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FlickrCrochet Basics (left-handed)
Looking for the right-handed instructions? If not, read on…
Basic stitches for Amigurumi
To learn to make amigurumi, you only need to know a few very basic crochet stitches. This brief guide will teach you all the basic stitches you’ll need to be able to follow an amigurumi pattern and start to crochet your own toys!
Contents
- Slip Knot (starting loop)
- Chain (ch)
- Single Crochet (sc)
- Single crochet increase (2 sc)
- Single crochet decrease (sc2tog)
- Slip Stitch (sl st)
- Crocheting in the round
For more advanced techniques, e.g. magic ring, colour changes, joining pieces, see the main Amigurumi Help page.
Slip Knot (starting loop)
Make a loop about 6” from end of yarn:
Insert hook through loop and hook the long end of the yarn:
Use hook to draw yarn through loop:
Pull loop tight:
Chain (ch)
With starting loop on hook, yarn over:
Draw hook back through loop on hook (1 ch completed):
Repeat the steps (yarn over, draw hook back through loop on hook) to make each ch st:
Single Crochet (sc)
Single crochet into a chain (usually first row/round only)
Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook.
Note: loop on hook does NOT count as a chain:
Yarn over:
Draw yarn through chain (2 loops on hook):
Yarn over:
Draw yarn through both loops on hook (1 loop on hook, 1 sc made):
Make a sc in each ch (or as specified in pattern):
Single crochet into a single crochet (usually all rows/rounds except first)
From the top, each crocheted stitch looks like a ‘V’ shape:
Unless otherwise specified in a pattern, insert your hook under both top loops to begin the stitch, as shown below:
Complete the stitch as shown for single crochet into a chain: yarn over, draw up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw yarn through both loops on hook.
Single crochet increase (2 sc)
To increase in single crochet, make the first stitch as usual:
Insert hook back into the same stitch to form the 2nd sc:
Complete the sc as usual:
Single crochet decrease (sc2tog)
Insert hook into stitch:
Yarn over and draw up a loop:
Insert hook into next stitch:
Yarn over and draw up a loop:
Yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook:
1 sc decrease completed:
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Insert hook into stitch:
Yarn over and draw up a loop; draw through loop on hook:
1 sl st completed:
Crocheting in the round
Ch 2:
Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook:
Complete sc and place stitch marker into the top of this stitch:
Continue to make sc into the same space (number as specified in pattern). Stitches will form a circle:
To begin the second round, insert hook into the first st of the previous round (as marked by the stitch marker). It is easier to first remove the stitch marker, then make the stitch:
After completing the first stitch, place the stitch marker into this stitch:
Continue to crochet around the circle as specified in pattern. Picture below shows end of Rnd 2; to begin Rnd 3, remove stitch marker, make first stitch then place stitch marker into this stitch:
Once you are comfortable with this method, try the Magic Ring method to avoid leaving that hole in the middle of your starting round.
Now you should know everything you need to know to be able to crochet your first amigurumi! Have fun!
16 Comments »
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I read and appreciate every comment I receive - thank you! Please note that I only respond to comments here on the blog, so please return to this post to see my reply, or check the above box to subscribe to comments on this post by email.
Please also note that I only speak English and cannot respond to questions or comments written in other languages. - June
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Izzy said
thanks so much!! i have a left handed friend who is trying to learn crochet (me as the teacher) and i am right handed so it really helped me picture a lefthanded crocheter!!
p.s.
are you ambidexterous?
June said
Izzy: You’re welcome, and no, I’m not ambidextrous – I’m a lefty!
Rachel said
this is great! i taught myself out of a book and it’s wonderful to see it left handed, rather than seeing it right handed and trying to figure out how to do it the other way.
Paula said
Thnx so much for this picture left handed explanation so much better to understand than with the drawn things i found so far!
im a crochet dummie
just started yesterday
soon real soon i’ll be alble to make a little bunny or dog or whatever
THNX!!!
Paula said
Hi june
just wanted to stop by and say THNX again!
I have made my first Amigurumi’s and love doing it
So thnx again for the great explanation!!!
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c199/knurkie/PICT7213.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c199/knurkie/PICT7216.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c199/knurkie/PICT7208.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c199/knurkie/PICT7205.jpg
So no dog or bunny yet but they wil follow soon
Best regards Paula
Vanessa said
Thanks so much! It’s good to see another lefty doing it. I do have one question though, when I’m making amigurumi, the pattern always ends up inside out… And when I flip it right side out to finish it, I can’t seem to make the stitches look right… Does anyone else have this problem? Do you know how to fix it? Thanks again! Huge help!!
June said
Vanessa, I’m sorry – I don’t remember if I replied to this already by email! In case I haven’t, the backs of crochet stitches are wider than the fronts, so the piece will tend to be inside-out and you’ll have to flip it at some point to turn it the right way out (this applies to right-handers too!).
Your stitches will look a little different to right-handed stitches, because they are mirror-reversed. But that’s not ‘wrong’ – just left-handed
Carmel said
Hi June! Howie from WooWork.com directed me to your blog, and I couldn’t be more grateful!! I’m a knitter and left-handed. I’ve tried on several counts to add crocheting to my abilities, but have had all sorts of trouble finding good resources teaching left-handed crocheting. Not only is this tutorial awesome and looks extremely user-friendly, it’s so motivating to see a left-handed crocheter with such talent ^_^. Thank you again soo much for this!!
Carmel
June said
You’re very welcome, Carmel! I wish more people catered for left-handers. As a fellow lefty, I try to offer left- and right-handed instructions wherever I can (I don’t want the right-handers to feel left out either!). Happy crocheting!
Blanca Vides said
June,
Thanks so much of this tutorial. I am a righty trying to teach my left handed son how to crochet. This is by far the best tutorial, the pictures really help my son visualize how he is supposed to hold the yarn and the hook. He was getting frusterated and discouraged and your web site has helped.
Once again thanks.
Bee
Emma said
Thanks for the easy to follow pictures.
I really want to be able to make amigurumi but im struggling being a lefty.
I have been able to pick it up so much easier with your explainations.
Thanks again
Emma
Carolyn Coughran said
Thank you so much for all the left handed tutorials. I do crochet but I have been guessing how the stitches should be when reversed. Following your clear diagrams make it so much easier and have shown me I have been doing some stitches wrong for years. I am grateful I can now learn how to do each stitch correctly.
Teresa said
Thank you so much. I taught myself the basics from a pamphlet (had left and right instructions)..but some of the extras I have learned from you. Thank you SO much for the lefty instructions!
sally said
thankyou for years i have been looking for someone who could show me how to crochet lefthanded
Kate said
It has been so hard learning to crochet while trying to do everything backwards too.
Thanks for the lefty help! It a relief to do it the same as the pictures.
CATHERINE said
SPENT A FORTUNE ON CLASSES. ALL MEMBERS RIGHT HANDED. I WAS LOST,BUT YOU RESTORED MY FAITH IN MYSELF,. LOVE HOW SIMPLE YOU MAKE IT, AND EASY TO FOLLOW THANK YOU