Crochet Stitch Library: 52 Video Stitch Tutorials

This is the index for every crochet tutorial in the Darn Good Yarn Stitch Learning Center. Each one has a short video, the written swatch pattern in US terms, step-by-step notes for when you have paused the video, and tips on the mistakes that trip people up.

The stitches are grouped by what they are for. If you are brand new, work down the first list in order: hold the yarn, make a chain, learn slip stitch, then single, half double and double crochet. Nearly every other stitch on this page is built from those four.

Each tutorial gives the stitch multiple, so you can size a swatch, a dishcloth or a blanket without guessing. The crochet abbreviations list explains every shorthand used in these patterns, and the 15 essential crochet stitches guide is a good companion if you want the short version.

Start Here: Beginner Basics

How to Start Crocheting — the first stitches, in order
How to Hold Yarn Tension — the hand position that fixes most problems
Starting Chain — the foundation chain
Working in the Opposite Side of the Chain — working into both sides of the chain
Slip Stitch — joining and moving across
Join in the Round — closing a round cleanly

Core Stitches

Single Crochet (sc) — sc: the tightest basic stitch
Half Double Crochet (hdc) — hdc: between sc and dc
Double Crochet (dc) — dc: the workhorse stitch
Double Crochet for Beginners — dc again, taught slowly for beginners
Treble Crochet (tr) — tr: tall and quick
Triple Crochet — the same tall stitch, another name
Linked Treble Crochet — trebles with no gaps
Tunisian Crochet for Beginners — Tunisian simple stitch, start to finish
Tunisian Simple Stitch — Tunisian simple stitch, row by row

Textured Stitches

Bobble Stitch — raised bobbles
Puff Stitch — soft puffs
Double Crochet Cluster Stitch — clusters of dc
Mixed Cluster Stitch — clusters of mixed heights
Star Stitch — a dense, starry fabric
Waistcoat Stitch — looks knitted
Front Loop Single Crochet (scflo) — sc in the front loop only
Slip Stitch Back Loop — slip stitch ribbing
Ribbed Half Double Crochet — hdc ribbing
Herringbone Half Double Crochet — a slanted hdc
Shallow Single Crochet — sc worked low for a woven look
Even Moss Stitch — sc and chain, offset
Basketweave Stitch — post stitches in blocks
Basket Stitch — another woven block texture
Cable Stitch — front post cables
Cross Double Crochet — crossed dc pairs
Crossed Double Crochet Stitch — crossed dc, taught again from the start
Waffle Stitch — deep waffle grid
Lemon Peel Stitch — sc and dc alternating
Singles and Doubles Stitch — sc rows and dc rows
Silt Stitch — a subtle, sandy texture
Hot Cross Buns Stitch — raised crosses on a plain ground
Zeroes and Crosses Stitch — a noughts-and-crosses motif
Cabbage Patch Stitch — a bumpy, leafy texture
Leafhopper Stitch — leaf-like clusters
Broadway Stitch — bold raised stripes

Shells, Fans and Lace

Shell Stitch — the classic shell
Solid Shell Stitch — shells with no gaps
Fan and V Stitch — fans separated by V stitches
Fantail Stitch — fanned clusters
V Stitch — open and fast
Mesh Stitch — an open net
Granny Stitch — the granny square stitch
Daisy Stitch — small flower motifs
Floret Stitch — little florets in rows
Harlequin Stitch — diamond harlequin pattern

Yarn Tips

Chain Plying Yarn — turn thin yarn into a thicker strand

How to Pick a Stitch for a Project

Blankets and scarves want a stitch that is quick, drapes well and does not use more yarn than it needs: double crochet, V stitch, granny stitch, lemon peel and mesh all qualify. Dense textures like waistcoat, star and bobble are warmer and sturdier but take more yarn, which the yarn-efficient stitches guide covers in detail.

Hats and bags want structure: single crochet, half double crochet, waistcoat and the post-stitch textures hold their shape. Shells, fans and clusters are best for edges, shawls and anything that should look decorative from a distance.

If you want one yarn that shows every stitch clearly while you learn, a smooth, light-colored yarn in sport or DK weight is the easiest to read. Darn Good Yarn's sport weight and DK weight collections are a good place to look, and Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins with a knit and crochet pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping, if you would like a new stitch to practice each month.