Learn to Crochet With This Free Photo Tutorial

We have created a visual step by step guide to help you learn about the basics of crochet. Whether you're new to stitching and would like to learn how to crochet or if you're a knitter looking to diversify your skills today we'll teach you how to get started crocheting!

Make A Slip Knot Before we begin we'll need to start with a slip knot. Hold a loop of yarn in your right hand, with the yarns crossed. Pick up the strand that is still attached to the ball. This is underneath the cut end of the yarn and is called the tail. 

Pinch the strand of yarn that's still attached to your ball of yarn and pull through the loop on your right hand, holding the ends in your left hand. 

Place this loop on your crochet hook, you've created a slip knot! Pull the ends of the yarn to tighten the knot on your crochet hook. Now we're ready to crochet. 

Chain Stitch Step 1: Bring the yarn over your crochet hook, making sure that the yarn is coming from behind the hook and towards you over the hook.

Step 2: Pull this loop through the stitch on your hook. You've chained one stitch! 

Continue to chain stitch until you have enough stitches for your pattern, or you're happy with the width of your crochet piece.

Single Crochet: First Row Step 1: Skip the first stitch down from your hook, and insert your crochet hook into the second stitch from the hook, inserting through the center of the stitch. 

Step 2: Bring the yarn over the hook, making sure that the yarn is coming from behind the hook and towards you.

Step 3: Pull this loop through your chain stitch, you'll now have two stitches on your crochet hook. 

Step 4: Bring the yarn over the crochet hook again, then pull the loop through both stitches on your hook. 

Step 5: You'll be left with one stitch on your hook, you've just completed your first single crochet stitch! Insert your hook into the next stitch, and repeat from Step 2 until you've worked a row of single crochet into all of your chain stitches.

Single Crochet: Next Row This is what your piece should look like after completing your first single crochet row.

Step 1: Turn your work, and chain 1 stitch by bringing the yarn over the hook, then pulling it through the stitch on your hook. This will give height to the edge of your work so that you'll have straight edges and clean corners.

Step 2: Insert your hook into the first stitch of the first single crochet row, going through the center so that you'll have two strands over your hook. Single crochet as before, going back to Steps 2-5 of the Single Crochet First Row. 

All consecutive rows are started like the this, and the single crochet is the same throughout. It's important to remember that on the first row you skip the first chain stitch, and then on consecutive rows you chain 1 stitch at the beginning of each row. To finish cut your yarn, and pull the stitch on your hook up until the cut end of the yarn comes out the other end of your work. 

Don't forget... when learning a new skill it will take some practice. Soon you'll be crocheting like a pro!  Have you tried crochet? We'd love to hear your thoughts on learning to crochet.

Now get ready to crochet your first scarf with this tutorial!