How to begin crochet comes down to three moves in order: a slip knot to anchor your yarn, a chain to build your foundation row, and your first row of single crochet worked into that chain. I taught this exact sequence to dozens of total beginners at my local shop, and the biggest hurdle is almost never the stitches themselves, it is tension. This guide walks through the steps in order, then covers the two mistakes that trip up nearly every first-timer.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make a slip knot by looping the yarn around two fingers, pulling a loop through, and tightening it onto your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook to make your first chain stitch. Repeat this to chain 15 for a practice swatch.
- Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop, giving you two loops on the hook.
- Yarn over again and pull through both loops to complete your first single crochet stitch.
- Repeat step 3 and 4 across the rest of the chain, one single crochet in each remaining chain stitch.
- At the end of the row, chain 1, turn your work, and single crochet across the new row the same way.
Common Mistakes
- Tension too tight: Gripping the yarn too firmly makes it hard to insert your hook into each stitch. Loosen your grip until the yarn moves easily but still holds shape.
- Tension too loose: Stitches that flop and slide around make it hard to see where one stitch ends and the next begins. Aim for stitches that hold their shape without being pulled tight.
- Miscounting the turning chain: A single crochet turning chain does not count as a stitch, so skip it and insert your hook into the actual first stitch of the row, not the chain space itself.
Frequently asked questions
Does the turning chain count as a stitch?
For single crochet, no, the turning chain does not count as a stitch, so you work your first single crochet into the actual first stitch of the row rather than the chain space. For taller stitches like double crochet, the turning chain usually does count as the first stitch, which is a common point of confusion when switching between stitch types.
How do I know if my tension is too tight?
If you struggle to insert your hook into each stitch or your fabric curls up hard at the edges, your tension is likely too tight. Loosening your grip on the working yarn, rather than the hook itself, usually solves this within a row or two of practice.
What should my very first practice project be?
A simple cotton dishcloth is the most common first project, since it only uses single crochet in straight rows with no shaping. Most beginners finish one in under an hour once the basic steps above start to feel automatic.
Ready for your first real project?
A basic dishcloth uses exactly the steps covered here, start to finish.
See easy first crochet projects