Kristin's Library of Crochet Stitches
A few years ago I introduced my teenage son to the concept of encyclopedias. I explained that as a child with a voracious appetite for learning I really adored them. I described how I would sit on the floor next to the bookcase full of gold trimmed volumes and flip through them all repeatedly. Then, I thought, what if I made an encyclopedia library of stitches on my website? I have had a glossary here for years, but now is has become so much more. I have added videos to support the stitch definitions and hope that it will become a comprehensive source for all your stitch tutorials. My goal is that it will become your encyclopedia for knitting stitches. If you have any questions or requests, please ask me!
Included are stitch definitions, technique descriptions, video tutorials and some useful tips. Please enjoy with my compliments. This is an archival effort, so content will continually grow.
Each of these terms is hyperlinked to the spot on this page that the stitch is explained in detailed form and a visual video is embedded.
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Lets Get Started
Slip Knot:
Make a loop; hook another loop through it. Tighten gently and slide the loop created from the knot around the hook. Make sure you are working around the widest thickness of the crochet hook.
Square Knot:
Wrap the yarn around the hook, tie the yarn once onto the hook, then a second time around the hook. Make sure you are working around the widest thickness of the crochet hook.
Chain (ch): Wrap the yarn over the hook in a clockwise direction. Draw the yarn through to form a new loop without tightening the previous one.
Slip Stitch (slst): Insert hook into specified stitch. Wrap the yarn over the hook. Draw the yarn through the stitch and through the loop on the hook.
Single crochet (sc): Insert the hook into the work (or specified chain from hook), wrap the yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through the work only. Wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull it through both loops. *RV=1
Reverse Single Crochet (rsc): Insert crochet hook into first stitch to the right, yarn over hook, pull loop of yarn to front of work, yarn over hook, and pull through both loops on hook.
Single Crochet Through Back Loop Only (sc-blo): Sc in the back loop only of specified stitch.
Single Crochet through front loop only (sc-flo): Insert the hook into the work through through the front loop only of the specified stitch, wrap the yarn over the hook and draw the yarn through the work only. Wrap the yarn again and draw it through both loops.
Extended Single Crochet (esc): Insert the hook into the work (or specified chain from hook), wrap the yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through the work only. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull through one loop on hook; wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull it through both loops.
Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over hook, insert hook in specified stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook. *RV=2
Half double crochet through back loop only (hdc-blo): Wrap the yarn over the hook and insert the hook into the back loop only of the specified stitch. Wrap the yarn over the hook, draw through the work only and wrap the yarn again. Draw through all three loops on hook.
Half double crochet through front loop only (hdc-flo): Wrap the yarn over the hook and insert the hook into the front loop only of the specified stitch. Wrap the yarn over the hook, draw through the work only and wrap the yarn again. Draw through all three loops on hook.
Double crochet (dc): Wrap the yarn over the hook and insert the hook into the work (or specified chain from hook), wrap the yarn over the hook, draw through the work only and wrap the yarn again. Draw through the first two loops only and wrap the yarn around the hook again. Draw through the last two loops on the hook. *RV=3
Double Crochet Back Loop Only (dc-blo): Dc in the back loop only of specified stitch or space.
Double Crochet Through Front Loop Only (dc-flo): Yarnn over the hook and insert the hook into the specified stitch through the front loop only. Yarn over the hook, pull through the work only (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through the first two loops only. Yarn over, pull through the last two loops on the hook.
Inserting the hook around the whole stem of a stitch creates raised or relief effects.
- Front Post Single Crochet (fpsc):
- Back post single crochet (bpsc): Wrap the yarn around the post or stem of the specified stitch from back to front to back, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
- Front Post Half Double Crochet (fphdc):
- Back Post Half Double Crochet (bphdc):
Front post double crochet (fpdc): Yarn over hook, wrap the yarn around the post (or stem) of the specified stitch from front to back to front, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook) Yarn over, pull through the first two loops only. Yarn over, pull through the last two loops on the hook.
Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc): Yarn over hook, wrap the yarn around the post (or stem) of the specified stitch from back to front to back, yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2.
- Front Post Treble Crochet (fptr): Yarn over twice, wrap the yarn around the post of the specified stitch from front to back to front, yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over, pull through 2 loops)x3.
- Back Post Treble Crochet (bptr): Yarn over hook twice, wrap the yarn around the post (or stem) of the specified stitch from back to front to back, yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3.
- Front Post Double Treble Crochet (fpdtr):
- Back Post Double Treble Crochet (bpdtr):
Treble Crochet (tr): Yarn over twice, insert hook in next specified stitch and pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. *RV=4
Double treble crochet (dtr): Yarn over hook 3 times, insert hook into stitch indicated and pull up a loop, (yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook)x4. *RV=5
Longer Crochet Stitches:
For example, Triple Treble (ttr) , Quadruple Treble (quadtr), Quintuple Treble (quintr), etc. are made by wrapping the yarn 3, 4, 5, etc. times over the hook at the beginning and b y wrapping and drawing through two loops as often as required to complete the stitch.
* Note: For purposes of counting “rows”, I place a Row Value (RV) to each longer crochet stitch. Single crochet has a value of 1, so every stitch thereafter has a length that I value in terms of single crochet rows. This is important when you are increasing in certain patterns.
A cluster is a group of stitches worked into the same specified stitch or space, joined together at the top. Work each of the stitches to be joined up the the last loop pulled through to complete it. One loop from each stitch to be joined should remain on the hook, plus the loop from the previous stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook once again and pull through all the loops on the hook.
2 Half Double Crochet Cluster (2hdc-cl): Yo, insert hook in next specified stitch, yo and pull up a loop. Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook.
3 Half Double Crochet Cluster (3hdc-cl): Yo, insert hook in next specified stitch, yo and pull up a loop. *Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop. Rep from * once more (7 loops on hook). Yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook.
4 Half Double Crochet Cluster (4hdc-cl): Yo, insert hook in next specified stitch, yo and pull up a loop. *Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop. Rep from * two more times (9 loops on hook). Yo, pull through all 9 loops on hook.
2Dc-Cluster (2dc-cl): Yarn over, insert hook in next specified stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
3Dc-Cluster (3dc-cl): Yarn over, insert hook in next specified stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. *Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops on hook). Rep from * once more, (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
4 Double Crochet Cluster (4dc-cl): yo, insert hook in next specified stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. *Yo, insert hook in same stitch and pull up a loop. Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * 2 more times (5 loops on hook). Yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook.
2Tr-Cluster (2tr-cl): Yarn over twice, insert hook in next specified stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2. Yarn over twice, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook)x2, (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
3Tr-Cluster (3tr-cl): Yarn over twice, insert hook in next specified stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2. *Yarn over twice, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. (Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook)x2, (3 loops on hook). Rep from * once more, (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
4 Treble Crochet Cluster (4tr-cl): Yo twice, insert hook in next specified stitch, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2. *Yo twice, insert hook in same stitch and pull up a loop. (yo, pull through 2loops on hook)x2. Rep from * two more times (5 loops on hook). Yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook.
2 Double Treble Cluster (2dtr-cl): Yo 3 times, insert hook in next specified stitch, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. Yo 3 times, insert hook in same stitch and pull up a lop. (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. Yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
3 Double Treble Cluster (3dtr-cl): Yo 3 times, insert hook in next specified stitch, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. *Yo 3 times, insert hook in same stitch and pull up a lop. (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. Rep from * once more. Yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook.
4 Double Treble Cluster (4dtr-cl): Yo 3 times, insert hook in next specified stitch, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. *Yo 3 times, insert hook in same stitch and pull up a lop. (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. Rep from * two more times more. Yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook.
Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog): (Insert hook into next st, pull up a loop)x2, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Single Crochet 3 Together (sc3tog): (Insert hook into next st, pull up a loop)x3, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
Half Double Crochet 2 Together (hdc2tog): Yo hook, insert hook into specified stitch and pull up a loop. Yo hook, insert hook into next specified stitch and pull up a loop. You should have 5 loops on the hook, then yarn over and draw through all the loops.
Half Double Crochet 3 Together (hdc3tog): Yo hook, insert hook into specified stitch and pull up a loop. *Yo hook, insert hook into next specified stitch and pull up a loop. Rep from * once more. You should have 7 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through all the loops.
Half Double Crochet 4 Together (hdc4tog): Yo hook, insert hook into specified stitch and pull up a loop. *Yo hook, insert hook into next specified stitch and pull up a loop. Rep from * 2 more times. You should have 9 loops on your hook. Yo and pull through all the loops.
Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Double crochet 3 together (dc3tog): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. *Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * once more. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
Double Crochet 4 together (dc4tog): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. *Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * twice more. Yarn over, pull through all 5 loops on hook.
Double crochet 5 together (dc5tog): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. *Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * 3 more times. Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
Double crochet 6 together (dc6tog): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. *Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from *4 more times. Yarn over, pull through all 7 loops on hook.
Double crochet 7 together (dc7tog): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. *Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * 5 more times. Yarn over, pull through all 8 loops on hook.
Treble Crochet 2 Together (tr2tog): *Yarn over twice, insert hook in next specified stitch, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2. Rep from * once more times. Yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Treble Crochet 3 Together (tr3tog): Yo twice, insert hook into specified stitch and pull up a loop. (Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2. *Yo twice, insert hook into next specified stitch and pull up a loop. (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2. Rep from * once more. You should have 4 loops on the hook, then yarn over and pull through all the loops.
Treble Crochet 4 Together (tr4tog): Yo twice, insert hook into specified stitch and pull up a loop. (Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2. *Yo twice, insert hook into next specified stitch and pull up a loop. (yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x2. Rep from * two more times. You should have 5 loops on the hook, then yarn over and pull through all the loops.
Double Treble Crochet 2 Together: (dtr2tog): yo 3 times, insert hook into specified stitch and pull up a loop. (Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. Yo 3 times, insert hook into next specified stitch and pull up a loop. (Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. Yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Double Treble Crochet 3 Together (dtr3tog): yo 3 times, insert hook into specified stitch and pull up a loop. (Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. *Yo 3 times, insert hook into next specified stitch and pull up a loop. (Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. Rep from * once more. Yo, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
Double Treble Crochet 4 Together (dtr4tog): yo 3 times, insert hook into specified stitch and pull up a loop. (Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. *Yo 3 times, insert hook into next specified stitch and pull up a loop. (Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)x3. Rep from * 2 more times. Yo, pull through all 5 loops on hook.
Foundation single crochet (fsc): Ch2, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yarn over hook and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull yarn through first loop on hook, yarn over hook and draw through 2 loops on hook. — 1 fsc made. *Insert hook under 2 loops of ch made at base of previous stitch, yarn over hook and draw up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook and draw through first loop on hook, yarn over hook and draw through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * for length of foundation.
Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC): Ch2, yo, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over hook, pull through first loop on hook, yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops on hook. — 1 fhdc made.
*Yarn over hook, insert hook in vertical bar at the base of the last stitch made, yarn over hook and pull up a loop, yarn over hook and pull through first loop on hook, yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops on hook. Rep from * for length of foundation.
Foundation double crochet: Ch3, yarn over hook, insert hook in 3rd ch from hook, yarn over hook and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull yarn through first loop on hook, (yarn over hook and draw through 2 loops) x2.—1 fdc made.
Foundation treble crochet (FTC): Ch4, yarn over hook 2 times, insert hook in 4th ch from hook, yarn over hook and pull up a loop, yarn over hook, pull yarn through first loop on hook, (yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops)x3. — 1 ftc made
*YO twice, insert hook in vertical bar at the base of the last stitch made, yarn over hook and pull up a loop. Yarn over hook and pull through 1 loop, (yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops)x3. Rep from * for length of foundation.
Foundation Double Treble Crochet (FDTC): Ch5, yarn over hook 3 times, insert hook in 5th ch from hook, yarn over hook and pull up a loop, yarn over hook, pull yarn through first loop on hook, (yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops)x4. — 1 fdtc made
*YO 3 times, insert hook in vertical bar at the base of the last stitch made, yarn over hook and pull up a loop. Yarn over hook and pull through 1 loop, (yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops)x4. Rep from * for length of foundation.
Foundation Ovals
DC Foundation oval: Ch3, dc in 3rd ch from hook.
TR Foundation oval: Ch5, tr in 5th ch from hook.
Double Treble Crochet Foundation Ovals (equivalent to ch5): *ch5, dtr in 5th ch from hook. Rep from * for desired length.
Tunisian Crochet:
Tunisian Double Crochet (worked over any number of sts):
Row 1: Chain to desired length, *yo, insert hook in 3rd ch from hook, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * in ea ch across. Return: yo, pull through 1 loop on hook. *Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * across.
Row 2: ch2, skip first elongated stitch, *yo, insert hook in next elongated stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * across. Return: yo, pull through 1 loop on hook. *Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Rep from * across.
Bobble Stitch:
Bullion Stitch:
Beg X-Stitch: Ch 4 (counts as tr; this is lower right leg of X-st), yo twice, insert hook in same st and pull up a loop. [Yo, pull through 2 loops] twice (lower left leg of X-st). Ch 7 (counts as tr, ch 3; upper right leg of X-st), yo twice, insert hook into top horizontal thread of both lower legs of X and pull up a loop. [Yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times (upper left leg of X-st).
V-stitch (dc, ch2, dc): Work a double crochet, ch2 and double crochet in the same specified stitch or space.
Tr V-stitch (tr, ch2, tr): Work a treble crochet, ch2, treble crochet in the same specified stitch or space.
X-Stitch: Yo 4 times, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop. [Yo, pull through 2 loops] twice (lower right leg of X-st; there are still 3 loops on hook). Skip next 3 sts, yo twice, insert hook in next stitch and pull up a loop. [Yo, pull through 2 loops] twice (lower left leg of X-st; there are 3 loops on hook). [Yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times (upper right leg of X-st). Ch 3, yo twice, insert hook through top horizontal thread of both lower tr legs of X and pull up a loop. [Yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times (upper left leg of X-st).
Beg Y-Stitch:
Y-Stitch
Reverse Single Crochet (Crab stitch):
Hairpin Lace:
Chain 3 Picot (ch3 picot): Ch3, sc in 3rd ch from hook.
Puff stitch:
Solomon’s Knot:
Broomstick crochet:
Crocodile Stitch:
Popcorn Stitches
~ Beg Popcorn: ch3 (counts as dc), work 4 dc in same sp, drop loop from hook, insert hook from front to back int eh top of the first dc of group (top of ch3), pick up dropped loop and pull through.
~ Popcorn: work 5 dc in same sp, drop loop from hook, insert hook from front to back in the top of the first dc of group, pick up dropped loop and pull through.
Loop (or fur) stitch
insert hook in next stitch, wrap yarn around index finger of left hand and swing hook around yarn from left to right clockwise (two strands hooked), and pull through stitch. Drop loop to backside and pick up end of yarn, yarn over hook, draw through remaining loops on hook. (1 loop at backside of work and 1 sc made)
Spikes: Spikes are made by inserting the hook farther down into the fabric than usual, either below the next stitch, or to one side.
Insert the hook into the work where specified by the pattern and draw a loop up the height of the current row. Complete the stitch normally. Spikes can be worked singly, in sequences, or in clusters, by inserting the hook in different places, drawing a loop through each and finishing by drawing a loop through all the loops collected.