Parts of a crochet stitch

When you’re a crochet beginner, you may ask yourself “where oh where does my crochet hook go next?” after almost every stitch you make. This tutorial explains the parts of a single crochet stitch, and how where you crochet your next stitch affects how your piece will look.

Each crochet stitch is made of a post and 2 top loops. The top loop can be broken down into a front loop and back loop.

The pictures below show the parts of a single crochet stitch, which is the stitch most commonly used in amigurumi.

Crochet through both loops

Unless the pattern says otherwise, start a new stitch by inserting the hook under both top loops.

This creates an even look throughout your work.

Crochet through front loops only (tflo)

With the right side of your work facing you, insert the hook under only the front loop.

This will create a ridge on the wrong side of your work.

Crochet through back loops only (tblo)

With the right side of your work facing you, insert the hook under only the back loop.

This will create a ridge on the right side of your work. This technique is often used to make it easier to then attach content to the remaining front loops.

And then where does the hook go?

How do you tell where to insert your hook into next? If you’re right-handed, the next stitch is to the left of the one you just completed. If you’re left-handed, the next stitch is to the right. Either way, with the right side of your piece facing you, a completed stitch looks like a vertical V. To find where to insert your hook to create the next stitch, look at your piece from the top down and look for the next horizontal V.

Parts of a crochet stitch

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