163 stitches
Crochet stitches
How to work each stitch, with a diagram, what it is used for and how hard it is.
Basic stitches: start with these
Chain stitch
Used for the foundation chain.
Single crochet
Used for first projects.
Half double crochet
Used for a solid, fairly close fabric, as for blankets.
Double crochet
Used for granny squares and other pieces worked in rounds.
Treble crochet
Used for open, airy fabric.
Slip stitch
Used for joining a chain into a ring.
More basic stitches
Starting
Back bump of the chain
Used for a bottom edge that is left as it is.
Double magic ring
Used for hats and other pieces.
Foundation chain
Used for the start of anything worked in rows.
Foundation double crochet
Used for starting a piece whose first row is double crochet.
Foundation half double crochet
Used for starting a piece.
Foundation single crochet
Used for starting a piece without working into a long chain.
Left-handed crochet
Used for learning to crochet with the hook in the left hand.
Magic ring
Used for the first round of a toy.
Slip knot
Used for the start of a foundation chain.
Yarn over
Used for drawing the yarn through loops on the hook.
Working in rows
Back loop and front loop
Used for a ridge across the fabric.
Chain space
Used for shells and other groups of stitches.
Chainless starting double crochet
Used for starting a row of double crochet.
Counting stitches and rows
Used for checking each row.
Frogging
Used for undoing rows back to a mistake.
Rows without turning
Used for color patterns worked from a chart.
Skip a stitch
Used for a chain space.
Starting the second row
Used for every piece that is worked back and forth in rows.
Straight edges
Used for scarves, blankets and any piece.
Turning chain
Used for the start of every row.
Using stitch markers
Used for finding where a round begins.
Increasing and decreasing
Curlicues
Used for a curly fringe along the end of a scarf.
Decreases
Used for making a piece narrower.
Double crochet decrease
Used for making a piece narrower, to shape it.
Half double crochet decrease
Used for making a piece narrower, to shape it.
Increases
Used for making a piece wider.
Invisible decrease
Used for shaping stuffed toys (amigurumi).
Points and star points
Used for triangles for bunting, or to join into a blanket.
Ruffles
Used for the border of a blanket; the hem of a sweater.
Short rows
Used for turning the heel of a sock.
Treble crochet decrease
Used for making a piece narrower, to shape it.
Working in the round
Camel stitch
Used for hats and hat brims; cowls and infinity scarves.
Continuous rounds
Used for stuffed toys (amigurumi).
Flat circle
Used for coasters, round cloths and pillows.
Joining rounds
Used for flat circles, squares and other motifs.
Straight seam in the round
Used for hats, bags and anything else.
Tubes
Used for cowls and ear warmers; socks.
Two color spiral
Used for coasters; motifs and squares for blankets.
Waistcoat stitch
Used for hats, baskets and bags worked in the round.
Working in the round
Used for granny squares and other flat pieces.
Working over a ring
Used for covering a ring, a hoop or a wreath form with yarn.
Finishing
Adding a border to a blanket
Used for the base round of any border on a blanket.
Blocking
Used for squares and motifs.
Buttonholes
Used for the front of a cardigan.
Cords
Used for ties at the neck or the front of a garment.
Cross stitch on crochet
Used for letters, names and short words on a finished piece.
Fastening off
Used for the end of every piece.
Finishing a blanket
Used for a blanket worked in rows.
Finishing a scarf
Used for a scarf worked in rows, in one color or in stripes.
Fringe and tassels
Used for the two short ends of a scarf.
Hanging loops and button loops
Used for a loop at the corner.
I-cord
Used for handles and straps for bags and baskets.
Invisible join
Used for the last round of a circle, a square or any motif.
Picking up stitches
Used for the first round of a border or an edging.
Stiffening crochet
Used for snowflakes and other ornaments.
Turning corners
Used for a border worked round a blanket or a square.
Weaving in ends
Used for the tails at the start and the end of every piece.
Changing color
Argyle
Used for scarves.
Block stitch
Used for blankets and baby blankets.
Brick stitch
Used for blankets and throws.
Carrying yarn
Used for stripes of two or four rows.
Changing colors
Used for stripes.
Checkerboard pattern
Used for baby blankets and throws in two colors.
Colorwork
Used for blankets worked from a chart.
Gingham
Used for baby blankets and throws; scarves and hats.
Intarsia crochet
Used for a picture, a letter or one large shape.
Joining new yarn
Used for starting a new ball or skein when one runs out.
Larksfoot stitch
Used for blankets and afghans; baby blankets.
Mosaic crochet
Used for blankets, cushions and bags.
Ombre
Used for blankets and baby blankets.
Plaid
Used for blankets and throws; scarves and cowls.
Spike stitch
Used for long dashes of one color.
Standing stitches
Used for starting a row or round in a new color.
Stripes
Used for bands of color.
Surface crochet
Used for lines and stripes added after a piece is finished.
Tapestry crochet
Used for pictures, letters and repeating patterns.
Vertical stripes
Used for blankets, afghans and throws.
Woven crochet
Used for blankets and afghans with the look of woven cloth.
Texture
Alpine stitch
Used for blankets with a raised surface; scarves.
Basketweave stitch
Used for thick, warm blankets; scarves.
Bean stitch
Used for a dense, textured fabric.
Blanket stitch
Used for blankets and baby blankets; scarves.
Bullion stitch
Used for flowers and round motifs.
Cobble stitch
Used for blankets and baby blankets; scarves.
Crossed stitches
Used for rows of small Xs.
Crunch stitch
Used for washcloths, potholders and other things.
Double sided crochet
Used for blankets and throws that are seen from both sides.
Fancy and unique stitches
Used for finding a stitch by what its fabric looks like.
Grit stitch
Used for dishcloths and washcloths; blankets.
Herringbone double crochet
Used for blankets; scarves.
Herringbone half double crochet
Used for a woven look on scarves, blankets and dishcloths.
Knit-look stitches
Used for hats, cowls and bags worked in the round.
Lemon peel stitch
Used for dishcloths, scarves and baby blankets.
Linked double crochet
Used for a solid fabric with the height of double crochet.
Loop stitch
Used for a shaggy pile on cushions, rugs and blankets.
Moss stitch
Used for scarves and other pieces.
Pique stitch
Used for washcloths and dishcloths.
Ribbing
Used for cuffs, hat brims and the hems.
Ridge stitch
Used for lines of texture across plain single crochet.
Sedge stitch
Used for scarves; blankets.
Single and double crochet stitches
Used for blankets and baby blankets.
Spider stitch
Used for washcloths and dishcloths; blankets.
Star stitch
Used for hats, scarves and cowls.
Suzette stitch
Used for blankets and baby blankets; scarves.
Textured stitches
Used for blankets, scarves and other pieces.
Thermal stitch
Used for thick washcloths and dishcloths.
Trinity stitch
Used for washcloths and dishcloths; blankets.
Two strands held together
Used for a thick fabric from a thinner yarn.
Waffle stitch
Used for thick, squashy blankets and baby blankets.
Wattle stitch
Used for dishcloths and washcloths.
Graph patterns
Joining and seams
Flat braid join
Used for joining the squares of a blanket.
Join as you go
Used for blankets and other pieces made of granny squares.
Joining an infinity scarf
Used for finishing a scarf.
Joining and seaming pieces
Used for putting together a blanket of squares or strips.
Joining squares
Used for granny square blankets.
Magic knot
Used for joining a new ball of the same color.
Mattress stitch
Used for sewing the pieces of a garment together.
Whip stitch
Used for sewing squares and other motifs into a blanket.
Shells, fans and V-stitches
Arcade stitch
Used for shawls, wraps and scarves.
Box stitch
Used for scarves and baby blankets, in straight rows.
Crazy stitch
Used for scarves; baby blankets.
Fan stitch
Used for shawls, wraps and light scarves.
Granny stitch
Used for striped blankets and throws; scarves and shawls.
Iris stitch
Used for shawls.
Primrose stitch
Used for sweaters and cardigans.
Shell stitch
Used for baby blankets, throws and shawls.
V-stitch
Used for light blankets and baby blankets.
Puffs, bobbles and clusters
Bobble stitch
Used for a bold, bumpy surface.
Catherine wheel stitch
Used for blankets and afghans.
Cluster stitch
Used for rows of clusters with chains between them.
Granule stitch
Used for scarves.
Popcorn stitch
Used for large, round bumps.
Puff stitch
Used for soft, rounded texture.
Puff V-stitch
Used for blankets; scarves.
Post stitches and cables
Back post double crochet
Used for ribbing.
Back post half double crochet
Used for ribbing.
Back post single crochet
Used for a slight texture on single crochet fabric.
Cables
Used for raised ropes and braids.
Crinkle stitch
Used for a small all-over texture in a close fabric.
Crocodile stitch
Used for scales, feathers and petals.
Front post double crochet
Used for ribbing.
Front post half double crochet
Used for ribbing.
Front post single crochet
Used for a slight raised texture on single crochet fabric.
Front post treble crochet
Used for cables.
Post stitches
Used for ribbing.
Ripples and chevrons
Mesh and lace
Eyelet stitch
Used for a ribbon, a cord or a tie threaded in and out.
Filet crochet
Used for curtains, tablecloths and table runners.
Lace and openwork stitches
Used for shawls, wraps and light scarves.
Mesh stitch
Used for market bags and other net bags.
Picot stitch
Used for edgings, on blankets and other pieces.
Trellis stitch
Used for shawls; market bags.