Crochet is defined as fabric that is created by making loops out of thread with a crochet hook. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/crochetThe modern interpretation of crochet began in Europe in the 1800s as an alternative to the more expensive traditional lace techniques. http://www.apparelsearch.com/Definitions/Fabric/crochet_definition.htm However, after the 1950s, the craft expanded beyond clothing to household goods and accessories such as blankets, plush toys and ornaments. http://www.apparelsearch.com/Definitions/Fabric/crochet_definition.htm In the new age of do-it-yourself crafts, crocheting is a useful hobby that can be done by both children and adults.

This how to is suitable for any level of hobbyist since it demonstrates beginner level stitches. You only need to have a medium to large crochet hook and a ball of worsted weight yarn to complete the tasks below. It should take around 5 to 10 minutes to finish each example swatch depending on your skill level.

On this How to Do Basic Crochet Stitches page, you learn the fundamentals of creating a swatch, making the foundation stitches and changing the shape of the fabric. Once you see how to make a starting chain, the tutorial shows you how to make single, half double, double and triple crochet stitches. Beyond that, you find out how to increase and decrease stitches which comes in handy when making garment fabrics.

First, you have to become comfortable holding your crochet hook. There are two common holding styles. One is called knife and the other is pen. Like the names imply, you can either hold the hook the way you would hold a knife or pen. Neither way is better than the other. Try out both and use the style that feels the most comfortable to your hand. This article will use the knife method to make a chain.

Next, you begin forming your foundation chain. All your stitches will build up from these starter loops. Some patterns need a regular straight chain while others begin with a circular one.

Straight Chain:

1. Start with a 6 inch tail of your yarn. You need to make a slip knot over the head of the hook. To make a beginner slip knot, make a loop in your left hand then hold the tail end of the yarn beneath the loop. Push the hook through the loop and under the tail and back up. Now, pull the stitch tight to your hook.
2. Holding the hook with your thumb and index finger in your right hand, take the yarn over the hook from front to back. Make sure the face of the hook is facing you.
3. Pull down on the hook and drag up a loop through the old stitch on the hook. Keep the loops loose since you'll have to make the next row of stitches inside them.
4. Continue this process until you have 12 loops. Remember that you don't count the current loop connected to the hook.

Circular Chain:

1. Make a straight chain like above.
2. Insert the hook into the initial loop on the chain creating a circle. Bring the yarn through both loops. Be careful not to twist the chain.
3. Stick a safety pin in that initial loop as a marker so that you know where the chain ends and begins.

Single Crochet:

1. Make a straight chain with 12 loops. Note that in front you have a row of V shapes while the back has a series of horizontal bars behind each V. One V shape and the bar right behind it count as a whole stitch/loop.
2. Insert the hook into the second stitch. The hook should go through the top of a horizontal bar. Note that you don't count the loop currently on your hook.
3. Holding the yarn in your left hand, wrap the yarn over the hook tip.
4. Pull the loop up. There are 2 loops on the hook now.
5. Yarn over again then pull that strand through both loops. You have made a single crochet stitch.
6. Continue making single crochets across in each stitch.
7. Chain one. This is the same process you used in making the foundation. Make a one loop chain by pulling the yarn over and pulling it through the loop. This makes a turning chain for the next row.
8. Turn the crochet piece. Now, the back is facing you.
9. Notice that now you have a row of 12 V shapes on top of the piece. Place the hook into the single crochet stitch on the row and make a single crochet stitch. It goes under the V from the front. The turning chain does not count as the first single crochet for the row.
10. Make single crochets across in each stitch.
11. Repeat the whole process for 12 rows.
12. Cut a 6 inch tail. Weave the tail in with a yarn needle. Carry the yarn in and out of the bumps on the wrong side of the fabric.

Half Double Crochet:

1. Create a straight chain with 14 loops.
2. Yarn over then insert the hook into the third stitch.
3. Wrap the yarn over the hook.
4. Pull the loop up. There are 3 loops on the hook now.
5. Yarn over again then pull that strand through all 3 loops. You have made a half double crochet stitch.
6. Continue making stitches across in each stitch.
7. Chain two. This makes a turning chain for the next row, and it is the first half double for the next row.
8. Turn the crochet piece.
9. Place the hook into the second stitch from the hook and make a half double crochet stitch.
10. Make half doubles across in each stitch.
11. Repeat the whole process for 12 rows.
12. Cut a 6 inch tail and weave it in.

Double Crochet:

1. Create a straight chain with 15 loops.
2. Yarn over then insert the hook into the fourth stitch.
3. Wrap the yarn over the hook.
4. Pull the loop up. There are 3 loops on the hook now.
5. Yarn over again then pull that strand through 2 loops. You have 2 loops left on the hook.
6. Yarn over once more then pull it through the last 2 loops. You have made a double crochet stitch.
7. Continue making stitches across in each stitch.
8. Chain three. This makes a turning chain for the next row, and it is the first double for the next row.
9. Turn the crochet piece.
10. Place the hook into the second stitch from the hook and make a double crochet stitch.
11. Form doubles across in each stitch.
12. Repeat the whole process for 12 rows.
13. Cut a 6 inch tail and weave it in.

Triple Crochet (also known as Treble Crochet):

1. Create a straight chain with 16 loops.
2. Yarn over twice then insert the hook into the fifth stitch.
3. Wrap the yarn over the hook.
4. Pull the loop up. There are 4 loops on the hook now.
5. Yarn over again then pull that strand through 2 loops. You have 3 loops left on the hook.
6. Yarn over once more then pull it through 2 loops.
7. Finally, wrap the yarn over then pull through the last two loops. You have made a triple crochet stitch.
8. Continue making stitches across in each stitch.
9. Chain four. This makes a turning chain for the next row, and it is the first treble for the next row.
10. Turn the crochet piece.
11. Place the hook into the second stitch from the hook and make a triple crochet stitch.
12. Create triples across in each stitch.
13. Repeat the whole process for 12 rows.
14. Cut a 6 inch tail and weave it in.

Slip Stitch Embellishment:

1. Work a row of crochet. It doesn't matter which type of stitch that you pick.
2. Chain one.
3. Turn the piece then insert the hook into the first stitch.
4. Yarn over and bring up the loop.
5. Pull this loop through the other loop on the hook.
6. Continue this process across the row.

You will need to understand the process of increasing and decreasing rows for many crochet patterns that you will find. They are especially necessary in crocheting gloves, socks, dollies and granny squares. Thankfully, the procedure is pretty simple and straightforward.

Increasing:

• Chain Increase: Some patterns will call for a chain increase. To do this, you simply chain the amount of loops called for in the pattern.
• Multiple stitches: Another way to increase the number of stitches in a row is to insert more than one stitch in the row. For example, after you make one double crochet in a loop in the row, yarn over and insert your hook back into the same loop on that row then make another double crochet. You have now increased the stitch count by one.

Decreasing: Usually, you will see a notation such as dc2tog. This means that you need to double crochet 2 stitches into one.

• Single Crochet Decrease:

1. Insert your hook through the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop.
2. Then, place the hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull up another loop. You should have 3 loops on the hook now.
3. Yarn over once more and pull through all 3 loops to finish the decrease.

• Double Crochet Decrease:

1. Wrap the yarn over the hook.
2. Insert your hook through the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop.
3. Yarn over and pull the loop through 2 stitches.
4. Bring the yarn over again, insert into the next stitch then pull up a loop. This leaves 4 loops on the hook.
5. Then, yarn over and pull through two loops. You should have 3 loops on the hook.
6. Yarn over once more and pull through all 3 loops to finish the decrease.