How to Crochet: Single Crochet Stitches (sc)
By Rachel – 27 CommentsA Single crochet stitch is the most popular, basic and common crochet stitch. Single crochet stitches are used everywhere in the crochet world, so this is a great stitch to learn. If you are a beginner, this should be one of the first crochet stitches that you encounter. In this example of how to crochet a single crochet stitch, we will assume that you already created a foundation chain.
This tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you.
Let’s start with a foundation chain like this. (How to Crochet a Chain)
Insert your hook into the 2nd chain from the hook. You would now have two loops on your hook. You insert your hook into the 2nd chain and not the 1st because 1 chain is equivalent to the height of a single crochet. This way, your corner will be the same height as the rest of the row.
Yarn over (wrap the yarn over your hook).
Pull the strand of yarn through the first loops that is on your hook. You should now have two loops on your hook.
Yarn over again, and pull the strand of yarn through both loops on the hook. You should now only have one loop on the hook.
Congrats! You just made one single crochet stitch! You can continue to make single crochets across your foundation chain. To do so, just insert your hook into the next chain, yarn over, pull through one loop on hook, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook. Continue this until you reach the end of the chain.
Here is what one row of single crochets looks like!
To make another row of single crochets, make one chain. Then turn your work.
Insert your hook into the first single crochet.
Yarn over.
Pull the yarn through the first loop on your hook. You should now have 2 loops on your hook.
Yarn over.
Pull the strand of yarn through both loops on your hook.
You can continue to crochet across the row and create more rows of single crochet stitches. Here is what a few rows look like!
Was this helpful? Do you still need more help? Leave a comment to let me know!
[...] to learn how to crochet and have not learned single crochets yet, I would suggest learning how to crochet single crochets first. After that double crochets will be a piece of [...]
You just answered my question! I’ve always crocheted around burp clothes but I decided this week that I wanted to crochet a hat! I found a pattern I liked and started… Umm yeah I understood right to left but how do you go left from right? You turn it over. Hahah I feel so stupid! Thanks! I really enjoy your site!
hi rachel!
feeling better!
i have a slight problem with half double crochet, could you please help me
thank you
gene
I’d love to help Gene!
Do you have a particular question? or are you looking for a nice pic tutorial for it? If you’re looking for the tutorial, I’ll be working on it
hi ,
thank you for answering so quickly, i really would like to see a pic tutorial
i always get my loops and yarn over wrong, which give me a very strange pattern
when i try to do some practice.
gene
[...] single crochet (fsc) is a stitch that can replace the foundation chains and the first row of single crochets in your work by completing them at the same [...]
[...] learned the basic foundation chain, single crochet and double crochet. At the time technique and making things look perfect wasn’t a priority so [...]
Hi! I have the general motion of crocheting down but I can’t figure out how to properly end/begin my rows. I keep ending up with crooked edges because I can’t make my turns properly and I’m having a hard time figuring out how to even count the stitches (where to start, etc). I would appreciate any help/insight you could offer.
Hi Heather, when you do a row of single crochets you should start by chaining 1 first. This will ensure that the beginning of your row is the same height as the rest of your row. To count the stitches, try counting the number of sideways “V” shapes that are created on the top of the row, because each time you make a stitch it will make that sideways “V” shape on the top. If you don’t know what I mean I say “V” shape, take a look at the first pic in this post: http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-in-front-back-or-both-loops/ The V is created by the front and back loop of the stitch.
Thank you for your quick reply, Rachel! The problem I’m having is knowing where to start and stop counting. In the picture you are referring to is that 6 visible stitches or 5? Do I count that furthest one over on the right? I’ve been looking in other forums and someone suggested using a stitch marker when I do my turns. I’m hoping that will solve this problem….? I’m not sure why I can’t seem to get my rows right.
There are five stitches in the pic I was referring to. And using a stitch marker is also a great idea!!
Wow, Thank you so much for the clear instructions and pictures. This is the first time my crocheting has ever come out so neat and my ends square. I really appreciate your blog!!!
[...] single crochet stitches (exsc) are very similar to single crochet stitches, but as the name suggests, they are extended to be slightly [...]
[...] shape of the item you are crocheting. There are different decrease for different stitches, such as single crochet, double crochet and treble crochet. This tutorial contains instructions for decreasing single [...]
[...] after I saw one of my friends doing it. She taught me the basics, like the foundation chain, single crochet and double crochet (thanks mom!). According to her, I was really bad at making my chains. But now [...]
After a row of sc is completed on the starting chain and you want to do another row of sc, precisely where on the sc row do you insert the crochet hook? Is it under the 2 loops on the top of the sc??
Thanks,
Lilly
Hi Lilly, yes it is under the 2 loops of the sc. Take a look at this tutorial: Crochet in Front, Back or Both Loops.
That’s awesome! Thanks so very much for your help. I’ll use your website throughout my crochet learning experience.
Lilly
Hi Rachel! I have already found your website very helpful. I was wondering what a stitch marker was, and how to insert it? I have been in the process of making a beanie – my first crocheting project, and it is turning out quite alright (yay!), but I have trouble when I get to the end of the row – I don’t know if I’ve actually finished the row, as the beanie is always getting larger. Also, as I start a new row, sometimes I change the stitch from single to double or double to shell stitch. When I do this, it looks awkward as it changes from one stitch to the other. (not a smooth progression) Could you please help me there? Thank you.
Hi, here is a post about stitch markers that I think will help you out: All about stitch markers in crochet
I find that when I crochet, my crochet work seems to get shorter and shorter, like it’s shrinking. What can I do to avoid that?
Thanks,
Lilly
Hi Lilly, here are some tips that I think can help you out: 7 tips to establish consistency in crochet
When I start a new row (ie on my beanie), how many chains should I do at the start of the new row of stitches? Like; if I want to change from single stitching to shell, how many chains do I do? Is there a rule for it all?
Thérèse, it depends on the pattern. But normally you would do the height of the stitches you are working on. Such as 1 ch for a sc, 2 ch for a hdc, 3 ch for a dc, and 4 ch for a tr.
Hello, great instructions and pictures!
I need help, I have been learning to crochet, and what i’m supposed to be making is a pot holder, so it should be square, but it ends up being this strange rounded off shape and getting smaller, like I have decreased in stitches, what do you think I am doing wrong?
Also, the tail from the slipknot, one person told me “cut it off” (this seems right to me since I knit, and that is exactly what I do when i’m knitting.) another told me to gradually weave it into whatever I am making (but this seems to work better!), so I really am confused about it, which is correct?
Actually, I found your “7 tips for consistency in crochet” and I think you probably are going to tell me to read that, and I think that page was very helpful and possibly the counting part is my problem, so forget that part of my comment, I just need help with what to do with the tail from the slipknot, thanks!
Hi Bridgette, you should weave the tail of the slip knot into your work.