Standard and common crochet stitches include single, half double, and double crochet stitches. You may have noticed that as the height of each stitch increases, the drape of the fabric gets looser and there is more space in between stitches. Depending on what pattern or project you are working on, a taller or shorter crochet stitch may be more suitable.
1) Single Crochet (sc): This is the shortest of the basic crochet stitches. It creates a tight and firm fabric. Single crochet stitches are relatively close together, producing a dense texture in your work.
2) Half Double Crochet (hdc): The half double crochet stitch is a bit taller than the single crochet. It offers a balanced combination of density and flexibility. You'll notice that there's more space between the stitches compared to the single crochet, resulting in a slightly more open texture.
3) Double Crochet (dc): Among the basic stitches, the double crochet is the tallest. It introduces a considerable amount of space between the stitches, giving your fabric a loose and airy quality. Due to its height, it's often used for lacy or openwork designs.
4) Triple Crochet (tr) and Beyond: There are even taller stitches, such as the triple crochet (also known as treble crochet) and the quadruple crochet (or double treble). These stitches continue the pattern of increased height and spacing between stitches. They are commonly employed in more intricate lacework and can create a very open and airy fabric.
The choice of stitch height depends on the desired texture, drape, and appearance of your project. Shorter stitches like single crochet are great for tight, warm fabrics, while taller stitches like double crochet and beyond are excellent for lacy or lightweight projects. By understanding the differences in stitch heights, you can tailor your crochet work to achieve the specific look and feel you want.
The names of all of these tall stitches can be confusing, so take a look at the chart below which simplifies the number of yarn overs required for each stitch.
Tall Crochet Stitches Chart:
# of Yarn Overs | Stitch Name | Abbreviation |
1 | Double | dc |
2 | Treble | tr |
3 | Double Treble | dtr |
4 | Triple Treble | trtr |
5 | Quintuple Treble | qaudtr |
6 | Quintuple Treble | quintr |
7 | Sextuple Treble | sexttr |
8 | Septuple Treble | septtr |
9 | Octuple Treble | octr |
10 | Nonuple Treble | nontr |
To make it even easier to remember, think of the name of the tall stitch and + 1.For example treble (which means 3) + 1 means to start with 4 yarn overs. For another example octuple (which means 8) +1 means to start with 9 yarn overs. To complete any tall stitch, start with the appropriate number of yarn overs on your hook. Then insert your hook into the appropriate stitch and yarn over and pull through two loops. Continue to yarn over and pull through 2 loops until there are no more loops on your hook.