Learn · Stitches

Crochet Stitches Guide: Every Basic Stitch + the Magic Ring

A visual guide to crochet stitches for beginners: chain, slip stitch, single, half double, double, treble, the magic ring, increases, and textured stitches.

September 21, 20266 min read

A crochet stitch sampler in soft pastel stripes showing rows of single, half double, double crochet, puff, and shell stitches, with a hook resting on top.

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Every crochet project, from a strawberry keychain to a granny-square cardigan, is built from a small set of crochet stitches. This guide covers the handful you’ll use constantly: the basic stitches in order of height, the magic ring for anything worked in the round, how to increase and decrease, and the textured stitches that make crochet look so squishy on Pinterest.

Hover over (or tap) any highlighted abbreviation on this site, like hdc, to see its full name and its UK equivalent.

Side view of four crochet stitches in a row, showing the height difference between single, half double, double, and treble crochet. — Stitch heights at a glance: single crochet, half double, double, treble. Each one is roughly one yarn-over taller than the last.

The Basic Stitches, Shortest to Tallest

Nearly every basic stitch is the same idea: pull up a loop, then pull through loops two at a time. Taller stitches just add a yarn over at the start.

Chain (ch)

Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. Chains form the foundation row and the turning chains that lift you to the height of the next row. If you haven’t made one yet, start with our beginner’s guide.

Slip Stitch (sl st)

Insert the hook, yarn over, and pull straight through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion. It adds almost no height, so it’s used to join rounds and to travel across stitches without them showing.

A hook pulling a loop through the chain in a slip stitch joining a round. — The slip stitch is the flattest stitch in crochet. It's used to join rounds and to move across your work without adding height.

Single Crochet (sc)

Insert, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both. Dense and firm. It’s the stitch for amigurumi keychains, bag bottoms, and baskets. Turning chain: 1, which doesn’t count as a stitch.

A dense swatch of single crochet rows in mint cotton yarn. — Single crochet makes the dense, sturdy fabric you want for bags, baskets, and amigurumi keychains.

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Yarn over, insert, pull up a loop (3 loops), yarn over, pull through all three. It’s a warm, slightly squishy middle ground, and a favorite for beanies and scarves. Turning chain: 2, which usually doesn’t count.

Hands working a half double crochet with three loops on the hook. — Half double crochet: yarn over, insert, pull up a loop, then pull through all three loops at once.

Double Crochet (dc)

Yarn over, insert, pull up a loop (3 loops), then yarn over and pull through 2, and yarn over and pull through the last 2. It’s tall, quick, and drapey, which makes it the backbone of granny squares and most blankets. Turning chain: 3, which usually does count as the first stitch.

A double crochet swatch in butter yellow yarn showing tall open stitches. — Double crochet grows fast and drapes softly, which is why it's the backbone of granny squares and blankets.

Treble Crochet (tr)

Yarn over twice, insert, pull up a loop (4 loops), then yarn over and pull through 2 three times. It’s used for tall petals, lacy shawls, and anywhere you need height fast.

The US/UK trap: UK patterns name every stitch one step taller. A UK “double crochet” is a US sc, and a UK “treble” is a US dc. Our abbreviations chart has the full list.

Magic Ring (MR)

Anything worked in the round from the center out, like amigurumi, flowers, coasters, or top-down hats, starts better with a magic ring (MR) than with a chained circle, because it closes with no hole.

Wrap the yarn around two fingers so the tail crosses over the working yarn, forming an X.
Insert your hook under the ring, grab the working yarn, and pull up a loop. Chain 1 to lock it (this chain doesn’t count).
Work the first round’s stitches into the ring, over both strands. For amigurumi, that’s usually 6 sc.
Pull the tail firmly: the ring cinches closed.

Magic ring in progress: a loop of yarn around two fingers with six single crochet worked into it. — The magic ring: work your first round into an adjustable loop, then pull the tail so the center closes with no hole.

A small flat crochet circle in lilac yarn after the magic ring has been pulled closed, with no hole in the center. — Pull the tail and the magic ring cinches shut. This is the start of every amigurumi keychain and round coaster.

Increases and Decreases

An increase (inc) is simply two stitches worked into the same stitch. A decrease (dec) joins two stitches into one: pull up a loop in each of the next two stitches, then yarn over and pull through all the loops at once (written sc2tog, or tog for “together”).

For amigurumi, use the invisible decrease: insert the hook through the front loops only of the next two stitches, pull up a loop, and finish as a normal sc. It hides almost completely.

The rhythm of a flat single crochet circle is worth memorizing, because so many patterns use it:

A flat circle growing round by round with a stitch marker in the first stitch of the round. — Even increases keep a circle flat: 6 stitches, then 12, then 18. A stitch marker shows where each round begins.

Tick as you go

Practice: a flat circle (sc)

0 / 6 done

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: [Sc in next st, inc in next st] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 6: [Sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st] 6 times. (36)

Worked in a continuous spiral: don't join the rounds. Move a stitch marker to the first stitch of each new round. The pattern continues the same way: one more sc between increases each round.

Front and Back Loops

Look down at the top of any stitch and you’ll see a V made of two loops. Working into the back loop only (BLO) or front loop only (FLO) leaves the other loop as a horizontal ridge.

Close-up comparison of crochet worked in back loops only, creating a ridged, ribbed texture. — Working in the back loop only leaves a ridge on the front, which makes the ribbed texture on cuffs, hats, and headbands.

That ridge is the whole trick behind ribbed-looking scarves, headbands, and the “fold line” at the base of a bag or pouch where the flat bottom turns into the sides.

Post Stitches

Instead of working into the top of a stitch, you work around its post, the vertical body of the stitch below.

Front post double crochet (FPdc): insert the hook from front to back to front around the post, then work a normal dc. The stitch pops forward.
Back post double crochet (BPdc): insert from back to front to back. The stitch recedes.

Alternate one of each and you get stretchy ribbing that looks almost knitted, perfect for hat brims, sweater cuffs, and cardigan hems.

Front post and back post double crochet ribbing on the brim of a beanie. — Alternating front post and back post double crochet makes stretchy, knit-looking ribbing for hat brims and cuffs.

Textured Stitches

These are the stitches behind that squishy, cozy texture that performs so well on Pinterest.

Puff stitch (puff): [yarn over, insert, pull up a long loop] 3–5 times in the same stitch, then yarn over and pull through everything.
Bobble (bobble): 5 double crochets worked into one stitch, each stopped before its final pull-through, then closed together.
Popcorn (pc): 5 complete dc in one stitch, then the first and last are folded together so they stand out.

A row of plump puff stitches and a row of bobble stitches on a lilac swatch. — Puff and bobble stitches add pillowy texture. They take more yarn but they're what make crochet look handmade in the best way.

Shell (shell): 5 dc in one stitch fanning out, with the stitches on either side skipped. It’s the classic scalloped edge.
V-stitch (V-st): (dc, ch 1, dc) in one stitch. It builds a light, drapey fabric fast, great for summer tops.
Cluster (cl): partial stitches worked across several stitches and closed together at the top. It’s the opposite of a shell.
Picot (picot): ch 3, then sl st into the first chain. It makes a tiny decorative point on petals and edgings.

A scalloped shell stitch edge on a mint crochet blanket corner. — Five double crochet in one stitch fans out into a shell. Repeat it and you get this scalloped edge.

How to Practice Without Getting Bored

Instead of endless swatches, make something small with each new stitch: a coaster in single crochet, a scrunchie in double crochet, a five-petal flower with the magic ring. You’ll learn the stitch and end up with something to use or gift. When you’re ready to follow full written instructions, read how to read crochet patterns next.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest crochet stitch to learn first?

The chain, then single crochet. Chains are the foundation of almost everything, and single crochet is only two movements (pull up a loop, pull through two). Once those feel natural, half double and double crochet are just small extensions of the same motion.

How to Crochet for Beginners →

Why does my magic ring keep coming undone?

The tail isn't locked in yet. After pulling the ring closed, work the next round, then weave the tail through the first round in two directions before trimming. With slippery cotton, a small knot on the wrong side adds extra security for keychains that will be tugged.

Crochet Keychain Ideas (with a Strawberry Pattern) →

What's the difference between a puff stitch and a bobble?

A puff stitch pulls up several long loops in one stitch and closes them together, so it's soft and flat-topped. A bobble works several unfinished double crochets into one stitch and closes them, so it pops out as a firmer, rounder bump.

My circle is curling into a bowl or getting wavy. What's wrong?

A bowl means too few increases; waves mean too many. A flat circle in single crochet adds 6 stitches every round (6, 12, 18, 24...), and in double crochet it adds about 12 per round. Count each round and compare it to that rhythm.

Do I need to learn every stitch before starting a project?

No. Most beginner projects use only chain, single crochet, and double crochet. Learn a new stitch when a pattern asks for it: it sticks much better when you're using it for something real.

Easy Crochet Ideas for Beginners →