Basic crochet stitches – step by step

Short and to the point today 🙂 If you want to start your adventure with crochet, you need to know the basic stitches, which are the foundation of any knitting. In this article, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make the five most important ones: chain eyelet, close eyelet, half-stitch, winding half-stitch and post. All you need is a crochet hook, yarn, a good mood and a bit of willingness – and the world of crochet will open up to you! 😍

Chain eye (chain)

An absolute staple of any crochet knitting, the chain is formed at the beginning of most projects. It is a sequence of eyelets that provide the “skeleton” for the subsequent rows.

How to make a chain eye:

1. Make a starting loop (also known as a knot) and place it on the crochet hook.
2. Hold the knitting with one hand while you wrap the thread around the crochet hook with the other.
3. Pull the thread through the loop – this is your first eyelet.
4. Repeat the process, creating more chain eyelets.

💡 Tip: Try to make the meshes equal in size – this will make further work easier.

Close eyelet

This is the simplest stitch for joining pieces or finishing the edges of a knit. It forms a very compact and flat row.

How to make a close eyelet:

1. Poke the crochet hook into the selected mesh of the previous row.
2. Grab the thread and pull it through the mesh (you now have 2 loops on your crochet hook).
3. Pull the first loop through the second loop.

🧵 Use: The close eyelet is often used to close laps or for decorative edge finishing.

Half-block

The half-post is slightly higher than the close eyelet, but more compact than the post. It is one of the most versatile stitches.

How to make a half-shell:

1. Thread your crochet hook into the mesh of the previous row.
2. Catch the thread and pull it through the eyelet (you now have 2 loops on your crochet hook).
3. Catch the thread again and pull it through both loops.

🧶 Use: Ideal for knits that are intended to be more compact, e.g. bags, hats, pads.

Post

This is a higher stitch than the half-post, allowing you to achieve a greater knitting height more quickly. The post is soft and flexible.

How to make a post:

1. Thread on the crochet hook (also known as a marrow).
2. Thread the crochet hook into the eyelet of the previous row.
3. Catch the thread and pull it through the eyelet (you now have 3 loops on your crochet hook).
4. Catch the thread and pull it through the first two loops.
5. Catch the thread again and pull it through the remaining two loops.

🧵 Usage: The post is great for lightweight, openwork designs – such as scarves, blouses, napkins.

Semi-pile

A winding half-post creates a more flexible row than a regular half-post and is quicker to rework than a post.

How to make a wind-up half-sheet:

1. Make a bedspread (i.e. wrap the thread around the crochet hook).
2. Thread the crochet hook into the selected eyelet of the previous row.
3. Catch the thread and pull it through the eyelet (you have 3 loops on your crochet hook).
4. Catch the thread again and pull it through all 3 loops.

🧶 Use: Perfect for scarves, blankets and clothes – combines softness with durability.

Learning basic stitches is the first step into the world of crochet. With chain eye, close eye, half-stitch and post, you can create countless projects from simple doilies to complex patterns. It’s worth practising each stitch separately and then combining them in different combinations to create unique knits.

✨ Remember – crochet is not only a technique, but also the art of patience and the joy of creation!