Single Crochet Stitch
A single crochet stitch is a basic crochet stitch that creates a tight, dense fabric. It is one of the first crochet stitches that are taught to beginners, along with a half double crochet and double crochet stitch, since it is easy to learn.
Below, we’ll explain to you how to single crochet (sc abbreviated) with a photo tutorial and share some easy crochet patterns using single crochets as well. As a beginner with this tutorial, you’ll be able to learn how to single crochet easily!
What is a Single Crochet Stitch?
The single crochet is a basic crochet stitch which is the shortest of all the stitches. It is the shortest because when compared to a half double crochet or a double crochet, it is smaller due to the way the stitch is worked.
As a beginner, you will need to learn the single crochet stitch to crochet just about anything, and it is usually one of the first learned when people start crocheting.
How to Make Single Crochet Stitches
To single crochet, you will need a crochet hook and some yarn. The example uses Lion Brand Heartland yarn in the color Voyageurs and a 5 mm crochet hook. However, you can follow along with this tutorial with any yarn, just as long as you use its recommended crochet hook size (it’ll be listed on the yarn skein’s label).
Hold the yarn in your non-dominant hand, and the crochet hook in your dominant hand.
Simply follow along with the written tutorial below, and you will be on your way to crocheting a single crochet stitch.
- Start by making a slip knot on the crochet hook.
- Crochet a foundation chain (aka chain stitch) of any amount.
- Next, insert the hook into the second chain from the hook.
- Wrap the yarn over the hook, and pull it back through the chain. This will create a loop on the hook.
- Wrap the yarn over the hook again, and pull it through both loops on the hook. This completes one single crochet stitch.
You will find that single crochets are often used as a foundation for other crochet stitches, or to create a variety of projects such as hats, scarves, and blankets. This basic stitch is probably the first real crochet stitch you’ll need to learn.
Single Crochet Stitch
The single crochet stitch’s symbol when shown in diagrams is this:
Notes:
- This stitch tutorial is written in US standard crochet terms.
- Stitch Abbreviation: sc
Stitch Description:
A single crochet is a simple stitch to learn and is a good starting point for beginners who are learning how to crochet. It is one of the three or four basic crochet stitches that every crocheter must learn.
The Tutorial:
Step 1: Start by making a slip knot on the crochet hook and crochet a foundation chain (amount varies per pattern, but for a practice swatch chain 10)
Step 2: Next, insert hook into the second chain from the hook (as shown by where the silver tapestry needle is inserted).
Step 3: Wrap the yarn over the hook, and pull it back through the chain. This will create one loop on the hook. You will now have two loops on the hook.
Step 4: Wrap the yarn over the hook again, and pull it through both loops on the hook. You have completed your first stitch!
Step 5: Continue inserting the hook into the fabric on the next stitch and repeating steps 3 and 4 to make additional single crochet stitches to complete a full first row of single crochets!
Step 6: To end the single crochet row, chain one and turn your work. This will create a new, second row.
Step 7: Continue single crocheting by repeating steps 2 – 6 to make a swatch of single crochet stitches. The single crochet fabric this process creates is a tightly woven swatch that has very little space between the stitches.
The Single Crochet Stitch Gallery
Here are a number of detail photos that should help you understand the Single Crochet Stitch a little better. My stitch tutorials aim to be as complete as possible to help you learn as easily as you can. I attempt to include both right- and left-hand photos, different yarn weights, and even a swatch diagram when I find the time to make one up! I hope these extra images help you learn the single crochet stitch a little easier!
The Stitch Diagram
This diagram is a symbol representation for how we created the swatch in the above tutorial. The symbol definition explains how the swatch is worked from the right side (right handed).
In Various Yarn Weights
In order to show the greatest detail of the single crochet stitch, I wanted to crochet up a swatch in varying yarn weights. Here are some of the samples:
Crochet Patterns Using Single Crochets
With practice, you will get better at creating a single crochet and be able to use it in your crochet projects. Take a look below at a few of our favorite single crochet stitch patterns for beginners to make.
Here are some single crochet patterns for beginners:
- Simple Single Crochet Scarf: A basic single crochet scarf is a great crochet pattern for beginners, as it only requires a small amount of yarn and the stitch is easy to learn.
- Single Crochet Dishcloth: A dishcloth is a practical and useful item that can be made with single crochet stitches. This is a good project for learning how to increase and decrease stitches.
- Single Crochet Headband: A headband is a quick and easy project that can be made with single crochet stitches. It’s a great way to learn how to work in the round and create a seamless piece.
- Single Crochet Washcloth: A washcloth is a simple project that can be made with single crochet stitches. It’s a good way to practice creating even rows and working with different yarn colors.
- Single Crochet Baby Blanket: A baby blanket is a larger project that can be made with single crochet stitches. It’s a good way to practice working in rows and creating a more complex pattern.
I hope you enjoyed the free patterns above!