Everything you ever needed to know about the parts of a crochet stitch in one easy to understand post. Crochet bliss.. I tell you!
Ever find yourself confused about what part of a crochet stitch is which? We’re about to break it all down in easy to understand terms! Let’s dive in!
Parts of a Crochet Stitch
The two photos tell you everything you need to know to identify the parts of a crochet stitch. The top photo shows a few rows of single crochet. When you are following along in a pattern, there might be instructions to “crochet in the back loops” or “crochet in the front loops”. Look at the photos to see what they mean! If you are crocheting in the round, it might be easy to spot the back loop and front loop because it looks just like the photos.
However, if you are working back and forth, you will be looking at the back side of this piece and maybe it will throw you. If you’re like me, maybe you would turn your work, and think, ‘oh no..what’s the front?… what’s the back?? … Did they change?’ The back loop will always refer to the back loop of the previous row.
The second photo shows a few rows of double crochet. Notice there are a few more “parts” listed here. The space between stitches is shown because sometimes a pattern will have you work in between the stitches instead of in the top of the stitch. It is a different look and one you might want to try if you are designing your own piece.
A double crochet (and taller stitch) has a post. There are stitches that can be worked around a post that give a distinct ridge to the work.
And there you go! You’re set for your next great crochet project!
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Wow! This site was a jewel to find! Great information and well written. My only wish is that you had a newsletter. If you do have one, please add me to your subscribers list! Thank you for sharing your talent!
I am so glad you like it! To sign up for the newsletter and get a free crochet/knit journal, check out this page: https://www.crochet365knittoo.com/free-crochet-knit-journal/
Cheryl, this is AWESOME!
I’ve been crocheting for 50 years, but you have created some handy visuals for showing to new crocheters, whom I try to help.
Thank you very much!
What is the “horizontal bar” of a crochet stitch, especially on a half-double crochet stitch? I have been crochet for decades and only recently read the term “horizontal bar” in a crochet pattern. Thank you.
I just read about this as well–and I’ve never actually seen it in a pattern before. So if you look at the post part of the stitch it is the almost horizontal yarn across. A sc wouldn’t have one at all and a hdc and a dc would have 1. It’s basically the yarn over and where it falls in the finished stitch.
Good morning talented gal,
I’m really appreciating your efforts to teach. The pictures and descriptions are so helpful. Thank you again, and keep on keeping on.
Could you add a photo showing “the fist stitch” that should be crocheted in after the chain 3? I get lost in exactly where that stitch is. I also get lost in where to stop crocheting when I’m approaching the end of the row and the previous rows last stitch relative to the chain 3 that started that row. ”
The first stitch depends on whether or not the chain counts as a stitch. The reference point is the LAST stitch in the prior row. So if the chain DOES count as a 1st stitch, then you SKIP working in the last stitch of the prior row (because the chain IS your first stitch). If it does NOT count (like with a single crochet), then the first stitch of the next row is worked right into the top of the last stitch of the prior row. Until you get used to this, you could pause after the last stitch of the prior row and put a piece of contrasting yarn into the top of that stitch so you can see it more easily on the next round. Hopefully that helps.
I’m not familiar with the stitch “sc 2 tog” found in your Octopus
R13:
*sc in next 4 st, sc 2 tog, repeat from * around (30 st)
Please define what I need to do
Thanks much! Zia
Sc 2 Tog means “single crochet 2 together” which is a decrease. You can read how to decrease here.
Great information! Love the photos dissecting the stitch. I struggle with this; I just started crocheting a couple of months ago. I see mistakes but never know what I did or didn’t do.
Thanks!
Linda