A slip knot is one of the basic techniques for crochet, knitting and many yarn arts. In this video, you will learn how to tie a slip knot in 3 different ways. Choose from these three methods to learn which one is best for you (click on the link): https://youtu.be/lQAXQ5n240Q

Almost every crochet pattern (if you’re working in rows) begins with a chain stitch. A series of chain stitches called a beginning or foundation chain.

How to make a chain stitch: Make a slip knot. With the slip knot on the crochet hook, grasp the knot between the thumb and middle fingers of your left hand. The working yarn, the strand coming from the ball, should flow over your index finger. Yarn over the hook, pull the hook down and through the current loop on the hook. Repeat this as many times as necessary.

Here is a video on how to make a series of chain stitches (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/Cx6S-WTX1Cg

TIP! The slip knot and the loop on your hook are not counted in the number of chain stitches required in a pattern's foundation chain.

The single crochet stitch is the most fundamental of all stitches in crocheting.

Please pay attention, that if you are crocheting rows, you will never work in the first chain from the crochet hook, unless the pattern you are working specifically directs you to do so.

After you form the foundation chain of stitches, insert the hook through the 2nd chain from the hook. Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front, hook the yarn and draw yarn through the chain. You now have two loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn around your crochet hook again and draw the hook and the yarn through both loops on the crochet hook. One single crochet stitsch is now complete.
Insert the hook in the next chain as before and make the second single crochet stitch.

Here you can watch a video on how to make single crochet stitches (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/0-jnqGRldNs

A slip stitch is the smallest of all the crochet stitches. It is used to join stitches that are worked in.

Insert hook from front to back in the center of the next loop from the hook, wrap the yarn, from back to front, around the hook and pull out through 2 loops on the hook.

Here you can watch a video on how to make a slip stitch (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/KSJ3_i9I2Z4

The Magic Ring (or Adjustable Ring) is used when crocheting in rounds. The advantages of using the Magic Ring, is that once tightened, it leaves no hole in the center of your work.
To use a magic ring in crochet, you’ll make the first round of stitches into an adjustable loop. Then, simply pull the yarn tail to close up the loop nice at tight.

The magic ring is worked in two parts. The first step is to make the adjustable loop. Then, the next step is to work whatever stitches your pattern calls for into that adjustable loop.

Here you can watch a video on how to make a regular Magic Ring (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/MQ9oPFhpf0k

This video tutorial will show you the easiest way how to make the Magic Ring (click on the link o): https://youtu.be/lgRjFBcHv2I

The half double crochet stitch is one of the most common crochet stitches. It is in between the height of single crochet and double crochet, and it is made using aspects of both.

You can crochet half-double crochet stitches in rows or rounds. Make a turning chain of two to start a new row or round.

A turning chain is a number of chain stitches that you make at the beginning of a row to bring the yarn up to the correct height for the next stitch. Sometimes theturning chain counts as the first half double crochet of the new row so skip the first stitch and work a half double crochet in the second stitch. The pattern introduction will tell you how to treat the turning chain, and whether or not it counts as a stitch.

In this video, you will learn how to make half-double crochet stitches (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/VyGvu9LJigk

The double crochet stitch is one of the most common crochet stitches and is about twice as tall as a single crochet.
You can crochet double crochet stitches in rows or rounds. Make a turning chain of three to start a new row or round.


A turning chain is a number of chain stitches that you make at the beginning of a row to bring the yarn up to the correct height for the next stitch. Sometimes the three chains count as the first double crochet of the new row so skip the first stitch and work a double crochet in the second stitch.The pattern introduction will tell you how to treat the turning chain, and whether or not it counts as a stitch.

In this video, you will learn how to make double crochet stitches (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/QA9LJM7pYNg

When you are crocheting and need to add stitches to your work, you will need to work an increase. Increasing is a method of shaping your work. To increase one stitch in single, half double or double crochet, simply work two stitches in one stitch. For example, if you are working in single crochet and you need to increase one stitch, you would work one single crochet in the next stitch; then you would work another single crochet in the same stitch.

This video will show you how to increase in crocheting (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/HL6TUPZ5Ji0

Decreases are used to change the shape of all of your crochet projects.
There are a few ways to reduce a stitch when working a single crochet. One of the most effective and easiest is crochet the next 2 single crochet together.

In this video will show you how to use this method (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/Vf94j-ZU8VA


I use the invisible decrease for all my amigurumi. With this method you can’t even tell that the stitches are decreasing - there are no holes or bumps in sight!

In this video you will learn how to make invisible decreases (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/JPEBcQip3Ko

When crocheting amigurumi, you usually work through both loops of the stitches. However, However, some patterns include working with the front loop or only with the back loop. In order to crochet correctly, you should remember that:

• the front loop is the loop closest to you;
• the back loop is the loop farthest away from you.

Crocheting in the back loop makes two rounds of stitches look like they’re sitting right on top of each other. Sometimes a pattern asks you to crochet in the front loop only. Just like crocheting in the back loop, this technique provides a different texture. Crocheting into the front or back loops can also give you a crochet fabric that’s a bit stretchier than usual.

In this video you can learn how to crochet through back and front loops (click on the link):
https://youtu.be/STZeF6zOmLc