How to Crochet: Free Patterns, Stitch Instructions and Crochet Stitch Abbreviations
Learning to Crochet Again
Crocheting is a relaxing and creative hobby enjoyed by many. You can use large crochet hooks and small, make afghans, prayer shawls, scarves, and delicate doilies...the creative possibilities are endless.
I returned to crocheting after years of doing other things and have made things as simple and quick as bookmarks, hats and fingerless gloves, to more complicated things like sweaters, prayer shawls, afghans, and the basketweave purse pictured.
At first I needed so much help because so many stitches and stitch abbreviations had been forgotten. Then I started searching the internet for crochet patterns, and how to do the crochet stitches I had forgotten. This page is a collection of stitch tutorials and abbreviation interpretations that I discovered.
Claudia aka happynutritionist
Updated 5/31/12
THIS PAGE MAY TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO LOAD depending upon how fast your system is due to the video content.
Contents at a Glance
- How To Do Crochet Stitches
- How to Understand Crochet Pattern Codes...
- How to Crochet a SLIP KNOT to Start Your...
- How To Make A Crochet CHAIN (ch)
- How to Make a SINGLE Crochet Stitch (sc)
- How to Make a DOUBLE Crochet Stitch (dc)
- How to Make a TRIPLE or TREBLE Crochet S...
- Buy the Right Crochet Hook and Free Metr...
- How to Crochet a BACK LOOP (bl)
How To Do Crochet Stitches
These instructions and videos have helped me a lot, and will be helpful to most beginners, and some advanced crocheters.
New stitches will be added over time so we all have one place to stop to find out how to do them. I've included the stitch abbreviations at the end of the title for each tuturial.
How to Understand Crochet Pattern Codes and a Printable List of Crochet Stitch Abbreviations
Does it all look "Greek" to you?
Your pattern will not often explain how to do the basic stitches shown in the videos below. It will provide you with abbreviations for most stitches in letters. I am including the abbreviations at the end of each video title about that stitch in (parenthesis), and just below, a link to a list of abbreviations and what they mean...and if that isn't enough, how to do the stitches in writing. So you'll have both video and written instructions handy.
Your pattern WILL often explain how to combine the stitches to make certain patterns in your project. For example, I am doing a shell afghan that alternates V-Stitches and Shells within each row. The pattern provides the abbreviations for the stitches needed for each...for example, for a "shell", it requires, in "code"--> "5 tr in next st" which means "5 triple crochet stitches in one chain stitch". They abbreviate "V-Stitch" as "V-st" and the "code" to make the V-st as "tr, ch 1, tr" which means "triple crochet, chain 1, triple crochet".
At first glance a pattern can look confusing, but before you know it, especially if you start out with a pattern graded "easy", you'll be crocheting with no trouble at all.
------>>> CLICK HERE for a great list of CROCHET ABBREVIATIONS and STITCH INSTRUCTIONS for you to print out. It provides written instructions...that plus the videos below should help you through most patterns.
“Written instructions are helpful, but there's nothing like watching how it's done on video.”
How to Crochet a SLIP KNOT to Start Your Project (sl knot if abbreviated)
The very first stitch
How To Make A Crochet CHAIN (ch)
The first step in all crochet projects
The first few videos are the basic stitches that I have found in most of the easier patterns that I have done, starting with the chain stitch, then showing how to do a single, double and triple crochet.
NOTE: Many crochet projects are based on single, double and triple crochet stitches. For example, as I told you, the afghan I am making now alternates a "V-Stitch" and a "Shell" stitch by combining ONLY triple crochet stitches and chain stitches as instructed.
How to Make a TRIPLE or TREBLE Crochet Stitch (tr or tc)
tr - tc = different inititials for the same stitch
Buy the Right Crochet Hook and Free Metric, US and UK Conversion Charts
The set of hooks you see here is almost all you need
There are metal crochet hooks, plastic crochet hooks, and sizes are given in both letters and numbers, so at first glance it can seem confusing to figure out what hook to buy. Let's take a break from videos to talk about this a bit.
When you start out, keep it simple. Pick your first easy pattern and only get what is on that pattern, unless you feel it's more economical to buy a set of crochet hooks. You don't need to learn about every type of hook there is, you just need to get started, the best way to learn. Here are some hooks and sets of hooks that are available online, you can click through and search for the particular letter/number size you need. They are also available in craft stores if you have one near you.
My personal preference is metal hooks, the yarn seems to move more smoothly over them. For afghans if you don't mind it being a little smaller or larger than the pattern says it will be, you can get away with using a different hook than suggested. But with clothing, you're crochet hook sizes as well as how loose or tight you crochet (gauge) are more important things to consider.
Here are conversion charts with Metric, US and UK crochet hook sizes in case you need them:
Click here for Crochet Hook Sizes and Metric Conversions
Clck here more Steel Crochet Hook Sizes and Conversions.
Boye Crochet Master Steel and Aluminum Crochet Hook Set
Amazon Price: $12.38 (as of 05/31/2012)
Here is almost every hook that you need for any crochet project.
Basketweave Crochet Stitch Using Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc) and Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc)
I just started making a purse using these stitches
I just started making Purse or Bag using basketweave crochet stitches and was thrilled to find this video, as the instructions were hard to understand.
Crochet Round vs Row
A ROUND is crocheted first along one side of the starter chain, then along the other, then back around again, working outward from the "center" on all sides.
ROWS are worked back and forth building in size in one direction.
Types and Weights of Crochet Yarn
In your crochet pattern, you will not only find the size hook to use, but also weight of yarn. The weight of the yarn refers to yards per pound. Here is a list of common weights and descriptions:
Fingering-weight yarns - thin and lightweight, about 1,900-2,400 yards per pound.
Sport-weight yarn is about twice as thick as fingering weight.
Worsted-weight yarn is most often used, and is three to four times as thick as fingering weight.
Bulky-weight is a very thick yarn, about six to eight times as thick as fingering weight.
Obviously, the thicker the yarn, the bigger the hook you will be using.
Read more at eHow.com
How to Crochet a CLUSTER Stitch (cl)
There are various kinds of Cluster Stitches but this will give you the basic idea
Free Crochet Patterns
Below you will find links to sites that offer free patterns of all kinds. A new page will open when you click on a link so you can find your way back here.
Free Crochet Patterns Online
I will be adding to this list
Free Holiday Patterns - Christmas, Easter, July 4th, Halloween and More
Click here and page down for a VERY LONG list of patterns of all kinds
Free Vintage Crochet Patterns, most hard to find elsewhere
Many More Free Crochet Patterns at All Free Crafts
200+ Free Afghan Patterns
More to come....
Patterns by Squidoo Lensmasters and Visitors
Please Add Your Lenses or Sites
Must be about Crocheting and will be approved withing 24 hours at most. Thank you!
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Crochet Christmas Gifts & Decorations
By Beth aka beth821 Tis the Season!!! Christmas is coming soon. It's time to start making your ornaments and decorations. This site will be full of patterns for afghans, ornaments, decorations including tree skirts, wreaths, stockings, and table dressings.I hope you enjoy these and will come back often to get more idea...0 points
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Crochet Halloween Decorations
An adorable scarecrow A cute Polly Pumpkin A Halloween Bunting Crochet is a passion of mine. I do enjoy making things. I have crocheted for over 30 years and have given away 80-90% of the projects. I can't wait to decorate with these 3 adorable items. I hope you enjoy making them, too.0 points
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Free Crochet Gnome Pattern
by Mom With a Hook I love gnomes and I know others do too. I came up with the following patterns and have come across many patterns in my search for the perfect gnome which I plan to share here.You can join our Flickr Group 'Crochet and Knit Gnomes' to share your creations. Do you have a favorite gnome pattern? Share...0 points
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Crochet: Fun free patterns
Crochet is my all time favorite hobby. My other favorite hobby is Pen paling. I remember trying to learn as a young girl from my mother. It just never took for me. She was left handed so maybe that was why it was difficult for me.I never had 'crafty' skills until I said a little prayer in 19...0 points
Shopping for Crochet Items
You can enter your own search terms
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Share Your Crocheting Story, ask a question, or say hello
Guest Book
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SMW1962
May 24, 2012 @ 3:45 pm | delete
- Very informative. Great information!
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JaguarJulie May 21, 2012 @ 11:40 am | delete
- My crocheting story : Learning to crochet with my grandma in Cleveland, Ohio. She was a crochet wizard, me thinks!
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happynutritionist May 29, 2012 @ 11:41 am | delete
- Nice memories:-) I learned that way too.
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Linda King
May 3, 2012 @ 6:03 pm | delete
- I have a large crocheted square that my great aunt made and I would like to make it into a circle to fit the top of a table. Does anyone know how to do this, sure would appreciate any help. Thanks
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bobbie
Mar 14, 2012 @ 8:02 pm | delete
- to all you ladies who crochet can someone help me . I would like to be able to some crochet, into my crochet hats, large letter of the alphabet. if any one knows how please email me at babalu111645@yahoo.com
thanks all
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accfuller
Feb 29, 2012 @ 9:16 pm | delete
- Very helpful! Thank You!
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- You're welcome...glad you found it helpful.
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Lorraina
Feb 9, 2012 @ 5:11 pm | delete
- I would like to have the pattern for the shell stitch poncho. I am unable to find it.So please E-mail this information to me @: r.lorraina@yahoo.com. Thank you , Lorraina
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Patricia Daniels
Feb 4, 2012 @ 6:56 am | delete
- What is a cr stitch?
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- The cr stitch is a cross stitch - you will find a tutorial for it above. Thank you for stopping by:-)
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mumsgather
Jan 29, 2012 @ 8:36 pm | delete
- You make me feel like picking up a needle again too!
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Fashionchick
Jan 19, 2012 @ 7:32 pm | delete
- I need to take up crocheting. Seems like a great hobby
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annmackiemiller Aug 12, 2011 @ 11:19 pm | delete
- I don't crochet but I would love to - angel blessed and featured on my road trip into crafts lens
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- Ann, I so appreciate the blessing...I am sorry for the delay in letting you know. Thank you so much!
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- Ann, I so appreciate the blessing...I am sorry for the delay in letting you know. Thank you so much!
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Nina Ricciardone
Jan 22, 2011 @ 11:08 am | delete
- I'm trying to make a doggy sweater it calls for a cluster stitch which I can do but the pictures look like the it comes out in a rectangle shape as I do each row the pattern seems to flair out and it's not rectangle what am i doing wrong or is that what a cluster stitch does?
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- Hi, Nina, I appreciate your writing and asking about this. I must admit that I have put this page together as a learner, it's handy for me to come here and find everything all in one place, and I know there are more stitches I could add. Maybe you could visit youtube or do a search on "cluster stitch" on google or bing, and find more information. There is a LOT out there, and many wonderful crocheters willing to help. Again, sorry I don't have an answer for you.
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cherangelry Dec 12, 2010 @ 9:01 am | delete
- Thanks for the great crochet resource! I've been trying to pick it up and it's difficult not having someone to show me in person, so the videos are a great help. I also really appreciate your help with abbreviations and such as patterns are so intimidating for a newbie, even at the "easy" level because of the jargon! Thanks and 5 stars to you!
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- I am glad it is helpful...I am also new at coming back to this again...I used to crochet as a teen and in my 20's, complicated and intricate things like doilies, but haven't done so in so many years I'm almost learning all over again, but it's amazing how much comes back. Enjoy!
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Lisa-Marie-Mary Nov 29, 2010 @ 2:33 pm | delete
- I've just started crocheting again myself, after a four+ year break. This lens was just what I needed - bookmarked on Delicious to keep track of it!!! So glad my friend, Loretta, liked your lens on Facebook so it got in my face! :-D
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- I appreciate the Delicious bookmark, and hope to add more things. I think as I relearn, I'm going to find that there are stitches that can be added here.
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terrapin719
Nov 29, 2010 @ 1:54 pm | delete
- I'm still learning to crochet, I do much better with needlework than yarn crafts :-p
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- I have done needlework too, quite a few craft projects hanging on my walls:-)
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BodiEko Nov 23, 2010 @ 2:29 am | delete
- Very nice lens! these crochet tutorials are awsome.
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Margo_Arrowsmith
Nov 15, 2010 @ 7:01 am | delete
- I am currently working on a blanket for my new granddaughter, after finishing her needlepoint Christmas stocking. I took it with me on a trip where I got a crochet injury (yes that is what I said) and had to stop for a while. It was my left hand where I held the increasing in weight blanket.
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- Oh my! I know that now that I am crocheting again after many years, the hand that I use with the hook gets tired after a couple of hours...as for the blanket I'm working on, I spread it out over my legs, it's so cold and keeps me warm while I crochet:-)
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Tipi
Nov 14, 2010 @ 1:32 pm | delete
- Wow, I'm so impressed with this lens, beautiful job on it. I FaceBooked it even.
Always wanted to learn to crochet, where will I find the time...
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- Tipi, sorry to be so late thanking you for this, I am tying to catch up on comments, so many to catch up on...but thanks so much for facebooking this for me, I'm honored.
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CreativeArtist Nov 12, 2010 @ 3:46 pm | delete
- Such a great resource! It's nice to have all of these instructional videos.
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tssfacts
Nov 12, 2010 @ 10:25 am | delete
- Wonderful article. My needles are packed but you have given me the bug to get going again.
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- Have you gotten them out yet? :-) It's my evening relaxation while watching TV with hubby. I can do better at paying attention to him while crocheting than playing on the laptop:-)
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ICanCook
Nov 11, 2010 @ 8:36 am | delete
- I like to crotchet also. The last project that I worked on is still unfinished. It's a blanket with hearts that was giving me trouble to position. Hopefully, I can pick it up again and come back to this site for help with some of my stitches.
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- Right now since I'm just coming back to it, I'm only picking easy patterns. Will advance with time. Thanks for the visit!
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BuckHawk
Nov 10, 2010 @ 11:28 am | delete
- Had to come back and Angel Bless this tremendous lens. Featured on Angel Wings November 2010.
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- Thank you so very much...so kind of you:-)
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BuckHawk
Nov 10, 2010 @ 11:27 am | delete
- Wow, I have bookmarked this one to be able to come back to often. I am an experienced crocheter, but found some great new stitches to try! Excellent job!
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bethd821
Nov 10, 2010 @ 5:37 am | delete
- Super crochet instruction videos, Claudia. Lensroll to You Will Learn To Crochet.
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- Thanks, Beth, headed over to get the link and add it to the link list above...anyone who has crochet pages or sites can add to it:-)
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BevsPaper
Nov 9, 2010 @ 7:49 pm | delete
- My goodness this is a wonderful resource for crochet! You make me want to pick up one of my old hooks and get started again. Hope you will put a picture on here when you have finished your Shell Afghan.
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- Thanks, Bev, do pick them up, it's great fun to be doing this again. I'll try to put up a picture, though it is a dark color and I'm not sure how it will look. It will will be a while, but maybe I can put up part of what I've done sometime.
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stargazer00
Nov 9, 2010 @ 5:34 pm | delete
- My grandma tried to teach me crochet and tatting when I was a girl. It was a futile effort for this tomboy. Now I wish that I had learned. I think they are valuable skills.
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- Hmmm, I'm not sure you can get away with using being a "tomboy" as an excuse, speaking as one who was one...went right from crocheting with my grandmother out into the woods catching snakes, toads and frogs...she loved how muddy I was when I came home...LOL (not!)
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aishu19
Nov 9, 2010 @ 2:45 pm | delete
- Wow I should say that this is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn or relearn crocheting. I am truly amazed at the kind of items this craftwork can produce.
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- Thank you, yes, there is a lot of variety in the kinds of things you can make...from crafts to cloths:-)
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Susan52
Nov 9, 2010 @ 2:32 pm | delete
- Wow, great resources! I, too, decided to re-teach myself to crochet about a year or so ago and turned to the internet. I only made a couple of little things, but I was pleased to be able to get started again after many, many years away from crochet (and I used to do it a LOT). Thanks for putting all this together in one place. Next time I get the crochet itch, I will turn here first for review and to learn a few things I've never seen before. I may just have to pull out my supplies and make one of those cute geckos first, though!
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- Hi Susan, a friend gave me the "easy" afghan pattern and it was then I realized how much I had forgotten if even an "easy" pattern challenged me:-) It's going to take some time to make, but it's coming along. Yeh, the gecko is cute, I think the boy I'm sending it to will like it...I replaced the eyes with button eyes as I didn't have any "googlies" on hand.
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Table of Contents
- How To Do Crochet Stitches
- How to Understand Crochet Pattern Codes and a Printable List of Crochet Stitch Abbreviations
- How to Crochet a SLIP KNOT to Start Your Project (sl knot if abbreviated)
- How To Make A Crochet CHAIN (ch)
- How to Make a SINGLE Crochet Stitch (sc)
- How to Make a DOUBLE Crochet Stitch (dc)
- How to Make a TRIPLE or TREBLE Crochet Stitch (tr or tc)
- Buy the Right Crochet Hook and Free Metric, US and UK Conversion Charts
- How to Crochet a BACK LOOP (bl)
- How to BACK POST and FRONT POST (bp, fp)
- How to Crochet BACK POST DOUBLE CROCHET (bpdc)
- Basketweave Crochet Stitch Using Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc) and Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc)
- How to Single and Double DECREASE Crochet Stitches (dec)
- How to Crochet an INCREASE Stitch (inc)
- How to FASTEN OFF Crochet (no abbrev)
- How to HIDE Crochet Ends and CHANGE COLORS
- Crochet Round vs Row
- Types and Weights of Crochet Yarn
- How to Crochet a CLUSTER Stitch (cl)
- How to do a CROSSED DOUBLE CROCHET (cr dc)
- How to Crochet a CROSS STITCH (cr st)
- How to do the DOUBLE CROCHET DECREASE (dc dec)
- Free Crochet Patterns
- Free Crochet Patterns Online
- Patterns by Squidoo Lensmasters and Visitors
- How to Crochet a BULLION aka RICE aka ROLL Stitch (no abbrev)
- How to Crochet a LOOP Stitch (lp(s))
- How to Crochet a PICOT Stitch (p)
- How to Crochet a POPCORN Stitch (pc)
- How to Crochet a PUFF Stitch (ps OR puff st)
- How to Crochet a SLIP STITCH (sl st or ss)
- Shopping for Crochet Items
- This is a Squid Angel Blessed Lens
- "Thumbs up", Pins, Facebook and Tweets
- Share Your Crocheting Story, ask a question, or say hello
- % Donated to Soldier's Angels
- Follow Me on Twitter
This So Crafty page written by
happynutritionist
Beginning to Crochet can be challenging if you don't understand abbreviations and how to do the stitches, I hope this page helps.
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Crochet Hook Gift Set
Clover Takumi Getaway Soft Touch Crochet Hooks Gift Set, 8 Sizes
Amazon Price: $31.36 (as of 05/31/2012)
Share your love of crocheting with getaway soft touch crochet gift sets. The set contains one Each of sizes C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J. Soft touch crochet hook is ergonomic and it's perfect for long hours of crocheting. The case is stylish, portable and easy to carry.
Complete Crotchet Photo Guide
All You Need to Know and More
The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet: *All You Need to Know to Crochet *The Essential Reference for Novice and Expert Crocheters *Comprehensive Guide ... Charts, and Photos for 200 Stitch Patterns
Amazon Price: $16.36 (as of 05/31/2012)
Product Description:
This is a comprehensive reference book on all aspects of crochet. This book provides a reference for all methods, including Tunisian, filet, intermeshing, broomstick lace, bruges lace, and freeform crochet. Includes step-by-step instructions for all the basic stitches and swatches of 100s of stitch patterns with complete instructions. Also provides instructions and patterns for 50 projects for garments, accessories, and décor items.
