Stitch Dictionary
Every stitch explained — tap any stitch for step-by-step instructions, tips, and usage ideas.
Basic Stitches
The building blocks of every crochet project
Chain
The foundation of almost every crochet project. A chain is a series of interlocking loops that forms the base row or can be used within stitch patterns.
Slip Stitch
The shortest of all crochet stitches. Used to join rounds, move yarn position, or create a flat seam.
Single Crochet
The most fundamental crochet stitch. Creates a tight, dense fabric perfect for items that need structure.
Half Double Crochet
Slightly taller than single crochet, creating a fabric with more drape. Has a distinctive third loop on top that some patterns use.
Double Crochet
One of the most popular stitches. Twice the height of single crochet, creating an open, drapey fabric that works up quickly.
Treble Crochet
A tall stitch that creates very open, lacy fabric. Works up quickly but uses more yarn than shorter stitches.
Double Treble Crochet
An extra-tall stitch, one wrap taller than a treble. Makes very open, airy rows that work up fast.
Extended Single Crochet
A single crochet with one extra pull-through, so it stands a little taller and the fabric is softer and drapier than plain sc.
Foundation Single Crochet
Makes the starting chain and the first row of single crochet at the same time. The edge is as stretchy as the rest of the fabric.
Increases & Decreases
Shape your work — add or remove stitches
Increase
Two stitches worked into the same stitch, adding one stitch to your count. Essential for shaping circles, hats, and amigurumi.
Decrease
Combines two stitches into one, reducing your stitch count. Used for shaping, closing amigurumi, and tapering.
Single Crochet Two Together
The standard single crochet decrease. Joins two adjacent stitches into one to reduce stitch count.
Double Crochet Two Together
A double crochet decrease that joins two stitches into one at the dc height.
Half Double Crochet Two Together
The half double crochet decrease: two stitches become one at hdc height.
Single Crochet Three Together
Three stitches joined into one — takes away two stitches at once. Makes the valleys of a chevron and steep decreases.
Double Crochet Three Together
Three double crochets joined at the top, taking away two stitches.
Treble Crochet Two Together
The treble decrease: two stitches become one at treble height.
Invisible Decrease
A single crochet decrease worked through front loops only, so it disappears into amigurumi fabric.
Texture Stitches
Post stitches, bobbles, and surface techniques
Front Post Double Crochet
Worked around the post (vertical bar) of the stitch below from the front, creating a raised ridge. Key to cables and ribbing.
Back Post Double Crochet
Worked around the post from the back, creating an indented ridge. Paired with fpdc for ribbing effects.
Bobble Stitch
A cluster of incomplete double crochets worked into the same stitch, then joined at the top. Creates a rounded bump that pops out from the fabric.
Popcorn Stitch
Similar to a bobble but MORE three-dimensional. Complete double crochets are worked in one stitch, then folded and joined at the top.
Puff Stitch
Multiple half double crochets worked into the same stitch but joined at the top. Softer and rounder than bobbles.
Herringbone Half Double Crochet
A half double crochet with a twist that leans each stitch on a slant. Rows of it look woven, like herringbone fabric.
Front Post Treble Crochet
A treble worked around the post of a stitch from the front. Tall enough to reach rows below and to cross over its neighbours — the stitch behind crochet cables.
Back Post Treble Crochet
A treble worked around the post from the back, so the post sinks behind the fabric.
Post Stitch Ribbing
Front and back post double crochets alternating one by one, so columns stand out and sink in like knit ribbing.
Two-by-Two Post Ribbing
Pairs of front post and back post double crochets, giving bolder, wider ribs than 1x1.
Basketweave Stitch
Blocks of front post and back post double crochets that swap places every couple of rows, so the fabric looks woven like a basket.
Camel Stitch
Half double crochet worked into the third loop (the horizontal bar below the top loops), which pushes the top loops forward into a knit-look ridge.
Slip Stitch Ribbing
Rows of slip stitches through the back loop only. Very stretchy and flat, it looks like knitted ribbing.
Griddle Stitch
Single crochet and double crochet alternating across the row. The short and tall stitches nest into each other and give a dense, bumpy texture.
Moss Stitch
Single crochets separated by chain-1 spaces, with each row working its sc into the spaces below. It makes a flat, tidy fabric that looks woven, and it is beautiful in stripes.
Suzette Stitch
A single crochet and a double crochet worked into the same stitch, then a stitch skipped. Quick, dense and pebbly.
Alpine Stitch
Front post double crochets worked into the row two below, between rows of plain stitches, building a deep raised mountain texture.
Cluster
Several unfinished stitches worked into one stitch (or space) and joined at the top, making a small fan-shaped group that counts as one stitch.
Crochet Cable
Front post trebles crossed over each other to make raised twisting cables on a background of plain stitches.
Thermal Stitch
Single crochet worked through the back loop of the current row AND the front loop of the row below, so two layers fuse into one very dense, warm fabric.
Bean Stitch
Several loops pulled up in one stitch and closed together, making a small plump bean — a lighter cousin of the puff stitch.
Loop Stitch
A single crochet with a loop of yarn held around a finger, leaving a loop standing out on the back of the fabric — makes fur, manes and shaggy rugs.
Bullion Stitch
Yarn wrapped many times around the hook and pulled through in one go, making a coiled, rope-like stitch. Used for flowers and decorative motifs.
Crocodile Stitch
Overlapping scales made by working double crochets down the post of one stitch and up the post of the next. Makes dragon scales, mermaid tails and feathers.
Wattle Stitch
A single crochet, a chain and a double crochet worked into one place, repeated across — a light, slightly lacy texture.
Linked Double Crochet
Double crochets joined to each other along their sides, so the fabric is as solid as sc but grows at dc speed — no gaps between stitches.
Decorative Stitches
Shells, fans, ripples and eye-catching patterns
Shell Stitch
Multiple stitches (usually 5 dc) worked into the same stitch, creating a fan or shell shape. One of the most beautiful and versatile stitch patterns.
Granny Stitch
Groups of 3 double crochets separated by chain spaces. The foundation of the iconic granny square.
Star Stitch
Each star gathers loops from several stitches into one, closed with a chain called the eye. Rows of stars alternate with rows of single crochet, and the fabric comes out thick, warm and full of little stars.
Chevron (Ripple) Stitch
Increases and decreases placed at regular intervals across every row, so the fabric rises into peaks and falls into valleys. Stripes make it sing.
Shell Stitch Fabric
Rows of 5-dc shells, each row's shells sitting between the shells below, so the whole fabric is made of overlapping fans.
Lace & Openwork
Mesh, V-stitches, chain spaces and airy lace
V-Stitch
Two double crochets with a chain space between them, worked into the same stitch. Creates an open, lacy V shape.
Filet Mesh
Double crochets separated by chain-1 spaces, stacked so each dc sits on a dc and each space on a space. A light grid that is the base of filet crochet and market bags.
Chain-1 Space
The gap left under a chain 1 in the row below. Patterns work stitches INTO the space rather than into the chain itself.
Solomon's Knot
Long, locked chain loops joined with single crochets into a very open, airy net.
Broomstick Lace
Loops pulled up and slipped onto a large knitting needle, then worked off in groups with single crochets — a vintage lace of twisted loop clusters.
Hairpin Lace
Strips of loops made on a hairpin loom, joined to each other with crochet into a light, airy lace.
Edgings & Borders
Finishing rows that frame your work
Picot
A small decorative bump created by chaining 3 and slip stitching back into the base. Adds a delicate finishing touch to edges.
Crab Stitch
Single crochet worked backwards, from left to right. Each stitch twists over the last and makes a firm, corded edge.
Scallop Edging
One row of 5-dc shells anchored by single crochets, giving a soft scalloped edge.
Ruffle Edging
Three double crochets in every stitch along an edge. The extra stitches have nowhere to go, so the edge waves into a ruffle.
Colourwork
Stripes, colour changes and charted colour
Changing Colours
Switching to a new colour cleanly so the new colour starts exactly where the row does. Our patterns say "With rust, …" on the first row in a new colour.
Tapestry Crochet
Two or more colours worked in single crochet from a chart, with the unused colour carried inside the stitches. Makes pictures and geometric designs.
Intarsia
Large blocks of colour, each worked from its own small ball of yarn, with nothing carried behind — clean pictures on a single-thickness fabric.
Fair Isle Crochet
Two colours worked from a chart in single crochet, with the colour not in use carried loosely along the wrong side. The traditional look of snowflakes, peeries and reindeer bands, usually worked in the round.
Specialty Techniques
Special methods and stitch modifications
Magic Ring
An adjustable starting ring that can be pulled tight to close the center hole. Essential for amigurumi and anything worked in the round.
Back Loop Only
Working through only the back loop of a stitch instead of both loops. Creates a ridged texture and more stretchy fabric.
Front Loop Only
Working through only the front loop of a stitch. Creates a ridge on the opposite side from BLO.
Spike Stitch
A single crochet worked into a stitch one or more rows below the current row, creating a long vertical stitch that spans multiple rows.
Cross Stitch
Two double crochets that cross over each other, creating an X pattern. Adds visual interest with minimal complexity.
Waffle Stitch
Front post double crochets worked around the plain stitches of the row below, and plain double crochets worked into the post stitches, so the raised columns step back and forth into a grid of squares that look like a waffle. Thick, cozy, and deeply textured.
Tunisian Simple Stitch
Tunisian crochet, worked with a long hook: loops are picked up across the row and then worked off on the way back. The fabric is dense and looks woven.
Turning Chain
The chains made at the start of a row or round to bring the yarn up to the height of the stitches.
Invisible Join
A finish with a tapestry needle that makes the last stitch of a round look exactly like any other.