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So you recently started to learn how to crochet, but what is the next step? Maybe you are confused by all of the abbreviations that are basically another language. Maybe you have spent way too much time trying to figure out how to make a double crochet. Or maybe you are tired of making scarfs for everyone in your family. Well, this is the post for you!
In this post, I will go over some of the most common abbreviations used in crochet patterns. I will go over the different types of yarn (weights and materials). I will show you how to perform some of the basic stitches. At the end of the post, I will provide you with some of my favorite places to find crochet patterns/projects.
Crochet Dictionary
The abbreviations that are used in crochet patterns can be overwhelming to a person who is new to crocheting. However, over time you will start to read a crochet pattern fluently without having to look up the abbreviations. The list below contains common abbreviations. This list is in alphabetical order. These abbreviations are a good foundation for most crochet projects. If you master these abbreviations, then you should be able to read most patterns.
- * * = repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed
- BL = back loop only
- CC = contrasting color
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- dec = decrease
- fl = front loop only
- gauge = the number of stitches per inch and rows per inch that result from a specified yarn worked with a specified-size hook.
- hdc = half double crochet
- inc = increase
- MC = main color
- RS = right side
- sc = single crochet
- sc/dc/tr2tog = single/double/triple crochet 2 together
- sl st = slip stitch
- sp = space
- tr = triple crochet
- WS = wrong side
- yo = yarn over
All About Yarn
Yarn can be bought in many different weights, colors, and fibers. Weight is the thickness of the yarn. The larger the number the thicker the yarn. So a yarn with a weight of 3 is thicker than a yarn with a weight of 0. The weight of the yarn can also be used to determine what the best hook to use. A thicker yarn with a weight of 6 will use a very large hook like M/13 (9 mm), whereas a yarn with a weight of 4 will use a hook that is slightly smaller like an I/9 (5.5 mm).
When you are shopping for yarn, you can find many different fibers. Fibers are what the yarn is made of. There are different synthetic and natural yarns. Most beginners start crocheting using acrylic yarn. Acrylic yarn is made from a polymer (Material Science to the rescue!). Acrylic yarn is relatively cheap and is produced by a variety of different companies. Acrylic yarn sometimes gets a bad rap because it can be itchy and uncomfortable to work with. However, this is not true for all acrylic yarn and an unfortunate myth. Cotton yarn is used to make garments. It can be bought in many different weights. What I like about cotton yarn is that it is lightweight and very durable. Wool is also a common yarn fiber. Wool is made from the wool of sheep, llamas, or alpacas. Wool yarn is a warm fiber that is used to make scarves, sweaters, and other autumn/winter clothing items. There are many different types of wool including merino, cashmere, mohair, angora, or alpaca. You can also buy blends that contain two or more fibers like an acrylic and cotton blend. These blends are used to make the yarn stronger, improve the washability of the yarn, and even change the appearance of the yarn.
I have been crocheting for several years now, and have found different yarns that I enjoy to work with. I like to use the bulky yarn for projects because you can see the progress of the project easily. However, I really like the bright colors that are found in the lightweight baby yarns. Here are some of my favorite yarns to work with for each weight.
Weight 0 – Lace
Weight 1 – Super Fine
Weight 2 – Fine
Sugar Bush Itty Bitty Yarn
Weight 3 – Light
Weight 4 – Medium
Weight 5 – Bulky
Weight 6 – Super Bulky
Learning the Basics
So there are a handful of stitches that are the bases of almost every pattern. If you can master these stitches, then you should have the background to work on many projects and patterns. In this section, I will give you the steps to make the chain followed by a video tutorial. The stitches will progressively get taller as you go along. At the end of the post, there will be a video to show you how to make a magic circle which can be used if you are crocheting in a round.
Chain Stitch
The chain stitch is the first stitch that you will learn. This is because you make a foundation chain to start a project. Steps 1-2 are used to start the foundation chain only (aka the first chain of a project).
- Make a slip knot and place it on the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook (yarn over hook).
- With the yarn at the tip of the hook draw the loop through the loop on the hook. This makes the first chain.
- Repeat, yarn over (yo) and pull this loop through the loop on the hook until you have the desired number of chains.
Slip Stitch
The slip stitch can be used in a chain stitch or a row stitch (aka single crochet/double crochet/etc.). In the written instructions, the row stitch instruction will be in the paratheses. The slip stitch can be used when you are working in a round, joining a new color, to make a trim, or to invisibly move to another part of a row.
- Insert hook into the chain (under top 2 loops).
- Yarn over (yo) and pull through chain (stitch) and loop on the hook in one motion.
Single Crochet
The single crochet (sc) is one of the most commonly used stitches in crochet patterns. The single crochet is considered a row stitch. This stitch can be used in a chain and in a row stitch.
Foundation Chain Sc
- Insert hook into the second chain.
- Yarn over (yo) and pull through both loops on the hook.
- Insert hook into the next chain.
- Yo and pull through both loops on the hook.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 the desired number of times.
Row Sc
- To start the row, chain 1.
- Insert the hook front to back of the top two loops of the first stitch of the row below.
- Yo and pull through the stitch.
- Yo and pull through both loops on the hook.
- Repeat steps 2-4 the desired number of times.
Half Double Crochet
The half double crochet (hdc) is the third shortest stitch after the slip stitch and single crochet. The half double crochet is considered a row stitch. This stitch can be used in a chain and in a row stitch.
Foundation Chain hdc
- Yarn over and insert hook into the third chain.
- Yarn over (yo) and pull through all three loops on the hook.
- Yarn over and insert hook into the next chain.
- Yo and pull through the three loops on the hook.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 the desired number of times.
Row hdc
- To start the row, chain 2.
- Yarn over, and insert the hook front to back of the top two loops of the first stitch of the row below.
- Yo and pull through the stitch and loops on the hook.
- Repeat steps 2-3 the desired number of times.
Double Crochet
The double crochet (dc) is the second tallest stitch after the triple crochet, that I will go over in this post. The double crochet is considered a row stitch. This stitch can be used in a chain and in a row stitch.
Foundation Chain dc
- Yarn over (yo) and insert hook into the fourth chain.
- Yo and pull through the chain.
- Yo and draw through first 2 loops.
- Yo and draw through the remaining 2 loops.
- Yo and insert hook into the next chain.
- Repeat steps 2 through 5 until desired stitches are made.
Row dc
- To start the row, chain 3.
- Yarn over, and insert the hook front to back of the top two loops of the first stitch of the row below.
- Yo and pull through the stitch.
- Yo and pull through the first 2 loops.
- Yo and draw through remaining 2 loops.
- Repeat steps 2-4 the desired number of times.
Triple/Treble Crochet
The triple/treble crochet (tr) is the tallest stitch that I will go over in this post. The triple/treble crochet is considered a row stitch. This stitch can be used in a chain and in a row stitch. This stitch is called a triple crochet in the United States but it is called a treble crochet elsewhere.
Foundation Chain tr
- Yarn over (yo) twice and insert hook into the fifth chain.
- Yo and pull through the chain.
- Yo and draw through first 2 loops.
- Yo and draw through the next 2 loops.
- Yo and draw through the remaining 2 loops.
- Yo twice and insert hook into the next chain.
- Repeat steps 2 through 5 until desired stitches are made.
Row tr
- To start the row, chain 4.
- Yo twice, and insert the hook front to back of the top two loops of the first stitch of the row below.
- Yo and pull through the stitch.
- Yo and pull through the first 2 loops.
- Yo and draw through remaining 2 loops.
- Repeat steps 2-4 the desired number of times.
Magic Circle
A magic circle is sometimes used when crocheting in a round. I have used a magic circle to make hats and stuffed animals. In my opinion, a video is the best way to learn how to do this stitch. The video below is one that I have used several times when trying to remember how to make a magic circle.
Favorite Places to Find Patterns or Ideas
So now that you have learned the basics, its time to find some cool patterns. There are so many places where you can find projects, but here are some of my favorite places.
Books
So one place I have found projects is through books. Here is a list of books that I have used in the past to find projects.
I Taught Myself Crochet
I received this book for my birthday one year. This book is a great resource. There are so many instructions to make different types of trims and stitches, but it also contains some cool pattern that varies in skill level.
Online
You can find many crochet patterns online. Some of these patterns are free, while others you have to buy.
Ravelry (www.ravelry.com/account/login) is a social network for people who do yarn art. There are so many patterns available on Ravelry. The search feature is very nice because you can search based on a variety of different parameters. If you know you want to make a scarf, you can search for a scarf but also include other parameters such as hook size, skill level, amount of yarn, or even if its free or a paid pattern. You can also post your completed projects in Ravelry, join groups, find local crochet groups, and comment on other crocheter’s projects.
Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/) is one of the most popular social networks. But did you know that you can use Pinterest to find crochet patterns? There are so many patterns available on Pinterest, so there is no limit on what patterns and projects you can find.
Our website (theCraftEaze.com) is another resource to find new projects. What’s special about CraftEaze, is that we have a subscription service which will send you a new project monthly. The subscription service contains all materials needed to make a particular project in addition to a Netflix and wine suggestion. It also provides access to a private Facebook group which is like an online craft group. You can sign up for our subscription service at thecrafteaze.com/Subscription. Each month, we have a Facebook live video revealing this month’s project. We talk about the materials that are included in the CraftEaze box, the wine suggestion, and the Netflix suggestion.
CraftEaze also sells individual projects that were featured in each month’s CraftEaze box. These projects are well suited for beginners. We provide tutorials for any stitched used in the project. You can find a list of past projects at thecrafteaze.com/individual_projects.
I hope you enjoy learning how to crochet and making new projects!
Peace, Love, and Crafts- Jamie
