SaveSingle crochet is the first stitch worth learning, not because it is easiest to work but because it is easiest to see. It is short and dense, so a dropped or doubled stitch shows up immediately rather than twenty rows later.
Part of our stitches library.
It is also the stitch amigurumi is built on, almost exclusively, because it produces a fabric tight enough that stuffing cannot push through.
This page uses US terms. A US single crochet is a UK double crochet. If your pattern says “double crochet” for the shortest stitch, it is a UK pattern.
Working it
- Insert the hook into the next stitch, under both loops of the V.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. Two loops on the hook.
- Yarn over and pull through both. One loop left. Done.
No yarn over at the start, which is the one difference from every taller stitch and the thing people forget once they have learned double crochet.
Turning
Chain one at the end of a row, then turn. That chain does not count as a stitch, so work into the very first stitch of the new row rather than skipping it.
If your edges are creeping inward, you are treating the chain-1 as a stitch and skipping the first real one. It is the single most common single crochet fault.
What it is good for
| Project | Why single crochet | Hook |
|---|---|---|
| Amigurumi | No gaps for stuffing to show through | 1.5 mm below yarn band |
| Bags | Dense enough not to stretch under weight | Half a size below |
| Baskets | Holds a rigid shape | Half a size below, doubled yarn |
| Dishcloths | Scrubs, and survives a hot wash | As stated on the band |
| Blankets | Rarely. It is slow and the fabric is stiff | Half a size above if you must |
Variations worth knowing
- Back loop only leaves a visible ridge and makes the fabric stretchier along the rows. It is how ribbing is faked without changing stitch.
- Front loop only puts the ridge on the other side, used for texture rows.
- Worked in a spiral, with a marker moved up each round, which is standard for amigurumi so there is no visible join line.
Questions
What is single crochet?
The shortest basic stitch. Insert the hook, pull up a loop, then pull through both loops. No yarn over at the start.
What is single crochet called in UK patterns?
Double crochet, abbreviated dc. The names are offset by one between the two systems.
Why is my single crochet curling?
Usually the foundation chain is tighter than the rows above. Chain with a hook one size larger, then switch back.
How many chains do I turn with?
One, and it does not count as a stitch, so work into the first stitch of the new row.
Is single crochet good for blankets?
It makes a warm dense blanket and takes roughly twice as long as double crochet. Most people choose a taller stitch for anything large.
Why does amigurumi always use single crochet?
Because the fabric has no gaps. A taller stitch leaves spaces that stuffing pushes through.