How to make a double crochet (UK terms) / Single crochet (US terms) stitch
*Double crochet (UK terms) and Single crochet (US terms) are the same stitch, be careful to check which terminology the pattern is using to make sure you are making the correct stitch! It can be confusing!*
The Double (UK) / Single (US) crochet stitch is a fantastic place to start in crochet, it’s a really commonly used stitch, it’s easy to work and really versatile, it can be used to make so many different things, and it’s commonly used in amigurumi as well (if you fancy making some toys or stuffed animals – double (UK) / single (US) stitch is your friend!)
A piece of fabric made with double (UK) / single (US) stitches will be quite a solid and dense fabric, which can be really useful if you’re making a bag or a cushion, and this is why it’s commonly used to make stuffed toys as well (keeps all the toy stuffing in!).
In this super simple tutorial I’m going to show you how to make double (UK) / single (US) crochet stitches into a foundation chain and then work in rows, but it’s really commonly worked in the round as well (where you work in a circle and keep going, the fabric isn’t turned).
Feeling ready? Let’s go!
Let’s start with the yarn you want to use and an appropriate size hook, here I’m using super chunky yarn (so hopefully you can see the stitches nice and clearly) and a size 10mm hook.
- Make the desired number of chain stitches, here I want 10 stitches so I’ve made 11 chain stitches in total, 10 stitches plus an extra chain stitch which acts as a turning chain (it doesn’t count as a stitch)
2. Next you’re going to insert the hook into the second chain stitch from the hook (remember the first chain doesn’t count as a stitch)
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook (yarn over), and pull the yarn back through the chain stitch.
4. Wrap the yarn around the hook again and pull the yarn through the two loops that are on your hook.
5. And you have just made your first double (UK) / single (US) crochet stitch! Woohoo! 🎉
6. Next insert your hook into the next chain stitch along.
7. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to make the next double (UK) / single (US) stitch, then repeat in each chain stitch across until you reach the end, and that is your first row of double (UK) / single (US) crochet complete!
8. To work the next row, turn your work, then make one chain stitch, again this will act as a turning chain (it gives you the height you need to start your next row), that one chain stitch will not count as a stitch.
9. Insert your hook into the first stitch of the row (under the first ‘V’).
10. Repeat steps 3 and 4 again to make the next double (UK) / single (US) stitch, and then continue making double (US) / single (US) crochet stitches in each stitch until you have reached the end, the second row is now complete!
11. Continue to work as you have been doing until the piece is the length you want it to be!
I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Let me know how you get on and what you are making with double (UK) / single (US) crochet stitches! ❤️
