Crochet Library

Index
General
Abbreviations & Notations	Glossary	Hook Size
Yarn & Thread
Basic Stitches
Chain (ch)	Single Crochet (sc)	Double Crochet (dc)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)	Triple Crochet (tr)	Slip Stitch (sl st)
Reverse Single Crochet (Crab Stitch)	Picot Stitch	Bullion Stitch

Blocking
The process of steaming or wetting the finished project to even out the stitches and give the fabric its permanent look.

Gauge
Gauge is the number of stitches and rows in a 4"x4" (10cm x 10cm) piece.
For more detail check Gauge Swatch.

Multiple
The number of stitches that together create one repeat of a pattern.

Repeat
A group of stitches (multiple) that together form one occurrence of a pattern.


Swatch
Sample of stitches worked with your intended yarn and hook, typically a bit larger than 4"x4" (10cm x 10cm). It is used for measuring the gauge.
For more detail check Gauge Swatch.

Work even
To continue to work in the pattern as established, without any increases or decreases.

Hook Size

Aluminum/Plastic Hooks
For crocheting with yarn, Aluminum or Plastic hooks are used. Following is the Aluminum/Plastic Crochet Hook size table for American and Metric systems. For Metric, the numbers are in Millimeter. It should be noted there is discrepancy between different manufacturers for American sizes. It is best to rely on the Metric system, as in Metric the number for the hook size is its true thickness in millimeter.

Yarn & Thread

Yarn

The term weight refers to the thickness of yarn. Yarn is sold in several different thicknesses or weights. Each weight has a different use and a different hook size should be used for it.

Baby weight (Fingering yarn)
Best for baby items, summer wear and socks. Use crochet hook B or C (2.25 -2.75 mm) for best results. You should have 22 to 28 stitches to 4" (10 cm).

Sport weight yarn
About twice as thick as baby yarn. It is used for children's clothing and light weight garments. Use crochet hook D, E or F (3, 3.5 or 4 mm) for best results. You should have about 16 to 20 stitches to 4" (10 cm).

DK or Double Knitting yarn
Slightly heavier than sport weight and yet lighter than worsted weight yarn. It is appropriate to replace both sport and worsted weight yarn. Use crochet hook E, F or G (3.5, 4 or 4.5 mm) for best results. You should have about 14 stitches to 4" (10 cm).

Worsted weight yarn
Twice as thick as sport weight. It is used for garments and Afghans alike. Use crochet hook G, H or I (4.5, 5 or 5.5 mm) for best results. You should have about 12 to 16 stitches to 4" (10 cm).

Bulky (Chunky) yarn
Heavier than worsted weight. It is used for outdoor sweaters and works up fast. Use crochet hook L, M or N (8, 9 or 10 mm) for best results. You should have about 4 to 6 stitches to 4" (10 cm).

Thread

There are different thread sizes ranging from size 100 to 3. A larger number represents a thinner thread. The thinnest, size 100, is very fine and requires size 14 steel crochet hook.

The most commonly used crochet thread is size 10. Use size 6 or 7 (1.6 or 1.5 mm) steel crochet hook with this thread to get 10 stitches per inch (2.5 cm).


Basic Stitches

Chain stitch (ch)

1. Make a slip knot with the yarn.
2. Insert the hook into the slip knot and wrap the yarn around it.
3. Pull the yarn through the slip knot, one chain (ch) is made.
4. Wrap the yarn around the hook again.
5. Pull the yarn through the stitch that was just made. Another ch is made.
6. Repeat steps 4-5 until you have the desired number of chains.

Single Crochet stitch (sc)

1. Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook and wrap the yarn around it.
2. Pull the yarn through the first loop. Now, you have 2 loops on the hook.
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull through both loops on the hook. One sc is made.
4. Insert the hook into the next stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook. Repeat steps 2-3 for the next stitch.

Double Crochet stitch (dc)

1. Wrap the yarn around the hook.
2. Insert the hook into the third chain from the hook.
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the first loop. Now, you have 3 loops on the hook.
4. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull through first 2 loops on the hook. Now, you have 2 loops on the hook.
5. Wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull through the last remaining 2 loops on the hook. One dc is made.
6. Wrap the yarn around the hook, insert the hook into the next stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull it through. Repeat steps 4-5 for following stitches.

Half Double Crochet stitch (hdc)

1. Wrap the yarn around the hook.
2. Insert the hook into the third chain from the hook.
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the first loop. Now, you have 3 loops on the hook.
4. Wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull through all loops on the hook. One hdc is made.
5. Wrap the yarn around the hook, insert the hook into the next stitch, repeat steps 3-4 for following stitches.

Triple crochet stitch (tr)

1. Wrap the yarn around the hook twice. Insert the hook into the fourth chain from the hook. Now, you have 4 loops on the hook.
2. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through first 2 loops on the hook. Now, you have 3 loops on the hook.
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the first 2 of the 3 remaining loops on the hook. Now, you have 2 loops on the hook.
4. Wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull it through the last two loops. One tr is made.
5. Wrap the yarn around the hook twice and insert the hook into the next stitch, repeat steps 2-4 for following stitches.

Slip Stitch (sl st)

Sometimes you need to make a very short stitch (almost invisible).

1. Insert the hook into the next stitch.
2. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through both loops. One sl st is made.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 for following stitches.

Reverse Single Crochet (Crab Stitch)

This stitch is worked in the opposite direction (left to right instead of right to left for right hand crocheters). It creates a nice finished edge.

1. Ch1. Do not turn your work.
2. Insert hook into the previous stitch. Wrap yarn around hook.
3. Pull yarn through the stitch. Now you have 2 loops on hook.
4. Wrap yarn around hook.
5. Pull through both loops on hook.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for all remaining stitches.

Picot Stitch

1. Work as indicated in pattern, ch (usually 3).
2. Insert hook into the first ch made.
3. Wrap yarn around hook and make a sl st.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the next picot.

Bullion Stitch

1. Wrap thread around the hook as many times as mentioned in the instructions.
2. Insert hook into the next stitch, thread over hook and pull it through the stitch.
3. Thread over hook and pull through all loops on hook.
4. thread over hook, pull through one loop on hook. Stitch completed.