Left Handed Single Crochet: Learn How to Single Crochet

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One of the most commonly used crochet stitches is the single crochet. In fact, you typically see it in its abbreviation form SC in crochet patterns. This tutorial will show you the left-handed single crochet.

Making a single crochet using orange yarn and a wooden hook next to a text area which says "Tutorial: How to Left-Handed Single Crochet, thecrochetfox.com" next to row of completed single crochet stitches

In addition, the single crochet is a fundamental crochet stitch and is in fact the most basic. It happens to be a compact stitch, as well as the shortest stitch, with only 1 chain as the turning chain.

This stitch results in quite a dense fabric. Furthermore, the number of stitches and rows per inch or centimeter is more or less the same, producing a roughly square gauge.

As such, the single crochet stitch is wonderfully versatile. It works well whether you use it entirely by itself or combined with other stitches. Moreover, you can work it in rows as well as in the rounds or spirals, like in amigurumi.

Finally, it is quite easy to master this stitch. Similarly, you can easily combine it with other stitches in so many variations.

Single Crochet in UK Patterns

It is important to note that British crochet patterns typically do not use the term “single crochet”. They use the term double crochet instead to refer to it.

To find out more about the differences between US and UK crochet terms, we have just the article for it. You can check it out here: Crochet Terms: The Differences between US vs UK Crochet Terms Explained.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Do a Left-Handed Single Crochet

Before you work the first row in single crochet, you will have to make a slip knot and a foundation chain. If you need an excellent guide for these techniques, you can check out our step-by-step tutorials here:

Working Row 1 in Single Crochet

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Step 1: 11 chains on a crochet hook.

1.	To begin, make a slip knot.
2.	Then, chain 11.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Step 2: Bringing the yarn over the hook from back to front.

1.	Pull the yarn, drawing it through the chain and to the working area of the hook.
2.	You can skip the first chain from the hook.
3.	Insert the hook into the second chain from the crochet hook. Make sure the hook is inserted through the center of the stitch (the V-shaped stitch). It should also be under the back bar of the chain.
4.	Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Step 2: Two loops on your hook.

5.	Now you have 2 loops on your hook.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Step 3: Pulling the yarn through the 2 loops on the crochet hook.

1.	Bring the yarn over again, back to front.
2.	Draw the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Step 3: One single crochet made.

3.	There should now be one loop left on the crochet hook.
4.	You just made your first single crochet.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Step 4: One row of single crochet stitches made.

1.	Repeat all steps in Row 1 Step #1-4 through to, and including, Row 1 Step #3-4.
2.	Once done, you should have made 10 stitches in the completed row.

Tip: Do not work into the slip knot. You should also be careful not to twist the chain. Make sure that all the Vs are facing you.

Working Row 2 in Single Crochet

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Row 2 Step 1: One turning chain stitch on top of a row of single crochet stitches.

1.	First, make a turning chain (i.e. chain 1). This brings your working yarn to the correct height for working the first stitch on row 2.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Row 2 Step 2: One row of single crochet stitches with an arrow indicating to turn.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Row 2 Step 2: One row of single crochet stitches flipped.

1.	Keep your hook in the loop. Then, turn your work counterclockwise so you can work back across the first row.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Row 2 Step 3: A row of single crochet stitches with an arrow going through the last stitch on the previous row

1.	Taking care not to work into the turning chain, work the first stitch into the last stitch on the previous row.
2.	Insert the hook under the top 2 loops to make the single crochet.
3.	Then, bring the yarn over the hook, back to front.
4.	Draw the yarn, pulling it through and up to the working area of the hook.
5.	Now, you have 2 loops on the hook.
6.	Bring the yarn over the hook once more, from back to front.
7.	You should now have 2 loops on the crochet hook.
8.	Pull the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Row 2 Step 4: Two rows of single crochet stitches with an arrow going through the last stitch.

1.	Continue with instructions 2-8 under Step #3 until each single crochet is worked to the end of the row.
2.	Ensure that you work into every stitch on the previous row.
3.	Also, ensure you work into the last stitch as well since it can be a bit tricky to see.

Left-Handed Single Crochet Tutorial Row 2 Step 5; Two rows of single crochet stitches with 10 stitches each.

1.	Count the stitches. Check that you still have 10 single crochets on the row.
2.	Continue until you reach your desired height. Then, fasten off.

Fastening Off

As you reach the desired height of your project, you will need to fasten off.

1.	Cut the yarn after the last stitch. Take care to leave a 6-inch (about 15 cm) tail.
2.	Draw the hook straight up. Pull the yarn tail completely through the loop on the hook.
3.	Then pull the yarn tail tight to close.
4.	Then, thread the yarn into a yarn needle.
5.	Secure the yarn tail by weaving back and forth through the stitches.

Tips for Beginners

Getting the First Row Right

Starting working with single crochets in rows can be a bit challenging. This is because there is only the foundation chain to hold onto, so it can be difficult to hold the work.

In this case, you can make a longer chain for practice purposes. Continue practicing until you feel comfortable working with the first row.

In addition, you might also find it difficult to crochet into the foundation chain. This happens when the chain stitches are too tight. So in your first try, make sure your chain stitches are a bit looser than you would normally make them. This will let you practice crocheting into it.

Once you have gotten the hang of the first row, tighten up your chain neither too tight nor too loose.

Variations on the Single Crochet Stitch

In the tutorial above, I told you to insert the crochet hook under the top 2 loops of the stitch in the row below. This is the most common way to make the this stitch.

The tutorial I showed above involves inserting crochet hook under the top 2 loops of the stitch in the row below. It is the most common method of making single crochet stitch.

But if you want it to take on a new appearance, you can also insert the hook through only one of the loops. You can check out some examples of these variations here:

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