How do you single crochet?

To single crochet, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop so you have two loops on the hook, then yarn over and pull through both loops. That completes one single crochet, leaving one loop on the hook.

What does single crochet look like?

Single crochet makes a short, dense stitch with a tight, woven looking texture. The tops of the stitches form small V shapes in a neat row, and the fabric is firm and sturdy with little stretch.

Is single crochet good for beginners?

Yes. Single crochet is the first true stitch most beginners learn, because it is short, easy to see, and simple to work into. It is used for dishcloths, scarves, amigurumi, and many first projects.

What is the turning chain for single crochet?

Single crochet usually uses a turning chain of one at the start of each row. In most patterns this turning chain does not count as a stitch, but always check your pattern to be sure.

What is the difference between single and double crochet?

Single crochet is short and dense with no starting yarn over, while double crochet is taller and more open, made with a yarn over before you insert the hook. Single crochet makes firmer fabric, double crochet makes airier fabric faster.

Why is single crochet used for amigurumi?

Single crochet makes tight, dense fabric that hides the stuffing inside a toy, which is why it is the standard stitch for amigurumi. Working it with a smaller hook makes the fabric even more solid.

Crochet Stitches

How to Single Crochet: A Step by Step Guide for Beginners

Published July 6, 2026

If you are learning to crochet, the single crochet is the stitch to master first. It is the shortest true stitch, the most common beginner stitch, and the foundation that many other stitches build on. Once you know how to single crochet, you can make dishcloths, scarves, blankets, and the tight fabric used for amigurumi toys. This guide walks you through exactly how to single crochet step by step, along with the mistakes to watch for and the projects it suits best. It builds on the basics from the crochet stitch library.

What Is Single Crochet?

The single crochet, abbreviated sc in patterns, is the shortest of the true crochet stitches. It is made in two simple movements after you insert the hook, and it produces a dense, firm fabric with a neat, woven looking texture. Because it is short and tight, single crochet is sturdy and holds its shape well, which makes it ideal for anything that needs structure. Its simplicity is exactly why it is the first stitch most people learn, and why it appears in so many beginner patterns.

When to Use Single Crochet

Reach for single crochet whenever you want firm, dense fabric. It is the go to stitch for dishcloths, potholders, bags, and baskets that need to hold their shape, and it is the standard stitch for amigurumi, because its tight fabric hides the stuffing. It also makes cozy, hardwearing scarves and blankets, though it works up more slowly than taller stitches. If you want structure and durability rather than drape and speed, single crochet is usually the right choice.

What You Need

To practice single crochet, use a smooth, light colored, medium weight (worsted) yarn and a 5.0 mm hook, the friendly beginner combination. Light, smooth yarn lets you see each stitch clearly, which makes learning much easier. You will also need to start with a foundation chain, so if you are brand new, first learn to make a slip knot and chain over in the crochet basics. Once you have a row of chains, you are ready to work your first single crochets into them.

Step by Step: How to Single Crochet

Start with a foundation chain. Step one: insert your hook into the second chain from the hook, going under the top loop. Step two: yarn over, which means wrapping the working yarn over the hook, and pull it back through the chain. You now have two loops on the hook. Step three: yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook. That completes one single crochet, and you are left with a single loop on the hook. Repeat these steps in each chain across. To start the next row, chain one to turn, then single crochet into each stitch across.

Common Single Crochet Mistakes

The most common mistakes are working too tightly, which makes the fabric stiff and hard to hook into, and missing the last stitch of a row, which makes the work get narrower. Beginners also sometimes add a stitch by working into the turning chain, which makes the work wider. Counting your stitches each row and keeping an even, relaxed tension fixes most of these. If your edges are drifting, the guide to keeping an even width will help.

Tips for Neat Single Crochet

For tidy single crochet, keep your tension relaxed and steady so every stitch is the same size, and make sure you insert your hook under both top loops of each stitch unless the pattern says otherwise. Count your stitches at the end of each row to catch any that are added or lost. If your fabric curls, that is normal for dense stitches, and it usually relaxes with blocking, as covered in why is my crochet curling.

Best Projects for Single Crochet

Single crochet shines in dishcloths, coasters, potholders, bags, baskets, and above all amigurumi, where its dense fabric is essential. It also makes warm, sturdy scarves and blankets for those who like a firm fabric. Because it is so fundamental, single crochet appears in a huge number of the projects in the beginner pattern hub. Master it and you have the building block for countless makes.

What to Learn Next

Once single crochet feels natural, the next step is to learn the taller stitches, which work up faster and create different textures. Try the double crochet, which is about twice as tall, and the half double crochet, which sits neatly in between. With single, half double, and double crochet in your toolkit, you can make almost anything. Return to the crochet stitch library to keep building your skills.