Crochet tutorials

With these beginner-friendly photo and video tutorials for crochet, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make your first crochet plushie.

CROCHET BASICS

Hold a hook & yarn

First things first, learn how to hold a crochet hook in one hand and yarn in the other.

Count stitches, rounds, and rows

How to count stitches, rounds, and rows.

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?

Use stitch markers

Learn how to use stitch markers to keep track of where you are.

Crochet abbreviations

Quick reference guide for US and UK abbreviations and terminology.

Read a crochet pattern

Learn how to understand crochet pattern instructions.

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.

Single crochet (sc)

The basic stitch for crochet, including amigurumi.

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.

Turning chain (ch 1 & turn)

Use this technique to crochet new rows.

Half double crochet (hdc)

This stitch is the halfway point between a single and double crochet stitch.

Double crochet (dc)

The double crochet stitch is twice the height of a single crochet stitch.

Bobble stitch (dc5tog)

Crochet 5 double crochet stitches together to create a bobble stitch.

Single crochet 3 together (sc3tog)

Take three stitches and turn them into one

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.

Crochet in rows

How to create a slip knot, crochet a foundation chain, and the following rows.

Crochet an oval

Circles, rectangles, and now ovals, oh my!

Change colors

Learn how to change colors in the round and in rows.

Add another yarn ball

Ran out of yarn? Learn how to add another yarn ball.

Use safety eyes

Also known as craft eyes, these are small pieces of round plastic that give life to your toys.

Stuff amigurumi

Two ways to stuff amigurumi to keep your piece looking smooth.

Close a ball

How to fasten off and weave in the yarn tails of a self-contained piece of amigurumi, like a ball.

Hide yarn tails

How to hide yarn tails in a 3D crochet piece.

Embroider eyes

Don’t want to use plastic eyes? Embroider eyes instead.

Embroider blush

Embroider blush to give your amigurumi a little bit more charm.

Embroider a curve

Embroider a curve to give your amigurumi a smile or sleepy eyes.

Embroider a nose & mouth

Embroider a simple nose and mouth onto amigurumi.

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 a flat piece onto a 3D piece

Learn how to sew a flat piece onto a 3D 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

Weave in ends

Weave in yarn tails to secure your piece.

Whip stitch

Sew two edges with the same number of stitches together.

Slip stitch join (sl st join)

Add yarn in a different direction with a slip stitch join.

Crochet through front or back loops only (flo, blo)

What it means to crochet through the front or back loops only.

Turn a chain into a ring

How to join the ends of a foundation chain to turn into a ring.

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.