Crochet Basics: All About Single Crocheting

Single crochet stitches have many uses. They are great for creating an even weave fabric that is sturdy and can also provide warmth. Single crochet also helps balance fancier stitches, keeping the overall appearance of a piece even and symmetrical. They are used to make many projects.

While single crochet is often used for practical purposes, such as clothing and items for the home, it is also fun to use single crochet for making angel heads and stuffed animals. Single crochet is versatile, fun, and easy to do.

How to Make a Single Crochet Stitch

Single crochet is abbreviated (sc) in patterns. Begin by making a foundation chain, plus one. This will count as the first single crochet in row 1. Insert the hook in the second chain from the hook. The first row will be worked in the top loops of the foundation chain. Grasp the yarn, over the top of the crochet hook, and pull up a loop through the chain. There will be 2 loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn under and around the hook, pulling it through both loops on the hook.

To increase a single crochet, make 2 single crochets in the same space. Increasing is necessary to help a piece lay flat. Many patterns will be written with increases throughout if the work needs to remain flat.

Work that needs to have shape, like hats or stuffed animals, should be increased until the desired circumference is made. Once the desired form is worked, a consistent number of single crochet stitches should be worked until the expected length is met. If the work remains open ended, like a hat or basket, decreasing may or may not be necessary.

To decrease single crochet, insert the hook into the next 2 stitches, pulling up a loop each time. There should be 3 loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook, and pull it through all 3 loops. Decreasing is good for closing angel heads, and limbs of stuffed animals after they have been stuffed. It is also helpful when a piece loses its shape, often through different stitch combination sequences.

Favorite Materials and Uses for Single Crochet

Four ply cotton yarn is soft, durable, and great to use when making dish cloths and pot holders. Simply make a foundation chain of the appropriate length, and single crochet in rows until the project is finished. It is easy to make a pretty border by chaining 2 around the finished item. Simply skip the stitch between the chains, and single crochet in every other stitch. Make 3 single crochets in each corner to keep the project from buckling.

Tulle and netting strips are used to make scrubbers. Make a circle by joining the foundation chain together at the beginning. Use the single crochet stitch to create the size desired. It is important to increase as necessary, so the piece won't buckle or curl.

Fine cotton thread is useful when making doilies. Many doilies have multiple chain stitches, with single crochet in the center. Fine cotton thread is also used for special projects, like angels and baby toys, both of which use single crochet often.

Many yarns today are patterned, and have varied thickness. Single crochet works well with these yarns because it enables the crafter to create an even weave with a larger hook.

Fabric strips and a large hook are the materials of choice for floor mats and rugs. Single crochet is the stitch of choice for such handy items. It not only is sturdy enough to be stepped on, but also can be washed in the machine with ease.

Twine and rope are great choices for welcome mats. Hook size will depend on the thickness of the materials used.

Single Crochet Versatility

To create a more textured look, single crochet can be worked in the front or back loops only of the desired stitches. This will make ridges in the overall appearance of the piece. Ridges not only add texture, but they also can be used to add intricate detail in projects.

It is a popular practice to join motifs together using single crochet. The ridge created when doing so clearly identifies the front from the back of an item.

Single crochet is easy to do, and a great stitch for several items. Many projects made with single crochet can be finished quickly. Because of its simplicity, people of all ages, even young children, can make simple projects with ease. When combined with other stitches, single crochet creates stability, durability, and detail. It is quite simply a necessary favorite of almost every person who gets hooked on the art of crochet.