If there is one stitch you absolutely need to learn in crochet, it is the single crochet. Abbreviated "sc" in patterns, the single crochet stitch is the foundation of almost everything you will ever make. Dishcloths, scarves, amigurumi, blankets -- they all rely on this one simple stitch.
The best part? The single crochet is genuinely easy to learn. It just takes a little patience and practice. In this single crochet tutorial, I am going to walk you through everything step by step -- what you need, the exact hand motions, working in rows, and the mistakes I see beginners make most often.
What You Need
You do not need much to practice single crochet. Just two things:
A crochet hook. I recommend starting with a size H/8 (5mm) hook. It is a comfortable middle-of-the-road size that works well with most medium-weight yarn.
Yarn. Grab a skein of medium weight yarn, sometimes called worsted weight or labeled as a "4" on the band. Pick a light color so you can see your stitches clearly. Cotton or acrylic both work great for practice.
That is it. Just a hook and some yarn.
How to Single Crochet: Step by Step
Before you begin, you will need a foundation chain. If you have not learned to chain yet, start there first. For practice, chain about 15 stitches so you have a nice row to work into.
Got your chain ready? Here is how to single crochet:
Step 1: Skip the first chain from the hook. The loop on your hook does not count as a chain. Skip the first chain closest to your hook and insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Push the hook through the center of that chain stitch, going under the two top strands of yarn.
Step 2: Yarn over. Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front. This is called a yarn over, and you will do it constantly in crochet.
Step 3: Pull through. Pull the yarn back through the chain stitch. You should now have two loops on your hook.
Step 4: Yarn over again. Wrap the yarn over the hook one more time, back to front, just like before.
Step 5: Pull through both loops. Pull the yarn through both loops on your hook in one motion. You should now have just one loop left on your hook.
That is one single crochet stitch. Now repeat those same steps in the next chain stitch -- insert the hook, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through both loops. Work your way down the entire foundation chain.
How to Single Crochet in Rows
Once you finish your first row, you need to turn your work and start a new row going back in the other direction. This is where the turning chain comes in.
Chain one. At the end of your row, make one chain stitch. This is your turning chain, and it brings your yarn up to the height of the next row.
Turn your work. Flip the whole piece over, rotating it toward you like turning a page. Your hook should still be in the loop.
Place your first stitch. Here is the part that trips people up. Your first single crochet of the new row goes into the very first stitch -- the last stitch you made in the previous row, sitting right at the base of your turning chain. Do not skip it.
Work a single crochet into every stitch across the row. When you reach the end, chain one, turn, and do it all again. That is how you build fabric with single crochet, row by row.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
Almost every beginner runs into the same problems. Here is what to look out for:
Your rows are getting wider. You are probably adding an extra stitch at the beginning of the row. In single crochet, your chain-one turning chain does not count as a stitch. If you work into the base of the turning chain and also into the first stitch, that is one too many. Make sure your first sc goes into the first actual stitch, not into the chain.
Your rows are getting narrower. You are likely missing the last stitch of the row. That last stitch can be hard to see because it blends in with the turning chain from the row below. Count your stitches at the end of each row. Every row should have the same number.
Your stitches look uneven or twisted. Make sure you are inserting your hook under both top loops of each stitch. The top of each sc looks like a little "v" shape. Your hook should go under both legs of that v. If you only catch one loop, you will get a different texture and your stitch count can drift.
Count your stitches. I know it is tedious, but counting at the end of every row is the single best habit you can build as a beginner. It catches mistakes before they snowball into something you have to rip out.
What Can You Make With Single Crochet?
Here is the exciting part. You can make real, finished projects using nothing but single crochet. No fancy stitches required.
The Meadow Wash Cloth from my shop is a perfect first project. It is worked entirely in single crochet, it works up quickly, and you end up with something you will actually use. The Meadow Facial Scrubby is another great one -- small, fast, and practical. You could also make simple coasters, which are just little squares of single crochet.
These projects are ideal when you are starting out because they let you practice the stitch over and over while making something useful. No complicated pattern reading, just rows of sc until you have a finished piece in your hands.
What to Learn Next
Once your rows are coming out straight and even, you are ready for the next step. I would suggest learning the double crochet stitch next. It is taller, works up faster, and opens up a whole new world of pattern possibilities. I have a full tutorial on it here: Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial.
But do not rush. Spend some time with single crochet first. Make a washcloth. Make a couple of coasters. Get to the point where your hands just know the motions without thinking. That muscle memory is the real foundation, and everything else builds on top of it.
You have got this. Happy hooking.