Let’s take a closer look at the chain stitches you’ve just made.
The front of the chain looks like a series of interlocking Vs. And, if you turn the chain over to the reverse side, you’ll see that each stitch has a bump or back bar.
You’ll work the first row of crochet stitches into this foundation chain. Depending on the type of stitch, you’ll make the first stitch of the row into the second, third, or fourth chain from the hook. The pattern instructions will tell you where to make your first stitch.
To work into the starting chain, insert the crochet hook into the chain stitch from front to back. The tip of the hook will pass through the center of the V.
Note: Some patterns will ask you to turn the chain over and make the first row of stitches into the back bar only. Working into the back bar can give your project a cleaner edge.
The first row of crochet can be difficult, especially for new beginners. Working into chain stitches is tricky: it’s hard to know exactly where to insert your hook, and there isn’t much fabric for your other hand to hold.
Even so, I hope you will persevere! After the first few rows of stitches, it will be much easier to know where to insert your hook and hold the work steady.
Step 6: How to Single Crochet
Single crochet is a simple stitch that’s perfect for your first project. It is one of the most basic and most common crochet stitches. It’s often abbreviated SC in crochet patterns.
Let’smake the first rowof our swatch in single crochet stitches.
Start with a chain of 11 stitches. (You can use the starting chain that we made in the previous section.)
Then, insert the hook into the second chain from the hook.
Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front. Draw the yarn through the chain to pull up a loop. (You will now have two loops on the hook.)
Next, yarn over again. Draw the yarn through both loops on the hook. You will now have one loop on the hook, and your first single crochet is complete.
Repeat these steps, making one single crochet stitch into each of the nine remaining chain stitches for a total of 10 single crochets. As you work, be careful not to twist the chain.
When you come to the end of a row, you will turn your work over, make one or more chains stitches (for the turning chain), and then begin the next row of stitches.
Turn the Work
To turn your work, simply rotate the piece 180 degrees clockwise. The opposite side of the work will now be facing you.
I like to keep my hook in the stitch as I turn the work so that I don’t lose my place.
Turning Chain
After you turn the work, you’ll need to make one or more chain stitches. These chain stitches, called the turning chain, bring the yarn up to the correct height to work the first stitch of the next row.
The number of chains in the turning chain depends on the height of the stitch you’ll be making in the next row.
Single crochet: one chain
Half-double crochet: two chains
Double crochet: three chains
Triple crochet: four chains
Which Comes First: The Turn or the Chain-1?
Should you turn your work first or chain first? It actually doesn’t matter which step you do first!
The only thing that matters is that you pick one way and stay consistent throughout your piece. It’s also a good idea to always turn your work in the same way – either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Step 8: How to Work Row 2
Let’s go back to our crochet swatch and make the second row of single crochet stitches. This row will be worked into the previous row of single crochet stitches, not into the starting chain.
Turn the work and chain 1. (The turning chain worked at the beginning of a single crochet row does not count as a stitch.)
Insert the hook under the top 2 loops of the last stitch of the previous row.
Yarn over from back to front. Draw the yarn through the stitch and pull up a loop. There will be two loops on the hook.
Yarn over again, and pull through both loops on the hook. There will be one loop left on the hook. The single crochet stitch is complete.
Work right to left across the row. Repeat these steps, making one single crochet stitch in each of the nine remaining stitches. Count your stitches, and make sure you have the correct number.
At this point, you can turn your work to make another row of stitches. Keep making more rows of single crochet until you’ve reached your desired length. Then, cut the yarn and fasten it off.
Step 9: How to Fasten Off
Once you’ve completed the last row of your crochet swatch, you’ll need to fasten off the yarn so that the stitches don’t unravel.
To fasten off:
Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch yarn tail.
Use the hook to up draw the yarn tail through the loop on your hook.
Remove the crochet hook from the work, and pull on the yarn tail to tighten it.
At this point, you may want to weave in the yarn tails to secure them.
To weave in the ends, thread a blunt-tipped yarn needle with the yarn tail. Then, weave the needle back and forth through the crochet fabric.
And there you go! You’ve just completed your first crochet swatch.
