Crochet Basics: Which Stitches Are Absolutely Essential?

Dear users and authors,
do you have any tips or information on the basics of crocheting?
You’re welcome to share links to free patterns and blog posts, but advertising paid patterns is not allowed here.

What advice would you give to beginners?

Chain stitches are probably the most important, since almost everything is built on them.
You should also know how to make single crochet stitches—you can create so many things with them!
Whether it’s a simple crochet scarf or a hat, pot holders, and of course amigurumi. For the latter, you should also be able to crochet in (spiral) rounds and master increases and decreases. Most patterns, especially those described as beginner-friendly, explain these techniques anyway.
Don’t be shy—just dive in with curiosity!

Nothing works without chain stitches.
They’re the foundation of every crochet project.
These are usually followed by single crochet stitches. You can already make quite a few things using just these two stitches.

Chain stitches, single crochet, crocheting in rows and in (spiral) rounds—these are probably essential, even for beginners. But you can already crochet a lot of different things with just these. It’s best not to crochet pieces that are too large; you won’t have much patience at first.

Along the way, you’ll keep encountering new challenges:
As the next step: double crochet, half double crochet, color changes, slip stitches, and joined rounds.
Once you can do double crochet, you can venture into larger projects (e.g., shawls), which come together pretty quickly.

 Here’s another little tip: When you’re starting out, work with yarn that isn’t too thin (from about a 3 mm hook size) and use plied yarn rather than multi-strand yarn, as it doesn’t split as easily.

The most important one is probably the chain stitch, because it is -almost always- the foundation.
Single crochet stitches for crocheting in rows and rounds/spiral rounds. For rounds, the slip stitch comes into play.

I think it’s great that crochet patterns very often include a few tips and tricks. A big THANK YOU to the authors for that!
That’s how I discovered “invisible” decreases, and now the “little holes” are gone.

Then come double crochet and half double crochet. That’s probably the “basic set.”

Contrary to my dear grandma’s advice, don’t necessarily start with potholder yarn.
You can get snagged easily and then have to deal with loose strands. (My experience from school days.)

Good luck to everyone and have fun with this great hobby!

Best regards, Marlies

Plied yarn is easier to work with if it is twisted slightly as you go.

Since everyone has different preferences when it comes to crochet hooks, it’s best to get a few different ones made from different materials (or maybe borrow them) to find out which feels best in your hand.

Chain stitches and single crochet are the basics for me.
By now, I’d also include the magic ring, as well as increasing and decreasing stitches.
Here I have a simple free pattern that uses all of these and that I consider absolutely beginner-friendly.

Walter the Clothespin Mouse free pattern


Have fun trying it out ☺

Maybe you should also mention the crab stitch. It always makes for a nice finish.