Welcome to Sharky Knows! I have recently had a few newbies to crochet contact me about my patterns. I recently released three of my own patterns which you can find under the header "Sharky Knows Patterns". They are great beginner projects and i thought i would do a post to help out any new crocheters by explaining some of the most commonly used crochet stitches, especially ones that i use all the time. My patterns are written in UK terms, so bare that in mind.
MAGIC RING
To begin a project that works in the round, like my amigurumi toys, you need to begin with a ring. I often use a Magic ring into which you make your first round of stitches and close it tight.
1. Wrap yarn around two fingers.
2. Hook yarn (coming from the ball) and pull through the loop.
3. Hook yarn (coming from the ball) and pull through the loop made. Its like making a chain stitch.
4. Complete the number of double crochets (or other stitches) you need into the main ring.
5. Pull the short piece of yarn to tighten the ring.
To begin a project that works in the round, like my amigurumi toys, you need to begin with a ring. I often use a Magic ring into which you make your first round of stitches and close it tight.
1. Wrap yarn around two fingers.
2. Hook yarn (coming from the ball) and pull through the loop.
3. Hook yarn (coming from the ball) and pull through the loop made. Its like making a chain stitch.
4. Complete the number of double crochets (or other stitches) you need into the main ring.
5. Pull the short piece of yarn to tighten the ring.
DOUBLE CROCHET
Double crochet is the smallest stitch you can make and is most often used for amigurami. As it is small, it doesn't allow the stuffing to escape in between the stitches and makes it easier to create shaping. If working in rows, i chain 1 at the beginning of the row before continuing with double crochets.
1. Insert hook into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn round hook and pull through. You will have two loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
Double crochet is the smallest stitch you can make and is most often used for amigurami. As it is small, it doesn't allow the stuffing to escape in between the stitches and makes it easier to create shaping. If working in rows, i chain 1 at the beginning of the row before continuing with double crochets.
1. Insert hook into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn round hook and pull through. You will have two loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
HALF TREBLE CROCHET
The next size up is Half Treble crochet. It is sometimes used for amigurumi but more often in other crochet projects. I like to use them when making loveys. If working in rows, I chain one before working my first half treble in the same stitch.
1. Yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn round hook and pull through. You will have three loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.
The next size up is Half Treble crochet. It is sometimes used for amigurumi but more often in other crochet projects. I like to use them when making loveys. If working in rows, I chain one before working my first half treble in the same stitch.
1. Yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn round hook and pull through. You will have three loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.
TREBLE CROCHET
Treble crochet is the most commonly used stitch in crochet. I use it all the time on my blankets, loveys and all sorts. If working in rows, I chain two which counts as my first treble, then continue with treble in the next stitch along. Some people like to chain 3 for their first treble however i find this leaves me with a slightly wobbly edge. This could be down to tension so try it for yourself and choose which suits.
1. Yarn over hook, insert into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through. You will have three loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You will have two loops left.
4. Yarn over and pull through last two remaining loops on your hook.
Treble crochet is the most commonly used stitch in crochet. I use it all the time on my blankets, loveys and all sorts. If working in rows, I chain two which counts as my first treble, then continue with treble in the next stitch along. Some people like to chain 3 for their first treble however i find this leaves me with a slightly wobbly edge. This could be down to tension so try it for yourself and choose which suits.
1. Yarn over hook, insert into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through. You will have three loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You will have two loops left.
4. Yarn over and pull through last two remaining loops on your hook.
DOUBLE TREBLE CROCHET
The next step up is a double treble crochet. So this time if working in rows you can chain 3 to begin, then work your double treble in the next available stitch.
1. Yarn over hook twice, insert into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through. You will have four loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You will have three loops left.
4. Yarn over and pull through the next two loops on your hook. You will have two loops left.
5. Yarn over and pull through the last two remaining loops on your hook.
The next step up is a double treble crochet. So this time if working in rows you can chain 3 to begin, then work your double treble in the next available stitch.
1. Yarn over hook twice, insert into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through. You will have four loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You will have three loops left.
4. Yarn over and pull through the next two loops on your hook. You will have two loops left.
5. Yarn over and pull through the last two remaining loops on your hook.
OTHER USEFUL STITCHES
BEGINNING CIRCLE
If you find the magic ring tricky, you have two other options. You can chain 2, then start working your first round of stitches into the second chain from your hook. Or you can chain 3 or 4, join to first chain made using a slip stitch, then continue working your beginning round of stitches inside the circle you have made.
SLIP STITCH
Slip stitches can be used for a few reasons. It could be to move along your work to a new place without creating any stitches, to join one piece of work to another or to join chains to create a beginning circle.
1. Insert hook into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook.
INCREASING
If a pattern requires you to increase a stitch, this simply means making two stitches in one place. This is often used in amigurumi projects to help create shaping.
DECREASING
To help create shape or reduce the amount of stitches to make something smaller, you use decreasing stitches. These are also used a lot in amigurumi. The instructions below are based on an invisible decreasing Double crochet which is what i use most.
1. Insert hook into front loop of stitch, insert hook into front loop of next stitch. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through both stitches on your hook.
2. Yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook.
BEGINNING CIRCLE
If you find the magic ring tricky, you have two other options. You can chain 2, then start working your first round of stitches into the second chain from your hook. Or you can chain 3 or 4, join to first chain made using a slip stitch, then continue working your beginning round of stitches inside the circle you have made.
SLIP STITCH
Slip stitches can be used for a few reasons. It could be to move along your work to a new place without creating any stitches, to join one piece of work to another or to join chains to create a beginning circle.
1. Insert hook into stitch or chain.
2. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook.
INCREASING
If a pattern requires you to increase a stitch, this simply means making two stitches in one place. This is often used in amigurumi projects to help create shaping.
DECREASING
To help create shape or reduce the amount of stitches to make something smaller, you use decreasing stitches. These are also used a lot in amigurumi. The instructions below are based on an invisible decreasing Double crochet which is what i use most.
1. Insert hook into front loop of stitch, insert hook into front loop of next stitch. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through both stitches on your hook.
2. Yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook.
So there you have it, there are the most commonly used stitches in crochet. If you are unsure of any of the information do get in touch or leave a comment below if you have found it helpful. I will come back with some more instructional posts in the future so make sure you subscribe to my blog for updates.