How to Crochet - The Basic Stitches

By A Lundy

Learning how to crochet is easy and a few basic stitches can be used to create more
complicated patterns.

Crochet is, by using a hook, the pulling of loops of yarn through other loops to create pieces of goods used for wearing apparel and for household items. The first published references to crochet were in the 1800s. Today there are many free crochet patterns available, along with instructions for learning the basic stitches, for those who are wanting to learn how to crochet.

With the invention of the cotton gin in the 1800s, crochet replaced more costly methods of lace making. Crocheted laces in the Edwardian period were elaborate with complicated stitching. White thread became common, replacing strong colors that were used earlier in the Victorian era. After WW1, there were less patterns produced for crochet, but after WWII, new patterns were produced, there were thicker threads and yarns, and there was a renewed interest in learning how to crochet. Today's yarns with new textures and wonderful colors have added to the popularity. There are many free crochet patterns online.

Although different pattern types are used for crochet projects, there are only a few basic crochet stitches to know when learning how to crochet as the interesting patterns are worked with combinations of these few stitches.

To form more complex patterns, these are basic stitches to learn:

US - The Stitch - The Abbreviation

Chain - ch
Single Crochet - sc
Half Double Crochet - hdc
Double Crochet - dc
Slip Stitch - slst

also - the Treble and Triple Treble

Different terminology is used in different countries. Some of the names of the stitches differ between American English - US - and British English - UK.

A few of the many patterns which are made using these basic stitches are the shell stitch and the picot, commonly used for edgings, the different cluster stitches, and the popcorn stitch. The instructions for forming these and many, many more complex patterns are generally included in the crochet pattern instructions.

For free online videos for basic stitches and for free crochet patterns online, Go Here.

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