Ready to learn more basic crochet stitches? In this third learn-to-crochet lesson, I’ll show you how to work half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet (also called triple crochet), and slip stitches. Step-by-step photos help you follow each movement, and a small practice swatch lets you compare the stitches as you learn.
Start with Learn to Crochet: Slip Knot, Chain Stitch, and Single Crochet if you haven’t practiced foundation chains and single crochet yet. For help choosing supplies, visit Learn to Crochet: Hook and Yarn Basics.
This lesson uses U.S. crochet terminology. Keep my Crochet Abbreviations, Crochet Stitch Chart Symbols, and U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart handy as you work.
Turning Chains and Stitch Counts
For this practice swatch, the beginning ch 2, ch 3, and ch 4 each count as the first stitch of their row. Skip the stitch directly beneath that turning chain and begin in the next stitch.
On the following row, work the last stitch into the top of the previous row’s turning chain when that chain counted as a stitch. Count after every row—you should have 9 stitches.
Patterns use different turning-chain conventions, especially for half double crochet. Always follow the instructions in your pattern.
How to Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Abbreviation: hdc
Stitch Symbol:
To begin the half double crochet row in this practice swatch, ch 2 (Fig. 1a). These chains count as your first hdc, so skip the first single crochet and work your first hdc into the next stitch.
To work a half double crochet, wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front (Fig. 1b), insert the hook into the specified stitch, yarn over again and pull a loop through the stitch (there will be 3 loops on your hook; Fig. 1c), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook (half double crochet made; Fig. 1d). Continue working half double crochets across the row (Fig. 1e).
If you were following a pattern, this row would read like this:
Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), skip first sc, work 1 hdc in each remaining sc across, turn — 9 sts, including the beginning ch 2.
How to Double Crochet (dc)
Abbreviation: dc
Stitch Symbol:
To begin the double crochet row, ch 3 (Fig. 2a). These chains count as your first dc. Skip the first hdc and work your first dc into the next stitch.
To work a double crochet, wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front (Fig. 2b), insert the hook into the specified stitch, yarn over again and pull a loop through the stitch (there will be 3 loops on your hook; Fig. 2c), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops will now be on your hook; Fig. 2d). Yarn over again and pull through the remaining 2 loops (double crochet made; Fig. 2e). Continue working double crochets across the row (Fig. 2f).
If you were following a pattern, this row would read like this:
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), skip first hdc, work 1 dc in each remaining hdc and in the top of the beginning ch-2, turn — 9 sts, including the beginning ch 3.
How to Treble Crochet (tr)
Abbreviation: tr
Stitch Symbol:
To begin the treble crochet row, ch 4 (Fig. 3a). These chains count as your first tr. Skip the first dc and work your first tr into the next stitch.
To work a treble crochet, wrap the yarn over your hook twice (Fig. 3b), insert hook into the specified stitch, yarn over again and pull a loop through the stitch (there will be 4 loops on your hook; Fig. 3c), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops will now be on your hook; Fig. 3d). Yarn over again and pull through 2 loops (2 loops will now be on your hook; Fig. 3e). Yarn over again and pull through remaining 2 loops (treble crochet made; Fig. 3f). Continue working treble crochets across row (Fig. 3g).
If you were following a pattern, this row would read like this:
Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as first tr), skip first dc, work 1 tr in each remaining dc and in the top of the beginning ch-3, turn — 9 sts, including the beginning ch 4.
How to Slip Stitch (sl st)
Abbreviation: sl st
Stitch Symbol:
A slip stitch adds very little height. It is useful for joining rounds, seaming crochet pieces, or moving across stitches without adding a full row of taller stitches. Insert your hook into the specified stitch (Fig. 4a), yarn over, and pull the yarn through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion (Fig. 4b). Continue working slip stitches across the row (Fig. 4c).
If you were following a pattern, this row would read like this:
Row 4: Without making a turning chain, work 1 sl st in each tr and in the top of the beginning ch-4 — 9 sl sts.
Half Double Crochet vs. Double Crochet vs. Treble Crochet
These stitches differ in height and in how you pull the yarn through the loops on your hook.
| Stitch | Yarn overs before inserting the hook | Pull-through sequence after drawing up a loop | Relative height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half double crochet (hdc) | 1 | Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops | Shortest of these three |
| Double crochet (dc) | 1 | Yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice | Taller |
| Treble crochet (tr) | 2 | Yarn over and pull through 2 loops three times | Tallest |
Is treble crochet the same as triple crochet? In U.S. terminology, yes—both names refer to the same stitch.
What is half treble crochet? In U.K. terminology, half treble crochet is the stitch called half double crochet in U.S. terminology. Check which terminology your pattern uses before starting.
See my U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart for more stitch term conversions.
Following a Pattern
Put the stitches together in this small practice swatch. Begin with a foundation row of single crochet, then work one row of each stitch you’ve learned.
Ch 10.
Foundation Row: Starting in the second ch from the hook, work 1 sc in each ch across, turn — 9 sc.
Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), skip first sc, work 1 hdc in each remaining sc across, turn — 9 sts, including the beginning ch 2.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), skip first hdc, work 1 dc in each remaining hdc and in the top of the beginning ch-2, turn — 9 sts, including the beginning ch 3.
Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as first tr), skip first dc, work 1 tr in each remaining dc and in the top of the beginning ch-3, turn — 9 sts, including the beginning ch 4.
Row 4: Without making a turning chain, work 1 sl st in each tr and in the top of the beginning ch-4 — 9 sl sts.
Congratulations!! You have learned the basic crochet stitches and have followed your first pattern!!!
There are many, many more stitches in crochet. Stitch dictionaries are great resources for learning new stitches. My favorites are The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet by Margaret Hubert (Creative Publishing International, 2010), Crochet Stitches VISUAL Encyclopedia by Robyn Chachula (Wiley, 2011), and The Crochet Answer Book (Storey Publishing, 2005) by Edie Eckman.
Next up is Lesson 4 – What Is Gauge?
This tutorial is part of my Learn to Crochet lesson series, four beginner lessons covering supplies, basic stitches, and gauge. Explore more crochet tutorials and keep my crochet resources and reference charts handy as you learn.
Hi 🙂
Thank you for your tutorials. I’ve been crocheting for 45+ years, but it’s always nice to brush up on terminology, stitches etc. I notice some stitches are different than what I learned. What I learned as a DC is different than yours. Please tell me what this stitch is..going from when you have the 3 loops on your hook. I would pull thru 1, then 2 and 2. That’s what we called a DC.
THANK YOU so much for your help!!
This is really helpful! Especially the following a pattern information. I’ve seen quite a few crochet tutorials without that and patterns intimate me!
I am so glad you found it helpful, Coby! Don’t be intimidated by patterns … once you get the hang of them it becomes second nature 🙂
Girl, I would love to learn hot to crochet one day. It overwhelms me just looking at it. My hubby says I have not patience. I agree 😉 Thanks so much for sharing at Toot Your Horn Tuesday 🙂
I need to catch up on lessons 1&2! I have all the materials to get started, but have yet to get going….new to your blog and maybe after a few more post, I’ll have a chain going in no time!
LOL! I can’t wait to hear how you make out 🙂
When you say that the chain one makes before starting a row (is it one for single crochet, 2 for half double, 3 for double??)is the first stitch, does that mean that one would use that at the end to make the last stitch in the row?
I hope this makes sense to you! If not, don’t worry. I will be the first to admit that I an spatially challenged.
Hi Baye, Yes, it makes perfect sense … if the pattern is counting the beginning chain as a stitch (and they usually do), then you would stitch into that chain on your next row just as if it was a regular stitch. Does that make sense? And yes, it is one chain to continue with single crochets, two for half double crochets, three for double crochets, and four for treble crochets. Hope that helps 🙂