every project starts with one. After that, most teachers start with single crochet: insert the hook, pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. It is short, firm and easy to count.

Which crochet stitch is best for blankets?

For speed, double crochet and the V-stitch, because they are tall and cover ground quickly. For warmth and no holes, half double crochet or linked double crochet. Whichever you choose, make a swatch and check it on both sides.

Which crochet stitches use the most yarn?

Post stitches, bobbles, puffs and popcorns use the most, because the yarn wraps around the post or several loops are worked into one place. Open stitches with chain spaces, such as the V-stitch, use the least. A swatch tells you exactly how much your stitch uses.

Why is there no single crochet in UK patterns?

UK patterns call the same stitch a double crochet (dc). Every UK name is one step taller than the US name for the same stitch, so a US double crochet is a UK treble. Check which terms a pattern uses before you start.

Are moss stitch, linen stitch and granite stitch the same?

Usually, yes. All three names describe single crochets worked into the chain-1 spaces of the row below, which makes a flat, woven fabric. Some designers use the names slightly differently, so check the pattern's stitch notes.

What is the difference between bobble, puff and popcorn stitches?

A puff stitch gathers several pulled-up loops and closes them together, for a soft bump. A bobble closes several unfinished double crochets in one stitch. A popcorn works complete double crochets, then joins the first and last at the top, for the firmest raised cup.

How do I work out the starting chain for a stitch pattern?

Most stitch patterns give a multiple, such as a multiple of 3 plus 2. Chain any number that fits the multiple, then add the extra chains. The foundation chain calculator works it out from the width you want and your gauge.

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