How to Crochet for Beginners

Welcome to Crochet!

Crochet is one of the most accessible crafts you can learn — all you need is a hook, some yarn, and a bit of patience. By the end of this guide, you'll know how to hold a hook, make a foundation chain, and crochet your first row of single crochet.

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What You'll Need

Before you start, gather these basic supplies:

• A crochet hook — Start with a 5.0mm (H/8) hook. It's the easiest size to grip and see your stitches.
• Yarn — Choose a smooth, light-coloured worsted weight (size 4) yarn. Avoid fuzzy or textured yarns at first — they make it hard to see your stitches.
• Scissors
• Yarn needle — for weaving in ends later

Tip: Many craft shops sell beginner crochet kits that include everything in one package.

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How to Hold the Hook

There are two main ways to hold a crochet hook:

The Pencil Grip

Hold the hook like a pencil, with the hook facing toward you. Rest the flat part of the hook between your thumb and index finger.

The Knife Grip

Hold the hook the way you'd hold a knife — with the hook facing down and your hand resting over the top. Many beginners find this grip more comfortable for longer sessions.

Try both and see what feels natural. There is no wrong way.

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Making a Slip Knot

Every crochet project starts with a slip knot.

1. Make a loop with the yarn, crossing the working yarn (the yarn connected to the ball) over the tail.
2. Insert your hook through the loop.
3. Pull the working yarn through the loop to form a new loop on the hook.
4. Pull the tail gently to tighten — not too tight. The loop on the hook should slide freely.

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The Foundation Chain

The chain is the starting row for most crochet projects.

1. With your slip knot on the hook, yarn over (wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front).
2. Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook. You've made your first chain!
3. Repeat to make as many chains as your pattern calls for.

Tip: Don't pull too tightly. Your hook should pass through each chain easily.

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Single Crochet (sc)

The single crochet is the most fundamental stitch in crochet.

1. Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook (skipping the chain on the hook).
2. Yarn over, pull through the chain. You now have 2 loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over again, pull through both loops. You've made one single crochet!
4. Move to the next chain and repeat.

At the end of the row: chain 1, turn your work, and sc back across.

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Practice Exercise

Make a chain of 21 stitches. Work single crochet back and forth for 10 rows. This gives you a 4 × 4 inch swatch — perfect for practising your tension and getting comfortable with the hook.

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What's Next?

Once you're comfortable with single crochet, try:

• Half double crochet (hdc) — slightly taller stitch
• Double crochet (dc) — the building block of most patterns
• Reading a pattern — see our Reading a Crochet Pattern guide