How to Single Crochet (US) Step by Step Photo Tutorial

This beginner friendly crochet tutorial will show you how to single crochet stitch step by step with a photo of each step along the way! The single crochet stitch is a very easy, beginner friendly crochet stitch pattern that is so versatile and can can be used for so many crochet projects!

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I remember learning to crochet. The first stitch pattern I learned was how to single crochet. I think it’s pretty standard for crochet books to teach this as the first crochet stitch, though I think double crochet is a much better stitch pattern for beginners (How to Double Crochet, Photo Tutorial).

My first project was a beanie that I worked in Red Heart Super Saver in Black (not recommended for beginners because it’s hard to see the stitches), and my stitches were so tight, but I wore that beanie around with pride.

My advice when learning and working with the single crochet is to be patient, and cautious not to pull your stitches because by nature, the stitch pattern is more stiff, and you do not want to add to that as it can restrict the fabric from stretching properly. Just go slow, and work on a nice, even tension.

For this tutorial, I am using Red Heart Super Saver in Tea Leaf [Green], and an H8/5mm hook.

I am not creating anything new here, but I did take the time to take the photos, edit them, and put this tutorial together, so please respect my work. Do not pin or share any of the tutorial images – just the main photo. Provide the link for others to find my page (help out me and my blog with the traffic). Do not copy and paste my work anywhere. Thank you!

What is a Single Crochet?

A single crochet (abbreviated as SC) is a simple crochet stitch that involves only a two step process of “pulling through”. It’s the simplest of all stitches (I suppose second to a slip stitch), and is equal in height to one double crochet. Being that this stitch is short, it can make projects take longer, and produce a fabric that is more stiff, but in some cases, this is exactly what is needed. I should also caution that working this stitch too tight can limit the stretch of a project.

This stitch is especially great for use in amigurumi, as you want the stitches tight and close together, and also as a base for cross stitching on crocheted fabric. It’s also one of my go-to’s for a simple border around a finished project.

I also want to add that this single crochet tutorial is in US terms. What does that mean? There is also a single crochet in UK terms, which is a different stitch! Usually, the patterns specify which one it is – my blog is in all US terms.

How Many Stitches to Chain for Single Crochet?

One of the great things about working in single crochets is that there is no stitch multiple, meaning there is no set number of stitches needed to complete a set of repeats so you can crochet as many single crochets as you would like for your project.

When starting a chain for single crochet, you will finish with a total number of stitches that is 1 less than the number of chains you start with, and that is because we always start in the 2nd chain from the hook.

I’ll give a couple examples: If you start with a chain of 10, then you will subtract 1 from that and finish with 9 single crochet stitches; If you wanted to have 15 single crochets, then you would add 1 to that and start with a chain of 16.

What is the Right Side and Wrong Side of Single Crochet?

The right side is the front side of the fabric, which may look prettier than the wrong side, and the wrong side is the back of the fabric. I think they’re both pretty, but after you turn your work to begin on Row 3, you will see the difference in appearance from Row 1 and Row 2. Row 1 is considered the right side, and Row 2 is considered the wrong side.

In the photo above, we are just about to begin Row 2, and this is showing the wrong side of Row 1. If you look at the title image, you can see the rows are grouped in twos – one right side and one wrong side. Do you notice the difference between the look of Row 1 and Row 2?

Does it Matter if I’m on the Right Side or Wrong Side in Single Crochet?

In this single crochet stitch tutorial, we’re working in turned rows, meaning that at the end of the row, you will crochet a turning chain and then turn your work to work in the opposite direction back into the stitches created in the previous row. While there is a difference between the right side and the wrong side of the single crochet fabric, as you build your single crochet rows, the front and back will look about the same so feel free to finish on either side and have either side facing up in the finished single crochet project.

What Can I Make with a Single Crochet?

Single Crochets are one of the fundamental stitches in crochet, and can be used to create beautiful projects by itself, like washcloths, scarves and blankets, or in combination with other stitches and techniques, like when working the moss stitch, mosaic crochet, ripples and bobble stitches (just to name a few).

Beginner friendly single crochet patterns are going to be worked in rows (how this tutorial is shown). Once you’re comfortable with your tension and working single crochet stitches, then you can venture into working single crochet patterns worked in the round, like beanie hats, tote bags and sweaters.

I will share some of my free crochet patterns that use single crochet stitches alone and are worked in rows from my Shay series. If you would like to see a specific pattern, please drop me a line to let me know.

Easy Single Crochet Washcloths

Basic 12″ Wreath Form Cover

Easy Apple Wreath

Single Crochet Coasters

Color Block Single Crochet Scarf

Super Chunky Single Crochet Afghan

Super Chunky Single Crochet Hallway Runner

Jumbo Single Crochet Afghan

Buffalo Plaid Single Crochet Coasters

Cross Stitch Heart Earrings

Thread & Paper Clip Earrings

Ready to try single crochet stitches in the round? Here are a few free crochet patterns from my Shay series:

• Crochet Edging for Fleece
• Indoor Snowball Fight
• Buffalo Plaid Single Crochet Ear Warmer
• Single Crochet Cosmetic Bag
• Single Crochet Santa Cosmetic Bag

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How To Single Crochet Row 1 into a Chain

If you haven’t yet, make a slip knot (photo tutorial), then work a foundation chain (photo tutorial) of 11.

If this was an actual pattern, you would see it written like this: “Chain 11” OR “Ch 11”

It most likely will not tell you to make the slip knot, but you always start with one.

Next, we will single crochet across the chain. Together, this will read in one of these ways:

• Chain 11, SC into the 2nd chain from the hook, and each chain across.
• Ch 11, SC into the 2nd ch from the hk, and ea ch across.
• Ch 11, SC into the 2nd ch, and across.

Skip the first chain on your hook, and insert hook into the 2nd chain.

This is standard. Any time you are working in single crochet across a chain, you will always skip the first chain, and work into the second. The skipped chain counts as a turning chain, and does not count as a stitch in your final stitch count.

*In case you needed a refresher on How to Work into the Foundation Chain (Photo Tutorial).

Yarn over…

… and pull your hook towards you through the foundation chain.

You now have two loops on your hook.

Yarn over, and pull through both loops on your hook.

You have completed one single crochet!

For the next stitch, insert hook into the next chain, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops.

Continue working in this manner all the way to the end, and it will look like this. In total, we have 10 single crochets.

When you work in single crochet across, you will always have one less stitch than chains from your initial foundation chain. We started with 11 chains, and we now have 10 single crochets.

How to Single Crochet Row 2 & Remaining Rows

To begin each new row of single crochet, we will begin with a chain 1 – this is called a turning chain. The turning chain gives us the slack we need to work in the other direction, and does not count as a stitch.

After the chain 1, begin turning the work towards you…

…and completely around so it’s mirrored.

If your piece is curling, it’s okay! By nature of this stitch pattern, your work may curl. It will correct itself when you work more rows.

For rows 2 and above, it’s written as one of these (all mean the same):

• Chain 1, turn. SC into the 1st stitch, and each stitch across.
• Ch 1, turn. SC in 1st st, and ea st across.
• Ch 1, turn. SC across.

Insert your hook into the first stitch (underneath both loops of the “V” you see)…

… Yarn over…

… pull through.

You have two loops on your hook.

Yarn over, and pull through both loops. Continue across.

After 5 rows…

If at any point, your fabric begins to looks like this, don’t panic! Count your stitches, and if you still have the same number of stitches (in this case, 10), gently pull horizontally and it will take the proper shape.

If you have less stitches, you will need to pull out the stitches (also called frogging) for this row, and count the stitches for the previous row. Continue frogging until you have reached a point where the stitches are equal again.

Here we have nine rows completed.

I find it easiest to count single crochet rows by twos. You can kind of see above that there are four blocks above the foundation row – there are two rows here, one worked from the right side, and one from the wrong side. I like to use these “blocks” to count my rows.

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