How to Single Crochet: Learn How to Crochet Lesson #8

Learn how to single crochet in this crochet lesson #8.

The single crochet is the most widely used crochet stitch and it is the easiest to learn. The single crochet stitch creates a lovely tight fabric that holds its shape well and can be used to make garments, toys, and blankets, among many other things.

The single crochet is the most fundamental stitch. If you master this stitch first, it will be easier to master more challenging stitches later.

Single Crochet Abbreviation

The single crochet is abbreviated (sc).

Note: If you see the abbreviation (sc) in a crochet pattern, you will know this means to single crochet into the following or designated stitch.

Which Loop or Part of the Chain Do I Insert My Hook Into While Making the Single Crochet Stitch?

When learning the single crochet stitch, it is helpful to know which part or loop of the chain to place your hook into before creating the stitch. To place a single crochet stitch into the foundation chain, insert your crochet hook under the top loop of the chain stitch.

To “Draw,” “Draw Through,” or “Draw Up a Loop”

In crochet terms, “draw,” “draw through,” and “draw up a loop” means to pull the yarn (yarn over) back through the foundation chain or crochet stitch. In other words, “draw up a loop” means to create a new loop on your hook. This is important to know because these terms often appear in crochet patterns and are commonly used when learning new stitches.

Note: Do not confuse “drawing up a loop” with “yarning over.”

Note: I will use the terms “draw up a loop” and “draw through” while demonstrating the single crochet and future crochet stitches. This will help familiarize you with crochet vocabulary.

To Make the First Row of Single Crochet Stitches:

• Make a foundation chain of 18 stitches (ch 18).

• Chain 1 more stitch to make the turning chain (ch 1). This will make a total of 19 chain stitches.

Note: A typical crochet pattern will not separate the foundation chain into stitches
and turning chains. I separate them above to help you recognize the difference
and purpose of a turning chain.

Step #1 Locate the 2nd chain from the hook.

Reminder: The loop on your hook does not count as a chain stitch.

Step #2 With the right side of the foundation chain facing you, insert your crochet hook into the 2nd chain from the hook.

Step #3 Yarn over the hook (yo).

Step #4 Draw up a loop.

Reminder: To "draw up a loop" means to pull the "yarn over" back through the chain.

Step #5 There will now be two loops on your hook.

Step #6 Yarn over the hook (yo).

Step #7 Draw through the two loops that are on your hook.

Step #8 The single crochet stitch (sc) is now complete. Continue to work a single crochet stitch into each foundation chain.

Note: Do not place a single crochet stitch into the slip knot.

When you are finished with your single crochet row, you should have 18 single crochet stitches.

What Happened to the 19th Stitch?

If you wonder what happened to the 19th (last) stitch, remember that you added one chain stitch to your foundation chain to make a turning chain. This turning chain was then skipped because it was needed to raise the yarn level.

Reminder: A turning chain is necessary to bring a row of stitches up to the correct height, and only one turning chain is needed for a single crochet stitch.

How to Count Single Crochet Stitches

Counting stitches every time you finish a row will help you know if you dropped or skipped a stitch. An accurate stitch count will also ensure that you have the correct number of stitches that a project or pattern asks for.

The single crochet is a short stitch that can be challenging to identify because it tucks away neatly into a row of stitches. For this reason, a single crochet can be difficult to count.

The easiest way to count a single crochet is to look at the top of the stitch. The top of a single crochet stitch has two loops (front and back) shaped like the letter V. If you look at a row of single crochet stitches, you will notice that the top of the row has many sideways V’s that are attached. To count each single crochet stitch, you need to count each sideways V at the top of that row.

Note: The chain one (ch 1) does not count as a stitch in the single crochet because it is a short stitch that doesn’t require a tall turning chain. Taller stitches (double, triple, etc.) require tall turning chains, and because of this, their turning chains will count as a stitch.

More information: Learn how to master the art of turning at the end of a row. Wiki How has you covered with details on crafting the initial row of your project, just in case you need a refresher.

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Learn how to single crochet like a pro with this step-by-step tutorial! Perfect for beginners, this lesson covers everything from the basics to some advanced techniques. Impress your friends and family with your new crochet skills! Easy to follow instructions Perfect for beginners #crochet #learncrochet #singlecrochet #crochettutorial #crochetforbeginners

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