Basic Stitches

All crochet stitches are based on a loop pulled through another loop by a hook. There are only a few stitches to master, each of a different length. Here is a concise guide to the basic stitches used to make the granny squares.

Chain (ch)

Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through the loop on the hook to form a new loop on the hook.

Slip stitch (sl st)

Insert the hook into the specified stitch, wrap the yarn over the hook, and pull it through the stitch and the loop on the hook.

Single crochet (sc)

Insert the hook into the specified stitch, wrap the yarn over the hook, and pull it through the stitch (2 loops on hook). Yarn over hook and pull it through both loops.

Extended single crochet (ext sc)

Insert the hook into the specified stitch, yarn over hook, and pull it through the stitch (2 loops on hook). Chain 1. Yarn over hook and pull it through both loops.

Half double crochet (hdc)

Yarn over hook, insert the hook into the specified stitch, yarn over hook, and pull it through the stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over hook and pull it through all three loops.

Double crochet (dc)

Yarn over hook, insert the hook into the specified stitch, yarn over hook, and pull it through the stitch (3 loops on hook). *Yarn over hook and pull it through two loops; repeat from * once more.

Treble crochet (tr)

Yarn over hook twice, insert the hook into the specified stitch, yarn over hook, and pull it through the stitch (4 loops on hook). *Yarn over hook and pull it through two loops; repeat from * twice more.

MAKING TALLER STITCHES

You can make taller stitches by wrapping the yarn over the hook as many times as you wish before inserting the hook into the specified stitch. For example, wrap the yarn over the hook three times to make a double treble crochet (dtr). Make four wraps for a triple treble crochet (trtr) and so on. Complete the stitch in the same way as treble crochet, working off two loops at a time in the usual way.