How to Crochet: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Everything you need for your very first project: tools, holding the yarn, five basic stitches and what to make first.
Free tutorials
Learn to Crochet
From your very first chain to cables and lace. Illustrated stitch tutorials, honest troubleshooting and quick reference charts, all with US and UK terms side by side.
Start Here
Stitch Library
10 stitches with illustrated steps, US and UK names, and common mistakes.
Magic Ring
An adjustable loop that closes tight, with no hole at the centre of your amigurumi.
US MRUK MRBeginnerSlip Stitch
The shortest stitch, used to join rounds, move yarn and add surface details.
US sl stUK ssBeginnerHalf Double Crochet
A stitch between sc and dc in height. Fast to work and soft in the finished fabric.
US hdcUK htrBeginnerDouble Crochet
A tall, drapey stitch for blankets, granny squares and quick projects.
US dcUK trBeginnerFront Post Double Crochet
Worked around the post to make raised ribbing and cables.
US FPdcUK FPtrIntermediate
Guides & Reference
How to Read a Crochet Pattern
Brackets, asterisks, repeats and stitch counts explained line by line, with US and UK terms.
How to Block Crochet
Wet, spray and steam blocking for even stitches, flat doilies and squares that line up.
Crochet Troubleshooting: Fixes for Common Problems
Wavy edges, growing rows, tight tension and holes in amigurumi, and how to fix each one.
Crochet Abbreviations (US & UK)
Every abbreviation in our patterns, with the UK equivalent and a link to the stitch tutorial.
Hook Sizes & Yarn Weights
Metric, US and old UK hook sizes, plus the standard yarn weights with gauge and hook ranges.
Video Tutorials
Short videos are on the way. Each will sit next to its stitch tutorial.
- Magic ring in 60 secondsComing soon
- Your first granny squareComing soon
- Invisible decrease for amigurumiComing soon
Learning FAQ
Where should a complete beginner start?
Read the beginner’s guide, then practise the chain, single crochet and double crochet from the stitch library. Your first project could be the Puffy Heart Keychain or a granny square.
Are your tutorials in US or UK terms?
US terms, with the UK name of every stitch shown alongside. Every pattern also has a US/UK toggle.
Do I need to buy anything special?
Just a 5 mm hook, a ball of smooth light-coloured worsted yarn, scissors and a tapestry needle.