How to work stitches and other useful skills.
   

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 
  

The UK and the US use some of the same stitch names, but they have different meanings. If you are using this guide while working on a pattern, please ensure you check first whether it is US or UK terminology. If it isn't clear which it is, look out for the use of sc (single crochet) or hdc (half double crochet) which are solely US terms and do not exist in UK crochet terms.

We have a handy guide in our tutorials menu to help.
   

Working into the chain

This can be a little tricky, but (hopefully!) you've followed the advice in 'The Basics' and have a lovely even chain, that's not too tight. Please don't give up at this stage - it gets easier, we promise.
   

METHOD A: Working into the front
   

Insert the hook under both bars of the 'V'.
   

METHOD B: Working into the back
   

Turn the chain so that the back is facing you. Insert the hook under the 'bump'. With this method, we only need to get the hook under one strand, and it produces a lovely even edge (as the 'V' edge will be showing once complete) giving your work  professional finishing touch.
   

STITCHES
   

Double Crochet (UK) - Single Crochet (US)
   

Work into the chain using your preferred method as follows:
   

1. Insert your hook into the 2nd ch from the hook, using your preferred method (A or B above).
   

2. With the yarn behind the hook, pass the hook under the yarn, turn the hook to catch the yarn (as with the chain we worked before).

3. Draw the yarn through the chain (also referred to as 'pull up a loop') so there are 2 loops on the hook.

4. Rotate the hook as before to catch the yarn, but this time pull the yarn through both loops on the hook. One loop remains, and one UK double crochet/US single crochet has been completed.

To continue with more stitches, place the hook in the next chain and repeat Steps 2-4.

Half Treble (UK) - Half Double Crochet (US)

1. Wrap the yarn once around the hook, and insert hook into the 4th chain from the hook.

2. With the yarn behind the hook, pass the hook under the yarn, turn the hook to catch the yarn (as with the chain) and pull up a loop - 3 loops on the hook.

3. Catch the yarn as before (in Step 2) and pull through all 3 loops. 1 loop remains on hook, and one UK half treble/US half double crochet is complete.

To work more stitches, wrap the yarn around the hook once, insert your hook into the next chain and repeat steps 2-3.

Treble (UK) - Double Crochet (US)

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 of the half treble (UK)/half double crochet (US) stitch - inserting the hook into the 4th chain, rather than the 3rd, then continue as follows: 

3. Catch the yarn as before (in Step 2) and pull through 2 loops - 2 loops remain on hook.

5. Catch the yarn again, and pull through remaining 2 loops. One loop left on hook, and one  UK treble/US double crochet is complete.

To work more stitches, wrap the yarn around the hook once, insert your hook into the next chain and repeat steps 2-5.

WORKING INTO STITCHES

After you have worked your first row into the chain, you will work the next row into the stitches. This is much easier than working into the chains.   

Once you have completed the row, turn the work (so you can crochet back down into the top of the stitches you have just created). You will then need to work a 'turning chain' (usually abbreviated to t-ch). This is a length of chains long enough to take your hook to the 'height' of the next stitch you are working. Instructions for this are usually given in patterns, but here is a handy guide:

UK TERMS

US TERMS

NUMBER OF CHAINS

Double crochet (dc)

Single crochet (sc)

1 ch

Half treble (htr)

Half double crochet (hdc)

2 ch

Treble (tr)

Double crochet (dc)

3 ch

Double treble

Treble

4 ch