How to Single Crochet: Beginner's Dishcloth Project

Welcome to this beginner-friendly crochet tutorial! In this guide, you'll learn the single crochet stitch (abbreviated as SC in patterns) and start your very first project—a simple dishcloth. By the end, you'll have a useful handmade item and the foundational skills to tackle more complex crochet projects.

Materials:

• Medium weight (worsted) yarn in your choice of color(s) – approximately 50-100 yards
• Crochet hook size H-8 (5.0 mm) or size recommended for your yarn
• Scissors
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Prerequisites:

• You should already know how to make a chain stitch (from previous lessons)
• A completed chain of 30 stitches

Step 1: Prepare Your Foundation Chain

Start with a chain of 30 stitches. If you haven't made one yet, create a slip knot, then chain 30 stitches. This will be the foundation row for your dishcloth.

Safety Note: Make sure your chain isn't too tight. You should be able to easily insert your hook into each chain stitch.

Step 2: Understand the Chain Structure

Each chain stitch has three strands of yarn:

• The top strand (most commonly used for stitches)
• The middle strand
• The bottom strand

For this project, you'll work into the top strand of each chain stitch.

Step 3: Position Your Hook for the First Single Crochet

Count the chains from your hook. Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook—not the first chain on the hook, but the one immediately after it. This skipped chain creates the height needed for your first row.

Step 4: Make Your First Single Crochet

1. Insert your hook under the top strand of the second chain from your hook
2. Yarn over by bringing the yarn from underneath your hook (never from the top)
3. Pull the yarn through the chain stitch—you should now have two loops on your hook
4. Yarn over again from underneath
5. Pull through both loops on your hook

Congratulations! You've just completed your first single crochet stitch.

Step 5: Continue Across the Row

Work one single crochet into each remaining chain stitch:

• Insert hook into the top strand of the next chain
• Yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook)
• Yarn over and pull through both loops

Repeat this pattern across all 30 chains. Remember: don't place a stitch into the knot at the end—use the last chain stitch.

Important: When you finish, you should have 29 single crochet stitches. The first skipped chain counts as your turning chain, not a stitch.

Step 6: Count Your Stitches

Count your stitches to make sure you have 29 single crochets. Look for the two strands of yarn on top of each stitch. Don't count the bottom ridge—focus on the top loops.

Step 7: Start Row 2

1. Chain 1 – this creates height for your next row
2. Turn your work around so the back side faces you
3. Do NOT place your first stitch into the chain you just made
4. Insert your hook into the first single crochet from the previous row (look for the two top strands)
5. Work a single crochet stitch as before:

• Yarn over, pull through (2 loops)
• Yarn over, pull through both loops

Step 8: Work Across Row 2

Continue making single crochet stitches into each stitch across the row. When you reach the end, you should have 29 stitches again.

Step 9: Repeat for Additional Rows

For each new row:

1. Chain 1
2. Turn your work
3. Single crochet into each stitch across
4. Count to make sure you still have 29 stitches

Continue until your dishcloth reaches your desired size (approximately 8-10 inches square for a standard dishcloth).

Step 10: Finish Your Project

When your dishcloth is the size you want:

1. Cut your yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail
2. Pull the tail through the last loop on your hook
3. Pull tight to secure
4. Weave in the loose ends using a yarn needle

1. Maintain consistent tension – Try to keep your stitches even throughout. Practice makes perfect, so don't worry if your first few rows look uneven.

1. Count your stitches every row – It's easy to accidentally add or skip stitches. Counting helps ensure your dishcloth stays straight and even.

1. Use stitch markers – Place a marker in your first and last stitch of each row to help you know where to start and stop.

1. Work in good lighting – Seeing the two top strands clearly is essential for accurate stitches.

1. Don't pull too tight – Your single crochet stitches should be snug but not tight. If your hook feels like it's struggling to enter a stitch, you're pulling too hard.