Crochet basics: a beginner's guide

Starting crochet is simpler than it looks. The whole craft runs on a single hook and a length of yarn, and most projects use the same handful of stitches in different combinations. This guide covers what you need to know to pick up a hook and make something real within your first few sessions.

What you need to start

The list is short. You don't need a kit, a course, or expensive tools. To get going:

• One crochet hook, size 5mm — This is a standard mid-size hook that suits most beginner yarns. Aluminium or bamboo, both work. Ergonomic handles are nice but not essential at this stage.
• One ball of yarn, DK or aran weight — Pick something smooth and light-coloured so you can see your stitches clearly. Acrylic is cheap and forgiving; cotton is a good second choice. Avoid anything fluffy, boucle, or very dark for your first project.
• A pair of scissors and a tapestry needle — For cutting yarn and weaving in ends when you finish.

That's genuinely it. Everything else — stitch markers, row counters, project bags — comes later when you know what you actually use.

Holding the hook and yarn

There's no single correct way to hold a crochet hook. The two common grips are the pencil grip (hook held like a pencil between thumb and forefinger) and the knife grip (hook held overhand like a dinner knife). Try both for a few minutes and use whichever feels less awkward. You'll settle into a natural position within a project or two.

The yarn feeds through your non-hook hand. Most right-handed crocheters hold the hook in the right hand and tension the yarn through the left. The tension doesn't need to be tight — just consistent enough that the yarn feeds smoothly without going slack.

The slip knot and foundation chain

Every crochet project starts with a slip knot on the hook, followed by a chain of loops called the foundation chain. The chain sets the width of your work.

1. Make a loop in the yarn, pull a second loop through the first with the hook, and tighten gently. That's your slip knot.
2. With the slip knot on the hook, yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook from back to front) and pull through the loop. That's one chain stitch.
3. Repeat until you have the number of chains your pattern calls for. For practice, 20 chains is a good length.

The chain should be even and not too tight. If it's hard to get the hook back into each chain later, you're pulling too tight. Loosen up.

The basic stitches

Almost everything in crochet is built from these four stitches. Learn them in this order:

Chain stitch (ch) — You already know this from the foundation chain. It's the building block of everything else.

Single crochet (sc) — The shortest, densest stitch. Insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over again, pull through both loops. Done. Repeat across the row.

Half double crochet (hdc) — Slightly taller. Yarn over before inserting the hook, insert, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three. Gives a softer, slightly looser fabric.

Double crochet (dc) — The workhorse stitch for blankets and garments. Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop (three loops), yarn over and pull through two loops (two remain), yarn over and pull through the last two. Taller than sc, works up faster, and creates a more open texture.

Turning and working in rows

When you reach the end of a row, you need to turn the work and go back the other way. The "turning chain" gives you the height to start the next row:

• For single crochet rows: chain 1, turn.
• For half double crochet rows: chain 2, turn.
• For double crochet rows: chain 3, turn.

After the turning chain, work your stitches into the top of each stitch from the row below. Count your stitches at the end of each row — beginners almost always accidentally gain or lose a stitch at the edges.

Your first project: a simple dishcloth

A dishcloth is the classic first project because it's small, flat, useful, and forgiving of mistakes. Here's a simple one:

1. Chain 30 with a 5mm hook and DK cotton yarn.
2. Single crochet into the second chain from the hook and across the row (29 stitches).
3. Chain 1, turn. Single crochet across (29 stitches).
4. Repeat step 3 until the piece is roughly square — about 28 to 30 rows.
5. Cut the yarn, pull the tail through the last loop, and weave in both ends with the tapestry needle.

That's it. You've made a thing. It won't be perfect — the edges might waver, the tension might vary — but it's real and it's done. The second one will be better.

Common beginner mistakes

• Too tight — Relax your tension. The hook should move in and out of stitches without a fight.
• Losing stitches at the edges — Count every row. Mark the first and last stitch with a safety pin if it helps.
• Skipping the turning chain — It's easy to forget. Build the habit early.
• Working into the wrong loop — Each stitch has a front loop and a back loop. Unless the pattern says otherwise, work under both loops.
• Choosing fancy yarn too soon — Textured or dark yarn hides your stitches, which makes learning harder. Start plain and light.

What to make next

After a dishcloth or two, good second projects include a simple scarf (same stitch, just longer), a beanie (introduces working in the round), or a granny square (introduces changing colours and joining pieces). The gallery has examples of all of these from the studio.

For questions, pattern suggestions, or yarn recommendations, email [email protected]. Happy to point you in the right direction.