The Ultimate Crochet Stitch Dictionary: Step-by-Step Written Guide
1. Single Crochet (sc)
Description: The most basic and dense stitch, ideal for amigurumi and firm fabric.
Abbreviation: sc
How to work:
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Insert hook into next stitch.
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Yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
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Yarn over again and pull through both loops.
2. Reverse Single Crochet (crab stitch)
Description: A decorative edging worked left-to-right (for right-handers), creating a twisted rope border.
Abbreviation: rev sc or crab st
How to work:
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Holding your work with the right side facing you, insert hook into the next stitch to the right.
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Yarn over and pull up a loop.
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Yarn over and pull through both loops.
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Continue moving rightward to form the edging.
3. Ridged Single Crochet (ridge sc)
Description: Alternating front-post and back-post single crochets create raised ridges.
Abbreviation: rsc
How to work:
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Row 1: sc in each st.
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Row 2: FPsc in first st, BPsc in next, repeat to end.
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Alternate Rows 1 & 2 for ridged texture.
4. Chain Stitch (ch)
Description: The foundation for most crochet—forms a flexible row of loops.
Abbreviation: ch
How to work:
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Make a slip knot on your hook.
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Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
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Repeat for desired chain length.
5. Slip Stitch (sl st)
Description: A very short stitch used to join rounds, move across stitches, or create a flat seam.
Abbreviation: sl st
How to work:
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Insert hook into target stitch.
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Yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
6. Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Description: Taller than a sc but shorter than a dc; creates a soft, drapey fabric.
Abbreviation: hdc
How to work:
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Yarn over.
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Insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop (3 loops).
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Yarn over and pull through all three loops.
7. Double Crochet (dc)
Description: One of the most common tall stitches, producing an open and flexible fabric.
Abbreviation: dc
How to work:
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Yarn over.
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Insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop (3 loops).
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Yarn over and pull through first two loops (2 loops left).
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Yarn over and pull through remaining two loops.
8. Treble (Triple) Crochet (tr)
Description: Very tall stitch, great for lacy patterns and airy shawls.
Abbreviation: tr
How to work:
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Yarn over twice.
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Insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop (4 loops).
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Yarn over and pull through first two loops (3 loops).
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Yarn over and pull through next two loops (2 loops).
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Yarn over and pull through last two loops.
9. Puff Stitch (3-hdc puff)
Description: Clusters of loops pulled together to form a “puff.” Here shown with 3 half-double clusters.
Abbreviation: 3-hdc puff
How to work:
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Yarn over and insert hook into stitch, pull up loop (3 loops).
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Yarn over and pull through two loops. Repeat twice in same stitch (you’ll have 4 loops).
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Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
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Chain 1 to secure.
10. 5-hdc Puff Stitch
Description: Taller, fuller puff made of five half-double clusters.
Abbreviation: 5-hdc puff
How to work:
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Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop (3 loops).
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Yarn over, pull through two loops. Repeat four more times in same st (you’ll have 6 loops).
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Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops.
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Chain 1.
11. Cluster Stitch (hdc cluster)
Description: Two hdc worked together into a cluster at the top.
Abbreviation: hdc cl
How to work:
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Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop (3 loops).
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Yarn over, pull through first two loops.
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Yarn over, insert into same stitch, pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over pull through two loops.
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Yarn over, pull through all remaining loops.
12. 3-Tripled Treble Stitch (3-tr cluster)
Description: A mega-tall clustered stitch for open lace panels.
Abbreviation: 3-tr cl
How to work:
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Yarn over twice, insert, pull up loop (4 loops), yarn over pull through two loops.
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Repeat twice in same stitch.
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Yarn over, pull through all loops. Chain 1.
13. 5-Treble Puff Stitch (5-tr puff)
Description: An extra-lofty puff made with five trebles.
Abbreviation: 5-tr puff
How to work:
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Yarn over twice, insert, pull up loop, yarn over pull through two loops; repeat five times (6 loops).
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Yarn over and pull through all six loops.
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Chain 1.
14. 6-Treble Popcorn Stitch
Description: Six trebles worked into one stitch, then popped as a “popcorn.”
Abbreviation: popcorn6-tr
How to work:
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Work six trebles into same stitch.
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Remove hook, insert into top of first treble, reinsert hook.
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Yarn over and pull loop through to “pop” the cluster. Chain 1.
15. Crossed Double Crochet (dc cross)
Description: A decorative crossed stitch that skips a stitch then crosses back.
Abbreviation: dc X
How to work:
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Skip next stitch, dc into following stitch.
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Then dc into skipped stitch.
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Continue pattern across row for an intertwined effect.
