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Author: Susan_Richards, Contributing Editor
| Adding a row to your Single Crochet
To add a row to your single crochet, use the same technique that you used to build on your chain. Chain one at the end of your row of single crochet, and then flip the piece over. (This generally happens, although some patterns will say not to flip your piece.) This way, you're always crocheting right to left, if you're right-handed. Skip the chain you made and put your hook through the first stitch and yarn over. Be sure to put your hook through the whole stitch and not just the very top loop, or your crochet will have funny lines all through it. |  |
| Complete a single crochet by pulling the yarn through so that you have two loops on your hook. Then yarn over again and pull the yarn through both loops. |  |
| This is the finished result. Single crochet until you get to the end of your row, skipping the chain stitch at the end of your row (remember the first chain stitch you skipped when you did your first single crochet? There it is! Skip it again.), and chain one before moving to the next row.
Skipping chain stitches at the end of your rows is very important! It's also one of the most difficult things to do until you get an eye for it, because it's sometimes difficult to tell the difference between your last single crochet and the stitch you're not supposed to crochet in. The best way to make sure you have the proper number of stitches is counting. If you want a block that's 10 across, for example, chain 11, skip one, then single crochet 10, chain one, then single crochet 10, chain one, etc. |  |
| Other Stitches
Of course, the single crochet is just the beginning--there are other stitches you will encounter in the crochet world. These stitches make up the basis for all kinds of fancy patterns. Half-Double Crochet Abbreviated hdc, a half-double crochet is the step between the single and double crochet. To create this stitch, yarn over once before inserting your hook into the stitch to pull up a loop. You will then have three loops on your hook, instead of the two in a single crochet. Then, yarn over and pull the yarn through all three loops, like in single crochet. Double Crochet Abbreviated dc, the double crochet is the next step up from a half-double crochet. To create this stitch, yarn over and create three loops as though you were making a half-double crochet. Instead of pulling your yarn through all three loops, however, you're going to yarn over and pull the yarn through two loops, leaving two on your hook. Then, you will yarn over again and pull through the remaining two loops. The result will be a tall stitch that can be used to create airy and delicate patterns. Before beginning a row of double crochet, chain two, not one. If beginning from chain, skip two chain stitches, not just one. Half-Triple Crochet and Triple Crochet Abbreviated htc, it is the same principle as the half-double crochet. The difference is that you initially yarn-over twice instead of once, creating a grand total of four loops. Yarn over and pull through loops. For a triple crochet, tc, bring up those four loops and bring yarn through two loops at a time, as in a double-crochet. Always chain three before a row of triple crochet, or skip three links in your initial chain. |
| Slip Stitch
A slip stitch can be used to join two ends of crochet. Simply insert your hook through a stitch, yarn over, and pull the loop through both the stitch and the loop on your hook. |  |
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