Crochet 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!
6 Comments »
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Izzy Said,
February 5, 2009 @ 11:36 pm
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,
February 9, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
Izzy: You’re welcome, and no, I’m not ambidextrous – I’m a lefty!
Rachel Said,
April 10, 2009 @ 5:54 pm
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,
July 24, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
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,
August 2, 2009 @ 2:55 am
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,
December 2, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
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!!