How to Single Crochet (sc)
Hello friends! So glad you’re here and excited to share a super important stitch with you today: the single crochet stitch. This is part of a beginner series that I have put together to help people that are brand new to crochet start learning stitches. The single crochet (sc) is a foundational stitch in the crochet journey and is used in so many different ways!
I’ll be sharing some characteristics of the single crochet stitch, as well as some common uses. I’m also going to give you a step-by-step photo tutorial and a sample pattern so that you can get used to reading what it might look like in a pattern. There’s also several variations of this stitch, so I’m going to give you the four that I think you’re most likely to come across in a beginner level crochet pattern. And finally, I’ll also share some tips and tricks to help you through potential problems with this stitch. Let’s get started!
About the Stitch
The single crochet stitch is one of the most basic crochet stitches and likely one of the first to learn for a beginner. It is one of the smaller stitches height-wise and is used in a variety of ways. The single crochet stitch and variations of the single crochet stitch are used for everything from ribbing, fabric, stitch combinations, and even seaming. It is essential to have this stitch in your repertoire if you’re learning to crochet.
The single crochet stitch can easily be worked flat or in the round (for this tutorial, my samples will be shown flat). It is worth noting that the single crochet stitch is not symmetrical (except for Sc in BLO, see below).
Abbreviation
The slip stitch is abbreviated “sc” in US terms. You may see it referred to as “dc” in UK terms.
Fabric Characteristics
When worked together in rows, the single crochet stitch creates a dense and somewhat stiff fabric. It is commonly used in clothing or home decor items like pillow covers because of it’s tight nature that leaves almost no holes in the fabric. Single crochet can be worked back and forth in rows or in rounds. The stitch looks slightly different on the wrong side but is generally considered a reversible stitch.
Skill Level
Beginner
Quick Instructions
To complete a single crochet, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through the two loops on your hook.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Foundation Row
- Start by chaining any number of stitches.
- Insert your hook into the second chain from your hook.
- Yarn over by wrapping your yarn around the hook from the back to the front.
- Pull up a loop by bringing the wrapped yarn through the stitch to the front of your piece. You should have two loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook.
- Repeat Steps 2-5 in each chain stitch across your row.
Following Rows
- Start each new row with a chain 1 and turn.
- Skip the chain 1 stitch. (For help identifying, see Troubleshooting section)
- Insert your hook under the two top loops from the stitch below.
- Yarn over by wrapping your yarn around the hook from the back to the front.
- Pull up a loop by bringing the wrapped yarn through the stitch to the front of your piece. You should have two loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook.
- Repeat Steps 2-5 in each chain stitch across your row.
This series is your row repeat. You’ll start each row with a chain 1 and turn and continue this repeat until your piece reaches your desired height.
Pattern for Swatch
Row 1: Ch 17, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (16)
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. Sc across. (16).
Repeat Row 2 until your fabric reaches your desired height.
Variations of the Single Crochet
Since you have the single crochet stitch down, let’s look at some variations of the stitch. There are so many variations of any stitch and the single crochet is no exception. B,ut it would be overwhelming to look at them all at once, especially if you’re just learning this stitch for the first time. I’ve picked out four variations that I think are the most likely to be used in a beginner level crochet pattern to break down for you.
Single Crochet Increase (Sc Inc)
Single crochet increase is commonly abbreviated as “sc inc”, “Inc”, or “sc 2 in next stitch”. The technique itself is very simple. You will do your single crochet as written in the instructions above. But instead of moving to the next stitch for the following single crochet, you will insert your hook back into the same stitch and repeat the steps to create a second single crochet. Putting two stitches in one space is going to increase your stitch count for that round or row.
The single crochet increase is widely used for shaping. It is very commonly used in amigurumi, the art of crocheting stuffed animals or toys, to make unique shapes for stuffing. You will also see increase stitches in clothing and accessories like beanies and sweaters. When used well, it allows you to increase the width or circumference of your piece smoothly.
Single Crochet Decrease (Sc Dec or Sc2Tog)
The single crochet decrease is typically abbreviated “sc dec”, “dec over next 2 stitches”, or “sc2tog”. To complete a sc dec or sc2tog (single crochet two together), you will be working with two stitches from the row below. Start by inserting your hook into the first stitch and pulling up a loop. You will have two loops on your hook. Instead of completing your single crochet, you will then insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up another loop. You will then have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook to complete the sc dec.
The single crochet decrease is also used for shaping. You will see it used in amigurumi, but is important to note that you may be using invisible sc dec depending on the pattern and that is worked differently. This stitch is also very common in accessories and garments as well.
Single in Back Loops Only (Sc in BLO)
A very common variation of the single crochet stitch is single crochet in back loops only. Single crochet in back loops only is usually abbreviated as “sc in BLO” or “SCBLO”. The steps to the single crochet are almost exactly the same with one minor change. When you insert your hook into the stitch from the row below to strat your single crochet, you will not go under both loops. You will only go under the loop farthest from you; this is the “back loop” of the stitch.
This technique is commonly used in creating ribbing; working this stitch back and forth in rows will create a ribbed effect. But you will see it in a variety of other applications as well. It is often used in color work because it keeps the stitches stacked symmetrically on top of each other when working in the round. This allows you to see pictures and shapes in your crochet color work. It is also used in seaming and as a textural element in stitch combinations.
Single Crochet in Front Loops Only (Sc in FLO)
Single crochet in front loops only is another variation of the single crochet. While it is less commonly used that it’s relative the sc in BLO, it is still a good technique to know. Single crochet in front loops only is abbreviated as “sc in FLO” or “SCFLO”. This stitch is also varies from the standard single crochet stitch only in the placement of your hook when you begin the stitch. For sc in FLO, instead of inserting your hook under both loops of the stitch below, you will insert your hook under the loop of the stitch below that is closest to you only.
Troubleshooting
The single crochet stitch is a building block of other stitches and important to learn when you’re starting out. However, as a beginning crocheter, you’re bound to run into some issues as you practice this stitch. Here are a few that I think will be the most common. If you have more that you’d like to see addressed, leave a comment below!
Tension
Tension is a very common issue when using first starting your crochet journey. Because single crochet is one of the smaller stitches, it can tend to get very tight if you’re not careful. Tight stitches will shrink the size of your finished piece, make it difficult to insert your hook on the following row, and can lead to tension in your wrists.
Unfortunately, tension is something that takes practice to master. But you can try a few things to ease the process. If you notice your stitches getting tight, try using a larger crochet hook than is recommended. This will naturally make your stitches larger. You can also experiment with different ways to hold your yarn and hook and see if any of them feel more natural. And finally, take a deep breath! It might seem obvious, but relaxing your hands, arms, neck and shoulders will help you loosen your stitches.
accidentally Adding stitches
It’s really common for new crocheters to accidentally add stitches to their row. This can happen in a variety of ways, but the main reason for this is not knowing where your starting stitch for the row is. The more you crochet, the easier it will be able to find the first stitch of the row but it can take practice to find it..
From above, the turning chain and the first stitch of the row are identical. So whenever you chain 1 and turn, the second stitch from your hook is the first stitch of the row. Check out the photo below to see what the starting stitch of the row looks like.
shifting seam (in the round)
As mentioned before, the single crochet stitch is not perfectly symmetrical. That means that it tends to lean in one direction just slightly if you’re working in the round. So if you’re working in rounds on a hat or maybe a stocking, you might notice that the seam, where you join at the end of a round, is starting to move across your work in an odd diagonal. The good news is that you’re not doing anything wrong; the bad news is that this is the nature of the stitch.
There are a few ways to keep your seams from wandering. One way to keep seams straight is to turn your work after every round and work back the direction you came. Going back and forth in rounds will help keep your stitches from all leaning the same way. Another option is to try using sc in BLO (see above). This stitch will give your work a little more texture that a classic single crochet, but the stitches will stack on top of each other better. There’s a few more hacks for this issue, but one of my favorites is to use another more advanced variation of single crochet: the waistcoat stitch. I’ll break this down for you in another stitch tutorial and link back soon (in the meantime, try searching waistcoat stitch on YouTube!).
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Be sure to check out some other fun stitches and simple patterns to practice with in my Learn to Crochet series! I’m so excited for you to go further with your crochet journey.
I’d love to see how you end up using it, so be sure to tag me in your projects on @craftingforweeks on Facebook or on Instagram so that I can check them out!
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
