Crochet tutorials
CROCHET BASICS
Hold a hook & yarn
First things first, learn how to hold a crochet hook in one hand and yarn in the other.
Identify the right side of crochet
Once you’ve crocheted a few rounds, you work will naturally curve. But which side should actually face out?
Yarn over
Learn what it means to yarn over – the most basic building block of almost every stitch.
Crochet stitches
Slip stitch (sl st)
One of the quickest stitches in crochet, often used as part of the technique to fasten off a round crochet piece.
Increase (inc)
Single crochet twice into the same stitch, to make your piece grow larger. Learn both the regular increase and invisible increase.
Decrease (dec)
Reduce the size of your piece by turning two stitches into one. Learn both the regular decrease and invisible decrease.
Chain (ch)
Another quick crochet stitch, often used to create loops like basket handles, or embellishments like doll hair.
Half double crochet (hdc)
This stitch is the halfway point between a single and double crochet stitch.
TECHNIQUES
Undo stitches
Made a mistake? Don't sweat it. Learn how to undo your mistakes and get back on track.
Magic ring
Also known as a magic loop, magic circle, adjustable ring, or drawstring ring. This is a popular way to start round crochet pieces.
Start round piece with a chain
Magic ring too tricky? Try starting a round piece with a chain instead.
Slip knot
This is the first step to begin some crochet techniques, such as a chain or slip stitch join.
Use safety eyes
Also known as craft eyes, these are small pieces of round plastic that give life to your toys.
Close a ball
How to fasten off and weave in the yarn tails of a self-contained piece of amigurumi, like a ball.
Fasten off
When you're done crocheting a piece, fasten off to keep your stitches secure. Then either weave in the yarn tail or use it to sew this piece onto another.
Invisible fasten off for open edges
How to fasten off, and prep a piece where the edge will be visible and even when attached to another piece.
Sew amigurumi parts together
Now that you have all the pieces of your amigurumi, learn how to attach them together, also known as joining pieces
Crochet through front or back loops only (flo, blo)
What it means to crochet through the front or back loops only.
Embroider on amigurumi
Embroider common details onto your amigurumi to either give them a little bit more pizzazz or make them safe for kids and pets.
Find mistakes
Mistakes are part of the crocheting process, and luckily they're easy to find and fix.